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they were shot down like an invading fighter pilot. The white paper he is working on will <br />address this as well as the state’s disconnection to county departments. <br /> <br />Chair Bennett asked Mr. Richards what the EMC could do, as a commission, to <br />further redesign the way our resources are used. Mr. Richards said that for a start, they <br />need to interact and understand where they are and go forward. The integration among <br />departments and the state needs to get better. He understands the glacial pace of <br />government, but having conversations and moving forward is what is needed. He does not <br />have all the answers, but he has ideas. Issues should be vetted out well ahead of time so <br />that conversations aren’t taking place when they get to the policy setting stage. They can <br />do a better job, and it starts with communication. <br /> <br />Commissioner Fulton asked whether the Charter Commission being convened only <br />every ten years is an impediment to a more integrated approach. Mr. Richards said that the <br />Council does not have oversight over the Charter Commission, though they can give input. <br />The Charter Commission wades through issues, but ultimately it is the constituency who <br />decides yes or no on proposals at election time. There is no easy way to integrate. It <br />requires tenacity and pushing forward. <br /> <br /> Vice Chair Olson asked Mr. Richards his thoughts on a disposal fee at the point of <br />purchase, and Mr. Richards said he is still trying to figure it out. Funding is needed to <br />address what they are trying to accomplish. He would like to see what other jurisdictions <br />throughout the nation do to fund their waste management. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Fulton said she would like Mr. Holmes’ comments on this subject, <br />since he was present and brings a lot of experience. <br /> <br /> Mr. Holmes said he wanted to comment on the Charter Commission issue, as he has <br />some political insight. The EMC got into trouble because they were proposing to take away <br />DWS’ semi-autonomous status. The real issue is that there is a language change that can be <br />made that would add water reuse as well as potable water and solve the problem. As <br />someone once said, politics is the art of compromise. A language change in the charter <br />could make the whole idea work. Do not take away DWS’ semi-autonomous status, and do <br />not fold them into DEM where they lose their identity. The EMC should reapproach the <br />Charter Commission or the Council and request that language be added to have reuse be a <br />part of DWS’ responsibilities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Richards said there is still time to do it through the Charter Commission, and <br />that a better group of people could not have been assembled as its members. They have <br />real world experience, are mindful, and look at the county as a whole. He believes the EMC <br />could put forth what Mr. Holmes said and get it through. If it does not go through, he would <br />be happy to champion it going forward. <br /> <br /> Chair Bennett said they learned their lesson, and the intent now is to submit a <br />formal proposal to the Charter Commission to make it more inclusive rather than exclusive. <br />Mr. Richards suggested he let them know about the proposal beforehand so he can be an <br /> <br /> <br />