That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to the November 15 meeting of the Governance Working Group with respect to draft information related to the following potential amendments to the Council Members’ Expense Account Policy, prior to moving any recommendations to the SPPC:
a) an amendment to the Councillor Expense Account that would provide for one annual ward-wide mail out per year, including printing and distribution by Canada Post, to be covered by the Office budget, not individual expense accounts; it being noted that this opportunity would provide for a more equitable opportunity for outreach with citizenry between wards of various size and population;
b) an amendment to the Councillor Expense Account (and related policies) that would remove the ability to claim home internet costs for reimbursement;
c) an amendment to 4.2 c) iii) to add additional permissive wording for community and/or ward events, including but not limited to prizes, rental or other “sponsorship” while maintaining the annual $1,200 maximum value and include some potential examples of these uses;
d) an amendment to 4.2 c) vi) to add more permissive wording for advertisements that would reduce limitations on use and types including to not be limited to newspaper publications, permit various media opportunities and while maintaining the annual $1,000 maximum;
e) an amendment to 4.2 a) to include conference registration for FCM and AMO as an expense that is excluded from the expense account, and to be covered by the general office budget; it being noted that any associated travel expenses would continue to be covered by c) i).