HomeMy WebLinkAbout 11/04/2015 Public hearing transcript on BILL#2599 PUBLIC HEARING
NOVEMBER 4, 2015
A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to
order by Arryl Kaneshiro, Chair, Budget & Finance Committee, on Wednesday,
November 4, 2015, at 1:35 p.m., at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street,
Suite 201, Historic County Building, Lihu`e, and the presence of the following was
noted:
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Gary L. Hooser
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Mel Rapozo
The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following:
"Bill No. 2599 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. B-2015-796, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF
HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2015 THROUGH
JUNE 30, 2016, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE
GENERAL FUND (Kaua`i Fire Department, Aerial Apparatus Vehicle 10%
County Match— $71,909.00),"
which was passed on first reading and ordered to print by the Council of the County
of Kauai on October 7, 2015, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on
October 14, 2015.
The hearing proceeded as follows:
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Do we have any registered speakers?
JADE K. FOUNTAIN-TANIGAWA, County Clerk: Committee Chair, we
have no registered speakers.
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone in the audience wishing to testify?
Mr. Bernabe.
MATTHEW BERNABE: Matt Bernabe for the record. Before I say
anything, I would just like to say that I totally support what our Fire Department
does. I think they actually do a really good job considering. I have disagreed with
where their scope of jurisdiction has been. But on the other hand, I have also heard
a lot of criticism on best practice and the legalities directly referring to the
helicopter history.
(Councilmember Kagawa was noted as not present.)
PUBLIC HEARING 2 NOVEMBER 4, 2015
BILL NO. 2599
Mr. Bernabe: Personally, I have not ever really put my
crosshairs on the issue, let us say. Were they covered with the audit when we did
all of these County audits? I would like to state for the record that I am not sure. I
do not know if they were. Okay, maybe they were not. If they were not, why not?
We seem to give these people a lot of money, and it would behoove us to know what
they are using it for, if they are using it correctly or if they are mismanaging the
money, or whatever it is. Like I said, I do not know enough, but I see a red flag
here. I have heard such things such as they are not even running a legal chopper.
Most of this may be hearsay and whatnot, but like I said, how would I know? How
would I be able to get this information? Would I be able to go to the Fire Chief and
say, "Look, I have heard some rumors around town that some of your actions are
not pono. Can I see your records? Are you going to open them up for me?" How can
I see that? If I did see it, what could I do about it? As you see, I am not sitting here
waving the finger because I do not even know enough, but at the same time, I would
like to know more. Thank you.
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Thank you. Anyone else in the audience
wishing to testify on this?
There being no one further testimony, the public hearing adjourned at
1:39 p.m.
er• - . -ctfully submitted,
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JADE . OUNTAIN-TANIGAWA
County Clerk
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