Some Port Arthur City Council members thought nothing would be finer than to be in Carolina.

Three Councilmembers attended the National League of Cities City Summit Nov. 15-18 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference for elected officials and staff described the 2017 City Summit as giving attendees plenty of opportunities to learn with NLC University seminars to build technical and leadership skills.

It also hosted City Mobile Workshops around Charlotte that showcased real-world collaborative solutions to issues facing local government, and an abundance of conference workshop sessions spanning topics most relevant to attendees and their community.

 

Thomas Kinlaw III, District 3 councilman, had a total trip cost of $1,975.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $460
• Lodging- $795
• Air fare- $232
• Mileage- $108
• Per diem- $300
• Luggage- $50
• Cab- $29

 

Willie “Bae” Lewis, District 5 councilman, whose district seat ends in May after voters approved its elimination in a charter change election, had a total trip cost of $2,391.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $635
• Lodging- $795
• air fare- $419
• Mileage- $108
• Per diem- $300
• Luggage- $50
• Cab- $25
• Airport parking- $58

 

Charlotte Moses, Position 7 Councilwoman, had a total trip cost of $2,314.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $635
• Lodging- $795
• Air fare- $314
• Mileage- $108
• Per diem- $300
• Luggage- $50
• Uber- $111

 

The grand total was $6,680.

 

Sessions scheduled were:

Nov. 15 —

• NLC University Seminars
• Federal advocacy committee meetings
• Shared wisdom luncheon hosted by NLC University
• Constituency Group meetings and events

 

Nov. 16 —

• Solution sessions
• NLC University Seminars
• NLC Resolutions Committee Meeting
• Conference workshops
• NLC Nominating Committee public hearing
• State League and additional events
• Constituency Group events

 

Nov. 17 —

• Ask NLC open
• Council on Youth, Education & Families Meeting
• Conference workshops
• Member Council meetings
• State League and additional events

 

Nov. 18 —

• Ask NLC open
• Conference workshops
• Annual business meeting

 

Likewise, three councilmen who were elected in May 2017 attended the Texas Municipal League’s Newly Elected City Officials’ Orientation Aug. 3-4 at the Hilton Palacio del Rio on the River Walk in San Antonio.

 

Cal Jones, District 2 Councilman, had a total trip cost of $960.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $175
• Lodging- $405
• Rental car- $111
• Meals per diem- $225
• Gas- $44

 

Kinlaw, had a total cost of $1,110.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $175
• Lodging- $405
• Mileage- $304
• Meals per diem- $225

 

Harold Doucet, District 4 Councilman, had a total cost of $1,140.

The fees can be broken down further:

• Registration- $175
• Lodging- $373
• Mileage- $304
• Meals per diem- $225
• Parking- $62

 

The grand total was $3,210.

 

The sessions of day one of the orientations were:

• Parliamentary procedure: Being award of key rules
• Understanding your financial oversight responsibilities
• Fundamentals of city regulation
• Governing ethically: Understanding your influence
• Council-staff relations: Building an effective partnership
• Interacting constructively with the media

The sessions of day two of the orientation were:

• Planning for your city’s economic development
• Meeting your revenue challenges: Where are the opportunities?
• Governing openly in Texas: Texas Open Meetings Act required training

Jones rented a car while Kinlaw and Doucet each traveled in separate private vehicles.