HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/2020 Council minutes COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order
by Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street,
Suite 201, Lihu`e, Kauai, on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 8:35 a.m., after which
the following Members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Arthur Brun
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Felicia Cowden
Honorable Luke A. Evslin
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Councilmember Chock moved for approval of the agenda, as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Brun.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone in the public wishing to testify
on the agenda?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Seeing none, members, is there any
discussion?
The motion for approval of the agenda, as circulated, was then put, and
unanimously carried.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Clerk, next item,
please.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
C 2020-42 Communication (01/22/2020) from the Director of Finance,
transmitting for Council information, the Second Quarter Statement of Equipment
Purchases for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, pursuant to Section 17 of Ordinance
No. B-2019-856, relating to the Operating Budget of the County of Kauai for Fiscal
COUNCIL MEETING 2 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Year 2019-2020: Councilmember Chock moved to receive C 2020-42 for the record,
seconded by Councilmember Brun.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone in the audience wishing to
testify on the Consent Calendar?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Seeing none, is there any discussion from the
members? Councilmember Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Council Chair, like I did last time, I have a
few questions on the replacement schedule for some of the pieces of equipment, and
some of the stated status and comments. There are only three (3) questions. I do not
see anyone here from Finance and I think they would have to follow-up with the
departments anyway, so I will submit it in writing.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Okay, thank you. Anyone else?
Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I had a question I wanted to submit in writing
as well.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Okay. With that, the motion on the floor is to
receive.
The motion to receive C 2020-42 for the record was then put, and unanimously
carried.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Motion carried. Next item.
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2020-43 Communication (12/24/2019)from Bryson Ponce,Assistant Chief of
Police, Investigative Services Bureau, requesting Council approval to receive and
expend funding, in the amount of$119,754.00, from the State of Hawaii Department
of the Attorney General, 2018 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for Forensic Science
Technology Improvement, which will be used for the procurement of a new
three-dimensional laser scene scanner. Approval to indemnify the State of Hawaii and
the State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is also requested.
• Contract by and through the Attorney General, State of Hawaii, and the
Kauai Police Department (Project Number 18-DJ-10)
COUNCIL MEETING 3 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Councilmember Chock moved to approve C 2020-43, seconded by
Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Do we have questions for the Kauai Police
Department?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Evslin.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you for coming in. The write-up here
was pretty comprehensive. I did not even know that you use a three-dimensional
scanner. It was interesting reading about it. It had mentioned that there was on-
going expenses of seven thousand two hundred dollars ($7,200) per year. Is that just
a wash? Are you spending that on the current scanner, also? Or is that seven
thousand two hundred dollars ($7,200) per year more than what you are currently
spending?
STEPHANIE N. REGAN, Criminalist II, Investigative Services Bureau: The
current scanner does have maintenance costs. I think this one is slightly higher, but it
is essentially the same.
Councilmember Evslin: Okay. I saw in your write-up a potentially
twenty-five percent (25%) savings on time and traffic closures?
CHRISTIAN T. VLAUTIN, Crime Scene Specialist I, Investigative Services
Bureau: Yes, most studies state that that is a starting point. It is the next
generation, so they are much faster than the current scanners.
Councilmember Evslin: That sounds great. Thank you. That is all.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I just was so impressed when I took the class of
what our Criminal Science Investigative Unit does. Do you want to just tell us quickly
what this upgrade does so not only myself ..I did do the reading—the community can
hear a brief summary of what this piece is.
Mr. Vlautin: Three-dimensional scene scanning is a
technology similar to sonar, where instead of sending sound waves out and it measures
the time it takes to come back and it measures distance, this uses laser light and it does
this millions upon millions times a second. It effectively creates a three-dimensional
picture of a scene or a room. Typically, we currently use that for traffic scenes. It is the
Traffic Safety Section that uses the existing scanner. What we are proposing here and
COUNCIL MEETING 4 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
what we have received a grant for is to get an additional scanner for use in crime scene
investigation, where you can measure things down to a subcentimeter at quite a good
distance as well.
Ms. Regan: To summarize, this allows us to both increase
the speed, which is one of the primary components that you wait for when you have
road closures in the County. Anytime a road is closed for an investigation, a majority
of that time is dedicated to the scanner time. The reason why we scan those scenes is
so that traffic reconstructionists can later look back at that scene and look at all the
different components. Speed being a factor, the angles of impact, and all of those things
can be used to figure out whether it is an accident or criminal negligence at play. In
addition with the crime scene side of it, which is more of an expanded use for our
Department, you can do things like ballistic reconstruction. If a firearm is shot, we can
actually figure out potentially where the firearm was shot from and do all of that back
in the laboratory off-scene.
Councilmember Cowden: Thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate the
viewers learning a little bit about why this timing might be less on the roads. I just
want to acknowledge the Kauai Police Department for having remarkable
improvements in the last ten (10) or so years in solving murders and closing a lot of
cases. Thank you so much.
Ms. Regan: Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any other questions from the members? If not,
thank you. Anyone in the audience wishing to testify on this item?
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any final discussion from the members?
Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I just want to thank the Kauai Police
Department for the job that they do. We had the unfortunate incident on Oahu where
two (2) officers were killed. I just want to commend our officers for sticking in there and
for the job that they do. I just want to commend them. You see in the newspapers the
firemen complaining about this and that. They get the same pay as our officers and to
me, the officers put way more on the line than the firemen. I just want to commend
them.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I want to acknowledge that this is a grant, and
we have about four (4) grants here. I also want to commend the Kauai Police
COUNCIL MEETING 5 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Department for not only improving, but finding the money to improve. We have our
budget coming up and it is important to not be taxing our people more. I feel very
strongly about that. Thank you for doing the good job, thank you for finding good
equipment, and thank you for even finding the money. I appreciate you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else? If not, the motion on the floor is
to approve.
The motion to approve of C 2020-43 was then put, and unanimously carried.
C 2020-44 Communication (01/09/2020) from the Chief of Police, requesting
Council approval to receive and expend funding, in the amount of$25,100.00, from the
2019 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, for the Kauai
Police Department Crime Scene and Laboratory Unit (CSLU), to procure and retain the
services of an accreditation mentor to provide guidance towards its goal of applying for
professional accreditation by the end of 2020: Councilmember Kuali`i moved to approve
C 2020-44, seconded by Councilmember Kagawa.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any questions? I will suspend the rules.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Evslin.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you for coming up. This seems like
another great grant. I was wondering if you could explain the benefits of accreditation?
Ms. Regan: Okay. Accreditation basically is a third.-party
recommending...a review that we are holding all of the best practices that give you the
quality forensic science, that you know that you can trust. It takes a third-party that
has no stake in the game and it allows them to take a comprehensive review at all of
our policies, procedures, equipment, facilities, et cetera, and confirms that we are under
international best practices. This is a large trend that is going on in the forensic science
community. As you probably already know, our Department received Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) accreditation a few years
ago. That again, holds- our Department to high standards for our policies and
procedures. Throughout the forensic sciences that is coming through now, a lot of our
laboratories that you see throughout the entire state and nation are accredited
laboratories. We classify ourselves as a Crime Scene Unit. That is kind of the phase
that is going on now. A lot of those accredited laboratories have been accredited and
now the smaller units that are not associated with those large conglomerate state
laboratories are moving for accreditation, so that we too are adhering to the highest
standards.
COUNCIL MEETING 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you. Does it help in trying to close a case
from a legal perspective, if you are accredited?
Ms. Regan: Absolutely. Any type of external review of your
policies, such as accreditation, is going to bolster your credibility when in the courtroom.
That will strengthen both your testimony as well as the admissibility of evidence.
Councilmember Evslin: Great, thank you.
Ms. Regan: Yes.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else? If not, thank you. Anyone in the
audience wishing to testify on this item? Seeing none.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any final discussion from the members. The
motion on the floor is to approve.
The motion to approve C 2020-44 was then put, and unanimously carried.
C 2020-45 Communication(01/17/2020) from Bryson Ponce,Assistant Chief of
Police, Investigative Services Bureau, requesting Council approval to indemnify Life
Technologies Corporation for a three (3) year maintenance contract and per sample
disposable supplies for the Kauai Police Department's (KPD) RapidDNA system, to
allow KPD to procure maintenance and annual calibration services to ensure that the
system is running properly, results are accurate, and retain admissibility in the judicial
process; disposable supplies are needed for the operation of the instrument and are
solely manufactured and available through Life Technology Corporation:
Councilmember Chock moved to approve C 2020-45, seconded by Councilmember
Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any questions from the members on this item?
Seeing none, anyone in the audience wishing to testify on this item?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any final discussion from the members? If not,
the motion on the floor is to approve.
The motion to approve C 2020-45 was then put, and unanimously carried.
COUNCIL MEETING 7 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
C 2020-46 Communication (01/23/2020) from the Director of Economic
Development, requesting Council approval to apply for, receive, and expend funds in
the amount of $25,000.00, from the State Department of Labor and Industrial
Relations (DLIR), to work with the Department of Education (DOE) — Natural
Resources Pathway and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs at Kauai, Kapa`a,
and Waimea High Schools in providing summer internship programs for students to
work on Kauai farms, ranches, and agriculture-related businesses: Councilmember
Kuali`i moved to approve C 2020-46, seconded by Councilmember Chock.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any questions? I will suspend the rules.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: Thank you so much for doing this. I am
assuming the twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) is largely wages or salaries for
someone running the program? Is that correct?
ROBBIE MELTON, Director of Economic Development: No, it is actually
stipends for the students. That is the majority of it. We decided to be more robust this
year. We have increased the student stipend this year. It is also to cover some of the
costs for the farmers.
Councilmember Cowden: What is the student stipend? How much are
they going to make?
Ms. Melton: I do not know. It is a fifteen dollar ($15) an
hour...
Councilmember Cowden: Great!
Ms. Melton: It is twenty (20) hours a week.
Councilmember Cowden: That is really encouraging. They can choose
this instead of necessarily having a job. I also had some constituent questions. If
farmers would like to participate in this, are the farms already chosen? How do they
raise their hand to be looking for a student worker?
Ms. Melton: What we do is we have three (3) students per
farmer. We are working with the high schools. As you know, many of the high schools
have the Future Farmers of America (FFA)program and they are already working with
farms. We may use those farms or we may use new farms. If you are interested, Miguel
Chrisman, who is our Agriculture Business Specialist is recruiting farmers.
COUNCIL MEETING 8 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. So that would be at the Office of
Economic Development? People could call there?
Ms. Melton: Yes.
Councilmember Cowden: That number is 241...
Ms. Melton: 241-4949. I do not know the main office
number is.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay, great. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: This is not the first year, correct? We have had
this for several years?
Ms. Melton: Yes, this is our fifth year.
Councilmember Kagawa: How many students do we reach per year?
Ms. Melton: It varies. This year, we are reaching out to
eighteen(18) students. Two (2)years ago, it was really out of hand and we had forty (40)
students. We realized that was way too many to have in the program. We have scaled
it back. We are doing it more purposefully.
Councilmember Kagawa: Are you looking at six (6) each?
Ms. Melton: Correct. Six (6) each per school.
Councilmember Kagawa: Wonderful.
Ms. Melton: We are working with the Department of
Education (DOE) to identify the right students.
Councilmember Kagawa: Awesome. I teach at Waimea High School now.
I used to be at Kapa`a High School for eighteen (18)years. I loved it there. In Waimea,
we have a teacher named Greg Harding. I do not want to brag about my alma mater,
but the agriculture program under Greg Harding is unbelievable. If you have not seen
it, you should check it out. It is really impressive. He has all of the kids excited. He
does not need to tell them what to do. They love his class. He does a great job.
Ms. Melton: That is excellent.
COUNCIL MEETING 9 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Councilmember Kagawa: I am glad that you are doing this. I hope that
we can expand it. I would say from Waimea, we could put at least twelve (12) hard
working students in there.
Ms. Melton: If we could get more funding, that would be
helpful and we would able to expand the program.
Councilmember Kagawa: I would be willing to put some County money
into this program.
Ms. Melton: Actually, the County does put in twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000) a year to help support this program.
Councilmember Kagawa: Maybe we can put forty thousand
dollars ($40,000).
Ms. Melton: That would be great. If you want to add forty
thousand dollars ($40,000), we are for it.
Councilmember Kagawa: I am all for fairness. If I say twelve (12) for
Waimea, it is twelve (12) for Kauai High and twelve (12) for Kapa`a High. I am not
only about Waimea High School.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else? Do we usually get money from
the State for this or is this the first year?
Ms. Melton: Actually, that is how it started. We get funding
from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). The great news about
this year is we were the only county to get our total ask. We actually asked above the
allowed amount. They were giving twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or less to other
counties. We got twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Good job on that. Any other questions from the
members? If not, thank you. Anyone in the audience wishing to testify on this item?
Seeing none.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Any discussion from the members?
Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: Thank you. I just wanted to thank this
Administration for continuing this effort. This has been a successful program for the
COUNCIL MEETING 10 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
County. Like other members have said, whatever is necessary to support it, is
something we should look at. We have a huge need for emerging new farmers, a new
generation of farmers. While I really like the focus on stewarding or getting these next
generation up, I also feel that there should be some support for the existing farmers in
their continuity plan. We are seeing farmers or farms closing. How do we support them
so that they make the connection of a job farm to a career so that it can sustain itself?
Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I really want acknowledge this program as
being very positive. I am probably the most familiar with the northeast farms. Even
with these farms, they end up having migrant workers from the continental United
States come for a month or two. Half the time they leave the crop instead of the weeds.
I should not say "half the time." Some of the time. It becomes a problem. What they
want is people from here doing it and to be able to be growing team members that will
be permanent and stay. If you have a handful of permanent people, especially if they
have housing, it is a much better program. I know that is a real desire. I do not want
to overload it either. If Waimea gets twelve (12), let us make sure everyone else gets
twelve (12) at some point. I think other areas can grow these farmers. It is good if they
go from this internship into a real job. That is a desire from the farmers. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else. The motion on the floor is to
approve.
The motion to approve C 2020-46 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Next item.
C 2020-47 Communication (01/23/2020) from Roy Asher, Assistant Chief of
Police, Administrative & Technical Bureau, requesting Council approval, to accept a
donation from the Panasonic Corporation, of four (4) model CF-33 "Toughbook"
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) units, valued at $15,144.00, to be used by the Kauai
Police Department for field testing to determine the feasibility of its continued usage
in support of police operations: Councilmember Kuali`i moved to approve C 2020-47
with thank-you letter to follow, seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: I will suspend the rules. We have a question
from Councilmember Cowden.
There being no objections the rules were suspended.
COUNCIL MEETING 11 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Councilmember Cowden: Thank you for being here. Can you explain
how the "Toughbook" MDT is different than the computers that are in the cars right
now? Can you tell us about this particular piece?
KENNETH CUMMINGS, Lieutenant, Kauai Police Department: I want
to apologize right up front. I do not all of the subtle differences between the Dell,
which was the initial MDT that was purchased for our vehicles, and this Panasonic
"Toughbook." We are trying to transition over to these Panasonic"Toughbooks." One
of the main differences is the durability of the Panasonic "Toughbook." It is much
more durable and it can hold a lot more data. The advantage that the Dell had was
that it was a little smaller and lighter. The "Toughbook" is a little heavier, but for
the rugged terrain out in the field, that is what we are trying to go with. Since they
are in the cars, the officers can do their reports and checks in the field. They can take
it out and do their reports out in the field. They are able to take it out of their vehicles
and do their reports even if they are not at the station. That is why we went out to
Panasonic, they came over and gave a demonstration, and they donated these four (4)
MDTs to see if it would be a good fit for us. We at KPD think it will be a better fit
than the Dell.
Councilmember Cowden: I see this amount here is fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000). Is that for all four (4) units or are they fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000) each?
Mr. Cummings: It is the total price. For all four (4).
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. I was getting a little nervous. That is
a lot to put in all of the vehicles. When you take the "Toughbook" and you are at a
crime scene, do you ever take it out of car?
Mr. Cummings: Yes.
Councilmember Cowden: Does it come out so you might go in to the
whole area if you needed to take pictures?
Mr. Cummings: Yes, if you wanted to log anything, you could
remove it from your vehicle.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. It is less than four thousand
dollars ($4,000) a piece?
Mr. Cummings: Correct.
Councilmember Cowden: I was a little worried. Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 12 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Mr. Cummings: You are welcome.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else? If not, thank you. While the
rules are still suspended, is there anyone in the audience wishing to testify?
BRUCE HART: I would like to take this opportunity to thank
KPD, the Office of the Chief, and the rest of the command and administration,
including the Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) and
Administrative & Technical (A&T) Bureau. All of this does not come about just
because they are sitting around drinking coffee. It comes about because they are
doing their job. They are going out and they are getting these grants. Somebody on
this one had to initiate this communication with Panasonic. All of this takes time
and effort. It improves the efficiency of the troops, the officers in the field. That is
where my heart is at. To make it as easy, efficient, but as thorough as possible for
the officers that are out there doing the work every day. The three-dimensional
scanner is going to help the public, it is going to cut the time, but it is also going to
provide a case that holds up in court, so that these officers do not experience the kind
of frustration and disappointment when they do all of his hard work, and then it fails
in court. We also save money from all of these different technical improvements,
because it is more efficient and it moves more quickly. We are supporting our troops.
I agree with Councilmember Kagawa, that the troops, what the Police Department
does is rewarding. I know from talking to the officers that it is very rewarding, but
it can be very stressful. There is also a certain amount of danger every time they go
on duty. They are in my prayers. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else in the audience wishing to
testify? Seeing none.
The meeting was called back to order and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: I would like to call this meeting back to order.
Any discussion from the members.
The motion to approve C 2020-47 with a thank-you letter to follow was then
put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Motion is carried. Next item.
CLAIMS:
C 2020-48 Communication (01/22/2020) from the County Clerk,
transmitting a claim filed against the County of Kauai by Lissa M. Lang, for damage
to her vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kauai:
COUNCIL MEETING 13 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
C 2020-49 Communication (01/24/2020) from the County Clerk,
transmitting a claim filed against the County of Kauai by Jonel Tafiti, for damage to
her vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kauai
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to refer C 2020-48 and C 2020-49 to the Office
of the County Attorney for disposition and/or report back to the Council,
seconded by Councilmember Chock.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone in the audience wishing to
testify on this item?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Seeing none, members, is there any
discussion?
The motion to refer C 2020-48 and C 2020-49 to the Office of the County
Attorney for disposition and/or report back to the Council was then put, and
unanimously.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Motion carried. Next item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ES-1020 Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Sections 92-4 and
92-5(a)(4), and Kauai County Charter Section 3.07(E), the Office of the County
Attorney, requests an Executive Session with the Council, to provide the Council with
a briefing and request for settlement authority in the matter of Regina Kaulukukui
v. County of Kauai Police Department, et al., Civil No. 15-1-00158 (Fifth Circuit
Court), and related matters. This briefing and consultation involves consideration of
the powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and/or liabilities of the Council and the
County as they relate to this agenda item.
ES-1021 Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Sections 92-4 and
92-5(a)(2), and (4), the purpose of this Executive Session is to consider matters that
require confidentiality under state law, to wit, the hiring of a County Auditor,
including interviewing any candidates, and terms and conditions of employment. The
further purpose of this Executive Session is to meet with the Council's legal counsel
on questions and issues relating to the Council's powers, duties, privileges,
immunities, and/or liabilities as it relates to this agenda item.
Councilmember Kagawa moved to convene in Executive Session for ES-1020
and ES-1021, seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
COUNCIL MEETING 14 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone in the audience wishing to testify on
the Executive Session items?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Seeing none. Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I have a question for the County Attorney.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Councilmember Kagawa: I am looking at this and we are looking at a
possible settlement. I have not seen anything in the newspaper or press about this
case. The taxpayer money is going to possibly be used to settle this. I am just hoping
you can provide a briefing, so that the public knows some basic public information
regarding the case that does not need to go behind closed doors. What is this case
about? What happened?
MATTHEW M. BRACKEN, County Attorney: Matt Bracken, County
Attorney. The case is relatively old. I cannot remember if there was any news
coverage when it was initially filed. It was initially filed in 2015. It is a complaint
alleging discrimination and it was filed against KPD. That is the basic overview of
what it is.
Councilmember Kagawa: Discrimination from an employee, a former
employee, or discrimination against a member of the public?
Mr. Bracken: The allegations were that a current employee
of the KPD discriminated against another employee of the KPD.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you. I appreciate it. I think the public
does as well. They come and some of them even write about what is happening here.
I like to provide them what we can. Thank you.
The meeting was called back to order and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Okay, thank you. Any discussion from the
members? Seeing none, can I get a roll call vote to go into Executive Session.
The motion to convene into Executive Session for ES-1020 and ES-1021 was
then put, and carried by.the following vote:
COUNCIL MEETING 15 FEBRUARY 5, 2020
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: Brun, Chock, Cowden, Evslin,
Kagawa, Kuali`i, Kaneshiro TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST EXECUTIVE SESSION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: That concludes the business on our agenda.
Not seeing or hearing any objections, this meeting is now adjourned. We do have a
public hearing at 1:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the Council Meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JADE OUNTAIN-TANIGAWA
County Clerk
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