HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-16-J01G Council Rules of Procedure AmendmentAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2019
AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution amending City of Waukee
Rules of Procedure for Conduct of City Council Business (September
2019)
FORMAT:Consent Agenda
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: An amendment is proposed to address procedure for
the cancellation of regular, special or work session meetings of the City
Council.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Resolution
II. City of Waukee Rules of Procedure for Conduct of City Council
Business (September 2019)
PREPARED BY:Becky Schuett
REVIEWED BY:
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
J1G
THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
RESOLUTION 19-
AMENDING CITY OF WAUKEE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCT OF CITY
COUNCIL BUSINESS (SEPTEMBER 2019)
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal
Organization; AND,
WHEREAS, on December 3, 2001, the Waukee City Council enacted rules and procedures by which
to conduct City Council meeting (Resolution #01-221), with said rules and procedures occasionally
modified and readopted since first being enacted; AND,
WHEREAS, the City Council proposes amending the Rules of Procedure by adding the following
paragraph:
CANCELLATION OF MEETINGS
Every effort shall be made to ensure that meetings are held as posted. However, from time to time, there
may be a need to cancel a regular, special or work session meeting shortly before the meeting begins or
after the meeting has begun. Some possible reasons for cancellation include, but are not limited to,
inclement weather or lack of a quorum. Council meetings may be cancelled if deemed necessary by the
Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and/or City Administrator. Following such cancellation, the City Clerk shall
inform the public of the cancellation through posting in those locations approved via ordinance and
through the City’s social media platforms.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council in session this 16th
day of September, 2019, that amendment to the City of Waukee Rules of Procedure and Conduct of
City Council Business (September 2019 version) are hereby approved and adopted.
____________________________
William F. Peard, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Anna Bergman
R. Charles Bottenberg
Courtney Clarke
Shelly Hughes
Larry R. Lyon
City of Waukee
Rules of Procedure
For Conduct of City Council Business
September 2019
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES OF PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................... 5
QUORUM ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
AGENDA .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
LENGTH OF MEETING ..................................................................................................................................... 6
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS .............................................................................................................................. 6
Order of Business ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Special Meeting .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Closed Session ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Electronic Meeting ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Work Session Meeting ............................................................................................................................... 7
CANCELLATION OF MEETINGS ....................................................................................................................... 8
DECORUM DURING COUNCIL MEETINGS ................................................................................................. 8
Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 8
DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICER ................................................................................................................. 8
APPROVAL OF MINUTES ................................................................................................................................. 9
CORRECTION OF MINUTES ......................................................................................................................... 9
RULES OF DEBATE ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Presiding Officer ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Council Member ......................................................................................................................................... 9
ADDRESSING COUNCIL FROM FLOOR ..................................................................................................... 10
Open Forum ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Spokesperson for Group Presentations ................................................................................................... 10
Public Hearings ......................................................................................................................................... 10
PREPARATION OF THE MINUTES ............................................................................................................. 11
Method of Keeping Minutes .................................................................................................................... 11
Remarks of Council Members Entered in Minutes .................................................................................. 11
Delivery of Minutes .................................................................................................................................. 11
PROCESSING COUNCIL MAIL ........................................................................................................................ 11
SPECIAL COMMITTEES ............................................................................................................................... 11
PREPARATION AND REVIEW OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS .................. 11
COUNCIL ACTION ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Procedure for Council Action ................................................................................................................... 12
Disqualifications/Abstentions .................................................................................................................. 12
Vote Required .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Motion to Reconsider .............................................................................................................................. 13
Motion to Table ........................................................................................................................................ 13
Motion to Postpone ................................................................................................................................. 13
Tie Vote .................................................................................................................................................... 14
INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE ................................................................................. 14
ADDENDA .................................................................................................................................................... 15
A – Travel and Training Policy and Forms ................................................................................................ 15
B – Board and Commission Appointment Policy ..................................................................................... 22
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RULES OF PROCEDURE
The Council shall determine the rules of its own proceedings by resolution, and the Clerk shall keep such
rules on file for public inspection.
QUORUM
Three (3) out of the total five (5) members of the City Council constitute a quorum to do business. When
there is no quorum, the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or any other Council Member shall adjourn the
meeting. If no Council Member is present, the City Clerk shall adjourn the meeting.
AGENDA
All written petitions, communications, and other matters to be submitted to the City Council for
inclusion in the agenda packet for consideration at a scheduled regular, special or work session meeting
should be delivered to the City Clerk no later than the time established by current administrative policy.
The City Administrator, in consultation with the Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, and department
directors will establish the agenda and the order of the agenda.
The City Administrator or the City Clerk shall compile the agenda, listing all matters to be considered by
the Council according to the order of business, lettering and/or numbering each item consecutively. A
copy of the agenda, complete with all accompanying staff reports and other background materials, shall
be known as the agenda packet. The agenda packet for any regular council meeting shall be made
available electronically to each Council Member, the Mayor, City Attorney, City Administrator, and
department directors no later than the Thursday preceding the meeting, with any outstanding packet
documentation made available electronically no later than the Friday preceding the meeting, if available.
The agenda packet for any regular council meeting shall be made available to the public on the City
website no later than the Friday preceding the meeting.
The agenda packet for any special or work session council meeting shall be made available electronically
to each Council Member, the Mayor, City Attorney, City Administrator, and department directors no
later than the business day preceding the meeting, if available. The agenda packet for any special or
work session council meeting shall be made available to the public on the City website no later than the
business day preceding the meeting.
It is strongly recommended that questions concerning an agenda item or any supporting documentation
for an agenda item or items be submitted by phone, e-mail or in person to the City Administrator for
research and/or explanation or correction prior to 12:00 PM (noon) on the day of the meeting.
The agenda only, without supporting material, is to be available to the public by posting in those
locations approved via ordinance no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting and shall be
made available in the Council Chambers during each meeting.
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LENGTH OF MEETING
The length of any meeting shall be limited to three hours. This limitation may be extended for any
particular meeting by a super majority (2/3’s) vote to suspend the rules and extend the meeting by the
time required. Any business remaining to be acted upon by the Council after the three hour limit shall
be postposed to the next scheduled meeting.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Order of Business
The recommended order of business for a regular council meeting shall be as follows:
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Open Forum
Agenda Approval
Mayor’s Report
Presentations
Public Hearings
Public Hearing Action Items
Consent Agenda:
1.Bill Lists and Payroll
2.Approval of Minutes of prior council meetings
3.Approval of liquor, cigarette license applications
4.Approval of Pay Estimates, Change Orders, Certificates of Completion, Releases of
Retainage
5.Setting dates for future public hearings
6.Other business considered by the City Administrator to be simple and non-
controversial
Remainder of Agenda:
1.Ordinances for Adoption
2.Resolutions for Adoption
3.Other Business
Reports
Adjournment
The City Administrator, prior to the council meeting, and Mayor shall have the authority to vary from
this recommended schedule to expedite the conduct of business or accommodate persons having
business to be considered by the Council.
Special Meeting
Special meetings will be set by the Mayor, City Administrator, or at the request of three (3) Council
Members.
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Closed Session
(Reference Code of Iowa §21.5)
A closed session may be held only by an affirmative vote of either 2/3 of the entire City Council or all of
the members present at the meeting. The City Council may hold a closed session only to the extent a
closed session is necessary and for the discussion of any statutorily authorized purpose as referenced in
the Code of Iowa §21.5.
The vote of each member on the question of holding the closed session and the reason for holding the
closed session shall be announced publicly at the open session and entered into the minutes. Final
action on any matter will be taken in open session. The detailed minutes and audio recording of a closed
session shall be sealed and shall not be open to public inspection except by order of the court as
described in Code of Iowa §21.5(4). A governmental body shall keep the detailed minutes and audio
recording of any closed session for a period of at least one year from the date of that meeting, or for as
long as the matter is in litigation proceedings.
Electronic Meeting
(Reference Code of Iowa §21.8)
1.A governmental body may conduct a meeting by electronic means only in circumstances where
such a meeting in person is impossible or impractical and only if the governmental body complies
with all of the following:
a.The governmental body provides public access to the conversation of the meeting to the
extent reasonably possible. A meeting by electronic means may be conducted without
complying with public access requirements if conducted in accordance with all the
requirements for a closed session contained in Code of Iowa §21.5.
b.The governmental body complies with Code of Iowa §21.4. For the purpose of this
paragraph, the place of the meeting is the place from which the communication
originates or where public access is provided to the conversation.
c.Minutes are kept of the meeting. The minutes shall include a statement explaining why a
meeting in person was impossible or impractical.
Work Session Meeting
The Council may conduct work session meetings or study sessions on matters which are expected to
come before the Council for formal action at a regular meeting or otherwise need study by the Council.
Items to be considered will be placed on an agenda as required by the open meetings statutes.
At work session meetings the Council will receive information and presentation of issues from the City
Administrator and City staff. Council may ask questions and may request that certain information be
provided or issues be addressed when items are considered further at another work session meeting or
a regular or special meeting of the Council. Council may direct that matters under consideration be
brought forward for formal action at a regular or special meeting, that further study be conducted if
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appropriate, that matters under consideration not be pursued further (except for matters requiring a
public hearing), or that modifications be made before a matter is considered further.
Final action on items is not taken during work session or study sessions. No formal vote of the Council in
favor or against any work session or study session agenda item may be taken.
Work sessions are not public hearings. On public hearing items, public testimony will be taken before
Council action on the item at a regular or special meeting. No member of the public or interested party
has the right to make a presentation or address the Council on an item under consideration in a work
session or a study session. Questions may be directed by the Council to a member of the public or
another interested party or, in appropriate circumstances, a brief presentation may be permitted by a
member of the public or another interested party on an agenda item or a particular question related to
an agenda item. The Mayor may limit or end the time for such response to questions or presentation.
CANCELLATION OF MEETINGS
Every effort shall be made to ensure that meetings are held as posted. However, from time to time,
there may be a need to cancel a regular, special or work session meeting shortly before the meeting
begins or after the meeting has begun. Some possible reasons for cancellation include, but are not
limited to, inclement weather or lack of a quorum. Council meetings may be cancelled if deemed
necessary by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and/or City Administrator. Following such cancellation, the City
Clerk shall inform the public of the cancellation through posting in those locations approved via
ordinance and through the City’s social media platforms.
DECORUM DURING COUNCIL MEETINGS
Requirements
While the Council is in session, all persons shall preserve order and decorum. Any person that refuses to
abide by the rules shall be asked to leave the Council Chambers.
Every member of the public and every Council Member desiring to speak shall address the presiding
officer, and upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine comments to the question under
debate, avoiding all indecorous language and references to personalities and abiding by the following
rules of civil debate:
We may disagree, but we will be respectful of one another.
All comments will be directed to the issue at hand.
Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICER
The Mayor (or in the Mayor's absence, the Mayor Pro Tem) shall be the presiding officer of the Council.
In the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, the City Administrator or City Clerk shall call the
council meeting to order, whereupon a temporary presiding officer shall be elected by the members of
the Council who are present. Upon the arrival of the Mayor or the Mayor Pro Tem, the temporary
presiding officer shall relinquish the chair upon the conclusion of the matter of business before the
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Council. The presiding officer shall preserve strict order and decorum at all meetings of the Council,
announce the Council's decisions on all subjects, and decide all questions of order. If there is an appeal
to a decision of the presiding officer, the Council as a whole shall decide the question by majority vote.
The presiding officer's name shall be called last on any question in voting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the preceding council meeting may be approved without being read aloud, provided that
the City Clerk has previously furnished each member of the Council with a copy of the minutes and that
a majority of the Council has not requested such a reading.
CORRECTION OF MINUTES
When a Council Member wishes to correct the minutes, that Council Member should contact the City
Administrator in advance of the meeting with the correction. The City Administrator will then verify the
correction by listening to that meeting’s audio recording. Upon verification of an error in the minutes,
the City Administrator will provide the corrections to the Council in advance of the meeting,
immediately prior to the meeting or during the meeting. If time constraints prevent this procedure, the
Council should continue the approval of the minutes to the next meeting, and direct the City
Administrator to verify the error.
RULES OF DEBATE
Presiding Officer
The Mayor as presiding officer may debate, but may not make a motion. The major functions of the
Mayor during council sessions are generally to:
1.Call the meeting to order
2.Announce the order of business as provided in the agenda
3.State motions on “the table”
4.Put motions to a vote, when appropriate
5.Generally prevent irrelevant or frivolous debate or discussion
6.Maintain order and decorum
7.Otherwise enforce the Council’s rules and appropriate parliamentary procedures
The Mayor Pro Tem as presiding officer may debate, vote as a regular Council Member and retains all
the powers as a Council Member. The presiding officer is subject to the limitations of debate that are
imposed on all Council Members.
Council Member
Every Council Member desiring to speak shall address the presiding officer, and upon recognition by the
presiding officer, shall confine comments to the question under debate. A Council Member, once
recognized, shall not be interrupted except according to rules of parliamentary procedure (e.g., for a
point of order, parliamentary inquiry, question of privilege or appeal of presiding officer's procedural
ruling).
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ADDRESSING COUNCIL FROM FLOOR
Open Forum
A maximum of twenty (20) minutes will be set aside during Open Forum for members of the public to
address the Council on any item on the agenda other than an item posted as a public hearing, or on any
subject over which the Council has the authority to act. Any persons desiring to address the Council
shall first secure permission from the presiding officer.
Persons addressing the Council will stand at the podium, giving their full name and address in a clear and
audible tone of voice so that his/her name may be accurately recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
All speakers must address the entire Council and will not be permitted to engage in dialogue. Individuals
shall be limited to three (3) minutes speaking time, unless additional time is granted by the presiding
officer. A Council Member may object to the extension of time to the speaker by the presiding officer.
Such disapproval will be noted and a roll call will be taken on the question. Total citizen input on any
subject under Council consideration can be limited to a fixed period by the presiding officer. A majority
vote of the Council may extend the time limitations on this rule.
Individuals may not speak more than once during Open Forum. Preference will be given to individuals
who did not speak at the previous council meeting’s Open Forum. Without the permission of the
presiding officer only Council Members and the person addressing the Council shall be permitted to
enter into any discussion.
Spokesperson for Group Presentations
Organized groups that wish to make a presentation longer than the time allowed will be required to
contact the City Administrator prior to the meeting.
Generally, matters presented during the Open Forum which require further investigation or information
shall be referred to the City Administrator., If Council determines that action is required on a subject not
on the current agenda, the item may be placed on a future agenda.
Public Hearings
Interested persons or their authorized representatives may address the Council in regard to public
hearing matters under consideration.
The applicant or appellant presentation, if any, shall be limited to a maximum of 10 minutes; all other
individuals shall be limited to a maximum of 5 minutes.
After a motion is made and seconded by a Council Member following a public hearing on the matter so
moved, further discussion from the public on this matter will be denied, except upon the request of a
Council Member through the presiding officer.
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PREPARATION OF THE MINUTES
Method of Keeping Minutes
The minutes of the Council shall be prepared at the direction of the City Clerk and shall be recorded in a
book or file kept for that purpose, with a record of each particular type of business transacted by the
Council set off in paragraphs with subheadings. The minutes must contain only a record of such business
as was actually passed upon by a vote of the Council and shall not be required to contain a verbatim
transcript of the proceedings. A record shall be made of the names of persons addressing the Council,
the subject to which their remarks relate and whether they spoke in support of or in opposition to a
matter.
Remarks of Council Members Entered in Minutes
A Council Member may request, through the presiding officer, the privilege of having an abstract of that
member's statements on any subject under consideration by the Council entered in the minutes. If the
Council consents, such statements shall be entered in the minutes.
Delivery of Minutes
The City Clerk shall cause a copy of the minutes to be forwarded to the Mayor and each Council Member
and department director, typically delivered with the agenda packet for the next regular meeting.
PROCESSING COUNCIL MAIL
The Mayor (or designee) is authorized to receive and review all mail generally addressed to the City
Council. All correspondence not requiring Council action will be acted upon between council meetings
and referred to City staff if appropriate. Action taken on these communications will later be reported to
the City Council.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Subject to approval of the Council, the Mayor may appoint special advisory or ad hoc committees
consisting of Council Members, City staff and/or private citizens, as deemed desirable and necessary to
assist and advise the City Council in its work.
PREPARATION AND REVIEW OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
All ordinances shall be prepared or reviewed by the City Attorney. Ordinances and resolutions shall be
prepared for presentation to the City Council upon the request of the Mayor, any Council Member, the
City Administrator, department directors, or through the initiative of the City Attorney.
All ordinances, resolutions and contract documents to be presented to the Council shall first be
approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney or an authorized representative. When substantive
matters of administration are involved, the ordinance, resolution, or contract shall also be examined for
administration by the City Administrator, the director of the affected department, or an authorized
representative of the City Administrator.
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COUNCIL ACTION
(Reference Code of Iowa §380.3, 380.4)
Procedure for Council Action
All Council Members shall vote electronically when called upon to do so by the presiding officer. The
results of the electronic vote shall then be displayed on monitors in the Council Chambers and the
results of the vote read aloud by the City Administrator or City Clerk. Under circumstances where an
electronic vote is impractical, a roll call vote will be taken of all Council Members’ votes. The roll call
shall be taken in the following order: the Council Member who made the motion, the Council Member
who seconded the motion, then at random. All ordinances, resolutions and other matters or subjects
requiring action by the Council must be introduced and sponsored by a Council Member, by motion duly
made and seconded. Debate shall not be permitted on a motion until it is seconded. After the vote has
been called, there will be no further discussion or debate, except that members of the Council may be
permitted by the presiding officer to explain their votes. All ordinances may be introduced and passed
by reading the title only. Ordinances shall be read in full only when requested by a majority of the
Council.
Disqualifications/Abstentions
All members present at any meeting may disqualify themselves or abstain from voting, in which case the
reason for the disqualification or abstention shall be publicly declared and a record made thereof.
The City Attorney is available to help Council Members decide if they should declare a disqualification or
abstention on any issue.
Vote Required
(Reference Code of Iowa §380.4)
A City Council shall exercise a power only by the passage of a motion, a resolution, an amendment, or an
ordinance. (Code of Iowa §364.3)
a.Ordinances, Amendments and Resolutions
Passage of an ordinance, amendment, or resolution requires a majority vote of all of the
members of the Council unless otherwise required by statute (i.e., passage of a Resolution of
Necessity in final form). A proposed ordinance or amendment must be considered and voted on
for passage at two council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed, unless
this requirement is suspended by a vote of not less than three-fourths of all the members of the
Council. If a proposed ordinance, amendment or resolution fails to receive sufficient votes for
passage at any consideration, the proposed ordinance, amendment or resolution shall be
considered defeated (Code of Iowa §380.3).
b.Motions
Passage of a motion requires a majority vote of a quorum of the Council.
Pursuant to Code of Iowa §380.4, “all of the members of the Council” refers to all of the seats of the
Council including a vacant seat and a seat where the member is absent, but does not include a seat
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where the Council Member declines (abstains) to vote by reason of a conflict of interest. A conflict of
interest is defined as “a direct relationship or pecuniary interest in a matter.” However, if a Council
Member declines (abstains) to vote for any other reason, that Council Member’s seat will be included in
“all of the members of the Council.”
Motion to Reconsider
A motion to reconsider may be made by any Council Member on the prevailing side. The motion
requires a second. It is debatable, if the original action it reconsiders was debatable. The motion
requires a majority vote to adopt and cannot be reconsidered. Only one motion to reconsider an action
of the council is allowed.
Motion to Table
The council meeting agenda is generally modified during a council meeting when voting on the “Agenda
Approval.” A motion to table an agenda item during a council meeting can only be used for a reason of
urgency such as a Council Member or public participant arriving late, or needing to leave early and
requesting an item be moved forward. A motion to table, for a reason of urgency, will only bring
forward the next agenda item. If more than one item needs to be tabled before reaching the item in
question, a motion to table several items at once could be made (i.e., “I move to table Items 8 through
15 in order to proceed with Item 16.”). A motion to table requires a second, is not debatable (the chair
may ask the maker of the motion to state their reason for tabling the motion), is not amendable,
requires a majority vote for passage and, if adopted, cannot be reconsidered. The tabled item(s) may
then be taken from the table by motion, second, and a majority vote as soon as the interrupting issue is
disposed of. A motion to table should not be used to postpone an agenda item, to limit public debate,
or to suppress a minority of the Council.
Items or motions that have been tabled are not automatically placed on the agenda for the next
meeting. If not taken from the table in the meeting at which tabled, there will be a notation made in the
meeting’s minutes that the item(s) or motion(s) have been tabled. Council Members interested in taking
action on a tabled item or motion from the previous meeting must request that the item or motion be
placed on the agenda a minimum of 48 hours prior to the next council meeting.
If a Council Member wishes to take action on a tabled item or motion during the meeting at which the
item or motion had been tabled, the Council Member must bring back the item or motion by moving to
“take (the item or motion) from the table.” The motion to “take from the table” needs a second, is not
debatable and requires a majority vote. If an item or motion is not taken from the table during the
meeting at which it was tabled or by the close of the next regularly scheduled council meeting, the item
or motion dies.
Motion to Postpone
Postponing an item or a motion to a specific date and time ensures that the item or motion will be on
the agenda at the adopted date and time. Any item or motion which is to be considered at the next
meeting should be postponed to that meeting rather than tabled.
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Tie Vote
When a tie vote occurs, the motion is lost.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
The City Attorney shall be considered the final authority on any questions regarding the application or
interpretation of the rules and procedures. In the absence of the City Attorney, the City Administrator
shall be considered the final authority on the rules of procedure for the conduct of City Council business.
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ADDENDA
A – Travel and Training Policy and Forms
TRAVEL AND TRAINING POLICY
Elected officials may incur expenses for pre-approved training programs, conferences, and professional
meetings attended for the benefit of the City.
Approval should be requested far enough in advance so that payment can be made directly to the
sponsoring organization as part of the City’s regular payment cycle. Or, where feasible, payment may be
made using a City credit card. Every effort should be made to receive the early registration discount, if
available.
ELECTED OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP IN CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Each council member shall have an annual budget allocation of up to $250.00 per fiscal year to be
applied toward membership dues in civic organizations.
TRAVEL
No specific mode of transportation is mandatory. However, elected officials are expected to use the
most economical means available with reasonable consideration given to the time and distance
involved.
(A) AIR TRAVEL
Every effort should be made to obtain the lowest possible round-trip coach fare. Any upgrades or
enhancements are personal expenditures and will not be paid by the City.
Travelers should also review the following topics, as applicable to their situation: Companion / Spouse /
Family Travel Expenses, Combining Personal and Business Travel, or Travel Extended to Save Costs.
(B) PERSONAL VEHICLE
Elected officials may use their personal vehicle for business travel. Elected officials using a personal
vehicle for business purposes will be reimbursed based on miles traveled. Reimbursement will be at the
allowable rate established by the IRS.
In determining the allowable mileage rate the IRS takes into account all automobile expenses such as
fuel, depreciation, repair costs, insurance, etc. To receive reimbursement elected officials must submit
documentation of total miles traveled, including origination, destination, business purpose, and number
of miles per trip. The City will reimburse the driver for mileage by the most direct route.
When personal vehicles are used on City business the elected official must have adequate liability
insurance coverage. The minimum prescribed liability insurance is as follows:
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$100,000 for personal injury to, or death of, one person;
$300,000 for injury to, or death of, two or more persons in one accident; and
$100,000 of property damage.
An elected official who uses a personal vehicle on City business is required to have, and provide upon
request, satisfactory evidence of liability insurance coverage. Upon request, proof of such coverage
must be provided to the Finance Director.
Should an accident occur, to ensure full communication and disclosure between all parties, the driver
should immediately contact:
Local authorities, as required
His / Her personal insurance company
The City Administrator
If an elected official receives a car allowance the elected official is not eligible for a mileage
reimbursement for the business use of their personal vehicle.
(C) RENTAL VEHICLE
When more advantageous to the City, as compared to other means of transportation such as a taxi, a
vehicle may be rented. The traveler is responsible for obtaining the best available rate, in accordance
with the City’s purchasing policy, commensurate with the requirements of the trip. When renting a
vehicle for business purposes the elected official should make sure to specify the City’s name on the
rental agreement. Personal use of the rental vehicle is prohibited.
Should an accident occur the driver should immediately contact:
Local authorities, as required
The rental company, in accordance with the rental agreement
The City Administrator
(D) MISCELLANEOUS AUTOMOBILE-RELATED EXPENSES
Toll road charges and reasonable charges for parking while an elected official is traveling will be allowed.
The location of the parking lot, garage, or meter as well as the business purpose of the trip needs to be
documented. Obtain receipts where available.
(E) OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION
Taxi fares are allowable expenses when the date, origination, and destination are documented. When
available, the use of public transportation (e.g., buses, subways) or a hotel / airport shuttle is
encouraged. Reimbursement for the reasonable cost of tips related to these forms of transportation is
also allowed. Obtain receipts where available.
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(F) Companion / Spouse / Family Travel Expenses
Payment of expenses for companion, spouse, or other family members of the elected official is strictly
prohibited.
(G) Combining Business and Personal Travel
If an elected official combines business with personal travel, only the business portion of the trip is
reimbursable. This amount may not exceed the amount of reimbursable expenses which would have
been incurred had the trip been strictly for business purposes.
If an indirect route is taken as a result of personal travel the reimbursement of expenses shall be limited
to the lesser of actual costs incurred or the charges that would have been incurred via a more direct
route. In the case of airfare, the elected official must document the lowest reasonable cost for round
trip coach airfare to the business destination, as well as submitting actual expenses. The City will
reimburse the elected official for the lesser amount.
(H) Travel Extended to Save Costs
Additional expenses associated with travel extended to save costs (e.g. a Saturday night stay for air
travel) may be reimbursed when the cost of airfare plus the additional expenses would be less than the
cost of airfare had the traveler not extended the trip. These additional expenses include the additional
cost of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred in the vicinity of the business destination. If
requested, the elected official must provide documentation of the airfare savings derived from
extending the trip.
(I) Ground Transportation in Lieu of Air Travel
An elected official may use ground transportation for personal reasons even though air travel is the
more economical and efficient mode of transportation. In this case the cost of meals, lodging, mileage,
parking, tolls, etc. while in transit by ground transportation will be reimbursed as allowed by City policy
for these types of expenses. However, such costs shall not exceed the cost of airfare, based on the
lowest available coach fare, plus costs to and from the airport terminal. The elected official must
provide documentation of potential airfare costs (on/near the days air travel would have been utilized)
before receiving reimbursement for the ground transportation.
Lodging
Lodging expense is limited to the standard room rate for single occupancy for the minimum number of
nights required to attend the function. The elected official should request the government or corporate
rate where available. Retain itemized receipt.
Stay(s) prior to or beyond that required for the function is the personal responsibility of the elected
official; see Special Travel Situations: Combining Business and Personal Travel. Any difference between
the single occupancy standard room rate and actual room charges is also the personal responsibility of
the elected official. See also Special Travel Situations: Companion / Spouse / Family Travel Expenses.
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Meals
Reimbursement shall be allowed for actual meal expenses incurred, including tips when noted. Those
traveling on City business will use discretion in keeping meal costs to reasonable levels.
Original, itemized receipts are required; or otherwise no reimbursement will occur.
Elected officials may submit group meal expenses with documentation on the Expense Report of
others paid for under the group receipt.
Reimbursement for alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
Snacks and incidental beverages are not reimbursable unless they are expensed as a substitute
for the regular meals of breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Cost of a meal will not be reimbursed if the meal is provided as part of the meeting or conference
registration, etc. being paid by the City.
Elected officials may purchase business meals for another individual and shall be so noted
including the individual’s name, affiliation, City business being discussed or reason the City is
paying the additional cost. See also Business Meals.
If an elected official opts to purchase meals at a grocery store he / she must specify on the
itemized receipt the meals and dates for which the food items are being purchased. The cost per
meal must be reasonable.
Incidentals
Tips and Gratuities
The City will reimburse reasonable gratuities. Amount should be noted on applicable meal receipt, etc.
Business Meals
Business meals are defined as meals purchased while meeting with a business associate during a meal
period to conduct official business on behalf of the City. Elected official’s meal and the meal of their
business associate(s) may be allowed, excluding the cost of alcoholic beverages. An itemized receipt
must accompany the Expense Report form and note the following:
Date of the meal
Nature of the business conducted
Name and business affiliation of all attendees
Elected officials are expected to use sound judgment and fiscal responsibility in assessing the need for
business meal expenses.
Meeting Expenses
Food or refreshments may be purchased, using City funds, for formal / posted meetings, involving
elected or appointed officials, scheduled during a meal period. The City Administrator may approve
expenditures for other food purchases as deemed appropriate. The qualifying event shall be noted on
the food/drink receipt and/or expense reimbursement request.
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Miscellaneous Issues
Elected officials are responsible for reviewing the complete Travel and Training Expense Policy prior to
traveling to determine allowable expenses and receipt requirements necessary for reimbursement.
(A)Prohibited expenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Personal items, including personal grooming items
Beverages and snacks, hotel mini bar charges
Gifts
Entertainment and recreation expenses, including hotel movies and health club activities
Alcoholic beverages
Expenses for spouses, guests or family members
(B) Pre-Paid Expenses
Direct payment, through the City’s normal accounts payable process, may be made for prepaid expenses
such as conference registrations.
Conference -related special events such as banquets are only allowable for the elected official.
(C) Credit Cards
The City Administrator, Director of Finance or City Clerk, may make purchases such as airfare tickets with
a City credit card on behalf of the traveling elected official. The cardholder is then responsible for
submitting the related receipts. Cardholders are NOT allowed to give their card number to another
individual.
(D) Expense Advances
An expense advance may be secured by submitting a Travel and Training Request form with a
reasonable cost estimate for a cash advance to the Finance Department. The amount requested should
be a minimum of $50 and should not exceed the amount budgeted for the trip, less any costs that have
been prepaid by the City. Such advances shall be requested at least two (2) weeks prior to the date
needed.
All other Travel and Training Policies must be followed. Original, itemized receipts must be included in
the Expense Report to verify cash advance amount. Remaining balance of cash advance not accounted
for in the Expense Report must be refunded to the City within 7 calendar days.
Travel and Training Request and Expense Reimbursement Procedures
1.Keep ALL receipts. Itemized receipts are required for lodging, meals, and other miscellaneous
incidental costs. Receipts are also required for airfare, auto rental, taxi fare, and registration
fees. The amount of any tips or gratuities paid should be noted on the applicable receipt.
2.Expenses paid directly by the City should not be included on the elected official’s Expense Report
claim form, with the exception of meal expenses.
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3.All receipts being reported on the elected official’s Expense Report form should be attached to
an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper to prevent small receipts from being lost during the approval and
payment processing cycle. Attach these behind the Expense Report form.
4.Be sure origination and destination has been noted on all taxi fares.
5.Be sure the location for toll and parking charges is included on these receipts. If receipts were
not obtainable for these items reimbursement will be made for reasonable costs when the date,
location, and amount paid are noted.
6.If a personal vehicle was used as transportation, document the miles traveled along with
origination and destination. If mileage was not part of a “travel trip” a mileage log must be
attached to the expense report documenting date, origination, destination, business purpose,
and number of miles driven.
7.The amount of any travel advances must be subtracted from total expenses. If the elected
official’s travel advance exceeds allowable expenses the elected official must attach, to the
expense report, a check, made payable to the City of Waukee, for the balance.
8.All expenses must be submitted within 30 days of the occurrence or, for routine or daily mileage
reimbursement requests, at least quarterly.
9.Any reimbursements received by the employee from a third party must be promptly remitted to
the City by sending a check to the Finance Department. For example, reimbursement from FEMA
for airfare costs associated with attendance at the National Fire Academy.
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CITY OF WAUKEE
EXPENSE REPORT
NAME:__________________________________________________________________ DATE ___/___/___
DEPARTMENT:___________________ PURPOSE OF TRIP__________________________________________
DESTINATION OF TRAVEL______________________________________________________________________
DATE(S) OF TRAVEL:___________________________________ CONFERENCE DATE(S):_________________
INDIVIDUALS INCLUDED ON REPORT:___________________________________________________________
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION DISTANCE COST
If paid in advance, paid to: (paid at IRS rate)
___________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
___________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
___________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
___________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
___________________________________________________ ________________ __________________
LODGING LOCATION DATE COST
If paid in advance, paid to: (attach receipts)
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
MEALS & LOCATION DATE COST
(attach receipts)
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
___________________________________________________ __/__/__ - __/__/__ _________________
OTHER – PLEASE DESCRIBE COST
(Taxis, Shuttles, Tolls, etc.) (attach receipts)
________________________________________________________________________ __________________
________________________________________________________________________ __________________
________________________________________________________________________ __________________
Reimbursement Request $______.___
Less Advance $ ______.___
Total Due $______.____
ACCT._____________________________________________
Per diem rates for meals are not to exceed fifty dollars ($50). Hotel bills will be reimbursed at the going rate for a regular
single room at the respective hotel. Reimbursement shall be submitted to the Director of Finance within (7) calendar days
after the return from the trip. These rules were adopted with Resolution No. 08-261.
Number of attachments ___ and a brief description thereof: ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:___________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE_____________________________________________________________ DATE __/__/__
AUTHORIZATION________________________________________________________ DATE __/__/__
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B – Board and Commission Appointment Policy
1.All board and commission terms expire on January 31 with appointments beginning on February 1,
with the exception of the Library Board of Trustees, which terms expire on June 30 with
appointments beginning July 1.
2.All board and commission appointments are made the second regular council meeting in January,
with the exception of the Library Board of Trustees, which appointments are made at the second
regular council meeting in June.
3.A description of the duties and terms of office for each board and commission are listed on the city
website and in print form at the City Clerk’s Office.
4.The application form for serving on a board or commission is listed on the city website and in print
form at the City Clerk’s Office.
5.A press release is issued by the Marketing and Communications Department in early fall informing
residents of opportunities to serve on boards and commissions.
6.Residents are able to submit an application for a board or commission throughout the year.
7.Applications are submitted to the City Clerk, who provides the applications to the mayor for
consideration.
8.Applications are initially reviewed by the department director who oversees the specific board or
commission.
9.The department director makes a recommendation to the mayor on which applicants to consider
for appointment to the board and commission.
10.The mayor may interview the applicant(s) prior to deciding which applicant to recommend for
appointment to the board or commission.
11.
12.At the regular council meeting noted in Step 2 of this policy, the mayor makes a recommendation
for board or commission appointments to the city council for their consideration.
13.The city council votes on the recommendation.
14.The mayor will make recommendations to the city council for filling board or commission positions
that become vacant during the year using similar procedures.