ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
14.	CONSIDER 1) ADOPTION OF REVISED MEETING RULES REGARDING BOARD CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE/TRAVEL; and 2) APPROVE ACWA WASHINGTON, DC CONFERENCE TRAVEL REQUESTS FOR DIRECTORS
Meeting Date:			December 12, 2011	Budgeted:	$14,400
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Services & Supplies
			General Manager	Line Item No.: Board Expenses
Prepared By:			Suresh Prasad	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Rules and Regulations Review Committee considered this item on October 19, 2011 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: On September 19, 2011, the Board adopted the item, Consider Adoption of Administrative Committee Recommendation that no Action be taken on Establishment of an Annual Limit per Director on Expenditures for Board Conference/Travel. The Board also recommended the Rules and Regulations Committee review the existing Board Expense Reimbursement Policy. The Rules and Regulations Review Committee reviewed the policy and recommended that it be revised to reflect reimbursement for conference travel within the State of California, and that any travel outside the State would require prior approval from the Board. If the Board adopts the revised policy, an approval for three Directors travelling to the ACWA Conference in Washington, DC is also included within this item.

RECOMMENDATION: The Rules and Regulations Review Committee reviewed this item on October 19, 2011 and recommended the Board adopt the revised Board Expense Reimbursement Policy Exhibit 14-A. The revised policy requires prior Board approval for travel outside the State. If the policy is approved, staff recommends the Board approve three Directors (Brower, Lewis and Lehman) travelling to the ACWA Conference in Washington, DC.

BACKGROUND: At the June 20, 2011 Board meeting, one of the Directors suggested that it might be appropriate to reduce the budgeted amount in the Board Expenses category for the current FY 2011-2012 Budget. On July 11, 2011, the Administrative Committee reviewed this item and suggested establishing an annual limit of $1,200 per director for board conference/travel related expenses. On September 12, 2011, the Administrative Committee again reviewed this item and suggested not to consider establishing an annual limit of $1,200 per director for board conference/travel related expenses. On September 19, 2011, the Board reviewed this item and approved it based on the recommendation of the Administrative Committee. The Board also recommended that the Rules and Regulations Committee review the existing Board Expense Reimbursement Policy. On October 19, 2011, the Rules and Regulations Review Committee reviewed this item and recommended that the Board Expense Reimbursement Policy be revised to specify that any travel outside the State would require prior approval from the Board. The Board reviewed this item and recommended that this be brought to the December 12, 2011 Board Meeting. If the revised policy is adopted tonight, a second action is required for approval of three Directors travelling to the ACWA Conference in Washington, DC. Directors Brower, Lewis and Lehman have submitted requests to attend the out of State ACWA Conference. Within the new revised policy, an approval by the Board is needed prior to any out of State conference/travel requests.

EXHIBITS

14-A Board Expense Reimbursement Policy

U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2011\20111212\ActionItems\14\item14.docx