2006-12-07 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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e. Establish a major award program (several awards of $S, 000 to $10, 000) for County employees making suggestions to improve services and reducing costs, possibly financed by companies doing business in the County. Mr. Sakaguchi said the current incentive program is like "chicken feed." A hundred dollars or fifty dollars is not going to do it. He suggested the County enlist the help of community organizations, like the chambers, and make a big award. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. There was no second to the motion. f. Where decision - making on an issue such as continued use of private cars by police personnel becomes very politicized and decision - making difficult, consideration should be given putting the issue on the ballot and letting the public make the decision directly. Mr. Sakaguchi said he felt that many times the County avoided complicated problems because of the politics. He felt an issue could simply be put on the ballot so the people could decide. He said it was extraordinary that so much time was spent on, for example, the issue of police cars, and that if it went on the ballot, the people could have decided. He said he cannot blame the Council or Mayor from walking away from hot political topics. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. The Chair asked whether this would be a Charter recommendation. Ms. Noda said the job of the COGC would be to make the recommendation, if they felt it was something to be put to the public. The mechanism or avenue of how or whether it could be done could be taken up by others. Ms. Provalenko seconded the motion. Mr. Joseph that he felt the people of the Police Department were the best able to decide the issue of police vehicles. Mr. Sakaguchi said that may be true, but he was concerned with the length of time it takes to resolve issues. Mr. Joseph said that sometimes people connected to the issue have a better insight. Mr. Sakaguchi said he did not think it required technical expertise. He just felt it was hard for representatives to make decisions when the issues were political. Vote: Mr. Sakaguchi voted aye. All other commissioners present voted against the motion. g. Establish custodian residences at all major public parks. Mr. Sakaguchi said that someone suggested this to him as a way to help with the graffiti problem and that it used to be done in the past. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. There was no second to the motion. 12