April 6, 1998
The meeting of the Legislative Audit Commission was called to order by Senator Deanna Wiener on Monday, April 6, 1998 at 8:40 a.m. in room 125 State Capitol.
Members present:
| Representative Lynda Boudreau | Senator William Belanger, Jr. |
| Representative Mindy Greiling | Senator Sheila Kiscaden |
| Representative Mark Holsten | Senator David Knutson |
| Representative Dan McElroy | Senator Keith Langseth |
| Representative Mary Jo McGuire | Senator James Metzen |
| Representative Ann H. Rest | Senator Pat Pariseau |
| Senator Deanna Wiener |
Members not present:
| Representative Edwina Garcia | Senator Thomas Neuville |
| Representative Kris Hasskamp | Senator Ember Reichgott Junge |
| Representative Philip Krinkie | Senator Allan Spear |
| Representative Bill Macklin |
Senator Wiener indicated the purpose of the meeting was to hear the results of the best practices review of 9-1-1 dispatching by local units of government and to select topics for study by the Program Evaluation Division. She recognized Roger Brooks, Deputy Legislative Auditor for Program Evaluation. Mr. Brooks reviewed what a best practices review is and introduced Jody Hauer, project manager, Jennifer Moenck Feige and Valerie Bombach, evaluation specialists.
Ms. Hauer described the various types and kinds of 9-1-1 dispatch services and methods used to conduct the study. She also described how the evaluation team had received assistance from a technical advisory panel made up of people that work in that field. Ms. Feige reviewed some examples of 9-1-1 dispatching practices they had found. Ms. Hauer reviewed how the report will be distributed and indicated that staff will be conducting a follow-up survey to see how the report has been received and used. Representative McElroy asked that survey results be reported to Commission members.
Senator Wiener again recognized Mr. Brooks. Mr. Brooks reviewed the evaluation proposals for topics approved by the Topic Selection Subcommittee. Motion by Senator Pariseau to direct program evaluation staff to conduct a study of counties’ use of administrative penalty orders for violations of solid and hazardous waste ordinances, which would be a smaller study and done after other reports had been released. Motion carried.
After some discussion concerning a study of feedlot regulation, Representative Rest moved that questions 4, 5, 6 and 7 be removed from the proposal to ensure that it would not overlap too much with the planned EIS study to be conducted by the Environmental Quality Board. Motion carried.
Representative Rest moved that staff conduct a study of the cost of crime. Motion failed.
Representative Greiling moved that program evaluation staff be directed to conduct studies of feedlot regulation, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, juvenile out-of-home placements, state building code, and occupational licensing and regulation. Motion carried.
Senator Wiener recognized James Nobles, Legislative Auditor. Mr. Nobles reviewed a tentative Commission meeting schedule with a meeting in June for the release of the evaluation report on the Minnesota State High School League, a July meeting to review recent financial audit reports, an August meeting on the impact of various reports, a September meeting to review the topic selection process and an October meeting to work on a housekeeping bill concerning the Commission as well as the operation and powers of the Legislative Auditor’s Office.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Senator Deanna Wiener, Chair
Jean Barnhill, Recording Secretary
