Title
Authorizing stipends for Audit Committee Community Advisors to engage with District Councils and community organizations to strengthen relationships at the community level and to solicit performance audit topic ideas.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul City Council adopted Resolution 20-1110, establishing the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee and its authority to conduct performance audits, invite speakers to discuss and share audit approaches, and identify audit processes, topic selection criteria, and budget allocation; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions 20-1380 and 22-523 address the appointment of community advisors and their purpose in assisting the City in identifying issues of community interest, building public consensus, and providing expertise to improve the City’s efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, transparency, and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further adopted Resolution 20-1382, recognizing the value of community advisors’ perspectives and input in facilitating and advancing the mission and work of the Audit Committee, and authorizing compensation for community members participating in City advisory, engagement, and consultative activities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council most recently adopted Resolution 24-1202, reaffirming and clarifying the City’s authority to provide stipends and reimbursements to community advisors for contributing their time, expertise, and lived experience to City processes and community engagement activities; and
WHEREAS, community advisors’ meaningful engagement with residents is critical to identifying relevant performance topic ideas that are community-driven and reflective of the needs and priorities of Saint Paul residents; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Audit Committee’s proactive community engagement efforts, community advisors will engage with District Councils-including attending District Council meetings-and with community organizations throughout the City of Saint Paul to engage residents and solicit performance topic ideas, activities that require time and travel expenses; and
WHEREAS, providing a stipend supports participation and reduces financial barriers; and
WHEREAS, stipends for community advisors’ engagement with District Councils and community organizations shall align with their regularly scheduled monthly in-person meeting attendance stipend, in an amount not to exceed forty dollars ($40.00) for up to a two-hour meeting and help with travel expenses such as gas or mileage in compliance with applicable city-reimbursement procedures and Internal Revenue Services rules; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby authorizes the payment of stipends to community advisors for participation in District Council and community organization meetings for the purpose of strengthening community relationships and soliciting performance topic ideas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes reimbursement for community advisors' time and reasonable travel expenses incurred when traveling to and from District Council or community organization meetings, in accordance with City reimbursement policies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that stipends provided under this resolution shall be administered consistent with the authority and guidance established in City Council Resolutions 20-1110, 20-1380, 20-1382, 22-523, and 24-1202, and all applicable administrative rules; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that City staff are directed to implement this resolution and take all necessary administrative actions to support community advisor engagement activities as described herein.