2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Ms. Garson stated that pending further instruction, she would not proceed with videoconferencing arrangements. 10. DISCUSSION ON SETTING A CAPON LENGTH OF MEETINGS Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved to set a cap of two and a half hours for the length of meetings. Ms. Cushnie seconded the motion. In discussion, the Chair expressed that when they have an agenda and a quorum, he would like to finish the items on the agenda. His personal feeling is that he does not want to restrict the time. However, if someone has to go someplace, such as to a doctor appointment, that person can be excused while everyone else stays. Mr. Sakaguchi stated that he made this motion because he has sat in many meetings, and after a certain amount of time has passed, he has problems paying attention and does not function well. He feels a lot could be accomplished in two and a half hours, as it would keep them focused. Ms. Cushnie stated that she needs to eat and asked if they could take lunch breaks and then return to meetings, and Mr. Joseph said he would be opposed to that. Ms. Nicholson said she would need to get back to work. She said that in meetings she has attended, if the agenda is not completed, the incomplete items are just deferred to the next meeting. Mr. Sakaguchi apologized that the morning of the last meeting he had not eaten breakfast and is diabetic, so he was having problems. Mr. Joseph said that he agrees it would be good if meetings were limited to two and a half hours, but it should not be set as a formal time limit, and it should be at the Chair's discretion. Ms. Garson said she could bring bento lunches and they could work through lunch. Ms. Cushnie suggested aiming to end meetings at 12:30 p.m., but not having it carved in stone. Ms. Garson said the motion and the second could be withdrawn, and the time deadline could be informally out there, if they desired. The Chair asked if the motion would allow them to continue beyond two and a half hours, if needed; and Ms. Garson said that a friendly amendment to the motion could be proposed, to limit the meetings to two and a half hours with the option of extending it at the Chair's discretion. The Chair said it could be amended so that after two and a half 19