2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Ms. Nicholson suggested prioritizing by departments and then once in a while taking a broad brush approach to cover several departments. Mr. Sakaguchi expressed concern that if too many things were placed on the agenda, members of the public may show up on an issue which will not be addressed. Ms. Garson said that the agenda could be written in such a way that times could be given for the various agenda items (e.g., 10:00 a.m. for one issue and 11:30 a.m. for another issue) so people wouldn't have to sit around waiting. Mr. Sakaguchi asked if people from Waste Management and the Public Works Department were to be at the next meeting, and the Chair said yes. Ms. Nicholson said that was not her understanding —she just thought they were prioritizing departments. Ms. Garson reminded them that item 7 of the agenda, which was still to come, was discussion of items to be placed on the next agenda. The Chair said that because the Environmental Management Department is so large, with three divisions, it may not be a problem to have their representatives come to a meeting and have a full discussion on it. Mr. Sakaguchi said he would be comfortable with that. The Chair asked if the commissioners wanted to list a third priority department, or a board or commission. Motion: Ms. Nicholson moved to set the Planning Department as the third priority. Ms. Stremski seconded the motion. In discussion, Ms. Cushnie said there is nothing to prevent them from asking Parks and Recreation to provide the Commission with something in written form. Ms. Garson said she brought a sample letter the last COGC did, which requested that the departments provide various documents and answer the listed questions. Ms. Cushnie asked how independently the Commission could look at these and ask for info, and Ms. Garson replied that the Commission has full authority to ask anything it wants. Ms. Cushme asked if she could go on her own to a department to ask for information, and Ms. Garson said she could, but the information would need to be shared with everyone. She said it may be more efficient to send out communications and when responses are received forward them so that everyone is dealing with the same information. A problem in going independently is it may create an issue that would be better addressed with the Commission as a whole. Ms. Cushme said she liked the idea of the letter, as they would have time to read responses and material and get brought up to speed. 13