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Box io. '7 <br />Commissioner Adams was concerned about the policy (they had discussed) against <br />doing business with consultants for which former County employees work and the perception <br />of closeness. She is very sensitive to that perception and thought that although this is a small <br />contract, that the perception is still there and has not been remedied in terms of policy and <br />how it is addressed up front in the contract. She was not pleased to see Brown & Caldwell <br />recommended for that reason and could not support the recommendation. <br />Chairman Eggert thought there were a lot of complications to that policy and it needed <br />to be looked at more closely and very carefully. <br />Administrator Chandler advised that the staff would be coming to the Board with <br />suggestions concerning that policy probably in the form of an ordinance. He further advised <br />that this particular contract had been approved by the Board several months ago and today's <br />requested action was to approve the negotiated fee. <br />Commissioner Macht understood the concern. <br />Mr. McCain advised that Brown & Caldwell has the expertise, with or without Mr. <br />Harry Asher (former Assistant Utilities Director for the County), and Mr. Asher was not a <br />major part of the presentation to the Board. <br />Commissioner Adams knew Brown & Caldwell had the expertise. Her concern was <br />about the relationship that Mr. Asher has had with the Utilities Department and now with <br />Brown & Caldwell and the perception that perhaps they may be given special favors. <br />0. Chairman Eggert felt that this issue was getting blown out of proportion. If the policy <br />were set, she would be more concerned. <br />Commissioner Macht also felt they could depend upon the integrity of staff to make <br />sure that nothing untoward would happen. <br />Chairman Eggert thought that Board needed to decide upon a policy to be positive, <br />or they will continue to affect employee morale. The Board needs to take a lot of positive <br />steps, but she could not see the purpose of chipping away at things that occurred in the past. <br />Also, Mr. Asher is no longer with Brown & Caldwell. <br />Commissioner Adams' point was that the policy still has not been addressed and Mr. <br />Asher was with the company when they were selected and while the negotiations were in <br />progress. She had expected a policy to be back by now for their consideration. <br />Commissioner Ginn thought the Board should put some type of a time line on the <br />policy, and Chairman Eggert asked Administrator Chandler if he thought he could bring it <br />OCTOBER 14, 1997 62 <br />