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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 281-11 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, M ayor Ardell F. Brede has been invited to be a guest speaker at the Sinolizing Research Center in Hong Kong, China, on June 10, 2011; and, WHEREAS, Sinolizing Research Center is a new academic research institution "gathered by a group of scholars who sincerely desire to use their limited life and intelligence to make the greatest contribution to social progress, human development and better world;" and, WHEREAS, Mayor Brede will speak on the topics of: (a) an introduction to local government in the United States; (b) the relationship between local economic development including key large enterprises with local and non-profit research entities such as IBM and Mayo Clinic; and (c) how local American government officials prevent and eliminate corruption in government; and, WHEREAS, other'speakers include professors and others from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Shenzhen University; Morgan Stanley; Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University; GC3 Strategy, LLC; Shanghai Normal University and American University; and, 0 WHEREAS, Mayor Brede's trip to Hong Kong will occur as part of his official duties as Mayor of the City of Rochester and will further the public's economic, cultural diversity, and international interests; and, WHEREAS, it is entirely proper, legal and appropriate that the City pay for the Mayor's expenses incurred similar to those expenses paid for any city official's trip while on official city business; and, WHEREAS, the Sinolizing Research Center will pay for Mayor Brede's airfare and hotel expenses in full and will pay a modest royalty following the Mayor's speeches, which the Mayor will pay over to the City of Rochester; and, WHEREAS, the City of Rochester Common Council wishes to clearly state the nature of the Mayor's trip to Hong Kong and the trip expense reimbursement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Rochester, Minnesota, that: 1. Mayor Ardell Brede's trip to Hong Kong, China is an official trip on behalf of the City of Rochester and will occur within the scope of the Mayor's official duties as Mayor of the City of Rochester. It is well within the interests of the citizens of Rochester that the City of Rochester engage in economic, commercial and social interactions with international communities. These activities encourage development and investment in the City of Rochester and enhance the City's image as a desirable place to live, work and visit. Mayor Brede's trip to Hong Kong will further these public interest goals and purposes; 2. Mayor Ardell Brede is entitled to City reimbursement for his trip expenses as would any city official who incurs personal expenses while engaged in official city business; 3. The payment of the Mayor's airfare and hotel expenses by the Sinolizing Research Center should be viewed, and is hereby accepted by the Council, as a donation to the City of Rochester made pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 465.03, for the City's use in paying the Mayor for his airfare and hotel expenses to Hong Kong, China; and 4. Rather than have the Sinolizing Research Center issue a check to the City as a donation of money for the Mayor's trip expenses and then have the City issue a check to the Mayor for expense reimbursement, it is much more practical, effective and efficient (and is in the public's best interests) to accomplish the same goals and objectives by simply having the Sinolizing Research Center pay the Mayor's airfare and hotel expenses directly and having the Council adopt this resolution setting forth the facts surrounding the payment of those expenses. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Mayor, the Sinolizing Research Center and the City of Rochester Finance Director. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS lo1W D Y OF ), 2011. X", PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL ATTEST: ITY CLERK APPROVED THIS 7W DAY OF , 2011. MAYOR OF SAID CITY (Seal of the City of Rochester, Minnesota) �esl Mesolu.Hong KongTrip