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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 452-07City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONOP~BLE CITY COUNCIL 6 FROM: DATE: CITY M~NAGER DEP.AAITMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE DECEMBER 17, 2007 CMR: 452:07 SUBJECT:ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DISCONTINUING ALL MONTHLY STIPEND PAYMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND REPEALING RESOLUTION 4825 RECOMMENDATION Pursuant to Council direction on February 5, 2007, staff recommends that the Council adopt a resolution discontinuing all monthly stipend payments to Board and Commission members effective December 31, 2007. BACKGROUND On December 12, 2006, the Policy & Services Cormrtittee considered a report regarding payments to Board and Commission members. There was a split vote at the Committee on a motion to discontinue payments to Board mad Commission members. The issue was forwarded to the Council for consideration at the February 5, 2007 meeting. At that meeting, the Council voted 8-1 to discontinue monthly stipend payments to all board and commission members, and to phase in the change on December 31, 2007. The staff report and minutes from the February 5 meeting are included as Attachment A to this report. DISCUSSION In order to implement the action approved by the Council at the February 5 meeting, the Comacil needs to adopt the attached resolution (Attachment B), making the change effective December 31, 2007. RESOURCE IMPACT Current payments to board and commission members are budgeted in the related General Fund department’s operating budget and represent a Genera! Fund annual expense of $5,700. Payments are reported as compensation for the recipients, under the requirements of AB 1234. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This recommendation is consistent with prior Council direction on this issue. CMR:452:07 Page 1 of 2 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This is not a project requiring environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Attact~ment A: Attachment B: PREPARED BY: February 5, 2007 CMR 138:07 and minutes Resolution Kelly Morariu Assistant to the City Manager CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER CMR:452:07 Page 2 of 2 Attacl~nent A TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY MANAGER February 5, 2007 HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL DEPARTMENT: City., Manager’s Office CMR: 138:07 POLICY AND SERVICE COMMITTEE FORWARDING TO CITY COUNCIL THE ISSUE OF PAYMENTS TO BOARD AND COM2~IISSION MEMBERS RECOMMENDATION The Policy and Services Committee is forwarding to the Cit)~ Council without recommendation (2-2, Cordell and Barton voting "aye", Morton and Drekmeier voting "no") the issue of payments to boards and commissions. BACKGROUND Since 1973, the Architectural Review Board, Human Relations Commission and Planning Commission have been authorized a monthly payment of $25 per member per month, in recognition that the members of these bodies regularly incur incidental expenses for local mileage, telephone calls, paperwork and the like in their service to the POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION The Committee members a~eed that it would be important to treat all board and commission members equally. Chair Cordell moved, seconded by Council Member Barton, to discontinue all payments to board and commission members, and to phase in the change with existing members as their terms expire. Council Members Dre ~krneier and Morton expressed the view that the payments were modest and were appropriate in consideration of the considerable volunteer effort that board and commission members expend for the Cit3’ in their service. RESOURCE IMPACT Current payments to board and commission members are budgeted in the related General Fund department’s operating budget and represent a General Fund annual .expense of $5,700. Payments are reported as compensation for the recipients, under the requirements of AB 1234. Were all board and commission members to receive the same $25 per month payment, the total General Fund expense would increase to $15,600. POLICY IMPLICATIONS CMR:138:07 Page 1 of 2 Chair Cordell raised the question about whether Resolution 4825, which authorized the current board and commission payments, should be rescinded should the Council decide to discontinue future payments. PREPARED BY Emily Harrison, Assistant Cib, Manager CITY MANAGER APPROVAL Frank Benest, City Manager CMR:138:07 Page 2 of 2 by the Architectural Review Board (ARB) to build twelve additional rental units. Mayor Kishimoto opened and closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 p.m. MOTION: Counci! Member Mossar moved, seconded by Morton, to accept the staff and the Planning and Transportation Commission’s recommendation to approve the proposed Tentative Map for 1072 Tanland Avenue to merge eight parcels (approximately 5.7 acres) into one for a residential infill development, based upon the findings and conditions contained within the Record of Land Use Action. MOTION PASSED 9-0. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS 13.Policy and Services Committee Forwarding the Issue of Payments to Board and Commission Members Council Member Cordell stated she believed stipends for Board and .Commission Members should be terminated. Council Member Morton asked whether Board/Commission members had additional expenses such as for making copies etc., which would make the stipend necessary. Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison assured Council Members that any print costs would be handled by the City and not by the Board or Commission Member. Council Member Mossar inquired about the cost for courses necessary for the Historical Resources Board (HRB) Members to maintain their certification. Ms. Harrison stated any expense towards continued education for Board and Commission Members would be borne by the City. Council Member Mossar asked whether attendance at conferences or other events relevant to any particular Board or Commission Member would be covered by the City. Ms. Harrison said the Director of Planning and Community Environment authorized all Board and Commission Member travel expense for City purposes. 02/05/2007 101-282 Council Member Kleinberg noted boards and committees at the Regional level delegated stipends according to the number of meetings attended by the member. The distance to meetings, the length of meetings, and any certification required to maintain the member’s status were handled by the member. MOTION." Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Klein, to discontinue monthly stipend payments to all board and commission members, and to phase in the change on December 31, 2007. Council Member Cordell stated board and commission appointments are volunteer positions. The City affords members the luxury of attending conferences, events, and courses at no expense to the member and, therefore, the stipend would not be necessary. Council Member Beecham supported the motion on the table. MOTION PASSED 8-1 Drekmeier no. City Attorney Gary Baum stated the City Attorney’s office would produce a Resolution to be brought to the Council for approval. 14.Policy and Services Committee Forwarding the Issue of Adoption of a Potential New Council Protocol: No Gift Policy Council Member Cordell recommended the Council adopt a No Gift Protocol, which would be entirely self-enforced. The City staff maintains a flat no gift policy and the Council should set an example to the community of a high standard. MOTION: Council MemberCordell moved, seconded by Drekmeier, toadopt the proposed protocol: No Gift Policy. Council Member Mossar stated the Gift Policy would not be an issue but appropriate Council contact should be considered. Council Member Kleinberg asked if a Council Member had been invited to an event in an unofficial capacity, would they be able to attend within this Gift Policy. Council Member Drekmeier said if the "free" item or event was intended for all individuals it would not be considered a gift. Vice Mayor Klein asked for clarification regarding Item No. 3 under the Exceptions to a Gift. 02/05/2007 t01-283 *’***NOT YET APPROVED**** SECTION 3. The Council finds that this is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: AB S TENTION S: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mayor APPROVED: Deputy City Attorney City Manager Director of Administrative Services 071203 ~s 8260639 2