Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Approval of Overseas Travel Request <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: September 22, 2008 Agenda Item Number: 2E <br />Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />This item is to secure City Council approval of overseas travel by Councilor Pryor to Eugene’s sister <br />city of Kakegawa, Japan, planned for October 8 - 14, 2008. Section 10.07 of the Eugene City Council <br />Operating Agreements dictate that if the Mayor or members of the City Council wish to make a council <br />business-related trip to a destination overseas, the request is to be made in writing and placed on the <br />Consent Calendar for approval by the City Council. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />Kakegawa city officials invited a delegation from Eugene to attend the annual fall festival in Kakegawa. <br />This invitation was shared with the elected officials of Eugene. Councilor Pryor indicated interest in <br />representing the City of Eugene. The cost of air fare is approximately $1,500 and the cost of lodging, <br />ground transportation, meals, and related travel expenses during the 7-day trip is approximately $500, <br />for a total of $2,000. Councilor Pryor will meet with Mayor Totsuka of Kakegawa and will be the guest <br />of the Kakegawa International Friendship Association. <br /> <br />The City has historically paid for the sister city trips by elected officials. In the summer of 2006, the <br />City Council approved payment of the travel expenses for both Mayor Piercy and Councilor Taylor for a <br />12-day trip to Irkutsk, Russia. In October 2005, the City paid for Mayor Piercy’s and Councilor Papé’s <br />sister city travel to Jinju, South Korea and Kakegawa, Japan. In October 2004, the City paid for Mayor <br />Torrey’s sister city visit to Jinju, and in 1999, the City also paid for Mayor Torrey’s sister city trip to <br />Russia and Japan. Going back to 1996, Mayor Bascom visited Jinju and Kakegawa on separate trips <br />and the City paid the travel expenses for both. <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />The City policy governing this issue is found in Section 10.07 of the Eugene City Council Operating <br />Agreements. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br /> <br />The City Council can approve this request which will result in an expense to the City. Alternatively, it <br />can deny the request and require Councilor Pryor to personally incur the travel expenses. <br /> <br /> <br /> Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080922\S0809222E.doc <br /> <br />