ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

 

8.

DISCUSS AMENDING EXISTING RULES REGARDING DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES

 

Meeting Date:

January 14, 2009

Budgeted: 

N/A

 

From:

Darby Fuerst,

Program/

N/A

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

 

Prepared By:

Arlene Tavani

Cost Estimate:

N/A

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Chair Markey has requested that the Administrative Committee review the District’s rules on reimbursement to Directors for attendance at conferences and meetings.  This request was prompted by a suggestion from Director Lehman that it might be appropriate to amend the current rules by allocating a specific dollar amount for each Director’s attendance at conferences, and any funds not spent by an individual Director would be added to the amount available for use by that Director the following year. 

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Committee should review MPWMD Meeting Rule 9 (Exhibit 8-A), the MPWMD Board Expense Reimbursement Policy (Exhibit 8-B), and Ordinance No. 126 (Exhibit 8-C).  If the Committee decides that the reimbursement rules should be amended, provide direction to staff on preparation of draft rules for review at a future Administrative Committee meeting.

 

BACKGROUND:  MPWMD Meeting Rule 9, Reimbursement of Expenses (Exhibit 8-A), authorizes Directors to be reimbursed for travel, meals and lodging associated with attendance at conferences and meetings.  Rule 9 refers to the MPWMD Board Expense Reimbursement Policy (Exhibit 8-B) that describes reimbursement requirements in detail.  According to Ordinance No. 126 (Exhibit 8-C), Directors are also compensated at the rate of $110 per day for attendance at conferences and meetings.    

 

The budget for Directors’ travel and attendance at conferences is adopted annually as part of the MPWMD Fiscal Year Budget.  When a Director decides to attend a conference, a request is made to the Chair and Vice Chair to approve the expense.  If approved, the Director is eligible to be reimbursed for registration fees, travel, meals and lodging, and $110 per day.  There is no limitation on the number of conferences or meetings that a Director may participate in annually.

 

IMPACT TO DISTRICT STAFF/RESOURCES:  For Fiscal Year 2008-2009, $3,500 was budgeted for registration fees for all directors to attend AB 1234 ethics training, and five directors to attend unspecified conferences such as the Association of California Water Agencies Spring or Fall conference.  In addition, $6,300 was budgeted for travel, lodging and meals associated with attendance at the conferences.     

 

EXHIBITS

8-A      MPWMD Meeting Rule 9, Reimbursement of Expenses           

8-B      MPWMD Board Expense Reimbursement Policy

8-C      Ordinance No. 126 – An Ordinance of the Board of Directors of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Setting Compensation for Board Members

 

 

U:\staff\word\committees\Admin\2009\20090114\08\item8.doc