2014-04-03 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

Home

make their own contacts, explain who they are and schedule meetings with the department heads. She suggested waiting until the response deadline before reaching out to the departments. Mr. Mitchell stated that if a period of time goes by without a response from the department, he would like to send out a second notification to compel a response and asked if using the word “compel” would be appropriate to get the attention of the department heads. Ms. Stebbins replied she didn’t know if the Commission could compel a response and if that would be the best choice of language to use. Mr. Mitchell then suggested maybe using the word “urgent” instead. Ms. Stebbins replied that ultimately the Commission is asking for feedback and does not have the authority to compel a response if it’s not forthcoming. She suggested waiting until the deadline for responses and cross that bridge when you come to it. Ms. Maddox stated the last time the Commission convened would have been at the very beginning of Mayor Kenoi’s term and they really don’t have a sense as to what his process might be for compelling or strongly urging the departments to respond. She said there is nothing to prevent the Commission from making a follow up telephone call and would like to use that as an opportunity to schedule the meetings. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked if Mr. Wally Lau would be able to help them. Ms. Maddox replied that Mr. Lau is interested in coming to the meeting and share his broad overview of his response and that this may be the time to inquire if he would be able to provide additional support or encouragement to the departments who haven’t responded. Ms. Kelly asked if another letter is going out to the departments to let them know who the people are on the subcommittees. Ms. Maddox replied she didn’t think so. Mr. Perry envisioned a phone call from the subcommittees to the department heads. Ms. Kelly and Mr. Mitchell agreed. Ms. Maddox would be interested in starting with Mr. Lau at the April 17 meeting and that would set the tone for the other departments. Ms. Kierkiewicz said she would not be at the next meeting. Ms. Maddox stated the subcommittees have been set, the Commission will give the departments to the deadline to respond, see what other departments respond by the next meeting on April 17and from that point on the Commissioners can begin making telephone calls and setting up individual appointments with the departments. Ms. Kelly and Mr. Mitchell agreed. Ms. Kelly suggested creating a timeline for when the subcommittees should wrap up their meetings with the departments, when to submit the subcommittee reports to the Commission to review and set a target date to address the recommendations for the final report. Ms. Kierkiewicz agreed with Ms. Kelly but stated the Commission won’t be able to do that until all the responses are received and appointments have been scheduled. Ms. Maddox asked Ms. Kelly if she’s thinking around October, as a loose guideline, the Commission should be in a phase of being able to start drafting sections of the report. Mr. Mitchell thinks that by October 1 the Commission should have some things in draft form or summary to start sharing. Ms. Kelly agreed but would like a