2006-05-04 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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vehicles the County has. He said there may be not be a problem, but he wants to look at alternative fuel possibilities. He said he just wants a vehicle count and then can address the issues related to vehicles. Ms. Stremski mentioned that she has seen blatant misuse of department vehicles on weekends, where she has seen them down at the beach. Ms. Nicholson asked how to put this item on the agenda. Ms. Noda said she would see what she could get and that it might be useful to ask the Public Works Department how they handle it, to fulfill Mr. Sakaguchi's request for data. Mr. Sakaguchi said that people are not concerned about environmental issues, but when gas prices go up they get upset. He does not know how to handle it. Mr. Joseph suggested getting a communication that lists the total number of vehicles owned by the County, with a breakdown by department and type of vehicle, and the total number of staffers. Ms. Nicholson said they could add that to the questions they ask departments —how many employees are in the department and how many vehicles they have. Mr. Sakaguchi said that would work. The Chair pointed out that their questions to departments had already been sent out. Ms. Nicholson said they could just keep the question in mind, then, when they question department heads. The Chair said that each department has its own vehicles, and whether or not they are looking for alternative vehicles would have to be addressed with the individual departments. He does not see how the count of vehicles will help the COGC. Even if the information is broken down, it will not tell them if they are looking at alternative vehicles. Mr. Joseph said they would at least have information on how many vehicles belong to each department, and the Chair said that if it would be informative, he has no problem. The Chair said that if there were no further items for the next agenda, he would move on. Mr. Joseph questioned why Dixie Kaetsu is not present, and that she should be here, to help them reach a quorum. Ms. Noda explained that since Ms. Kaetsu is an ex officio member, she cannot sit for a quorum and she cannot vote. 8. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No members of the public were present. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chair announced the next meeting for May 18, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., at the conference room at the Department of Liquor Control in Hilo. 17