2-8-051 City council committee contingency expense allowance.

   (a)   Whenever the city council appropriates sums of money for contingency expenses of a city council committee those funds are to be used for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the governmental function of the committee and subject to the restrictions contained in this section.

   (b)   Expenditures may be made from the allowance of funds for contingency expenses of a city council committee for any of the following purposes, as they relate to the function of the committee:

      (1)   publications and printed materials, including standard reference books, newspaper and periodical subscriptions, research materials and informational publications and brochures that may be useful to the committee in the performance of its official duties;

      (2)   stationary and office supplies;

      (3)   postage, shipping and messenger fees;

      (4)   lease, purchase, maintenance or repair of office equipment, furnishings or decorations which are reasonably necessary for the performance of the official duties of the committee;

      (5)   lease, rental, purchase, maintenance and repair of computer and data processing services, equipment and supplies;

      (6)   lease, rental, purchase, maintenance and repair of printing, photocopying, photographic and audio or video recordkeeping services, equipment and supplies;

      (7)   meeting costs, including rental of space, rental of a public address system, custodial services, food and beverage expenses, and advertisements; provided, that the meeting is open to the public and the primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss matters relating to the official duties of the committee;

      (8)   reimbursement for the cost of public transportation, taxi or livery service when incurred in connection with the performance of the official duties of the committee;

      (9)   transportation and travel-related expenses for travel directly related to the conduct of official business;

      (10)   consultants or professional services incurred in connection with the performance of the official duties of the committee;

      (11)   educational expenses, including courses of study, seminars, information and training programs; provided that the subject matter is directly related to the official duties of the committee;

      (12)   expenses related to the hiring and employment of staff;

      (13)   payment of miscellaneous, ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the official duties of the committee.

   (c)   In no event shall any city council committee contingency expense funds be used for any of the following purposes:

      (1)   purchase of real property;

      (2)   capital improvements or other improvements to leased or rented property, which are permanently affixed or attached to the leased or rented property and considered to be a fixture to the property;

      (3)   purchase of a motor vehicle;

      (4)   personal, political or campaign-related expenses;

      (5)   expenses related to any business, profession or occupation in which the committee chairman, vice-chairman or any committee member, or any of their relatives or any member of the committee staff may be engaged;

      (6)   the direct monetary benefit of an alderman or any of his or her relatives (as defined in Section 2-156-010 of this Code) or any person in whom the alderman has a financial interest (as defined in Section 2-156-010 of this Code);

      (7)   advertising, other than advertising for public meetings or for employment of staff as specified in subsection (b)(12) of this section;

      (8)   for trophies, awards, gifts or donations, of any kind.

(Added Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50892)