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City Council Study Session —11/15/04 DRAFT Minutes - Page 16 consideration. 8. City Travel Policy City Travel Policy Finance Director Chris Miller provided a copy of the City's policy on out-of-state training and national conferences. Councilmember Schroeder expressed confusion as to whether this policy, or that revised by concurrent Council action, was being adhered to, specifically based on the recent attendance by multiple firefighters at an out-of-state conference. Finance Director Miller advised that the policy, as provided in Attachment A to the staff inemo dated November 15, 2004 was the one being followed by staff. Councilmember Schroeder opined that he was under the impression that the City Council, in recent years and since the current policy's adoption in 1999, had provided for more stringent restrictions on out-of-state travel. City Manager Beets responded that staff had less money for in- state, as well as out-of-state travel, and that budgetary disciplines always applied, regardless of policy. Mr. Beets noted that policy didn't create an entitlement to travel, but that within the City Council allotment annually, his approach was consistent with the policy, and on a case-by-case basis, there may be times when more than one employee could attend a specific conference or training session. Mr. Beets noted that, at times, due to participation in conferences, fees may be waived or reduced, allowing more employees to attend within budgetary constraints and within the City Manager's and Department Head's discretionary review. Mayor Klausing questioned whether Councilmember Schroeder thought City Manager Beets was using discretion, or if there were inconsistencies or a need to revise the current policy. Councilmember Schroeder noted, prior to Mayor Klausing's term as Mayor, restrictions had been applied to travel of staff and/or Council in an attempt to cut expenses. Councilmember Schroeder opined that out-of-state travel was not really needed