HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018_0723_CRC Agenda PacketCarol Suzawa Members:
Chair Marissa Sandblom
Galen Nakamura
' pali
Jan TenBruggencate kicky Watanabe
Vice Chair
COUNTY OF KAUA'I CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ,-- 0
Monday, July 23, 2018
3:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter
Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2 A/B
4444 Rice Street, Lihu'e, HI 96766
COMMUNICATIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Open Session Minutes of May 21, 2018
BUSINESS
CRC 2018-01 Review and discussion of Voter Education explaining the County Charter
Amendments Proposed in the 2018 General Election
CRC 2018-02 Discussion of outreach for public education to include distribution points and
media outlets
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meeting: Next scheduled meeting is Monday, August 20, 2018, 3:00 p.m., in the Moikeha
Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B
ADJOURNMENT
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-7(a), the Commission may, when deemed necessary, hold an
executive session on any agenda item without written public notice if the executive session was not
anticipated in advance. Any such executive session shall be held pursuant to HRS §92-4 and shall be
limited to those items described in HRS §92-5(a). Discussions held in Executive Session are closed to
the public.
Cc: Deputy County Attorney Adam Roversi
An Equal Opportunity Employer
PUBLIC COMMENTS and TESTIMONY
Persons wishing to offer comments are encouraged to submit written testimony at least 24-hours prior
to the meeting indicating:
1. Your name and if applicable, your position/title and organization you are representing;
2. The agenda item that you are providing comments on; and
3. Whether you will be testifying in person or submitting written comments only; and
4. If you are unable to submit your testimony at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, please provide
10 copies of your written testimony at the meeting clearly indicating the name of the testifier;
and
5. If testimony is based on a proposed Charter amendment, list the applicable Charter provision.
While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials
received on the day of the meeting or improperly identified may be distributed to the members after the
meeting is concluded.
The Charter Review Commission rules limit the length of time allocated to persons wishing to present
verbal testimony to five (5) minutes. A speaker's time may be limited to three (3) minutes if, in the
discretion of the chairperson or presiding member, such limitation is necessary to accommodate all
persons desiring to address the Commission at the meeting.
Send written testimony to:
Charter Review Commission
Attn: Lani Agoot
Office of Boards and Commissions
4444 Rice Street, Suite 150
Lihu`e, HI 96766
E-mail: lagoot cr kauai.g_ov
Phone: (808) 241-4917 Fax: (808) 241-5127
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If you need an ASL Interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter
for a language other than English, please contact Lani Agoot at (808) 241-4917 or lagoot(a,kauai.uov at least seven
calendar days prior to the meeting.
Charter Review Commission — July 23, 2018 2 ( 1' a g e
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COUNTY OF KAUAI U�
Minutes of Meeting
OPEN SESSION
Board/Commission:
I CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
Meeting Date
IMay 21, 2018
Location
Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2 AB
Start of Meeting: 3:01 p.m.
IEnd of Meeting: 4:04 p.m.
Present
Chair Carol Suzawa. Vice Chair Jan TenBruggencate. Members: Marissa Sandblom and Ricky Watanabe.
Also: Deputy County Attorney Adam Roversi. Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Administrator Nicholas R. Courson and Support
Clerk Darcie Agaran.
Excused
Virginia Kapali, Galen Nakamura, and Patrick Stack
Absent
SUBJECT
DISCUSSION
ACTION
Call To Order
Chair Suzawa called the
meeting to order at 3:01
p.m. with four members
present which constituted a
quorum.
Communications
Chair Suzawa stated that the Commission was in receipt of alternative proposed language with
regard to the upcoming ballot questions from Deputy County Attorney Adam Roversi. Mr.
Roversi noted that the communication was not a legal opinion.
Approval of
Open Session Minutes of April 23, 2018
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
Minutes
Executive Session Minutes of April 23, 2018
to approve the Open Session
Minutes of April 23, 2018,
and the Executive Session
Minutes of April 23, 2018,
as circulated. Ms.
Sandblom seconded the
motion. Motion carried 4:0.
Business
CRC 2017-03 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to remove Article IX relating to the Public Defender
Charter Review Commission
Open Session
May 21, 2018
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DISCUSSION
ACTION
Mr. Roversi stated that his proposed language should be exactly the same as the black language
in the Commissioners' meeting packet, adding that his proposed language was preapproved by
the Commission at their prior meeting because it was already developed and reviewed by the
Commission.
Administrator Courson agreed that the first two items (CRC 2017-03 and 2017-04) were
previously approved and explained that in developing the latter four items (CRC 2017-05,
2017-08, 2017-13, and 2017-14), there was a difference in the tone of the language, so the
reason for the suggested/red language was an attempt to keep the consistency with each item.
He noted that it was completely the Commission's discretion on whether or not to accept the
suggested/red language.
Mr. TenBruggencate asked what the difference was between the black language and the red
language to which Administrator Courson replied that the black language was originally
approved by the Commission at a prior meeting and the red language was simplified language
that's thought to track the latter four items. Mr. TenBruggencate asked if the red language
would replace, in its entirety, the ballot question language and the background language to
which Administrator Courson replied yes, that would be the purpose if it was adopted.
Ms. Sandblom pointed out a difference in the Purpose section from what Mr. Roversi provided
and what was provided in the meeting packet; "provide counsel to indigent defendants and
when the State" was not in the meeting packet's language. Mr. Roversi stood corrected and
agreed that there was a difference. Ms. Sandblom asked if the Commission should substitute
the Purpose language in the meeting packet with Mr. Roversi's proposed language to which Mr.
Roversi replied that it was a subjective choice for the Commissioners to make. Mr. Roversi
explained that the language provided in the meeting packet was the official language that was
being presented to the Commission for approval, noting that his proposed language was
something to think about.
Mr. TenBruggencate felt that there was reference to indigent defendants in the Background
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Open Session
May 21, 2018
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ACTION
section, so it didn't need to be in the Purpose section as well. He clarified that the Commission
wasn't hiding the language, but just that it was in a different place. However, Mr.
TenBruggencate noted that the red language in the Background section didn't have any mention
of indigent defendants, so he wasn't sure how important it was to say that a public defender is
for indigent defendants.
Ms. Sandblom asked for clarification if the Ballot Question was the only thing that the general
voting public would see on the ballot and if the Purpose and Background sections were only on
the supplemental educational materials that's printed in the paper ahead of time to which Chair
Suzawa replied yes. Mr. Roversi added that the educational materials are printed in the paper
and distributed at various sites around the island.
Mr. TenBruggencate suggested to adopt the following:
Ballot Question:
Shall the Charter be amended by repealing Article IX, Public Defender, as this function
is already provided by the State?
Purpose:
The Public Defender section of the Kaua `i County Charter was rendered obsolete when
the State Constitution in 1968 mandated that the State provide counsel to indigent
defendants and when the State Legislature in 1971 established the State Office of the
Public Defender. This amendment would therefore remove an outdated and
unnecessary article from the Charter.
Background:
In 1971 the State established an Office of the Public Defender and a statewide system
for the appointment of legal counsel as required under the law. As such, the County
Council has never found it necessary to establish a County Public Defender by
ordinance.
Charter Review Commission
Open Session
May 21, 2018
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ACTION
Mr. TenBruggencate stated that it would be nice, clean, and simple, which he thought it should
be and that they shouldn't make it more difficult than it was.
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to adopt the language for
CRC 2017-03 as stated. Mr.
Watanabe seconded the
motion.
Discussion:
Ms. Sandblom asked if there was a rationale for the legalese of Mr. Roversi's proposed
language to which he replied that it was the first thing the Commission acted on beginning in
2017, and he was providing a thorough background of the issue. Mr. Roversi stated that he
didn't feel one way or the other that the language needed to be included. Ms. Sandblom asked
if it was a requirement to which Mr. Roversi replied no.
Ms. Sandblom stated that she was uncomfortable with the words "or proper" in the last sentence
of the Background section and asked if it could be eliminated. She noted that the mandate was
that they weren't supposed to have pros or cons, or sway the voters. Mr. TenBruggencate
indicated that he had no objections to the change and Mr. Watanabe agreed.
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to amend the motion to
delete the words "or proper"
in the Background section.
Mr. Watanabe seconded the
motion. Motion carried 4:0.
With no further discussion, Chair Suzawa called for the vote on the main motion.
Motion carried 4:0.
CRC 2017-04 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to remove Article XXX relating to the Electric Power Authority
Mr. Roversi reiterated that his proposed language was no different than the language in the
Commissioners' meeting packet, except for the red language that was provided by the Boards
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May 21, 2018
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ACTION
and Commissions Administrator. Administrator Courson also reiterated that the purpose of the
red language was to keep it consistent with the latter four items where the subject title followed
the roman numerals.
Mr. TenBruggencate stated for the record that he had what might appeared to be a conflict;
however, since it was simply a clarification issue and his vote was needed to create quorum, he
would vote on the item, presuming there would be a motion. Administrator Courson said that
Mr. TenBruggencate's vote would probably be covered by the rule of necessity given their
timeline. Mr. Roversi added that if the Commission didn't act on this item, the language has
already been approved, so in essence, the only thing before the Commission was whether to add
"Electric Power Authority" or not. Administrator Courson viewed it as a relatively minor
housekeeping matter for consistency sake and not a substantive change. Mr. Roversi agreed.
Chair Suzawa called for a motion.
Mr. Watanabe moved to
approve the black language
without the addition of
"Electric Power Authority"
for CRC 2017-04.
Mr. Watanabe indicated that he didn't see a reason to add the red language.
Administrator Courson restated that its only purpose was for consistency. For example, for
Item CRC 2017-05, "Planning Department" followed "Article XIV' ; and for Item CRC 2017-
08, "Financial Procedures" followed "Article XIX". He pointed out that it did say what Article
XXX does in the subsequent language, so it was pretty easy to follow with or without the red
language. Administrator Courson noted that if it was the Commission's will to move forward
without the red language, then that would be fine.
Mr. TenBruggencate said that if that was the Commission's will, then they could get him out of
the predicament by not voting and just letting it proceed, adding that it would avoid creating
otential challengeable action. He asked if Mr. Roversi was in agreement to which Mr. Roversi
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replied yes. Mr. Roversi clarified that the language would stand as printed in black without the
addition of the red language.
Chair Suzawa stated that the motion failed due to lack of a second and no action was taken.
Motion failed.
No action was taken on
CRC 2017-04.
CRC 2017-05 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to remove the Zoning Board of Appeals (Article XIV,
Subsection 14.12 — 14.14.)
Ms. Sandblom asked, moving forward, if the language was new in the sense that it wasn't
approved to which Mr. Roversi replied that that was correct. It was Mr. Roversi's
understanding that the language in the Commissioners' meeting packet was developed by a
working group subsequent to the Commission's votes at the last meeting, noting that he had no
input in that working group. He reiterated that the red language in the Commissioners' meeting
packet was Administrator Courson's proposed language. Mr. Roversi explained that after he
was presented with all of the information in the Commissioners' meeting packet — both the red
and the black language — he proposed alternative language that the Commission could either
take or leave. Administrator Courson clarified that the red language was, again, for consistency
purposes. He explained that it was noticed that there was a discrepancy with the way the item
was listed on the agenda, so the red language was proposed to make it read the same as the
others. He noted that it didn't affect the ballot question; rather, it was a heading that doesn't
have any particular effect. Other than that, Administrator Courson agreed with Mr. Roversi's
assessment.
Mr. TenBruggencate suggested to adopt the following:
3. Proposed Charter Amendment to amend Article XIV, Section 14 by removing the
Zoning Board of A eals
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ACTION
Ballot Question:
Shall Article XIV, Planning Department, Sections 14.01, 14.03, 14.12, 14.13, and 14.14
be amended by removing all references to the Zoning Board of Appeals?
Purpose:
The County has been unable to find volunteers willing to sit on the Zoning Board of
Appeals due to the significant time commitment required. Accordingly, this amendment
would eliminate the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Background:
The Zoning Board of Appeals was created in the 2016 general election with the
expectation that it would reduce or eliminate the expense of hiring hearings officers to
conduct appeals from decisions of the Planning Department. However, the Zoning
Board of Appeals has proven difficult to enact. It would require seven volunteers to
work approximately 16-25 hours weekly and the County has been unable to recruit
capable volunteers willing to make such a time commitment. Thus, the Zoning Board of
Appeals has never been seated.
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to adopt the language for
CRC 2017-05 as stated. Mr.
Watanabe seconded the
motion.
Discussion:
Mr. TenBruggencate asked if the language was okay with Administrator Courson to which
Administrator Courson replied yes.
Ms. Sandblom suggested to include that the Board would require seven volunteers with very
specialized skillsets in the Background section. She explained that the Planning Department
said not only was it hard to find seven volunteers, but that the volunteers needed to have a
certain background. Mr. TenBruggencate stated that the requirements weren't that specialized.
His recollection was that it was basically the same requirement as the Planning Commission
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Open Session
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ACTION
where they sort of had broad groupings; i.e. labor, business, environmental, etc. Ms. Sandblom
noted that if that was the case, then she was okay with it as is.
Motion carried 4:0.
CRC 2017-08 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to amend Article XIX, Financial Procedures, Section 19.15(C)
by adding language to include corresponding improvement to those lands or property
entitlements
Ms. Sandblom asked if there were any big distinctions between Mr. Roversi's proposed
language and the language that was provided in the Commissioners' meeting packet to which
Mr. Roversi replied that he generally made everything longer by attempting to add additional
language.
Chair Suzawa suggested to remove "be used for" in the Ballot Question and replace it with
"include", noting that the Commission wanted to include improvements and not maintenance.
She pointed out that Mr. Roversi's proposed language listed the type of improvements. Mr.
Roversi explained that the reason he added additional language was because having
"improvements" only might leave the voters guessing as to what it meant being that the only
thing they will see on the ballot is the question, so he added an extra half sentence to explain
that the improvements were for the acquired lands or entitlements, as well as public beach
accesses. Mr. TenBruggencate asked if Mr. Roversi's point was that since the voters were only
going to see the Ballot Question that they might not recognize that it's more complicated to
which Mr. Roversi replied yes.
Chair Suzawa stated that she thought the fund was to be used for new public access only and
asked if it was for existing public accesses as well to which Mr. Roversi replied that the
language the Commission approved at the previous meeting was for all existing public beach
accesses. Mr. TenBruggencate agreed.
Ms. Sandblom pointed out that she thought the main difference in the language was that the
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language in the Commissioners' meeting packet mentioned the fund would not be used for
regular maintenance, but there was no mention of it in Mr. Roversi's proposed language; his
language was more focused on improvements. She asked if there was a clear distinction as to
why it wasn't mentioned in Mr. Roversi's proposed language. Administrator Courson stated
that it was a feeling out of their working group that they wanted to make it clear to the public
that the fund could not be used for regular maintenance. Mr. TenBruggencate noted that the
Commission had a discussion about the fact that the County could easily expend all of the
money in perpetuity by starting to fund park maintenance. Ms. Sandblom clarified that she
wanted to bring it up as it was an important discussion that the Commission had over several
meetings. She wasn't sure if the Commissioners wanted to include that sentence in Mr.
Roversi's proposed language and then adopt it. Mr. Roversi stated that he didn't put much
thought into intentionally excluding that language; however, he felt that the language in the
Commissioners' meeting packet was attempting to explain the Commission's decision to delete
part of the Planning Commission's proposal as opposed to describing what was actually being
presented to the voters.
Referring to the meeting minutes of April 23, 2018, Mr. Watanabe noted that the Commission
decided to remove the word "maintenance".
Mr. TenBruggencate suggested to adopt the following:
Ballot Question:
Shall Article XIX, Financial Procedures, Section 19.1 S(C) be amended to permit the
Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund to be used for
improvements?
Purpose:
Currently the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund may
only be used for the acquisition of land or property entitlements for conservation
purposes. This amendment would expand the permissible uses of the and to include
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Open Session
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paying for improvements to lands or entitlements acquired by the fund, and to
improving existing public beach accesses.
Background:
The Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund was established
by the voters in 2002 to fund the acquisition of land and public easements for land
conservation purposes. Conservation purposes include acquisitions for beach and
mountain public accesses, the preservation of historic and culturally important areas,
the protection of significant habitat or ecosystem, protecting watersheds, conserving
land to reduce natural hazards, and improving access to public lands for the disabled.
It is the duty of the Open Space Commission to provide an annual recommendation to
the County Council regarding lands or entitlements proposed for acquisition. Since the
acquisition of land or public easements may require significant expense to improve the
acquired land or easement, the Council has in the past refrained from acquiring
properties identified by the Open Space Commission due to the expected financial
burden of paying for such improvements. This amendment would allow the fund to also
be used to improve lands or easements acquired with the fund, and to improve existing
public beach accesses, but would not authorize use of the fund proceeds for regular
maintenance.
Chair Suzawa stated that she wanted the ballot question to say, "to include improvements".
Mr. TenBruggencate changed his suggested Ballot Question to state:
Shall Article XIX, Financial Procedures, Section 19.1 S(C) be amended to permit the
Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund to include
improvements?
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to adopt the language for
CRC 2017-08 as stated.
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Ms. Sandblom seconded the
motion.
Discussion:
Ms. Sandblom asked if that change had an impact on anything to which Mr. Roversi replied that
he didn't believe so. Mr. Roversi stated that it was more stylistic than substantive.
Mr. TenBruggencate thanked Mr. Roversi for going through the extensive work of reviewing
everything and for putting up with the Commission's Frankensteinian actions. Ms. Sandblom
thanked Mr. Roversi for being patient.
With no further discussion, Chair Suzawa called for the vote.
Motion carried 4:0.
CRC 2017-13 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to amend Article XXIX allowing the Salary Commission
authority to establish the maximum salaries of all elected and appointed officials
Mr. Roversi stated that his proposed Ballot Question should be the same as the Ballot Question
in the Commissioners' meeting packet, noting that he made changes to the Purpose and the
Background sections.
Chair Suzawa noted that she liked Mr. Roversi's Purpose and that it was stronger.
Mr. TenBruggencate suggested changing the Ballot Question to say "shall be added as" in
regards to the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance. Chair Suzawa
preferred to eliminate the second "shall" and replace it with "add". Mr. TenBruggencate stated
that Chair Suzawa's preference implied that the article would be amended to give the Salary
Commission the authority to add, which they were not doing.
Chair Suzawa said that the "and" made it seem like a two-part ballot question.
Ms. Sandblom asked if Chair Suzawa was attempting to restructure the language so that it was
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just one question to which Mr. TenBruggencate replied that Chair Suzawa wanted to make it
really clear that the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance would be added
as ex-officio members as opposed to just being there.
Chair Suzawa stated that she disliked the word "shall".
Ms. Sandblom suggested that the Ballot Question state, "...establish the maximum salaries of all
elected and appointed officials, and make the Director of Human Resources and the Director of
Finance ex-officio, non -voting members of the Commission?"
Mr. TenBruggencate stated that Chair Suzawa's proposal was, "...and to add the Director of
Human Resources and the Director of Finance as ex-officio, non -voting members of the
Commission?" He noted that he was amenable to Chair Suzawa's proposal.
Mr. Watanabe asked if the Commissioners were working off of the language in the meeting
packet to which Mr. TenBruggencate replied that they were working off of Mr. Roversi's
proposed language. Ms. Sandblom pointed out that there was a slight difference between the
two.
Ms. Sandblom was also amenable to Chair Suzawa's proposal, noting that she had concerns
with the word "shall" appearing two times, which made it seem like there were two questions in
one.
Mr. TenBruggencate suggested to adopt the following:
Ballot Question:
Shall Article XXIX, Salary Commission, Sections 29. 01 and 20.03 be amended to give
the Salary Commission authority to establish the maximum salaries of all elected and
appointed officials, and to add the Director of Human Resources and the Director of
Finance as ex-officio, non -voting members of the Commission?
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Purpose:
This amendment eliminates the County Council's authority to reject all or part of the
Salary Commission's annual salary resolution thereby giving the Commission sole
authority to set the maximum salaries of elected and appointed officials. It also makes
the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance advisory members of the
Salary Commission.
Background:
Under the current charter, the Salary Commission is charged with submitting an annual
resolution to the Mayor and Council establishing the maximum salaries of all elected
and appointed county officers. The Charter, however, permits the Mayor or relevant
department head to set the actual salary of any appointee at a figure lower than the
maximum established by the Salary Commission, and authorizes the County Council to
reject the Salary Commission's entire resolution or any part of it. This permits the
County Council to pick and choose which appointees in the executive branch of
government may receive salary adjustments. This amendment would eliminate the
County Council's veto power over the Salary Commission's annual resolution, while
retaining the right of the Mayor and department heads to set actual salaries at less than
the maximum. Any change in County Council salaries would still only take effect in the
next Council term. This amendment would also add the Director of Human Resources
and the Director of Finance to the existing seven -member Salary Commission as ex-
officio, non -voting members to provide information on subject -matter and cost matters.
Administrator Courson pointed out a typo in the Ballot Question being that Section 20.03 is the
Code of Ethics. Mr. Roversi reviewed the Charter and confirmed that Section 20.03 is the Code
of Ethics referring to contracts. He stated that both sections should be 29.
Mr. TenBruggencate amended his suggestion to replace "20.03" with "29.03".
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to adopt the language for
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CRC 2017-13 as stated.
Ms. Sandblom seconded the
motion. Motion carried 4:0.
CRC 2017-14 Discussion and decision -making on ballot question, purpose, and background for
Proposed Charter Amendment to amend Article VII, Subsection 7.06 giving the Administrator
of the Office of Boards and Commissions the authority to appoint or procure a hearings officer
for the County of Kauai
Administrator Courson explained that a concern was brought to his attention regarding the
amount of items on any given ballot because the County Council has a few as well. He noted
that he has been asked if he thought this proposed amendment was necessary. Administrator
Courson stated that he thought it was clarifying; however, he didn't think it was necessary. As
a matter of fact, he's putting in a Notice for Professional Services this summer for the same
purpose, so it would be somewhat weird if the voters voted it down when it was already done.
He felt that it was arguable that the proposed amendment would give the Administrator the
authority to hire a hearings officer countywide given the way it was currently worded.
Administrator Courson clarified that he doesn't claim that he currently has that authority;
however, he felt that he has the authority to hire a hearings officer for the Planning Commission
— the same way he can procure snacks, polo shirts, training, per diem, or hotels on Oahu.
Additionally, he felt he could hire the contractual support that was needed for any one of the
boards or commissions in the County. He noted that the budget hasn't passed yet, but Council
had no problem with moving the $100,000 that's currently in the Planning Department's budget
to the Office of Boards and Commissions' budget.
Mr. TenBruggencate asked if Ms. Paula Morikami, former Administrator of the Office of
Boards and Commissions, wanted to discuss this item. Ms. Morikami stated that she, too,
didn't think it was necessary. Her opinion was that it wasn't a chartered -type position that
needed to be included, noting that the Administrator is able to hire a hearings officer without
changing the Charter.
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Mr. TenBruggencate asked for Mr. Roversi's thoughts. Mr. Roversi stated that he didn't
disagree with Administrator Courson. He said that the Administrator of the Office of Boards
and Commissions has the inherent authority to hire a hearings officer under the existing
Charter, so he agreed that having this proposed amendment on the ballot simply clarifies an
authority that already exists. Furthermore, Mr. Roversi noted that he wanted to discuss the
distinctions between his proposed language and the language that was provided in the
Commissioners' meeting packet if the Commission elected to move forward with this item.
Ms. Sandblom stated that her understanding was that under the current rules, the Administrator
could hire a hearings officer for the Planning Commission. She asked if he was limited to only
the Planning Commission to which Administrator Courson replied that he could do it for any of
the boards and commissions in the County.
Mr. TenBruggencate moved
to not move forward with
CRC 2017-14. Mr.
Watanabe seconded the
motion.
Discussion:
Mr. TenBruggencate explained that the reason for his motion was because it's a superfluous
authority of the Administrator of the Office of Boards and Commissions that didn't require
voter approval.
With no further discussion, Chair Suzawa called for the vote.
Motion carried 4:0.
Announcements
Next Meeting: Next scheduled meeting is June 25, 2018, 3:00 p.m., in the Mo`ikeha Building,
Meeting Room 2A/2B
Mr. TenBruggencate asked what the next steps were to which Administrator Courson replied
that he didn't think there was much more work for the Commission to do in 2018.
Administrator Courson said that the next step was to forward the compiled language to the
CountyAttorne 's Office for a final review and then coordinate with the Public Information
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Officer in July with regard to the voter education materials, which will be brought to the
Commission for final approval.
Mr. TenBruggencate asked if it was Administrator Courson's understanding that the
Commission's timeline was now in sync with the requirements to include the proposed
amendments on the ballot to which Administrator Courson replied that he believed they were
slightly ahead of schedule.
Mr. TenBruggencate stated that the Commission might not need to meet in June if there was no
new information; however, they could start discussing the 2020 election. He recommended that
Chair Suzawa review and decide if it was possible to skip the June meeting and meet in July to
possibly assess the voter education materials.
Mr. Roversi clarified that Rule 4.f. of the Charter Commission Rules is the final step in the
approval process and provided that "after all proposals have been finally reviewed, the
Commission shall propose the form in which the proposed amendments are submitted to be
submitted to the electorate," which the Commission just completed. Following that, "the
Commission shall be responsible for proposing and implementing a public education program
to acquaint the electorate with the proposed amendments." Mr. Roversi stated that past practice
was to forward the proposed amendments to the Public Information Office who would develop
an education piece, which would then be approved, along with the distribution program, by the
Commission at a future meeting. He recalled that the Commission previously had some
involvement in approving all of the different distribution locations, as well as how and when it
would be published in the newspaper. He noted that if he remembered correctly, former
Administrator Furfaro provided a list of the distribution locations to the Commission for their
approval. Mr. Roversi explained that the reason he brought that up was because he believed
they were past the point of attorney review. He stated that the final form was approved, so the
next step would be to send the compiled language to the Public Information Office to create the
educational materials.
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Administrator Courson said that what Mr. Roversi was saying made sense; however, the prior
commission clerk's notes provided that there was a final review by the attorney.
Mr. TenBruggencate stated that it would be nice if Mr. Roversi could look through the
compiled language being that some blending was done. Mr. Roversi said that he would be
happy to review it for proof reading and a ministerial review as long as it was understood that
there would not be another step where he would provide an attorney opinion for the
Commission to make additional changes.
Mr. Roversi noted that the Commission rules were vague and so historically they've relied on
past practice as a guide for the procedure because the rules don't lay it out exactly. For the
Commission's information, he reiterated that he had no problem reviewing the final compilation
for form, grammatical errors, etc.; however, there needed to be an understanding that due to the
timing, after his final review, it would be forwarded to the Public Information Office to create
the educational materials.
Administrator Courson asked if it was fair to say that if Mr. Roversi discovered an alarming
problem that he would be notified and then he would work with the Chair to call a special
meeting to address the problem to which Mr. Roversi replied sure, but he didn't expect to do
that. Administrator Courson agreed and noted that that would be his contingency plan and his
ask of the Commission.
Mr. TenBruggencate explained for the newer commissioners that the public outreach portion in
the past included members of the Commission going out and doing some public outreach. He
remembered sitting with two members of the Commission in one of the Mayor's Ho`ike
programs. Other public outreach activities included speaking about the Charter amendments on
radio stations as well as talking through the Charter amendments in a half-hour program at the
Ho`ike location.
Ms. Sandblom asked if the approval of the public education materials and distribution program
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were going to be on the agenda for June or July to which Mr. TenBruggencate replied July.
Chair Suzawa stated that she will wait to hear from Staff if a June meeting is necessary, and if
not, the Commission can handle everything at the July meeting.
Chair Suzawa mentioned that she would like to see the final compilation of the language and
asked if that was possible to which Administrator Courson replied yes, definitely.
Administrator Courson asked when she would like to see it by to which Chair Suzawa replied
as soon as it's completed. Administrator Courson stated that it would be completed quickly
enough so that she could determine whether or not to have a June meeting for any necessary
corrections. Chair Suzawa said she was comfortable with that.
Administrator Courson noted that the meeting minutes must be posted within 30 days, but the
Commission could approve it at the following meeting if there was no new business or
corrections to be made.
Adjournment
With no objections, Chair
Suzawa adjourned the
meeting at 4:04 p.m.
Submitted by:
Darcie Agaran, Staff Support Clerk
() Approved as circulated.
() Approved with amendments. See minutes of
Reviewed and Approved by:
meeting.
Carol Suzawa, Chair