2006-04-06 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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The Chair said he wanted clarification of something in the minutes. Though there were no corrections or deletions, there was a reference to another recommendation that they would accept later. He said he wants to make their recommendations proposed recommendations and see where they are at in six months. If they have a stack of recommendations, they can bring it up on the agenda and go through the proposed recommendations and clear the table. He said it would be easier for staff, that whenever there is a recommendation, it be placed on a list of proposed recommendations. Ms. Garson said it could involve a motion to place such and such on a draft of proposed recommendations, to be reviewed at an appropriate time, and they could be kept together. That way, they would have a draft of recommendations to go back to, a running tab of things to look at later. The Chair said the minutes stated they would review it in the tenth month. The Chair asked if there were any discussion or recommendations on the DEM presentation. Ms. Cushnie stated that Ms. Bell did not identify herself. She liked her printed powerpoint handout for background information. However, she would still like a written response. She said that should be a caveat for other departments, that a written response would still be needed. The response could become a draft of proposed recommendations in an easily readable form. Motion: The Chair said he would like to propose that the COGC recommend that the water and sewer bills become one. He explained that he experienced being a landlord on Maui, and when his tenants would not pay the water bill, it would come to him and he would make sure it got paid. Mr. Joseph said he would second that recommendation. Discussion: Ms. Cushme said that her request to Ms. Bauman about getting specific figures might create more problems than solve them. Another discrete recommendation is that overdue bills be given the water turn-off approval. These are completely separate functions, though one may be legal and the other administrative. She said she believes she read in articles that you cannot turn off peoples' water, because it would become a health hazard. She said she wants a report on how often the water bill would go with the sewage bill, as people on water catchment do not receive water bills. Ms. Garson said there are about 3,900 Wastewater customers and that the Water Supply Department has far more customers. The Chair said he wanted to see this go on the list and if in the meantime something is submitted that makes it look like it will not work, they can take it off the list. But he does not want to forget to put it on now, to review for a recommendation later. Ms. Cushnie asked whether, as they come up with the proposed recommendations, they could at the same time be asking the questions they feel are pertinent rather than waiting 14