PLACENTIA : Council Puts Limits on Expense Accounts

City Council members can no longer charge the city for dry cleaning, baby-sitting or vehicle storage.

The council on Tuesday imposed a revised, pared-down reimbursement policy that eliminates all reimbursement except mileage, parking, meals and entertainment expenses directly related to the performance of official city duties.

The changes came after criticism from several residents of Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode’s expense reports. Eckenrode was chastised by frequent council critics Luci Grismer and Howard Kay for charging the city for newspapers and golf outings.

While Eckenrode defended billing the city more than $300 to play in six golf tournaments since 1990 as reimbursement for legitimate city business, he requested that the council review the city’s reimbursement policy, which defined expenses the city would pay for and the procedure for being reimbursed.

Several council members were surprised they were entitled to bill the city for dry cleaning and child care costs stemming from their positions on the council.

“Has anyone actually been using this policy?” asked Councilwoman Maria Moreno.

City Manager Robert D’Amato said he could not remember any recent instances of council members requesting reimbursement for anything other than meals and parking.