Productivity Committee Minutes 11/17/2004 COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT
PRODUCTIVITY COMMITTEE
Minutes—November 17, 2004; 2:00 p.m.
Members Present: Syd Blum, Rob Dowling, Stan Farnham, Steve Harrison, Al Kozel, Joe Swaja,
Helen Philbin, and Janet Vasey
Members Absent (Excused): Matt Hudson and Celia Fellows
Members Absent(Unexcused): Dex Groose
BCC Liaison: Commissioner Coyle was not present.
Staff Present: Pat Lehnhard, Transportation Administration; and Debbie Wight, County Manager's
Office
I. Introduction:
A. Opening Remarks—There being a quorum, Joe Swaja, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:05
p.m.
B. Approval of Minutes—There being no changes to the October 20, 2004, meeting minutes, Janet
Vasey made a motion to approve; Al Kozel seconded, and the committee unanimously approved.
C. Approval of Benefits Subcommittee Minutes—Helen Philbin advised the Benefits Subcommittee
had approved the March 31, July 7, August 18, and September 10, 2004, meeting minutes at their
October 18, 2004, meeting.
D. Approval of Budget Subcommittee Minutes—Minutes were approved at Subcommittee's November
12 meeting.
II. Old Business:
A. Update from Benefits Subcommittee—Helen Philbin advised the Benefits Subcommittee had a
meeting October 18, 2004, at which time the health benefits were reviewed again and additional
information distributed. The subcommittee has a meeting scheduled for December 13, 2004.
Douglas Ley, actuarial with Willis, will be there to answer questions. This will probably wind up
the gathering of information on health benefits and options available. The subcommittee will then
move to reviewing pensions.
Steve Harrison, on behalf of the Budget Subcommittee, asked if the Benefits Subcommittee could
look into the percentages of retirement benefits under the Sheriff's budget.
Steve asked if all of the government entities were using the same carriers. Helen advised the
Constitutional Officers and the BCC are using the same carriers. She said the Sheriff uses a different
carrier,but their figures are very close.
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B. Update from Budget Subcommittee— Steve Harrison advised that a copy of the minutes from the last
meeting is attached. Janet had prepared a rebuttal to the Anderson Fiscal Stability Analysis and
cover letter to Commissioner Donna Fiala, who on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners
had asked the committee for a review. Janet advised there were numerous gaps in Anderson's logic.
A copy of the review and letter are also attached. After some minor changes were made, Al Kozel
made a motion for this to be forwarded to Commissioner Fiala. Helen Philbin seconded the motion,
and it was unanimously approved.
Steve advised the second item discussed was a proposed Administrative Consolidation Study. Out
of six functions considered, it was decided that in order to meet time constraints for the next budget
year, the committee would review the IT Department, Finance, and the Human Resources
Department. Commissioner Coyle will follow up previous correspondence to Constitutional
Officers who have not responded to his request for them to participate, and will also invite the
School Board and Fire Districts to participate in the study.
A letter, together with the work plan for evaluating the feasibility of consolidating certain
administrative functions, will be forwarded to Jim Mudd, County Manager.
Al Kozel agreed to work on IT, Dex was appointed to handle Finance, and Steve Harrison agreed to
be backup. Celia was appointed to handle Human Resources, and Stan Farnham agreed to be her
backup.
The Sheriff's office budget was reviewed. Stan had prepared a draft letter regarding the Sheriff's
budget, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The letter is for Joe's signature and will be
addressed to Sheriff Hunter. The letter is for the Productivity Committee to be on record that they
believe there are significant cost reductions that can be made. They will also include in the letter a
request for information as noted in the Budget Subcommittee's November 12, 2004, meeting
minutes. It was agreed that the letter would be sent to Sheriff Hunter with copies to the BCC and
County Manager. Also, once information is received from Sheriff Hunter and reviewed by the
subcommittee, Crystal Kinzel will be invited to attend a meeting to clarify any issues the
subcommittee may have.
Steve advised the subcommittee also discussed capital projects planning and control, and Dex shared
his experience performing value engineering studies on projects during their design phase. The
subcommittee agreed that a recommendation should be made that this be done on construction
projects costing over a certain amount. Further discussion followed. Janet suggested that before the
committee goes too far on this, invite staff to explain the County's contract management process.
The Committee agreed to look at the new North Naples Regional Park that is being built. -- Debbie
was asked to invite them to the December 15 meeting. Debbie advised she would invite
Purchasing Director Steve Carnell, Administrative Services Administrator Len Price, and Interim
Public Services Administrator Marla Ramsey.
Joe thanked Steve Harrison for the great job he did in conducting the Budget Subcommittee
Meeting. The meeting went very well, and there was a lot of participation.
C. Discussion regarding representatives of Productivity Committee attending School Board Meeting—
Debbie advised the School Board is interested in attending the December meeting. Joe asked that
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they come to the December meeting and give an update on the delay of the impact fees. — Debbie
will invite Michael Kirk and Steve Fain to the December meeting.
Janet Vasey made a motion that members of the Productivity Committee are authorized to attend the
School Board meeting when the School Board impact fee discussion is on the agenda. Motion was
seconded by Al Kozel, and unanimously approved.
III. New Business:
A. Consideration of Advisory Committee Member of the Month Nominations—Janet Vasey was
nominated by all members as the Advisory Committee Member of the Month. Al Kozel made the
motion approving the nomination of Janet Vasey as the Productivity Committee's Outstanding
Advisory Committee Member of the Month, Stan Harrison seconded, all approved with Janet
abstaining.
IV. Comments/Suggestions—Joe asked for an update on the impact fees. Joe asked — Debbie to
request that Amy Patterson send the committee an updated impact fee schedule.
Stan Farnham advised he is participating in the interviews for the new employee December 7 and
December 10. There are nine candidates remaining. Stan will give an update to the committee at the
December 15 meeting.
Joe reviewed major issues the committee is working on. They are as follows: (1) Impact Fees, which
Janet is managing with all of the subcommittees; (2) School Board Impact Fees; (3) Sheriff's Budget;
(4) 2006 Budget via the project which Steve is managing that includes the Consolidation Study,
including the Constitutional Officers, School Board and fire districts, if they agree to participate; (5)
Revenue Stability; and(6) the North Naples Regional Park as a model for construction value
engineering. Stan asked that overseeing the new position be added to the list. Syd asked if the
Commissioners or their liaison committed that this person would be "our guy." Debbie stated she didn't
think so. Pat said Mike Smykowski and Jim Mudd would determine his/her work plan. Joe asked
whom this person would be reporting to. Debbie advised he would be directly reporting to Mike
Smykowski. Pat added that Mike reports directly to Jim Mudd.
It was agreed that after the December 15 meeting, members would meet at the English Pub for their
annual get-together.
Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Productivity Committee is scheduled for Wednesday,
December 15, 2004, 2:00 p.m. in the County Manager's office front conference room, 2nd floor of the
W. Harmon Turner Building (Administration Building F).
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