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Councilmember Musgrove asked about the 40-mile distance is a standard distance for work related <br /> training. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that the 40-mile mark defines the metro area. <br /> She said they do encourage Staff to utilize City vehicles when possible as it is cheaper than paying <br /> a mileage reimbursement. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked if any of this is negotiated in union contracts. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher said no. She reviewed the telecommuting/remote work <br /> policy. <br /> Councilmember Specht asked if the ability to work remotely should be more performance based <br /> rather than hours worked per week. He noted that if they are able to hire someone remotely then it <br /> could open up their applicant pool. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher said she would recommend keeping this the way it is <br /> written to not allow anyone who works less than 28 hours a week to work remotely. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked if there is any regulation on how many people in a department <br /> can be absent. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that they ask department heads to be able to <br /> manage this on their own, similar to how they manage vacation days. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that she would like to make sure that there is still comradery <br /> between Staff and no animosity about certain people working from home and others having to be <br /> in office. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that everyone who works remotely has an <br /> assigned day to do so. She added that she does occasionally have to ask people to work remotely <br /> on a different day than their assigned day due to staffing needs. She said they have never had an <br /> issue with this in the past. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff shared that in some telecommuting policies he has seen a requirement <br /> to maintain a certain distance from the office. He asked if there is any thought around adding <br /> something about this to the policy. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher said they have language in the policy that states that the <br /> telecommuter must be willing and able to return to the office within 48-hours. She said they can <br /> shorten this timeline. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff said he does not have an issue with the 48-hour timeline. He noted <br /> that the City is a service organization and sometimes people may be needed in office on short <br /> notice. He suggested putting some geographical boundary to ensure that telecommuters are within <br /> a reasonable distance to their primary office. <br /> City Council Work Session/June 11, 2024 <br /> Page 8 of 10 <br />