CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 2, 2015
PREPARED BY: Michelle Wilson/Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
COUNCIL MEMBER MARILYN LIBRERS TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH THE SILICON VALLEY MAYORS’ CHINA TRIP
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution authorizing Council Member Marilyn Librers to attend the Silicon Valley Mayors’ China Trip from September 19, 2015 through September 27, 2015 and authorizing the reimbursement of related incidental expenses form the City Council budget in the General Fund in an amount not to exceed $2,000 and in accordance with applicable City policies and procedures.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
2015 Focus Areas
Stimulate Economic Development
Participate 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 last year and was asked to participate once again this year.
All expenses paid means that the participants will not be funding the major expenses of this trip, which is valued at approximately $5,000 per participant. The international air travel expenses of approximately $2,000 per person will be provided by The American Asian Economic and Cultural Association, a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization. The remaining travel expenses of travel within China, lodging and meals, total approximately $3,000 and will be paid for by the city governments of the three cities to be visited by the mayoral group: Shanghai, Jiangsu and Si Chuan.
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.
The Council Member Librers' continued participation in this expedition and effort is intended to 1) foster the City Council's goals 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. Some related expenses that will be incurred by City for this trip include:
• business cards with a translation in Chinese (if needed);
• photocopy costs of marketing materials;
• an informational book on the City;
• contribution for plaques from all of the cities for the city governments to be visited; and
• ceremonial gifts to each jurisdiction from the City.
For Council’s information the expense to the City for the 2014 China trip was approximately $2,000 which included business cards, informational books, gifts, etc.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
None.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
On June 4, 2014 Council approved then, Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Librers', attendance on this economic development trip in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Mayors’ China Trip.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
A maximum of $2,000 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
• Resolution