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I do believe that most of our committees and <br /> advisory commissions are unnecessary and really hold back the <br /> process of government. I also believe that the county is <br /> very similar to a business operation in that it does not <br /> formulate broad policies or conditions under which we all <br /> live. That is the legislatures job. It is more a management <br /> operation. Therefore, I strongly believe in the strong mayor <br /> system and I believe the mayor should be responsible for <br /> operations. Therefore, commissions that get in his way are <br /> bound to create inefficiencies. I do believe in say, the <br /> police commission. And I believe the way it is set up is <br /> pretty good in that we definitely need someone to oversee <br /> such a sensitive department. They should have all the powers <br /> for investigation , checking and asking for any information. <br /> Their powers , however, whether they should include the fire <br /> and the police chief, I 'm not too sure. But they certainly <br /> should include the power to publicize or challenge in court <br /> or wherever they want to challenge any improprieties the <br /> police department should happen to do if they think it is <br /> wrong. I believe most commissions should be something of <br /> that type. <br /> Certainly, I would see no reason for a water <br /> commission. That department is purely operational. As is the <br /> public works , parks and recreation. There is no need for <br /> commissions there. <br /> I don ' t believe the council--to get to the <br /> rebuttal side--I don ' t believe the council should have very <br /> much to say about the operations of the operating departments. <br /> In other words , those that actually go out and do a physical <br /> job, let ' s say. This, of course, leads me to a solution that <br /> I think would solve most of the problems. That is to go to <br /> the city manager type of government whereby the mayor is the <br /> chairman of the council and they meet once a week or twice a <br /> month or whatever is required. It would not be a, full time <br /> job. The city manager, then, would have absolute power over <br /> most of the department heads and would run it like a business <br /> with the council and the mayor being the board of directors <br /> which set all policy, would hire and fire the city manager <br /> at any moment, any time they wanted to. But I understand that <br /> that doesn ' t have much of a chance so I won ' t discuss that <br /> much longer. <br /> Anyhow, I want to back up the feelings of many <br /> people that the commissions should not be in a position to <br /> interfere =with the efficiency of government operation. <br /> MR. ISHIDA: Mr. McCall . What commissions are <br /> you making reference to? <br /> MR. MCCALL: I think we are talking about <br /> committees. I think I used the word committees and commissions . <br /> For instance, I see no reason for the water commission. I see <br /> no reason for the parks and recreation advisory committee , as <br /> I recall it, I 'm not even sure it is a commission. I don ' t <br /> believe that is even in the charter and so perhaps that is not <br /> -32- <br />