CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 18, 2016
PREPARED BY: Michelle Wilson, Deputy City Clerk/Administrative Services
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
COUNCIL MEMBER MARILYN LIBRERS TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH THE SILICON VALLEY MAYORS’ CHINA TRIP
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize Council Member Marilyn Librers to attend the Silicon Valley Mayors’ China Trip from May 21, 2016 through May 31, 2016 and authorizing the reimbursement of related travel expenses form the City Council budget in the General Fund in an amount not to exceed $400 and in accordance with applicable City policies and procedures.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
2016 Focus Areas
Participating in Regional Issues
REPORT NARRATIVE:
Council Member Librers along with mayors of Bay Area cities have been invited and selected to participate in an expedition to China later this month as part of an all expenses paid program to facilitate investment and international trade relationships between China and Silicon Valley and foster economic development through those endeavors. Council Member Librers participated in this expedition the last two years and was asked to participate once again this year.
In 2014 the City of Union City obtained a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), which letter is attached for your information, advising that, while the travel, lodging and other paid expenses received for this type of trip are reportable gifts by the participants, these gifts are not subject to the FPPC's annual $440 gift limitation and may be accepted without violating the provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974, the Ethics in Government Act of 1990 and related implementation regulations.
Council Member Librers' continued participation in this expedition and effort is intended to 1) foster the City Council's goal of participation in regional (and, in this case, international) issues and 2) advance economic development in the City, since the key purpose of the trip is to promote economic opportunities and investments in our City and trade relationships with our City. The only expense that is anticipated to be incurred by the City for this trip is the shuttle service to and from the airport.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
None.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
On June 4, 2014, September 2, 2015 and November 4, 2015 Council approved Council Member Marilyn Librers' attendance on this economic development trip in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Mayors’ China Trip.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
A maximum of $400 will be spent from the City Council’s budget in the General Fund. Although this project has not been specifically budgeted for this current fiscal year, a budget adjustment is not needed as there are sufficient funds in the City Council’s budget to cover this expense. Additionally some staff time will be required to prepare the materials for Council Member Librers.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
• FPPC Letter dated May 9, 2014