2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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they can say they prioritized because of the eleven -month deadline. The broad -brush approach could also be considered. Mr. Sakaguchi asked which departments the Mayor had wanted reviewed, and the Chair replied that the Mayor had suggested Environmental Management, the Police Department, and the Public Works Department. He clarified that he, too, wanted to get started somewhere. Ms. Cushnie stated she liked the idea of prioritizing as well, and that now she understood the rationalization. Ms. Garson told the commissioners that if they get lost, to go back and read the Charter mandate, which is in their binders along with a list of all County departments. Mr. Sakaguchi asked the necessity of reviewing the waste issue, since the Council was currently evaluating it, but the Chair answered that there was no definite time when this issue would be decided upon. Ms. Kaetsu explained that the Council sets policy, and the administration implements it as set by the Council. She said if the COGC looked at Solid Waste, they would not just be looking at the high profile issues, but the operations of the Department as well. As an example, an issue is whether there is enough staffing at the transfer stations. She said it is not clear that the COGC would have input into the Referral for Proposal process for waste reduction technology, as there is specific State law on how to handle procurements. Motion: Mr. Joseph moved to have the Department of Environmental Management set as a priority and to have a representative at the next meeting. Ms. Stremski seconded the motion. In discussion, Ms. Nicholson noted that there are three divisions within the Environmental Management Department, each with its own division head, and asked if the COGC would be asking for one or all of those heads for a presentation. The Chair said it may be good to have Barbara Bell do an overall presentation. Ms. Kaetsu said that whoever is to speak needs a clear idea of what to talk about so she /he can focus and bring materials. Ms. Garson said examples of materials would be organizational charts or work flow charts to explain what they do and how it is done. Ms. Kaetsu said division chiefs could be brought in to talk in more detail about their operations. Ms. Nicholson said there should be a back -up person to attend in case Ms. Bell is at a conference or unavailable and that they should possibly list several departmental presentations on one agenda sous to make the most of their time. Mr. Joseph stated that a motion was still on the table and that the Commission does not need to rely only on Ms. Bell for a presentation, that someone else could do it. 11