2006-07-06 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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5. DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS TO PLACE ON DRAFT LIST BASED ON THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION'S PRESENTATION OF MAY 18, 2006 Motion: Ms. Stremski moved to put on the COGC's draft list of recommendations that Mr. Dworsky, the division head of the Solid Waste Division, receive clerical assistance, as he is currently a one -man office. Mr. Sakaguchi seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Sakaguchi noted that many of the people who talked about their operations mentioned needing additional staff. He said that since the COGC's purpose was to try to save the County money rather than add to its cost, he was not sure how to handle this. The Chair said that in reading departmental suggestions, getting additional staff could be viewed as saving costs in the long term, since more work would get done. COGC's goal is to make the County more efficient, not reduce costs. Mr. Sakaguchi said if additional staff would improve efficiency, then perhaps it should be recommended. The Chair said that as he was unable to attend the presentation on the Solid Waste Division, he wondered whether it was funded by the General Fund and why Mr. Dworsky did not have clerical assistance. Ms. Nicholson said that 50% of Solid Waste's funding came from tipping fees. Mr. Sakaguchi remarked that there was a mandate to establish the office but no follow -up mandate for adequate funding. Ms. Stremski reminded the commissioners that Mr. Dworsky was frustrated that the contracts he worked with were short-term contracts and took up a lot of his time. He wanted contracts to be multi -year. Vote: The Chair reminded the commissioners that there was a motion regarding clerical assistance on the table and called for a vote. All members voted aye. Motion: Ms. Nicholson moved to recommend that CDL truck drivers be separate from the heavy equipment operators, since they worked only at the landfills and had no need of CDL licenses. Ms. Stremski seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Sakaguchi agreed that not requiring the heavy equipment operators to obtain CDL's would be more efficient and would not cause the operators to be over - qualified. As it is, the operators need to have CDL's, even if they don't drive on the road. Theoretically, the operators currently could drive large trucks on the highways, which is scary because they don't drive them regularly. Ms. Provalenko agreed. Vote: After no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote and all commissioners voted aye. Motion: Ms. Nicholson moved to lengthen the term of the contracts that the Solid Waste Division deals with to multi -year terms. Ms. Stremski seconded the motion. Discussion: Ms. Stremski said longer -term contracts would give Mr. Dworsky breathing space and be easier for him, and Mr. Sakaguchi said it would also be more efficient. Vote: All members voted aye. 2