Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-8-14 CCC MinutesCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: I COST CONTROL COMMISSION Meeting Date December 8, 2014 Location Mo'ikeha Building, Liquor Conference Room 3 Start of Meeting: 1:31 p.m. End of Meeting: 1:57 p.m. Present Vice Chair Laurie Yoshida; Members: Dirk Apao, Sandi Sterker and Glen Takenouchi Also present: Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Mercedes Youn and Administrator Paula Morikami Excused Members: Jan Hashizume and Joanne Nakashima Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Vice Chair Yoshida called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. with four (4) members present to conduct business. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of October 13, 2014. Commissioner Sterker moved to accept the Minutes meeting minutes as circulated. Commissioner Takenouchi seconded the motion. The motion carried 4:0. Business Recap of the old Big Save building site visit. CCC 2014 -10 Commissioner Apao stated that although the planning process has begun no decisions have been made as far as what the County plans to do with the space. He stated that there were some setbacks due to the asbestos in the building, and that the old air conditioning units still needed to be removed and replaced with new units. Commissioner Sterker asked if there are other departments in the county that need or want the space to which Commissioner Apao replied from what he understands there are plans to create more storage space, and relocate the Wastewater Division from their temporary location (near the breezeway) into a larger space in old Big Save building. He stated the county is also looking into using the old Big Save building as a bus depot, which would mean opening up the back side of the building to Cost Control Commission Regular Open Session December 8, 2014 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION accommodate the people in transit. Commissioner Apao stated that the county is aware of the challenges especially when it comes to financing a ro'ect as big as this. CCC 2014 -11 Selection of the 2015 Chair and Vice Chair. Vice Chair Yoshida asked for nominations for Chair. Commissioner On a motion made by Commissioner Sterker and Sterker nominated Vice Chair Yoshida for Chair. Commissioner seconded by Commissioner Takenouchi to Takenouchi seconded the nomination. With no objections from the four nominate Vice Chair Yoshida to the position of members present, Vice Chair Yoshida will serve as Chair in 2015. Chair, the motion carried 4:0 Vice Chair Yoshida asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Sterker nominated Commissioner Takenouchi as Vice Chair. With no On a motion made by Commissioner Sterker and objections from the four members present, Commissioner Takenouchi will seconded by Commissioner Apao to nominate serve as Vice Chair in 2015. Commissioner Takenouchi to the position of Vice Chair, the motion carried 4:0 CCC 2014 -12 Approval of the 2015 Meeting Schedule. Commissioner Takenouchi stated he would like to change the October 12 meeting date to another date, if possible. Ms. Morikami stated as the budget process draws near, the Mayor has asked each department to look at ways to reduce costs, and at this time she would like to ask if the Commission would consider reducing the amount of meetings it has per year to at least quarterly. She stated if an issue comes up that would require the Commission to meet monthly it would have the flexibility to do so, but for items that do not require immediate attention the Commission could meet on a quarterly basis. Cost Control Commission Regular Open Session December 8, 2014 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Morikami stated according to Rule 7. (f), of the Cost Control Commission Rules and Practices, the regular meeting of the Commission shall be held on the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers of the County Building, Lihu`e, Hawaii, or at any other hour or location designated by the Chairman of the Commission. Vice Chair Yoshida stated she understands that the rules needs to be changed, but the Commission cannot do it today to which Ms. Morikami replied no, and suggested that if the Commission agrees to make changes to its rules it is required that the Commission hold a public hearing to give the public the opportunity to voice whether they are in favor of the rule changes or against it, in which the Commission would have to make a decision. Vice Chair Yoshida asked whether the Commission needs to defer the 2015 meeting schedule for continued discussion at its January meeting to which Ms. Morikami replied yes. Vice Chair Yoshida asked whether the Commission would have a chance to discuss the proposed rule changes in January during the public hearing. Ms. Morikami stated because the rules need to be specific during the public hearing the Commission needs to decide now whether or not it wants to meet quarterly before the public hearing in January. Ms. Youn stated the public hearing cannot take place in January because consideration must be made relative to the time it takes to process all of the paper work, which would take it out of the 30 day realm. In addition, the Commission needs to (at least) review and discuss the proposed changes in the document itself at its January meeting. Cost Control Commission Regular Open Session December 8, 2014 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Commissioner Sterker stated because there is some flexibility maybe the Commission could meet every other month as opposed to quarterly in case an important issue comes up. Vice Chair Yoshida indicated that the Commission could still meet on a quarterly basis because it would still have the flexibility to post an agenda six days before the meeting date. Commissioner Sterker noted two changes that needs to be made 1) change the day of the meeting from Thursday to Monday; and 2) change the time from 4:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. as it currently stands. Vice Chair Yoshida asked if a motion is necessary to reflect what was discussed to which Commissioner Sterker replied yes. Commissioner Sterker moved to amend Section 7. (f), of the Cost Control Commission Rules and Practices as follows: 1) change the meeting day from Thursday to Monday; 2) change the time from 4:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Commissioner Takenouchi seconded the motion. The motion Vice Chair Yoshida asked if the public hearing would be part of the carried 4:0 January meeting to which Ms. Morikami replied yes. Vice Chair Yoshida asked if the Commission needed to come up with a revised meeting schedule provided the rules are approved to which Commissioner Sterker replied yes. Commissioner Takenouchi asked rather than meeting in October can the Commission meet in November instead to which Vice Chair Yoshida replied yes. Ms. Morikami stated if the Commission is working on a project that would require more time it could still meet once a month as needed. Vice Chair Yoshida stated as she sees it the new quarterly meeting schedule for 2015 is as follows: January 12, April 13, July 13, and November 9. Commissioner Sterker asked whether the Commission should be reviewing Cost Control Commission Regular Open Session December 8, 2014 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION its annual report. Ms. Morikami stated relative to the Commission's annual report, no report is needed because the Commission had no recommendations in 2014. Vice Chair Yoshida asked the Commissioners if they had a specific topic they would like to place on the next agenda. Commissioner Sterker stated she would like to request the presence of Parks Director Lenny Rapozo to discuss the use of electricity at the county's park facilities and its financial impact to the county. Additionally, Commissioner Sterker asked if she could request the presence of Economic Development Specialist Ben Sullivan to discuss County -wide electricity costs. Staff acknowledged the request and will contact Parks Director Lenny Rapozo and Economic Development Specialist Ben Sullivan, and make the necessary arrangements. Announcements Next meeting — January 12, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in the Liquor Conference Room. Adjournment Vice Chair Yoshida called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Sterker moved to adjourn. Commissioner Takenouchi seconded the motion. The motion carried 4:0 At 1:57 p.m. the meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk (X) Approved as circulated on January 12, 2015. ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Laurie Yoshida, Chair