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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/2018 Public hearing minutes on BILL 2677 PUBLIC HEARING JANUARY 10, 2018 A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order by Mel Rapozo, Chair, Committee of the Whole, on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at 1:30 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 Arthur Brun Honorable Mason K. Chock Honorable Ross Kagawa Honorable Arryl Kane shiro Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura Honorable Mel Rapozo The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following: "Bill No. 2677 —A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR BARGAINING UNIT 12 BETWEEN JULY 1, 2017 AND JUNE 30, 2021," which was ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kaua`i on December 6, 2017, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on December 13, 2017. SCOTT K. SATO, Deputy County Clerk: We received no written testimony and we have just one (1) registered speaker. The first speaker is Jesse Guirao representing the State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO). Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you very much. Jesse. JESSE GUIRAO, Detective, Kaua`i Police Department: Council Chair Rapozo, Council Vice Chair Kagawa, and Members of the Council, good afternoon. My name is Jesse Guirao. I am a Detective with the Kaua`i Police Department and the former SHOPO Kaua`i Chapter Chairman. I am here, again, on behalf of the many police officers serving and protecting the citizens and visitors of our island. I, again, humbly ask for your support in approving Bill No. 2677 relating to our negotiated contract. Current SHOPO President, Tenari Ma'afala, and the rest of our negotiating team, amicably negotiated for several months with the employer's group taking into consideration our island's economic health as well as the forecast for the coming years. Our team was always mindful of the other respective bargaining units who were also in negotiations. We are hopeful that with the approval of this contract, we would be in a better position to retain more of our current officers as well as attract more individuals, more specifically college graduates wanting to become a police officer. A glaring issue facing police departments across the nation is staffing PUBLIC HEARING 2 JANUARY 10, 2018 BILL NO. 2677 shortages. Here in paradise, we are not immune to this shortage. Again, I humbly ask this Council to support and approve Bill No. 2677, relating to our collective bargaining. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity this afternoon to provide testimony on this Bill. Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you, sir. Mr. Guirao: Are there any questions? Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Mr. Guirao: Thank you. Council Chair Rapozo: Is there anyone else wishing to testify? If not, this public hearing is now closed. Thank you. There being no further testimony, the public hearing adjourned at 1:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, SCOTT K. SATO Deputy County Clerk :aa