2002-11-11 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

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0 i ASKINS & ARMSTRONG, P. C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW 702 W. FAIRMONT PARKWAY P.O. BOX 1218 LA PORTE, TEXAS 77572-1218 KNOX W. ASKINS JOHN D. ARMSTRONG CHARLES R. HUBER. JR. BOARD CERTIFIED . CIVIL TRIAL LAW TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION CLARK T. ASKINS November 4, 2002 Hon. Mayor & City Council City of La Porte City Hall La Porte, Texas Gentlemen: TELEPHONE 281 471-I1386 TELECOPIER 2131 471-2047 I have reviewed the letter from the City Council Travel Committee to City Council, and, to assist City Council in reviewing these recommendations, I have prepared a "red -lined" version of present Ordinance No. 2000-2434, passed and approved by City Council on September 25, 2000, which reflects the language of the existing Ordinance; shows strike throughs for language of the existing Ordinance which would be deleted; and shows underlined, proposed new language. I have asked Acting City Manager John Joerns to review the "red - lined" ordinance, and his reply memo to me dated October 30, 2002, with his comments, is attached to this letter. I would like to offer the following comments on the Committee's recommendations: 1. As I commented at the time of adoption of the earlier ordinance, I believe Internal Revenue Service per diem guidelines for trips to a major city, where Councilpersons are a captive audience in a convention center hotel, are unreasonably low. I would recommend that the Council keep in place, the present $75.00 limit or such other limit as Council desires. 2. If Council wishes to adopt the Committee's recommendation as to limitations on trips, and/or dollar amounts of trips, I think a limitation on trips, rather than dollar amounts, would be preferable. Alternatively, I would recommend that the revised ordinance contain a provision to the effect that City Council will review and establish a budget for City Council travel, during the annual budget process. I understand that Mayor Malone has requested this matter be placed on the November 11, 2002, agenda as a workshop item for discussion. Again, please let me reiterate that this Ordinance is designed to give the City Council, in ordinance form, the recommendations of the Committee, as a point to begin discussions.