Monday, February 08, 2010

EFFICIENCY AND ETHICS

Last week, I attended the Committee for Government Operations & Efficiency chaired by Terry Bernardo. During which the agenda focused on The structure of the county government, duties of each division and the options available to the Legislature to streamline their departments.

After discussing the methods of communication between the Elected and the staff, we asked about Wi Fi on the sixth floor as well as getting meeting minutes posted on the website. You can find the minutes of all county committees posted on the county website. Believe it or not, the issue of wireless access for the whole building is addressed in the Capital Projects package that is scheduled for review two months from now. Yes, I said Capital Projects.

Brian Shapiro helped review the prior leaderships attempt at Ethics legislation while Terry engaged the the attending members on the more positive ways we all could interact with each other and the staff while serving the electorate. We know how the discourse between legislators can get, well, not so respectful. Lets see if we can alter that this year.

Chairman Wadnola has placed the committee with the daunting task of reviewing the current "personnel policy" specifically the request of the County Executive regarding nepotism in departments that he has no control over. You've heard all about it in the press. Well, it may actually be looked at! I know I will.

The inaugural meeting of this committee was relaxed in that we were just getting to understand the role of it's duties. However, this committee will have it's hands full as the year progresses. Having seen the draft template created by Terry on how the County operates, I can see why this issue is in dire need of attention. Its a mess.

The make-up of this committee isn't final yet. Who knows who'll be on it next time we meet.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about this being addressed in the City of Kingston?

Anonymous said...

Committee Meeting minutes are posted on the County website or at least they were. Some committees may have been late in submitting them, but they are there nonetheless.

Anonymous said...

Mike: hopefully this "mess" can be straightened out soooooooooooon.
Good luck
Shelly ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Anonymous said...

The minutes for the committee meetings are taken by the staff in the Legislative Clerk's office.

Mike Madsen said...

For those who saw my "Minutes" comment on Facebook and here, I am talking about the eight years I served as Alderman for the Ninth Ward in Kingston. Minutes were never taken at committee meetings other than the Tourism Committee from 02 to 03. Even then, I don't know where those went.
The County committees are well documented.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Mike for the misunderstanding about minutes. There should always be a paper trail, documentation, even an outline, for retrieval. The City committees don't have reports filed? Maybe it would be in your best interest to nudge someone in the City in case someone foils for records. Maybe the Common Council meetings are taped but notes for each committee meeting should have been taken. Were you responsible for minutes as Chair of Public Safety, General Government and Public Access?

Mike Madsen said...

hey 2:50... I am as guilty as everyone else regarding the lack of meeting minutes. This is where I felt surprize when the Monday conference highlighted the mandatory requirements during the afternoon session.

Now I suppose the city website will have to document the minutes. I guess Kyle will have to do it once they are transcribed digitally. Good to have an IT guy on staff on the ground floor all day.

Anonymous said...

another case of the city government not following the rules(ex. note taking, minutes) Doesn't anybody read the regulations before taking office?? Perhaps city alderman need a training session. But then again, who would lead it as they are all guilty. Tsk, Tsk.....

Anonymous said...

Has Hein bought off the Independence Party by hiring Mrs. B to work?