2006-03-02 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

Home

present, but that he /she could submit input or suggestions via "testimony," like a member of the public. Mr. Sakaguchi said he was worried about those commissioners who were not able to attend meetings because of their work schedule, and that some people had an easier time getting off of work than others. Ms. Garson said the Commission was already losing two members because of geographic distance and work schedule problems. Mr. Joseph said that is why he feels it is important to do as much business as possible when a quorum exists. Ms. Cushnie asked if there were any further questions or discussions regarding the Sunshine Law. Ms. Stremski questioned how many members need to be present for a quorum, and Ms. Garson clarified that at least five members are needed. If only four members show up, the meeting has to be cancelled and all the agenda items pushed to the next agenda. Ms. Garson said that the first Cost of Government Commission established the rules for the Commission to meet on the first and third Thursday of each month and that this present Commission is following those rules. Members can propose revisions to those rules, but those proposals would need to be placed on an agenda and go through discussion and voting and adopting. Mr. Joseph pointed out that they can change the date of their next meeting, as long as the new date gets posted on the agenda and duly noticed. Ms. Garson said they also have the ability to call a special meeting which would not be on a regular meeting date. If a commissioner cannot attend a meeting, he /she is to let the secretary know. She is also to call each member a few days prior to a meeting to remind them and get a head count. Mr. Sakaguchi questioned why commissioners Ferrantino and Ombac couldn't make the meeting and whether they had suggestions on when they could attend meetings. Ms. Garson explained that Commissioner Ombac just started a new job and did not feel comfortable requesting time off from work. His day off is Monday each week and he wanted to ask if the meetings could be moved to Mondays. Ms. Ferrantino indicated that because she is a CPA, she is currently very busy due to the tax season. Videoconferencing may help her, but she only would be free on Fridays, which is a day on which several other boards and commissions meet, thus reducing conference room availability. Ms. Ferrantino also expressed that she will be gone from June 30 to August 1, 2006, on vacation, and so had pockets of time in which she would not be available. Ms. Garson said that Mr. Ombac had also mentioned that he would be willing to meet in the evenings, which is when he originally thought the meetings were scheduled. Mr. Sakaguchi asked if the Commission could meet in the evenings, and Ms. Garson said they could do whatever they wanted but cautioned them that evening meetings would limit the availability of County personnel who may be entitled to overtime pay for evening meetings. Ms. Cushnie said she wanted to poll the Commission members on their feelings about whether they should meet at a variety of places and times and what personnel would need to be drawn in, and whether a lot of public input was expected. 12