2006-11-20 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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9. DISCUSSION ON FINAL DRAFT OF REPORT AND THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS: a. Department of Environmental Management (Wastewater): Recommend looking into developing more opportunities in wastewater recycling, primarily for environmental reasons but also to generate revenue. The commissioners mentioned that there is currently only one facility, in Kona, which actually recycles wastewater for a golf course. Motion and Vote: Ms. Nicholson moved to include this recommendation in the report, Ms. Stremski seconded the motion, and all members voted aye. b. Department of Environmental Management (Wastewater): Recommend development of a long -term strategic plan for staffing, facilities, replacements, etc., as the island is growing and is only going to get bigger. Mr. Joseph said that the DEM may already have a long -term strategic plan and that one would think most departments do, but the Chair recalled that the DEM did not seem to have anything solid. Ms. Nicholson questioned whether it was appropriate for them to recommend that only one section of the DEM develop a long -term strategic plan, or whether the whole department should have one. She said she has no problem supporting the recommendation that the Wastewater Division have a strategic plan, but is concerned that the plan needs to dovetail with the entire Department's plan, if there is one. The Chair said he would not like to put forth this recommendation if they already have a plan. Mr. Sakaguchi said they could either check if the Department has a plan already, or could put a caveat in their recommendation to develop a plan if none is presently available. Ms. Nicholson read aloud from the minutes of May 4, 2006, which stated that the Chair wanted the plan for the Wastewater Division, as he wanted to help Ms. Beck in staffing and other areas. The Chair said he remembered that Ms. Beck could not justify her request for additional staffing because there was no long -term plan for the Department. Planning was done month -to- month, so Ms. Beck could not get approvals and was scrambling by herself to do a lot of the work. He said the recommendation is broad, and he did not think it would help Ms. Beck unless it was more specific. Ms. Nicholson said it appeared that the DEM had staffing and space needs and that the recommendation could be salvaged if they focused on the Wastewater Division developing a plan for future staffing and space needs. The Chair stated he would be willing to withdraw the recommendation, as it did not have enough "teeth" to help Ms. Beck. 2