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David Stark, 4072 Cid Way — noted that as a past member of the Housing Commission he <br /> had noted differences between the two Commissions. He commented on the workload of <br /> the commissions is tied to the current political environment and noted that combining the <br /> commissions would likely mean less work for staff. If the Commissions agreed to the <br /> merge, Mr. Stark urged that members of the commission with specific skills be given <br /> designated items to cover to increase the efficiency in dealing with a broader range of <br /> issues. He also suggested that, if the two commissions are combined, members of the <br /> new commission should be required to participate in some type of training to <br /> development enhanced "meeting management skills." <br /> Howard Neely, Kottinger Drive —thought combining the two commissions made some <br /> sense and agreed with Mr. Stark's analogy. He thought a five member Commission <br /> would be sufficient with a Task Force also being put in place to work on specific issues <br /> or projects. <br /> Chairperson Lopez closed the meeting for public comment at 8:50 p.m. <br /> Commissioner Casey indicated he wanted to be on record as opposing any further <br /> discussions regarding the proposed merger of the Human Services and Housing <br /> Commissions. He noted that the Housing Commission had worked with the Human <br /> Services Commission on streamlining the grant process, but was not sure that anything <br /> else would be beneficial and felt that joint workshops would have taken place if there had <br /> been any benefit. Commissioner Casey was unsure about the amount of staff time that <br /> would be reduced by combining the commissions and was concerned about reducing <br /> community involvement by eliminating commission positions. He did not feel that <br /> Human Services and Housing needs blended well together and was concerned about how <br /> a merger would affect work necessary for the Housing Element. <br /> Commissioner Hempill referenced Attachment 2 and suggested item 5-6 on the duties <br /> document should include something about Housing and Human Services, and indicated <br /> that items 7-8 and 8-9 were identical. She also thought having a combined commission <br /> of seven members would offer more diversity and training would be important. <br /> Commissioner Hempill was in favor of continuing the review process. <br /> Commissioner Probed was concerned about the length of meetings and the prep time <br /> required for the meetings. He indicated that he echoed Commissioner Casey's comments <br /> and felt that the grant process was only one distinct area of collaboration between the two <br /> commissions, and did not see any synergy elsewhere. Commissioner Probed was <br /> concerned that Housing would become a subcommittee of Human Services. <br /> Commissioner Casey indicated that if the action is for the process to continue he would <br /> favor Option 1 with the suggestion that all current commissioners be terminated and the <br /> Mayor and Council would appoint new commissioners as appropriate, including any <br /> existing commissioners who wished to serve on the new commission. <br /> Page - 2 - <br />