2006-03-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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The commissioners discussed the reasonableness of Mr. Akamine's suggestion and whether it would be difficult to change the computer program that handles this. The Chair told the commissioners they could move to accept this communication and later include it as part of the summary in their report. Motion: Ms. Stremski so moved, and Ms. Nicholson seconded the motion. In discussion, Ms. Cushnie said she did not want the Commission to consider every communication on a separate basis. She does want an acknowledgment letter sent to Mr. Akamine, thanking him for his concerns and informing him that the Commission would be considering his suggestion and collecting information, as there was not enough information at this time to make a decision. Mr. Sakaguchi spoke against deferring the matter further and said that because it was a simple matter, he was for the motion and wanted to just get the communication off the table and included in their recommendations. Ms. Cushme said she wants further research into this, as the Water Department may have already done its own survey and may be working on a better way to do its billing. She does not want to make a blanket decision, as she was concerned that if the Commission makes a decision, it may not be able to reverse it easily. Ms. Nicholson said that it was just a recommendation that was made and that it seemed reasonable to make a recommendation on something like this. The Chair agreed that it was just a recommendation and that if the Water Department had already looked into this issue, it could so inform the Commission in its report in response to the Commission's report. He said he would be in favor of including it as a suggestion in the report. He said that the Commission cannot investigate every issue down to the wire, as it would take too much time. Ms. Cushnie stated she was concerned that the Commission was piece- mealing it. The Chair indicated that the issue could be reviewed again at the tenth month, when the Commission would be preparing its summary. He said it could be put on the record that it will come back at the time the summary is being prepared; and if they found out the Department already tried to correct the situation, it could be deleted. Mr. Sakaguchi agreed that was a good way to handle it and that the agency can always respond that it is not feasible. Vote: The Chair called for a vote. All members voted aye. The motion was carried. Mr. Akamine's communication is to be included as part of the Commission's summary. b. Comm. No. 2006 -05: Transmittal from Andrew Levin of a 10/12/05 letter from Jerry Merrill offering suggestions for the COGC. 2