2006-04-06 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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for employees. The due date would be changed to June 5 for the boards and commissions. After asking if there were any further discussion regarding the draft letter, the Chair moved to agenda item no. 7. 7. DISCUSSION /ACTION ON GATHERING OF OTHER MATERIALS TO BE USED BY THE COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION Ms. Garson said that at the previous meeting, the Reinventing Government book came up. She found a description on Amazon.com, and the cost was about $17. Several books had the same or a similar title, and she was not sure this was the one the letter writer had been suggesting they read. Ms. Cushnie suggested that since the reference was so vague, the commissioners could go to Borders on their own and educate themselves, if they wanted to. Mr. Joseph said they could also look in the library. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA The Chair said that the DEM would be revisited. Ms. Nicholson asked if the Environmental Management Commission would be addressed then, too, but the Chair explained that we had to await their response to the letter. Ms. Garson mentioned that not all the boards and commissions are convened, so responses may not be received from all of them. The Chair asked Mr. Joseph if he wanted the vehicle disposal issue on the next agenda, and Mr. Joseph said he felt the Solid Waste and Wastewater Divisions were more important. The Chair asked if they could return to Solid Waste if they wanted to hear from a division chief. Ms. Garson explained that they could ask for a division chief but because the meeting dates are set and inflexible, they may not be able to appear. Ms. Bell had originally wanted today's date moved to accommodate scheduling conflicts. Ms. Nicholson suggested that if the two division chiefs cannot make it to the next meeting, they should plan on having the Public Works Department appear as a back -up. The Chair said that would affect the agenda, but Ms. Garson said she hoped to get a clear answer before sending out the agenda. Ms. Garson asked the COGC to clearly tell her what they want on the agenda. Why do they want the division heads to appear and what do they want them to answer to? Ms. Nicholson said they wanted a brief overview of their department and then to ask the same questions that were asked of Ms. Bell. 22