Minutes 1999 1115 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Minutes -City of San Leandro City Council and Page 17 San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting -November 15, 1999 The Mayor explained that one of the reasons these guidelines are being brought forward is the need for clarification for the Finance Director because there are some adverse tax consequences for not adequately reporting travel and mileage expenditures. The City Attorney explained that the suggested guidelines accomplish three basic goals. One is somewhat political in nature, which has to do with the City Council's travel and their travel budget. The second two components are the legal requirements relative to the statutes and regulations of both the State of California and the City's Administrative and Municipal Codes, as well as the Charter, governing the proper allocation of expenditures relating to what can be reimbursed and what cannot be reimbursed. The third element deals with the obligations of the Finance Director to appropriately account for public monies that are spent. The last two components of this guideline need to be either clarified or simply promulgated by the City Manager and the Finance Director, with assistance from the City Attorney's Office. He stressed that the Finance Director needs to make it clear to the City Council, as well as to everyone who spends City money or taxpayers' funds, the legal parameters within which those funds can and cannot be spent. He indicated, if the City Council chooses not to adopt these guidelines, then the Finance Director will be obligated, through the City Manager, to adopt whatever guidelines he feels are appropriate to meet the obligations of the City Auditors, to meet his obligations as Finance Director, and to meet his obligations under the generally accepted accounting practices applicable to a public agency. He, as the City Attorney, will advise him as to what is necessary to meet the obligations of the City's Municipal Code and tax regulations. Those guidelines will simply be prepared, adopted, and promulgated by the City Manager. The City Attorney continued by stating, as to the other portion of the proposed guidelines dealing with where the City Council goes, when it goes, and how it goes -that is all within the discretion of the City Council. That issue can be dealt with by the City Council at any time. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the City Council is interested in rewording the proposed policy regarding travel. Concerns were expressed that the guidelines are too proscriptive. There was no additional motion made, and it was noted the issue has been continued indefinitely. E. Report on Closed Session Actions Taken. None