CCR1982017RESOLUTION #17-82
ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES RELATING TO WHEN ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND NON-ELECTED CITY EMPLOYEES ATTEND
CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND SEPINARS
OR TAKE TRIPS
WHEREAS, there is a need for procedures for non-elected
and elected officials when they request to attend
conferences, seminars or take trips that are funded by
the City of Muskego,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that all requests by elected
or take trips be approved by a specific dollar amount by
and non-elected officials to attend conferences, seminars
the Finance Committee prior to attendance of conferences,
seminars or take trips.
Ald. Richard M. Knudsen
ATTEST
City Clerk
blarch 9, 1982
TO THE HONORABLE ALDERUEN OF THE CITY OF LlUSKEGO
Gentlemen:
On the 23rd day of February, 1982, your honorable body adopted
Resolution ~17-82. entitled, Establishing Procedurcs Relating to
Yhen Elected Officials and Non-Elected City Employecs Attend Con-
ferences, Conventions and Seminars or Take Trips.
Although the renson for the resolution may have somc merit, the
wording itself is so ambiguous that if allowed to stand it could
cmployees as well as the Finance Conunittee and the Common Council
* create many problems for the elected officials and non-clectcd
The resolution does not define what is meant by conferences, seminars
or trips. Therefore, every official or employee would have to
request approval by the Finance Committee every time he leaves the
city, whether it be to appear in court, to attend a meeting in
Waukesha, Milwaukee and Madison, and, of course, if he should have to leavethe state. I do not believe the majority of the aldermen want
to place that kind of imposition on the elected officials and
employees of the city. Certainly, if attendance outside of the
state is plnnned, prior approval should bc rcceivcd by Lhc Finance
Committee and perhaps even the Common Council. At the present time,
prior approval of the Finance Committee is a prerequisite.
However, approval of attendance at Conferences and seminars within
the state, if the Common Council has approved a budget which includes
funds for such a purpose, is not necessary. If the Common Council
feels that the attendance at conferences and seminars has no value
LO the official or employee then they should not approve a budget
which includes those conventions and seminars.
It has been suggested that all requests for seminars, conferences,
erc. should be approved by the Finance Committee including a specific
:mount for that particular meeting. If the Common Councjl wishes
to get that deeply involved in a prebudgeted item then ;I more specific
policy should be established.
For example, the Common Council might wish to specify the number
of miles a person has to travel to attend a conference or seminar
bcfore prior approval is required. They might also want to establish
a specific amount Of money that could be spent for 1odginK and meals.
They could even require a written report from the individual who
attends the conferences and seminars advising the Council what
took place.
A review of expenditures over the past several years which involves
the attendance of elected officials and city employees at conferences,
conventions, etc. does not indicate any misuse of the privilege.
However, if you wish to develop procedures in regard to this I
think they should be done after considerable thought has been given
to the matter.
and respectfully osk that you sustain that ve~o.
It is for the above reasons that I have dccidcd to veto your action ,. JJC/ je
Sincerely yours,
Jerome J. Gottfricd, Mayor
City of hluskego
Wls2 58200 RACINE AVENUE MUSKEGO. WISCONSIN 53150
March 1, 1982
I
,
I
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Charlotte L. Stewart, City Clerk ~ ." .of>t3i2'Cit.y
dolhei.eby certify ,that' on-March 1, ,1982,
the City of MGskego submitted to this
" I (.
to,;eto Resolution #17-82,
entitled, Es%abPishin,g ProceduTes Relating to When
Elected Officlals and City Employees Attend Conferences,
Conventions~ and Seminars, and which was adopted by a
vote of, 5 - 2 'at the Common Council meeting held on
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-1 I,
"February 23, 1982.
Charlotte L. Stew%art, City Clerk
City of Muskego ';
RESOLUTION #17-82
ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES RELATING 1'0 WIII:N K1J:CTKD
OFFICIALS AND NON-ELECTED CITY EhU'LOYEES A'YI'ENL,
CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND SEE!INARS
OR TAKE TRIPS
WHEREAS, there is a need for procedures for non-elected
and elected officials when they request to attend
conferences, seminars or take trips that are funded by
the City of Muskego,
THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED that a11 requests by elected
and non-elected officials to attend conferences, seminars
or take trips be approved by a specific dollar amount by
the Finance Committee prior to attendance of conferences,
seminars or take trips.
DATED THIS DAY OF ' , 1982.
Ald. Richard M. Knudsen
ATTEST.
City Clerk