2015-01-15 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Ms. Garson said the powers of the Legislative Auditor were increased a couple years ago. She thinks the current Legislative Auditor’s office provides some of the functions the Commission was setup to do; it is a citizen board versus the Legislative Auditor, which is an appointed position. Recently, voters voted for a six (6) year term for the Legislative Auditor to help the office become more independent and operate across administration and Council terms. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked if it is not even worth it to even mention increasing the time frame in which the Commission meets. Ms. Garson replied these issues have been mentioned in other reports too so mentioning it in this report would be very consistent. Ms. Maddox asked if the proper place for this recommendation be under County Council. Ms. Garson suggested including it in the Executive Summary, and not as a recommendation, or in the conclusion. Mr. Espejo thinks the Commission shouldn’t convene if there are not nine (9) members. Ms. Kierkiewicz commented the Commission wouldn’t have adequate representation if they don’t have members represented by each district. She asked for suggestions in finding people to service. Mr. Mitchell suggested reducing quorum, if possible. Mr. Perry suggested starting earlier. Ms. Garson stated it is Charter and Sunshine Law based. Ms. Maddox stated the 2011 Commission started in its Introduction, a lack of willing and qualified volunteers left the 2010-11 Commission with only six (6) members, none of whom represented the leeward side of the island. She quoted from the report “…although it is difficult to say how this lack of representation may have affected the findings, it did hamper the Commission’s ability to gather a quorum for its meetings.” Ms. Maddox clarified this recommendation is on the agenda as a possible recommendation or conclusion; it will not be a recommendation, it will be included in the conclusion. Mr. Mitchell stated all Commissioners agreed with this purpose. Discussion held and all Commissioners agreed to revisit this item. Mr. Matsuda asked to skip down to items “AA”, “BB”, “CC”, “DD” and “EE”. Ms. Maddox asked if everyone would agree to skip down to items AA”, “BB”, “CC”, “DD” and “EE” having to do with Environmental Management. All Commissioners agreed. AA. Environmental Management Commission, like the Board of Water Supply, be given authority to set fees rather than having everything go through the County Council for codification in the County Code. The Commission meets every month with the Department, spends a great deal of time and attention on Department operations and is very familiar with County facilities. (12/4/14 meeting minutes, pg 7, BJ Leithead-Todd presentation) Mr. Mitchell thinks Bobby Jean Leithead Todd was concerned the County Council wasn’t familiar with the environmental issues. Ms. Garson said because the County Council are elected officials, it is difficult for them to raise fees; it is an unpopular 16