2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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The Chair reminded the commissioners that there was a motion on the floor for the Planning Department to be the third priority and asked if there were any further discussion. Vote: Upon no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote, and all members voted aye and made the Planning Department the third priority. Motion: Ms. Cushnie then moved to generate a letter asking for general information from all departments. She asked whether commissions should be included. Ms. Garson suggested a separate letter for boards and commissions, as most of them have one staff person and no finances except for meals provided by Charter mandate. The Chair stated that the motion was just to send a letter to departments. Mr. Sakaguchi seconded the motion, but said that he wanted to focus on the remaining departments rather than revisit the departments that were reviewed by the prior Commission and asking for the same materials and same questions those departments had to respond to before. Ms. Garson said a third letter could be done to those departments that were reviewed by the prior Commission. Ms. Cusbme suggested a letter assuring them that their prior report was received, enclosing a copy, and asking if there were any changes or updates. Ms. Nicholson suggested sending out letters to the three prioritized departments and sending other letters later as the Commission moved ahead. Ms. Garson explained that she was only able to find two draft reports from the prior Commission, which had been sent to the commissioners. She said more could be found out by reading the prior Commission's minutes, which would be time - consuming. She said that whatever letter the Commission sends needs to come from the Commission, not from her. The commissioners continued discussing what to include in the letter to departments, whether they should focus on certain things, or have departments list their priorities, and agreed they did not want to generate documents which they could not adequately address. Mr. Sakaguchi said that if he were to receive a letter such as the one being discussed, he would be upset at the work it would entail. Ms. Cushnie did not agree and stated that a report is due only every four years, and it gives departments a chance to express changes and needs they see in long -term goals. She does not feel requesting a one -page report is asking too much. Mr. Sakaguchi asked whether there was a mechanism for the Commission to invite comments from the public, and the Chair stated that the meetings are open to the public. Ms. Stremski stated that the notices of meetings are published in the paper and are on the 14