Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 9, 2017 <br /> Page 9 <br /> In response, Councilmember Willmus clarified that his intent was not for an over- <br /> sight role by the Finance Commission, but more of an understanding and report- <br /> ing of what was done with each function and how they operated; and to have that <br /> information tied back more directly to the City Council. However, Councilmem- <br /> ber Willmus again clarified that his intent was not to have the Finance Commis- <br /> sion be the body to direct staff how to do their jobs with either of those functions. <br /> Councilmember Etten asked how this would be different than simply having staff <br /> provide the City Council with more detailed information (e.g. financing and <br /> budgeting work for the IT function) and how that process worked rather than hav- <br /> ing the Finance Commission look at it. Councilmember Etten stated that he was <br /> skeptical as to how it would work to have the Commission analyze these func- <br /> tions, even while understanding that the business aspects to the city of these func- <br /> tions may differ than those of other city departments. If Councilmember Willmus <br /> was seeking more information on the overall department function of the License <br /> Center and IT function, Councilmember Etten opined that staff could easily pro- <br /> vide that additional information. <br /> Councilmember Willmus opined that having an advisory commission, similar to <br /> the Parks & Recreation Commission working with the directors of these two func- <br /> tions, could serve as the model he'd like to employ with the Finance Commission; <br /> in other words to serve as a sounding board for staff liaisons to the commission <br /> and to provide that feedback to the City Council. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Etten for clarification, Councilmember Willmus <br /> agreed that he would also have no problem with the Finance Commission review- <br /> ing other enterprise functions (e.g. Golf Course) as well. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte agreed with the comments of Councilmember Willmus, <br /> and also in not intending it to be an oversight role, but simply as part of the "other <br /> duties as assigned" portion of each and all advisory commission structures. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte stated that she saw this as a snapshot look by the Fi- <br /> nance Commission to these functions, especially when the city is considering <br /> making significant investments in the License Center facility, and would provide <br /> an analysis to ensure the city was following best practices with that new space and <br /> its operations. <br /> Councilmember McGehee reiterated her opposition to this whole process, opining <br /> that both functions provided very clear and transparent operations and required no <br /> additional oversight. <br /> Councilmember Willmus opined that his intent was mainly to provide a tool by <br /> which staff(e.g. Finance Director Miller) would have another set of eyes and ears <br /> provided by the Finance Commission with which to work on various issues that <br /> may arise from time to time with the License Center and/or IT function, both rep- <br /> resenting significant operations within the city. Councilmember Willmus further <br />