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3 TO: Honorable Board of County Conunissioners THROUGH: James E. Chandler, County Administrator FROM: Douglas M. Wright. recto Emergency Services DATE: February 1, 2001 SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept Invitation and Donation to the County from the Government of the Bahamas for Nathan McCollum to Attend the 5`h Annual Bahamas Weather Conference Since 1997, the Government ofthe Bahamas has hosted an annual weather conference in order to provide their officials with the best meteorological information possible. Weather and hurricane experts from the United States and the Caribbean are invited to make presentations and also attend concurrent programs which will enhance their expertise. This year. the Government of the Bahamas has invited Emergency Management Coordinator Nathan McCollum to speak with a panel of guests about the Florida East Coast Region and how Nathan translates and extrapolates the scientific data into information the public can understand. The invited panel consists of Max Mayfield. Director of the National Hurricane Center; Dr. Robert Sheets, former Director of the National Hurricane Center; and Nathan. This is an honor for Indian River County Emergency Management to be presenting with two of the most recognized humcane experts in the world. The invited panel will be conducting two programs during the conference and I am informed Nathan will be allowed full participation in the conference. The information obtained by experts during other presentations at this conference will enhance our forecasting capabilities for the 2001 hurricane season. Per the attached letter, there is absolutely no expense to the county because the government of the Bahamas will reimburse all expenses, including transportation, lodging. meals. and conference registration. Because the cost reimbursement is by an agency other than local, state, or federal goverrunent, staff consulted with County Attorney Paul Bangel to seek advice on any potential county ethics violation. After a determination was made that this issue was not clearly addressed within the existing ordinance, it is being presented to the Board for consideration in order to avoid any possible impropriety. RECOMMENDATION: Staff respectfully requests the Board authorize acceptance of the invitation and donation to the County from the Government of the Bahamas of the value of the travel and per diem, as noted and identified in the attached letter for Emergency Management Coordinator Nathan McCollum to attend the 5th Annual Bahamas' Weather Conference representing Indian River County for conference presentations. ATTACHMENTS: Invitation Letter From the Government of The Bahamas E -Mail Letter From BSMG February 13, 2001 81<117PG066 54 92