06-004 Out of State Travel Policy
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
RESOLUTION NO. 06 - 004
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY
FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
BY MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, an Act by the Minnesota Legislature in 2005 imposes an obligation on cities to
establish an official travel policy for elected officials; and
WHEREAS, the policy must address: (1) when travel outside the state is appropriate; (2)
applicable expense limits; and (3) procedures for approval ofthe travel; and further must be reviewed
and voted upon annually by the City Council;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shorewood
that the following policy for out-of-state travel for members of the City Council is hereby established:
Purpose: The City of Shorewood recognizes that its elected officials may at times receive value from
traveling out of the state for workshops, conferences, events, and other assignments. This policy sets
forth the conditions under which out-of-state travel will be reimbursed by the City.
General Guidelines:
1. The event, workshop, conference, or assignment must be approved in advance by the City
Council at an open meeting and must include an estimate of the cost of the travel. In
evaluating the out-of-state travel request, the Council will consider the following:
. Whether the elected official will be receiving training on issues relevant to the City or
to his or her role as the mayor or council member.
. Whether the elected official will be meeting and working with other elected officials
from around the country to exchange ideas on topics of relevance to the City or on the
official roles of local elected officials.
. Whether the elected official will be viewing a facility or function that is similar in
nature to one that is currently operating at, or under consideration by, the City where
the purpose for the trip is to study the facility or function to bring back ideas for the
consideration of the full Council.
. Whether the elected official has been specifically assigned by the Council to visit
another city for the purpose of establishing a goodwill relationship, such as a "sister
city" relationship.
. Whether the elected official has been specifically assigned by the Council to testify on
behalf of the City at the United States Congress or otherwise to meet with federal
officials on behalf of the City.
. Whether the City has sufficient funding available in the budget to pay the cost of the
trip.
2. No reimbursements will be made for attendance at events sponsored by or affiliated with
political parties.
3. The City may make payments in advance for airfare, lodging, and registration if specifically
approved by the Council. Otherwise, all payments will be made as reimbursements to the
elected official.
4. The City will reimburse for transportation, lodging, meals, registration, and incidental costs as
follows:
a) Airfare will be reimbursed at the coach rate.
b) Mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS rate. If two or more council members
travel by car, only the driver will receive reimbursement. The City will
reimburse for the cost of renting an automobile if necessary to conduct City
business.
c) Lodging and meal costs are limited to those which are reasonable and
necessary.
d) Receipts are required for lodging, airfare, parking, and meals and should
accompany an expense report form. It is not necessary to have receipts for
public transportation, cabs and tips. The expense report shall be submitted to
the City Clerk or Finance Department for payment.
e) The City will not reimburse for alcoholic beverages, personal telephone calls,
costs associated with the attendance of a family member, rental of luxury
vehicles, meal expenses included in the cost of registration, or recreational
expenses such as golf or tennis.
5. Exceptions to this policy can be made by majority vote of the City Council.
6. This policy shall be reviewed by the City Council at its first meeting in January of each year,
and amendments to the policy must be made by Resolution of the City Council.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHORE\V,
January, 2006.
Attest:
Woody Love, Mayor