2011-01-28 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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MS. GARSON: No. MS. WONG: So, we just looked at it as if we’re going to advise, we’re just advising, not making any changes or recommendations. And I was hoping that Bill would be able today to further comment on it. But unfortunately he’s not here. MS. NICHOLSON: So the other boards and commissions that are on this list which aren’t up there, are things that you have determined or you feel at this point, need to continue to stay as they are. MS. WONG: Except for asking them to look at their schedule. MS. NICHOLSON: Now, I understand that the Planning Director had indicated, maybe I’m wrong on this, indicated some reservations about the number of community planning committees and subcommittees, and there’s quite a few on here. MS. WONG: I forgot that one because that was such a huge one. Thank you for reminding me. It was suggested that the Planning and Action committees be combined, that there not be two for each area. It was strongly suggested. MS. NICHOLSON: By the Planning Director? MS. WONG: Yes. Bobby Jean. MS. NICHOLSON: So that’s another combination sort of in the case across the boards. So what do you envision as the next step for investigating this further? MS. WONG: I think we just wanted to bring it to this body at this time and ask for feedback or direction if any. MS. NICHOLSON: Well, it seems to me we need to do something if we’re going to pursue this, and I’m not quite sure the way to do it other than maybe to send out letters to each one of these committees and say, using A as an example, saying what will be the implications, and what is your feeling about combining Ag and the Arborist committee, just to find out from them, as well as the questions that you said you needed to pose about how often you meet, do you need to meet that frequently, those kinds of questions. MS. WONG: We could do that, but all the recommendations that are being discussed for like item 7 on the agenda or that we will be making recommendations, we would then go to each department to see they’re thoughts and the recommendations. I guess I’m suggesting that the process that I would be expecting is that seeing this as a committee, not recommendation, but consideration for the members of the commission to say yes or no to, or revise it. MS. NICHOLSON: Am I correct that all these committees, except the Green Team, or I may be way off base here, are citizen committees? Or are they headed by County employees? I know the Green Team is, but I don’t know about the others. 5