2006-12-07 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Joseph asked whether the cost would be nominal, and Mr. Sakaguchi said they could recommend it, though they don't know the cost. He said it is preventive maintenance. Motion Amended and Vote: Ms. Nicholson said it was possible the system could be leased, and she amended her motion to recommend that all departments implement a computerized maintenance management system. Ms. Provalenko seconded the motion. After no further discussion, all commissioners present voted aye. Department of Public Works (Building Division: Recommend providing them with an adequate travel budget in which certification and training opportunities would be available to staff. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved to recommend that they provide the requirement of an adequate travel budget. There was no second to the motion. Ms. Nicholson said it is not a bad motion, but it was "just not quite there." Ms. Provalenko said it is not something the COGC should do, as it is for the department to prioritize its needs and put them in the budget. 9. DISCUSSION /ACTION REGARDING MERIT OR INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR EMPLOYEES Ms. Nicholson explained that she had requested this issue be on the agenda, because it had come up with several departments. However, the departments all seemed to have different ideas as to how to structure incentives or awards. In addition, they also learned that there is in fact an incentive program for employees, but it is apparently not actively promoted. So it could be that departments do not know about the award, or that the award did not provide enough of an incentive to interest them. Although she would like the COGC to come up with a recommendation about merit or incentive awards, to encourage employees who go above and beyond their job description, she could not come up with a recommendation because the ideas were so varied, from flex time to cash to days off, to all kinds of ideas. Ms. Provalenko said perhaps they should recommend the award be promoted more, since it is out there already. Either not all departments are aware of it, or it is not promoted well for the employees. Mr. Joseph said he supports what Stanley Nakasone had said, which was that it would be too difficult to implement. It would also make some employees offended if they were not chosen, and there are certain employees that act like they're working hard only when the boss is around. It could cause dissent. He said it was also discussed within the Teachers Union, and it comes down to who sucks up to the boss gets the credit, and employees should just do their jobs. Ms. Nicholson said she remembered what Mr. Nakasone had said and can see his point of view. However, since there is an award program in place, perhaps the COGC should take a stance on whether it should be better promoted, or whether there should not be an award program in place, since all County employees are expected to do their job. M