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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-15 CSW Min approved as amendedCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: Committee on the Status of Women Meeting Date March 18, 2015 Location Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /213 Start of Meeting: 5:02 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:20 p.m. Present Vice Chair Virginia Beck; Members: Regina Carvalho, Edie Ignacio - Neumiller, Kathy Crowell, and Uli'i Castor (arrived at 5:10 p.m.) Also Deputy County Attorney Andrea Suzuki - Andrade; Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Mercedes Omo Excused Chair Sharon Lasker; Member Liza Cabal- Trinidad; and HCSW Representative Lisa Ellen Smith Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Vice Chair Beck called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. with five (5) members present to ascertain a quorum. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of February 18, 2015. Minutes Vice Chair Beck asked if it was possible that the Committee be provided with an action list reflecting all of the decisions that were made at the meeting. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said she would take notes and put together the action list to share with the members and staff. Ms. Carvalho moved to approve the minutes of February 18, 2015. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 RECAP OF Vice Chair Beck said in addition to the recap, she wanted to invite THE MARCH 5, Y.W.C.A. Executive Director, Renae Hamilton, to provide some 20159 WOMEN'S information on the documentary "The Hunting Ground ", which is about sexual assault in American college campuses. HISTORY EVENT Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said approximately thirty -five people attended the event and she heard a lot of good comments about the speakers. With regard to the advertisement, although it was done last minute, she felt that KONG Radio did a great job. Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Vice Chair Beck said she had a lot of good feedback about the event and that the article in the Garden Island newspaper was very enlightening. She said for future events, perhaps the Committee should consider utilizing the "For Kauai" online media blast which is a free distribution service. Business Discussion and possible decision - making on future Committee events for CSW 2013 -33 fiscal year 2014 -15, including but not limited to: 1. Rise of the Wahine film event (On- going) Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller reported that she sent an email to Tiffany but did not received a response. Vice Chair Beck stated in lieu of the Rise of the Wahine film event, perhaps the Committee should consider in co- sponsoring the film showing "The Hunting Ground ". She noted that if the Committee decides to partner with the Y.W.C.A., Ms. Hamilton has offered to assist the Committee with the showing of the Rise of the Wahine. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki said there may be an issue about contributing State grant funding especially if that funds will come from the Rise of the Wahine funds. Vice Chair Beck asked if it was appropriate for the Committee to allocate the funds in lieu of the Rise of the Wahine film event because the film "The Hunting Ground" is about sexual violence against women in college campuses. Vice Chair Beck said the problem is the Committee is ready and able to present the Rise of the Wahine film, but has no idea when the film will be available for release. Ms. Carvalho asked if it was possible to use a portion of the State grant funding without touching the funds appropriated for the Rise of the Wahine Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION showing. She added that rather than going through Tiffany, perhaps Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller should call Ryan directly to get a response which she feels is more personal than sending an email. Vice Chair Beck said because the funds have already been appropriated for the Rise of the Wahine, should the Committee approach Council to let them know that due to the unavailability of the Rise of the Wahine film, the Committee would like to partner with Y.W.C.A. in screening of the film "The Hunting Ground ". Vice Chair Beck introduced Ms. Renae Hamilton, Executive Director of the Y.W.C.A. Ms. Hamilton began with thanking the members for giving her the opportunity to appear before the Committee. She stated April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Y.W.C.A. has been busy planning a lot of events, one of which is a showing of the film "The Hunting Ground" which is scheduled for release and can be showed any time after April 15. She stated that the Y.W.C.A. would like to schedule at least three different showings; one on the West side, Central Li-hu`e, and on the North shore. She said the cost of the showing is $400 each of which the Y.W.C.A. have funds earmarked for two of the showings, but is hoping to secure funding for the third showing. Ms. Carvalho said it would be a good project for the Committee to be a part of and the amount of money Ms. Hamilton is asking for is really not a great amount. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller asked the members if they wanted to co- sponsor all three showings to which Ms. Carvalho replied why not. Ms. Hamilton said whatever the dollar amount the Committee decides upon will be greatly Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION appreciated. Vice Chair Beck asked the members if they had more comments, and if not, she would like to call for a motion. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said she would like to make a motion to allocate $400.00 to cover the cost of the showing. Ms. Carvalho asked if she could amend the amount to $550.00 to balance the Committees partnership with the Y.W.C.A. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki said before a motion is made, she would like the members to submit a request for a legal opinion to the Office of the County Attorney regarding the legality of contributing money to another non - profit agency. Vice Chair Beck asked if being a co- sponsor would avoid having to request for a legal opinion to which Deputy County Attorney Suzuki replied there are certain County rules and regulations that must be followed relating to contributing grant funding. Vice Chair Beck said based on the discussion the Committee needs to request for a legal opinion as to whether there is any legal conflict or impropriety in compensating the Y.W.C.A. for a portion of the expenses relating to the showings. Ms. Carvalho asked if there are no objections she would like to go ahead and make a motion anyway. Ms. Hamilton thanked the members and noted that Y.W.C.A. would probably do the first showing sometime in April and before the end of June. Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Carvalho stated she would like to make a motion anyway to appropriate $550.00 towards the cost of showing the film pending the legal opinion from the Office of the County Attorney as to whether there is any legal impropriety to contribute $550.00 to pay for the showing of the film "The Hunting Ground ". Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller seconded the motion. Motion carried 6:0 Career Day /Luncheon for females 91h through 12th grade residing on island of Kauai. (On- going) Venue Vice Chair Beck asked for an update on potential venue locations. Ms. Carvalho reported the following venues were contacted: 1) Kauai Aqua Beach Resort; 2) Courtyard Marriott; and 3) Kauai Marriott. She stated given the fact that the Kauai Marriott was way too expensive to hold the event and the Kauai Aqua Beach Resort could not accommodate the breakout sessions, the Courtyard Marriott came in as the number one pick because the price was right and the facility could accommodate the breakout sessions. Ms. Carvalho noted for the record that she would follow -up with Catering Ms. Crowell moved to select the Courtyard Manager Liana Soong tomorrow to confirm the venue. Marriott as the venue to hold the 2015 Career Day /Luncheon. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller seconded. Motion carried 6:0 Speakers Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller reported on behalf of Ms. Cabal- Trinidad she contacted Kauai High School and spoke to a lady named Tori, gave her the Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION information, and is still waiting for a response. Vice Chair Beck reported that she met with Mahina Anguay, Principal of Waimea High School, and she explained to her the criteria of girls the Committee was looking for and Ms. Anguay immediately gave her three names and told her that transportation for the girls was not a problem. Vice Chair Beck then reported that she spoke to Adie Sebring, Dean of Student at Island School, who supports the event but cannot make the commitment. Vice Chair Beck said her presentation to the Mokihana Club went well and some of the members have expressed their interest in attending a future CSW meeting. With regard to her presentation to the Waimea Rotary Club, at first the members showed a little bit of skepticism, but after her presentation was done, they agreed to support the event. She said one of the concerns that was brought up was when she was asked by the members who they should make the check out to. She could not give them an answer because the issue was still pending, so she took it upon herself and called Julie Kim, Manager of First Hawaiian Bank, to ask her if she would hold the funds until it was ready to write the check to the venue to cover the cost for the lunches. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki said she wish she could provide the Committee with more answers, but this is all new territory for the Office of the County Attorney. Vice Chair Beck explained in the future because the Committee is not allowed to use the State grant funding to pay for food, the Committee should seek partnerships from other organizations so that the Committee can concentrate on organizing the event in terms of speakers, venue, etc. Vice Chair Beck said now that the Committee has finally settled on the venue, she can go ahead and draft the invitations for distribution to the Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION schools. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said to date the confirmed speakers are Renae Hamilton and Jennifer Sandrowski. Ms. Crowell asked if Bethany Hamilton was confirmed to which Vice Chair Beck replied from what she understood Ms. Hamilton could not be confirmed, so she went ahead and contacted Pamela Brown, Eileen Conaty, Dondi Ho Costa, and Abbey Santos as back up speakers. Ms. Carvalho suggested Kathy Clark. Ms. Carvalho asked about the timeframe in terms of the speakers presentations. Vice Chair Beck said tentatively the program will officially start with a meet and greet session at 12 noon followed by lunch from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. After lunch, each speaker will have 20 minutes to make their presentation followed by four breakout sessions. Ms. Carvalho said before she leaves the meeting, she would like to cover her bases on what she needs to do: 1) follow -up with Liana Soong; 2) confirm 10 students from Kapa`a High School and submit their names to Mercedes no later than March 31; and 3) contact Kathy Clark (tomorrow) to see if she is willing to be a speaker and let the Vice Chair know by Friday. Vice Chair Beck said from what she understands, the parents of the girls are required to fill out a school permission slip, and the County's waiver and release form which can be obtained from Staff. Vice Chair Beck said because there was not enough time to form an Ad Hoc Committee, she wonders if the Committee was allowed to hold an executive session. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki explained the purpose of the executive session is for the Committee to consult with its attorney on Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION legal matters which is normally closed to the public. Set -up Vice Chair Beck said at this point she can assume that the Courtyard Marriott will have all of the necessary equipment (mic, podium) available for the event. Ms. Ignacio- Nuemiller noted at this point the Committee needs one more speaker and according to Ms. Carvalho, she is supposed to contact Kathy Clark. Vice Chair Beck said Pam Brown has been confirmed. Vice Chair Beck said she could also contact Eileen Conaty, if needed. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said perhaps Ms. Conaty could be a back -up speaker, just case Kathy Clark is unable to commit. Program Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said the Committee still needs to come up with topics for the speakers to base their presentation on. Vice Chair Beck said rather than picking a specific topic, perhaps the speakers could talk about themselves and their individual profession. Ms. Ignacio- Neumiller said the program should also reflect the name of each speaker and sponsor. Vice Chair Beck said she'd volunteer to draft the program, unless someone else from the Committee wants to step up to the plate. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller suggested Chair Lasker help her. Vice Chair Beck asked Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller to send her a short bio for each of the speakers to which Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said yes, she would. Gift bags Staff to follow -up with Maile products to see if the company is an authorized County vendor. Vice Chair Beck asked if it was possible to print CSW stickers. Ms. Omo reminded the members to keep in mind that Committee on the Status of Women — Advisory Committee Regular Open Session March 18, 2015 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION the Committee only budgeted $1,000.00 to purchase CSW logo items. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller said she would get health brochures from the Department of Health. Vice Chair Beck said she would work on getting the Kauai Youth Directory. Lunch Menu After a lengthy discussion, the Committee selected "Trinity Lunch ". $25 per person plus tax @ 4.166% and a 21 % service charge. Vice Chair Beck said her main concern is getting enough sponsors to cover the cost of the lunches, asking if she could contact each member individually to remind them they need to contact the Kapa`a and Li -hu`e Rotary's. Vice Chair Beck invited two audience members to introduce themselves: 1) Jenai Yoshii, Director of Operations for a General Contracting Firm on Kaua'i, Agent for Sleeping Giant and Sotheby's Real Estate Agency; and 2) Ginger Briai a 2008 graduate of Leadership Kauai, works at the Kauai Police Department as an emergency service dispatcher, attends Kauai Community College and is working towards a bachelor's degree in social services. Adjournment With no further discussion, Vice Chair Beck called for the meeting to be adjourned. Submitted by: Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk Reviewed and Approved by: ( ) Approved as circulated (x) Approved as amended. See minutes of the April 15, 2015 meeting. Virginia Beck, Vice Chair