Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-16 CSW Approved MinutesCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: Committee on the Status of Women Meeting Date November 16, 2016 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A /B Start of Meeting: 5:04 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:11 p.m. Present Chair Virginia Beck; Members: Edie Ignacio - Neumiller, Wendy Martinez and Erika Valente; State Commissioner Lisa Ellen Smith. Also present: Board & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Darcie Agaran; Deputy County Attorney Mahealani Krafft Public: YWCA Executive Assistant /Human Resources Jamie Bucao. Excused Vice Chair Jenai Hart, Sharon Lasker and Kathy Crowell Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Beck called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. with four (4) members present constituting a quorum. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of October 19, 2016. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller Minutes moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 19, 2016. Ms. Valente seconded the motion. The motion carried Following the approval of the meeting minutes, Chair Beck announced that she was informed 4:0. that by an affirmative vote of two- thirds of the members, she could amend the agenda to add an item for consideration by the members. Deputy County Attorney Krafft clarified that pursuant to the Sunshine Law on procedural requirements for notice and agenda, the committee may amend an agenda during a meeting by an affirmative vote of two - thirds of all committee members, including members who are not present at the meeting. However, adding an item to the agenda is not permitted if 1) the item to be added is of reasonably major importance, and 2) action on the item by the committee will affect a significant number of persons. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller suggested that she mention the item at the end of the meeting. With no further discussion, Chair Beck moved to the recap of the October Breast Cancer Awareness event. Recap of the Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller stated that there was at least 40+ people at the event, including the Mayor October Breast and a few councilmembers. She also noted that there was a great write -up in the Garden Island Cancer Newspaper and thanked Patricia Wistinghausen for creating the flyer. Awareness Walk Chair Beck stated that her only concern was that the walk started 15 minutes earlier than expected, which may have affected the people who arrived on time only to find out that the walk had already started. Also, upon returning to the Mo'ikeha Building, there was some confusion because some of the participants ended up on the opposite side of Kuhio Highway when they should have remained on the same path that led up to Wilcox Hospital, suggesting that next year better communication is needed. With no further comments, Chair Beck moved to item CSW 2016 -07. CSW 2016 -07 Discussion and decision - making on a showing of the film "Miss South Pacific ". Chair Beck stated that it's been very hard trying get Terri Tico to attend a meeting. She shared that for those who are not familiar with the film, it's a documentary about the Miss South Pacific Pageant that was held in Suva (Capital of Fiji) in 2009. She added that although the title may evoke a beauty pageant, the film is really about climate change and the contestants are acutely aware of the change and how it would impact their island nations. Chair Beck stated that an agreement was made between Ms. Tico and her distributor to allow the committee to have a one -time free showing of the film. In past discussions, the members agreed that because the Rise of the Wahine documentary was not ready for release due to a lack of funding, the committee would replace the film with "Miss South Pacific ". She added that the money that was previously allocated to cover the cost to advertise the Rise of Wahine film would now go towards covering the cost of advertising the "Miss South Pacific" film. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller asked how many people she thinks that the film would draw and where is Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION she thinking of showing the film to which Chair Beck replied that it all depends on how the film is presented and that it could probably be shown at the various high schools or at the Career Day event. And if the girls really like the film, steps can be taken to expose the film on a wider basis, but it would have to involve partnering with a cross - section of non - profits from across the island. But in the meantime, she could contact Tessa McSwain to see if she could help to promote the film on social media for the students to see and then (hopefully) they would share it with whoever they come in contact with. Ms. Smith noted that the trailer is already shown on social media. Ms. Valente asked when all this would take place to which Chair Beck replied that it's open for discussion. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller suggested showing an excerpt of the film at the Career Day event, as well as the Women's History Month event where there will be a captured audience. Ms. Valente asked if the film was important enough to include boys to which Chair Beck agreed that it would a good idea to include boys. Ms. Valente asked if it was also possible to include the different clubs in the schools to which Chair Beck suggested the Hawaiian studies group would be a good choice. Ms. Smith suggested partnering with the environmental /conservative organizations like the Surf Rider Foundation. *Staff note - During the discussion, the conversation morphed into the Career Day event. * See item CSW 2016 -14 for highlights of the discussion. CSW 2016 -13 Continued discussion and possible action to approve a draft resolution that supports the principles of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and working with the Council for its passage. (On-going) Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Beck stated that if she recalls, the Office of the County Attorney was working on the language for the draft resolution, asking for the status of the draft. Ms. Smith stated that after the committee's November meeting, she approached the County Attorney and asked him for an opinion on whether or not the County had a nondiscriminatory law in the Kauai County Code. His response was the County does not have a discriminatory law and that his office is working on it. Ms. Krafft explained that in order to get the policy, her office has to work with the various unions because it doesn't just involve her office. It involves working with the various civil service unions. Ms. Smith commented that she's talking about two different issues. Chair Beck stated that based on Ms. Krafft's comment, before the County Attorney can write a comprehensive code for the entire County, the County must meet with the various unions to get their buy in. Ms. Krafft stated that she agrees with Ms. Smith that the conversation is about two different issues and wants to clarify that the County is working on a policy similar to what the City and County of Honolulu already has. Ms. Smith stated that she's sure that the City and County of Honolulu does have a policy as an employer of the State; however, what she's referring to is a code to cover all citizens against all forms of discrimination. Chair Beck stated that rather than have the conversation to approve the draft resolution, perhaps it would be beneficial for the committee to hold a public forum and invite women from the community to provide some input on what they would like to see in the resolution to prevent all forms of discrimination against women. Ms. Smith stated that she liked the idea of a public forum, but she feels that the committee should at least (virtually) attend the teleconference. Ms. Valente asked if anyone read the entire document because she did and still has no concept in terms of the correct verbiage to use. With that said, the committee may have to break it down for the general public or at least have an expert present at the public forum to explain the specifics. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Beck stated that she agrees with Ms. Valente that the committee should have an expert at the forum who can speak to it. Chair Beck shared that she had a conversation with newly elected Councilmember Derek Kawakami and he's willing to support the committee by presenting the issue to the Council for consideration. Ms. Valente voiced her concerns about not knowing what the legislative process entails, both at the County and State level. Chair Beck stated that it all starts at the grass roots level because each state has its own voting laws. Ms. Valente stated that's the part she doesn't quite understand, but is willing to learn about the process. Ms. Martinez indicated that she's confused as to what the committee's intentions are because the conversation seems to be leaning towards establishing a bill for the County code versus a resolution. Chair Beck stated that Ms. Valente's idea about getting an expert to help the committee draft a resolution is important because the committee needs to find out first -hand whether or not the community thinks it's important enough. Ms. Smith stated that she doesn't care whether or not the issue is important to the community because having a law against all forms of discrimination against women on the books is something every government agency should have and as of right now, the County does not. Chair Beck stated that she's not implying that the committee needs to know whether or not it's important to the community. All she is trying to say is that the committee needs to concentrate on its four (4) mandates, one of which is legislation. Ms. Smith stated that in the past, the committee has participated in the legislation process. In fact, not so long ago, Edie and Kathy both submitted written testimony to the legislators on women's issues on behalf of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women. Ms. Valente asked what steps the committee is going to take to encourage more participation from the community; do we hold a public forum? Because she doesn't think that the community in general really knows about equal rights. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Smith commented that she's thinks it's adorable that the County of Kauai is working on a discrimination law because as an employer, they should. But the question, now, is how long has it been? Chair Beck asked the members to come up with the names of three different organizations they feel the committee could partner with so when an issue comes up that affects women, the committee could contact those organizations and, in turn, they could contact the other organizations. Ms. Valente asked who or what agency actually submits a bill for reconsideration to which Ms. Smith replied she should refer her question to Ms. Krafft. Ms. Krafft stated that the process entails drafting a resolution first and then presenting it to the Mayor for transmittal over to the Council for consideration. Ms. Smith pointed out that Ms. Valente didn't ask about the resolution, she asked about how a bill becomes a law to which Ms. Krafft replied the committee could draft an ordinance. Ms. Valente asked if the County Council is the body who makes the laws to which Ms. Smith replied that there are three branches of government: 1) the judicial branch, 2) the executive branch, and 3) the legislative branch, which is the County Council. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller questioned whether or not the resolution can be in the same format as an ordinance, and can the committee submit it to the Mayor for consideration. Chair Beck asked that the matter be deferred to the next meeting for continued discussion. CSW 2016 -14 Discussion and possible action for the following upcoming 2017 events: After a lengthy discussion, the following are the specifics of the discussion: Career DU • Tentative dates: earliest February 3rd (Kaua`i Beach Resort is available); latest February 24th (at other venue) • Menu selection (On- going) Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Sponsors are needed for 50 students; estimated cost for each student is between $35 -$40; members to cover the cost of their own meals, including the guest speakers • Confirmed sponsors: Michael Martinez and Ms. Erika Valente • Kaua`i Beach Resort requires a non - refundable deposit of $500.00. The balance of the charges will be due seven (7) days prior to the event. Conference room rental $200.00 + tax (covered by the committee). There will be a 20% service charge and 4.166% Hawaii State tax on all food, beverage, room rental, audio visual and non -food and beverage items. • Members to bring their suggestions on speakers/back -up speakers to the next meeting for continued discussion and decision - making • As part of the program, Chair Beck suggested inviting constituents from certain organizations to interact with the students. • Members who were assigned to follow -up with the different schools should be prepared to report their findings at the next meeting. Chair Beck noted that all decisions are in contingent with the speaker's availability and the consensus of the school counselors on the target date. Additionally, Chair Beck stated that she would contact Vice Chair Hart to find out the status of her conversation with the school counselors. Deputy County Attorney Krafft explained that any discussions about committee business between members outside of a meeting is prohibited either by telephone, memo, fax, or email. However, under §92 -2.5 Permitted interactions of members, two members of a board (in this case, a committee) may discuss between themselves matters relating to official committee business to enable them to perform their duties faithfully, as long as no commitment to vote is made or sought and the two members do not constitute a quorum. Another permitted interaction between members is to form a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) which would consist of 3 members or less, because it must be less than a quorum, and the establishment requires three meetings: 1) the first meeting is to establish the PIG; 2) the second meeting is for the PIG to present its recommendations to the committee, and 3) the third meeting is for the committee to Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION deliberate and make a decision. Vice Chair Beck asked can members discuss committee business with non - committee members outside of a meeting to which Ms. Krafft replied it is permitted as long as no commitment to vote is made or sought and the two members do not constitute a quorum. With no further comments, Chair Beck moved to the March Women's History Month event. The following are the highpoints of the discussion: March Women's History Month • The 2017 National Theme is "Honoring Trail Blazing Women in Labor & Business ". • Kaua`i War Memorial Convention Hall — Wednesday, March 29th is confirmed. • Tentative program start time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. 1 hour to set -up • Sharon Lasker - tables from Puakea. • KWMCH - Chairs are available for use. • Suggestion by Chair Beck - Have the students introduce the guest speakers. • Edie will check with Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Media Team on the possibility of filming the event as part of a school project and would report back at the next meeting. • Members to provide feedback on possible guest speakers for continued discussion at the next meeting. Announcements Chair Beck announced that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 21, 2016, @ 5:00 p.m. at the Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /2B. • Update or announcements from Lisa Ellen Smith as it relates to State Commission on the Status of Women. Ms. Smith announced that the next HSCSW meeting is on Friday, December 9, 2016. She will provide details of the meeting at the next committee meeting. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of November 16, 2016 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Guest Ms. Jamie Bucao of the YWCA made the following announcements: 1) starting Monday, November 21st the YWCA will hosting a free four (4) week Financial Empowerment Series. The series is opened to the public at it starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m.; 2) In February 2017, the YWCA will be hosting its 2nd Financial Conference; and 3) YWCA is willing to help promote the Miss South Pacific film. Adjournment With no further business to conduct, Chair Beck called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Valente seconded the motion. The motion carried 4:0. At 6:11 p.m. the meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk (x) Approved as circulated on: December 21, 2016 ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Virginia Beck, Chair