2006-12-19 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Joseph said the DEM would need to justify hiring an additional engineer, which is what it would need to do in trying to get a new position approved. He said he would probably be in favor of deleting the recommendation. Motion and Vote: Mr. Joseph moved to delete the recommendation, and Ms. Nicholson seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, all commissioners present voted aye. g. All departments: Recommend that all new managers receive training on legal, contractual, and procurement issues specific to their departments. Mr. Joseph asked counsel Diane Noda whether this type of training happens now. Ms. Noda said it does not happen on a regular or consistent basis, although it is one of the goals of the Office of the Corporation Counsel. She said her office does periodic seminars on specific issues, the most recent one being on special employee contracts. Mr. Joseph asked whether it is a requirement that Corporation Counsel train new managers on legal issues. Ms. Noda said there is no mechanism in place for that right now. She said that department heads, when they have new hires, will ask the Corporation Counsel to provide training or a workshop in the next six months, and the Corporation Counsel will do so. Every new hire does not receive training on legal issues, but it will be provided upon a director's request. Motion: Ms. Nicholson moved to adopt the recommendation, and Ms. Provalenko seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Joseph said he would be in favor of amending the recommendation to specify that the Corporation Counsel is to provide training to all new managers on legal, contractual, and procurement issues within three months of that person coming on board. The Chair asked what defines managers, and whether they are supervisors or above supervisors. Ms. Stremski asked whether managers come under department heads. Mr. Joseph said he believes managers are those people in charge of specific departments. Ms. Noda explained that the different departments have different job titles. For example, Milton Pavao's title is "manager" of the Department of Water Supply. Other titles include director and deputy director. There are also division heads. They are all at the supervisory level. The Chair asked at what tier procurement and contractual issues would come into play, and whether supervisors work in these areas. Ms. Noda said that it depends on the department and the divisions. Ms. Nicholson suggested a rewording of the recommendation, so that they would "recommend that all new managers who deal with legal, contractual, and /or procurement issues receive training specific to their department within three months of hire." Mr. Joseph asked whether Corporation Counsel should be specified to provide the training, and Ms. Nicholson said that not all the training needs to come from Corporation Counsel.