HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.26.2002• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
August 26, 2002
3:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Berry, Welper, Clark, Hurley, Getty, Jordan, Greenwood.
Moved by Berry, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Greenwood, Jordan. Motion carried.
Council Members reviewed the city's Travel Policy.
Councilperson Clark reported that last week the Finance Committee approved an amendment to
the Fire Chief's travel request to allow him to use his personal vehicle which increased his
original request by $157.00. Councilperson Clark stated he has a problem with a travel policy
which allows a person to use his/her personal vehicle in lieu of a city vehicle and be reimbursed
.365 per mile. Councilperson Clark stated he feels if a city vehicle is available, the employee
should be required to use the city vehicle. If the employee chooses to use his/her own vehicle
when a city vehicle is available, he/she should not be reimbursed .365 per mile, but the city
would pay for the gasoline. Councilperson Clark stated that the $157.00 difference in the Fire
Chief's travel request allowing him to use his personal vehicle reduces the Fire Department's
budget by $157.00, which could be used somewhere else.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that the city vehicle is filled up with gas when
the employee leaves the city and the vehicle is again filled up when the vehicle returns, which is
not included in the travel request. Ms. Weidner reported that the IRS factors in depreciation of
the vehicle, wear and tear on tires, oil, etc. to come up with the mileage rate.
Councilperson Getty stated with the gas and wear and tear on the city vehicle, we are probably
talking about the same cost. Councilperson Getty stated that the Travel Policy states that a
personal vehicle may be used with the approval of the department head and the employee will be
reimbursed at the current IRS mileage reimbursement amount. Councilperson Getty stated he
has no problem with employees using private vehicles.
Councilperson Clark stated we have city cars available for employee travel. An employee can
make money by turning in .365 per mile.
Jordan now present at 3:53 p.m.
Councilperson Hurley stated he agrees it is cash in the employee's pocket, but the employee
could incur .90 to $1.10 per mile for gas and wear and tear on his/her vehicle. Page 3 of the
Travel Policy limits the mileage reimbursement to the actual mileage to the conference
destination.
Discussion was heard regarding the amount of insurance required when driving a personal
vehicle for city business.
Greenwood now present at 3:58 p.m.
Denny Bell, Superintendent of Central Garage, reported that city vehicles are not always
available and most city vehicles are not in good enough shape to travel very far.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:02 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk