MIN CHC 1999-09-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• GOLDSTEIN: Well, the branches would have to move. BESS: I'm talking about bodies now, or positions. Is there any reduction? SUMADA: No. GOLDSTEIN: No. BESS: So everything remains the same? SUMADA: Yes. BESS: I, somehow or other, don't understand. If there is reduplication going on here, or duplication going on, why is it that in merging the two functions, if you do, in fact, have people in the Building Department doing the same kinds of things as in the Planning Department, why is it that we don't wind up with any fewer bodies or positions? GOLDSTEIN: Because this was our, kind of like, working kind of first crack at let's see what we need to do, and at least, I understand that there may be a reduction in bodies, but even for us to get to that point, we're going to have to deal also with the everyday realities of how we're going to get there, and that's why we've got to reflect everything as it exists. BESS: RAY: I understand. Marni. HERKES: I think we're dealing with not just titles on a page, we're dealing with real people, so I think that the sensitivity of the departments is admired, and I think that part of the way you do something like this, is you take all the existing, you move them around, and through attrition and through retraining and refocusing on different aspects, then you start to see the reduction. BESS: And I can understand that sensitivity, and I appreciate that, and I'm not suggesting let's get rid of people. That's not it. I'm asking whether or not, by putting the permitting process in the Public Works Department, do you see, I'm talking about existing five years down the line, whatever the time table is, will there be a reduction in the number of positions handling these functions? GOLDSTEIN: I think so. I do. SUMADA: On the part of the Public Works side of things, 1 don't know if 1 23