Item 2F: Approval of Overseas Travel Request

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Approval of Overseas Travel Request Meeting Date: July 24, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 2F Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This item is to secure City Council approval of overseas travel by Mayor Piercy and Councilor Taylor to Eugene’s sister city of Irkutsk, Russia, planned from August 18 – 30, 2006. Section 10.07 of the Eugene City Council Operating Agreements dictate that if the Mayor or members of the City Council wish to make a council business-related trip to a destination overseas, the request is to be made in writing and placed on the Consent Calendar for approval by the City Council. BACKGROUND Mayor Piercy has been invited to Irkutsk, Russia by Mayor Vladimir Yakubovsky. The cost of air fare is approximately $2,135 and the cost of lodging, ground transportation, meals, and related travel expenses during the 12-day trip is approximately $800, for a total of $2,935, per person. The hotel expenses while in Irkutsk will be assumed by the city government there. The itinerary includes layover nights in Moscow both before and after the visit to Irkutsk. Councilor Taylor has decided to join the Mayor on this sister city trip and is asking the City to underwrite her travel expenses. The City has historically paid for the mayor’s sister city trips in their entirety. In October 2005, the City paid for Mayor Piercy’s and Councilor Papé’s sister city travel to Jinju, South Korea and Kakegawa, Japan. In October 2004, the City paid for Mayor Torrey’s sister city visit to Jinju, and in 1999, the City also paid for Mayor Torrey’s sister city trip to Russia and Japan. Going back to 1996, Mayor Bascom visited Jinju and Kakegawa on separate trips and the City paid the travel expenses for both. City councilor participation in sister city trips has been less frequent in recent years. In September 2000, Councilor Taylor requested City funds for a sister city trip to Kathmandu, Nepal. The original request was for $3,000; the City Council decided to allocate half that amount and supported the trip in the amount of $1,500. In 1993, then-Councilor Bobby Green visited Chinju at the City’s expense. Also in 1993, then-Councilor Nancy Nathanson visited Kakegawa using City funds. (A subsequent trip to Japan by Councilor Nathanson in 2003 was not at City expense.) RELATED CITY POLICIES The City policy governing this issue is found in Section 10.07 of the Eugene City Council Operating Agreements. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060724\S0607242F.doc