The Committee of Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion approved Ordinance 15o7-2025 on Jan. 12, 2026, adding backup credit cards for certain council and city functions and expanding the Law Department's authorized credit‑card uses to include arbitration expenses. The ordinance was introduced and amended by Council Member Griffin and filed with the Law Department on Jan. 12, 2026.

Council leadership and administration staff told the committee the change is intended to ensure safe, uninterrupted travel and to allow timely payment when vendors decline checks. “We want to ensure and provide safe travel for city employees and other city stakeholders,” the Director said in explaining the request. The amendment’s draft language creates a “principal credit card” and authorizes an additional backup card for the clerk of council and for the travel coordinator or their designee.

The ordinance text and staff testimony specify arbitration and related third‑party neutral fees as a permitted use for the Law Department’s card. The Director and finance staff repeatedly said the arbitration reference is limited to paying arbitrators or similar third‑party neutrals, not broad professional‑service retainers. “The meaning and the intent of the language is for specifically for arbitration related expenses,” the Director said; staff clarified that larger professional contracts (for example, firms like Jones Day) are not covered by this provision.

Council members asked for operational details before or after the vote. The Director provided a rundown of current cardholders and limits: city council $53,120; Law Department $15,000; Port Control $10,000; Finance and Administration $5,000; Purchasing and Supplies $10,000; Housing Court $5,000; Finance (travel) $200,000; IT $10,000; Mayor’s Office $5,000; and Public Safety $5,000. Staff agreed to provide the cardholder agreement and the full, updated list of card limits to council on follow‑up.

Members also pressed how disputes, fraud, and interest are handled. Finance staff said monthly statements are produced for each card and charges can be disputed with the bank and reversed when appropriate; the Director and finance staff said cards are paid off each month to avoid interest.

The committee record shows the ordinance, as amended, was approved; no roll‑call vote tally was provided in the transcript. The chair adjourned the committee at the conclusion of the item.