2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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In discussion, Mr. Joseph said things will be difficult if they start making allowances for people's schedules. If they cannot fit into a set schedule, they should think about not serving on the Commission. He did not want to set a precedent by having a fluctuating schedule and said that for the community and their own purposes, they should lock into the every other Thursday schedule and stay there. Mr. Sakaguchi said he is flexible but feels they should be accommodating. He stated that no one from the Mayor's Office had told him that the meetings were set by regulations and that it would behoove the Mayor's Office to let commission people know about mandated schedules. Ms. Garson said she was partly responsible, as she could have contacted them ahead of time on this, and she learned a lesson because of Ms. Ferrantino withdrawing. She said the rules on when the Commission meets could be changed. Mr. Sakaguchi said it would confuse everyone if they started deviating, and Ms. Cushme said they would need to know the schedule if there were two new commissioners to come on board. Mr. Joseph stated that having a firm schedule was in their best interests. Ms. Garson asked if they still wanted to keep the April 3 meeting, and Mr. Joseph said he wanted April 6 to be the next meeting. The Chair mentioned that Mr. Ombac had already been asked to attend on April 3, and Mr. Joseph said he felt Mr. Ombac would understand the problems involved in changing the regular schedule. Mr. Joseph also stated that he made the motion for purposes of discussion. Ms. Cushnie said the problem with meeting on April 3 is that there may not be a quorum, and Ms. Stremski would need to be polled. Mr. Joseph said he would prefer to accommodate a member that will be attending for the next eleven months than one that probably would not. Ms. Cushnie suggested that Ms. Garson just called Mr. Ombac and inform him of the Commission's decision, with their regrets. Ms. Garson said that the next meeting date would need to be announced at this meeting, and the cancellation of the April 3 meeting published and the notice pulled back from the newspapers. Vote: The Chair called for a vote on the motion to keep the meetings scheduled for every other Thursday. Mr. Joseph, Ms. Cushnie, Ms. Nicholson, and the Chair voted aye. Mr. Sakaguchi was opposed. IN