UTICA - The newest 15-member transition team of mayor-elect David Roefaro is separate from the public safety committee that was introduced earlier this month.

The mayor-elect says the team will concentrate specifically on city business. On the list are community members that Roefaro says will help guide him in improving the City of Utica, the biggest issue being economic development.

The team met for the first time late Wednesday afternoon. The co-chair of the transition team, Pam Jardieu, says in order to better the city, they have broken down into three sub-committees that will focus on specific changes.

Not all 15 members of the committee were present, and a few not on the committee but just hoping to help were on hand.

A representative from Senator Joseph Griffo's office, and Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito herself attended the meeting.

The three sub-committees will focus on education, city services and economic development. Wednesday, the committee outlined its goals and timetables in which to meet those goals.

"This is a true open door policy," said Jardieu. "We're going to review all existing city departments tip to tail and talk about what works, what doesn't work, and what we can do better and how we can better work with our neighbors."

Jardieu says this team really reflects the campaign that Roefaro ran. She says this committee represents inclusion of all aspects and diversity of the city.

Mayor-elect Roefaro was not in attendance tonight, because he was dealing with a personal matter.