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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2010 Special Council Meeting Minutes SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 2010 The Special Meeting of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order by the Council Chair at the Council Chambers, Historic County Building, 4396 Rice Street, Room 201, Lihu`e, Kauai, on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at 8:38 a.m., after which the following members answered the call of the roll: Honorable Tim Bynum Honorable Dickie S. Chang Honorable Jay Furfaro Honorable Lani T. Kawahara Honorable Bill "Kaipo" Asing EXCUSED: Honorable Daryl W. Kaneshiro Honorable Derek S. K. Kawakami APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Bynum moved to approve the Agenda as circulated, seconded by Ms. Kawahara, and unanimously carried. Council Chair Asing: I'll open it up to the public first in case anyone in the public wants to speak on the interviews. Is there anyone in the public that wants to speak on the interviews? If not, the meeting is called back to order. INTERVIEWS Council Chair Asing: Sheri please. SALARY COMMISSION: • Sheri S. Kunioka-Volz - Term ending 12/31/2010 SHERI KUNIOKA-VOLZ: Good morning. Council Chair Asing: Good morning. Thank you for being here and what I'd like to do is open it up to you so that you can share with councilmembers anything at all you want to share, background, what your thoughts are, anything you care to share with councilmembers. Ms. Kunioka-Volz: I'll give a little bit background of myself. My name is Sheri Kunioka-Volz. I currently work for the State-I do the retirement counseling. Prior to that, I had worked in Austin, Texas, for Motorola semiconductors for six years, primarily in personnel, most of it in the affirmative SPECIAL MEETING 2 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 action area, and some of that time I as in the marketing support manufacturing area. And prior to that, I also had worked for a computer company as a marketing and did training classes and various product shows throughout the country. I was born and raised here and because of that, I think I have more of a passion to do this as a community service, to give back to the community. Is there any questions? Council Chair Asing: Okay, thank you Sheri. I'd like to open it up for Couneilmembers on any questions Couneilmembers may have. With that, Councilmember Furfaro Mr. Furfaro: Thank you Mr. Chair. Good morning, Sheri. Ms. Kunioka-Volz: Good morning. Mr Furfaro: Nice to have you with us. Could you dust expand a little bit more on the kind of counseling you do with the retirement system? Just if you could expand on that a little bit more. I think that's directly related to this commission we re on. Ms. Kunioka-Volz: Okay. First of all, I opened the office on Kauai (inaudible) neighbor island offices, and so when I was hired, it was to open the office on Kauai. I do the counseling for all State and County employees, and with that, we look at salaries, we look at years of service, we do a lot of calculations and computations, and basically jus guide the employees into what you know, making better investment choices or financial choices for the retirement. Mr. Furfaro: So your office, you regularly get finalized bulletins about any changes in the laws and so forth... is that how it works? Ms. Kunioka-Volt: Primarily it's for... There are so many different (inaudible, technical problems). Mr. Furfaro: Thank you very much. I just wanted to get a little broader picture of that since it's directly tied to salaries and benefits. Council Chair Asing: Okay, any other questions, Couneilmembers? Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: I want to say good morning, Sheri, and thank you for your willingness to serve. I appreciate your comments about wanting to give back to the community, and I know you have in many ways for a long time. So I appreciate your willingness to serve. Ms Kunioka-Volt: Thank you. SPECIAL MEETING 3 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Council Chair Asing: What I'd like to do is take a short break right now. We have some technical difficulties It'd no recoding... (short break) Council Chair Asing: Meeting is now called to order. With that, Sheri... Sorry Sheri, it wasn't recording, but now it's okay. So with that, I'm going to continue to open it up for questions. Is there any questions? Mr. Chang: Are we starting all over? Council Chair Asing: No, we're starting where we left off. Is there any questions for Sheri? No questions? Yes, go ahead Councilmember Chang. Mr. Chang: Good morning, Sheri. Were you recruited or did you...when you say you're happy to give back, did you seek a position somewhere in the commission? Ms. Kunioka-Volz: No. Mr. Chang: How did that go about, and when it happened, what was your initial reaction? Ms. Kumoka-Volz: I've been involved primarily in education end for community service. I've been very active with our local PTA for many years as my children were growing up, and I was asked to be on this commission, and I thought well it's a way of giving back to the community. Mr. Chang: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Okay. There being no other questions, I dust want to thank you, Sheri, for helping. Ms. Kunioka-Volz: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Thank you very much. With that, can we have the next applicant ...I believe Glen Taba with the building board of appeals. BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS: • Glen Satoru Taba, Construction - Term ending 12/31/2012 GLEN TABA: Good morning. Council Chair Asing: Good morning, Glen. Glen, I dust want to open it up to you to present any information you care to share with Councilmembers. SPECIAL MEETING 4 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr. Taba: Okay. I'm presently an instructor at KCC. Prior to that, a general contractor for about 17 years, and worked for a non-union company before that. So it's about 37 years now, construction. And we do... I'm busy at school. But other than that, that's my background, dust construction. Council Chair Asing: Okay great. Thank you. With that, Councilmember, questions? Councilmember Furfaro. Mr. Furfaro: Yes. God morning, Glen, and thank you very much for being here. So you're an instructor now at KCC. That's been for how long? Mr. Taba: Three years now. Mr. Furfaro: Three years. So in the instructional portion, you obviously then keep current with the building codes and... Mr. Taba• We try to. Mr. Furfaro: So it actually is part of the curriculum and you try to stay current with those codes. Mr. Taba: Yes. Mr. Furfaro: And in the construction field, your specialty is carpentry work? Mr. Taba: Yeah. Mr Furfaro: Okay, so does that include like from framing to finish work... Mr. Taba: Form foundation actually, to finish. Mr. Furfaro: Okay. Well thank you very much for stepping forward, and we understand you have a busy schedule, but this board of appeals, especially as it relates to value and construction, is extremely important for us, and we're glad to have someone with your skills willing to step forward. Thank you Mr Chair. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. Councilmembers, any other questions? Go ahead Councilmember Chang. Mr. Chang- Thank you Chair. I'm going to ask you the same question. Did you pursue wanting to get on the board, or did you get recruited, and what was the reaction? SPECIAL MEETING 5 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr. Taba• Well, this is the first time I hear about board ...I'm sorry. Yeah, I got recruited, and why me? That was my answer, why me. But he said, you can do it, so I guess I'll try and give back to the community. Mr. Chang: Well, we want to certainly thank you. You must have been a little bit excited, because you were the first guy sitting by yourself. Mr. Taba: Actually, I'm always early at, you know... Mr. Chang: Beautiful. Thank you Glen. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: Well Glen, you're perfectly suited for this position, so why me is an easy answer. Thank you for offering your expertise and your knowledge. (Inaudible) It seems perfectly logical why you would be in this position, so thank you. Mr. Taba: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Any other questions, Councilmembers? If not, thank you very much. Appreciate your stepping forward and assisting, giving back to the community, and helping. Thank you very much. With that, can we have the next applicant, Michelle Swartman. Good morning. COST CONTROL COMMISSION: • Michelle Swartman - Term ending 12/31/2012 MICHELLE SWARTMAN: Good morning. Council Chair Asing: I'd like to also open it up for you to share any information you care to share with Councilmembers. Ms. Swartman: Okay. Good morning, my name is Michelle Swartman. I am with ...I'm an employee of Grove Farm. I am the project manager for the Lihu`e-Hanamd'ulu master planned community, and I am a proud mom of three little boys who attend Kilauea school. I have a habit of donating my time and being a volunteer. I was a former board member for two consecutive terms on the Kilauea Neighborhood Association. I'm also on the school community council. I am heavily involved on the northshore Kawaihau Little League for the Kilauea Marlins who have a game ...who has a game today. I am currently completing my first term on the cost commission... cost control commission. I was approached by the former Mayor Bryan Baptiste, and gladly was able to serve the last three years as a cost control commissioner. I felt that we made a lot of headway in the past three years. I think we were able to take a look at several items that was causing some concern SPECIAL MEETING 6 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 for the county and our cost control commission, and I was very proud to be a part of that. Council Chair Asing: Thank you very much. With that, Councilmembers, any questions? Councilmember Furfaro. Mr Furfaro• First of all, Michelle, I want to thank you for your work out at Kilauea community. I am the proud father of three girls who are all graduates of Kilauea elementary, and I was the past president of the school during the centennial celebration. But I too want to thank you for your work on the cost control commission, and the recommendations you made, although we are still working on the portion that deals with non-resident golf rates... Ms Swartman: Yes, I understand that. Mr. Furfaro: The concern there was the fact that we took residents to a 33% increase, while we took visitors to a 60% increase. So we're being actually asked to reconsider that to some degree, maybe bring it down to a 50% increase. But that actually superseded the golf rates that are out at private courses, and it caused about... I think it caused about a 20% crop in the actual number of rounds, but it also helped them reach a new revenue potential, although they didn't reach the goal. They were short about $10,000 on the average each month right now, but it was a very complicated piece to work with, and I just wanted to say we are going to revisit it. I think you guys did an excellent job looking at rates versus rounds, calculating rate potential, but you now, we might have been a little bit too aggressive there (inaudible). Thank you very much for that work as we look at reconsidering that. But there have been a number of things that came out of your recommendations that dealt with revenues, and I had thought about introducing a bill several years ago, I did and we kind of sat on it, that changed the name from the cost control commission to the cost and revenue commission. Ms. Swartman: I like that. Mr. Furfaro: And you know, try and kind of set us up like the governor's forecasting process, at least quarterly. And it might be something that we want to revisit as we're coming up in fees and taxes kind of short in every area, but we may want to look at trying to forecast other revenue projections for the county. And I already heard your comment, you kind of like that idea, so thank you and thank you for your service the last three years. Ms. Swartman Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Go ahead Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: Good morning, Michelle. SPECIAL MEETING 7 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Ms. Swartman: Good morning. Mr. Bynum: You know, I think when we first formulated this commission a few years ago, it had kind of been dormant for a long time, and when you read the article that establishes the commission, when I first read it, it was like wow, this commission potentially has a lot of power. I mean it says that if you recommend ordinances, the mayor shall present them. And so I really appreciate the work, and I was dust curious about whether ...has the commission prepared a written annual report summarizing the recommendations as the charter says? Ms. Swartman: Yes, I believe the annual report has already gone out. Mr. Bynum: And so you've experienced cooperation as a commission with seeing information from departments? Ms. Swartman: Oh, absolutely. I think you're absolutely right with regards to this cost control commission having somewhat some influence, I should say, based on the article that formulated this commission. I think if anything... I think we can only create positive communication, and although our recommendations may have had some discrepancy or some conflicts or controversy, I think the most important thing that we have brought to the surface is dialogue, and we've actually been able to highlight areas for the county to actually take a look at, and I think that in itself is a positive thing. Mr. Bynum: I agree, and I think I'm very appreciative that this commission is taking its job seriously and has, you know, because it gives you broad range of, you know, you can pretty much take it wherever you want to go in terms of county operations, and I think that's a very positive thing, and you have some really quality members of the commission. Just regarding golf course fees, you know, things change after you made your recommendation. Our economy changed pretty dramatically. You know, some of the private courses... Ms. Swartman: Shut down. Mr. Bynum: ...changed their policies, you know, trying to attract a greater market share. One of the things that I think I asked this question in writing about whether we might give the parks department flexibility within a range, particularly to set fees and when twilight begins and ends. I don't know that, you know, they're in some ways competitive with the private sector, and if the economy changes and their realities change, they don't have the same flexibility the private sector has to change with changing market conditions. SPECIAL MEETING 8 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Ms. Swartman: I think you're absolutely right. I think the Wailua Golf Course is a first class golf course, and there's no reason why it shouldn't compete at the same level as the private courses. Mr. Bynum: Yeah, so you know, I just wanted to say in context, the economy changed dramatically. That might have changed the... One of my concerns is that they have flexibility to change with those marketing, and I'm looking at can we give them flexibility, you know, within a range perhaps. What would you think of that idea? Ms. Swartman. I think that's great. I think you need to give the director of the golf course some leeway to make those changes, and I think as they see firsthand some of the factors that may affect your number of play, twilight, I think they need the flexibility to make those calls. Mr. Bynum: Did the cost control commission address the issue of when twilight begins and ends, because I believe in my mind that that's set by a ordinance, and I was really surprised that... Ms. Swartman: You know, we actually have golfers on the cost control commission who was able to give us some expert advice, and she also is a avid golfer at the Wailua Golf Course too, and we did interview the former director of the golf course ...I should say the manager. We also brought in the golf course golf club president of the association. So we were able to call in several people who could provide us more detailed information. Mr. Bynum: I appreciate your work very much and I'm glad that you re re-upping Ms Swartman. Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. Any other? Go ahead Councilmember... Ms. Kawahara: Thank you. Good morning, Michelle. Ms. Swartman: Good morning. Ms. Kawahara. Thanks for being here, and yes, I think we're focusing on a lot of what came through the cost commission, especially in regards to the golf course. Had you guys looked at the actual lessees of the golf shop and the restaurant and what kind of revenue that they generate and how any kind of play or loss of play might affect them? SPECIAL MEETING 0 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Ms. Swartman: No, we didn't, but I certainly would like to look at that if I was selected to be on the commission again. But I think it's a worthy reason to... cause to look into as well. Ms. Kawahara: Because a lot of what I saw was definitely there was some tweaking of the twilight hours that was being done prior anyways, so I think that we're getting back to where it is supposed to be. Regarding the rates, though, I thought you guys did a good job in evaluating again all the different times of play, the weekend, twilight, and weekdays. I am finding though that we...I mean it sounds like Jay may have gotten more information than I've gotten so far about what exactly ...what type of revenue it did generate when we did change our rates, and I am waiting for the department to get back to me to tell me where exactly we are with the rate increase, what revenue it did generate and what the increase was. My question was, though, it seemed to be that they were generating a good amount of money, increase, but the number of play went down, which would seem natural to me, and I was... What the department was worried about was of course the big number of complaints that they got, and I was hoping that they would have expected to have heard that and expected that that would happen. I would prefer that we would stand by what we put I place, being that the economy also hit at the same time. So I'm weighing in on the side that, you know, I'm not sure that we really want to go in and do any of changes in that right now while were-while we're waiting to the economy and waiting out the snowbirds, and you know, filtering out the people that do want to play on a high quality municipal course versus private. And my other concern is with the cost control commission, I'm glad that you're there, because in the economic times that we're having, we need to be able to control what the government costs, but I also want to be able to be sure that we also know the cost of the services that we provide and the value of the services that the government provides. And I'm curious if you think the board, the cost control commission does have a recognition of the value of government services that are provided. Ms. Swartman: No. We actually... You know, I think you and Jay both bring up a very important point that when we first were all confirmed and we started our series of meetings, our commission was very clear that we were going to look specifically at what the cost and expenses were of the government of the county was. However, Jay brought up a very good point that revenue was a very important role in balancing the government budget, so in my past term we were very specific in controlling the cost and the expenses of the government, and that's where we focused on. But as you bring up other revenue generating aspects of the golf course, I think perhaps changing our role to include where we can improve and increase the revenues for the county budget I think is important just as much as controlling the cost. Ms. Kawahara: So is it all... Because I'm looking at it saying that they do... it's to be sure that there are government services provided, but that they were more efficiently supplied, and to eliminate, consolidate... or consolidate SPECIAL MEETING 10 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 overlapping duplicate programs and services. So I just would like to be sure that there's somebody out there that's not thinking of trying to run the whole government as a private enterprise or private business, because they are two separate types of organizations. Ms. Swartman: Yes. Ms. Kawahara: And the cost control commission has a recognition of the fact that it's a government agency that has to do the balance between being efficient, but also providing government services. Ms. Swartman: Yes, and I think our role, we just ...when we look at the budget, we hone in on certain items that may stand out for us, and we ask the right questions of the right people, hopefully, and if the questions are met satisfactorily, then we don't pursue. We move on to the next cost control item. Ms. Kawahara. Okay, thank you very much. Ms. Swartman: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Furfaro. Mr. Furfaro: Yes. I just want to follow up and you know, Michelle, I think ...not that I have a little more information than any of the other councilmembers, but I do want to point out to Councilwoman Kawahara, you know, in my other life for 36 years I ran resorts, and the golf operation reported to me, whether it was Sheraton Molokai, Makaha Inn, so I'm more in-tuned to the rate potentials. But I also want to correct a couple pieces here that your choice of the word "having influence over the outcome" is much preferred by me than having the "power to influence the outcome." And I also want to point out that at the time we went to 50, both the Prince and Makai were already at 48. The temptation to build the revenue was certainly there, because at the time the revenue seemed to be unending. But couple of the other things that we need to look at there and I'll dust shad; with you, I'm shocked to find out that the golf course doesn't have an ATM machine. Ms. Swartman: Absolutely. Mr Furfaro: And somebody goes and wants to treat somebody to a cap, a shirt, they have to go to the 7-11 to get cash, then go back to the golf course. Well, that's going to affect the marketability of the restaurant and the amenities in the gift shop. So you know, it's more a marketing philosophy. I also don't believe that the Wailua Golf Course will ever get to the point that it becomes a profit center for the county. It is a cost center. It generates recreational opportunity, no different than our tennis courts and so forth, but you know, we have to try to get xeve-hues to the maximum place that we can and offset as many of the dollars in SPECIAL MEETING 11 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 operating cost as we can. So I want to make sure we're not saying that the golf course should, you know, end up being profitable, because I don't think it ever can. It is a recreational component and amenity for the citizens of Kauai first... enhanced by visitor revenues secondly that could help offset some operating cost. Ms. Swartman: And I think that's a formula of success. I think that the golf course can operate with less subsidy from the government. Like any business, you...any business enterprise, there's a component of recreation, there's a component of marketing, there's a component of sales. And like I said in the last past few minutes, I don't see why the Wailua Golf Course, which is a first class golf course, can't operate successfully. Mr. Furfaro: I don't disagree with you, but its first mission is to provide recreational opportunity within... That's its first mission. The other thing I want to point out that I would like the cost control commission to look at going forward is when we recently launched this pay by website on...so forth with taxes, etc., I was kind of shocked to find out that the service fees that are cost accountable to us were not portrayed as being passed on to the convenience. You know, if you get a two and a half percent charge on a credit card because you don't have to drive in from Hanalei, you know, you're saving gas and convenience, and you should have had something that trigger this service charge. I mean you can't go to Visa, American Express, or anything and have something and not incur a charge. So I hope going forward as we broaden those services, we take into consideration the service cost. Ms. Swartman: And I welcome any of you... if I was to be confirmed, I welcome any of you to come to the cost control, because you now, we are citizens that aren't actively involved in the government and the budget, and so if there are any areas that you feel that, you know, we should take a look at, I welcome any of you to any of the cost control meetings to please make your recommendations of what we could look into further. Mr. Furfaro: Well Michelle, in the past I have been a regular, not during your term, but I also am saying that for the purpose of the administration, we have an IT department, if they set something up, they should also understand the potential circumstances when it comes to financials, and they should also take the initiative to be in front of you. Ms. Swartman: Yes, I agree. Mr. Furfaro: And thank you once more for serving the last three years. Your service was greatly admired. Ms. Swartman: Thank you. SPECIAL MEETING 12 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr. Bynum, You can tell from the level of questions that there's some investment in your commission from councilmembers, and it's very much appreciated, and I just want to say briefly, I concur with Mr. Furfaro that, you know, we have to find that right balance, but I've never been of the expectation that the golf course would pay for itself, you know, that I want to keep those rates low for seniors, for our youth, because you know, it's a...you know, primarily. So I appreciate Councilmember Furfaro saying and then... Did cost control commission look at the fees for driver's licenses? Ms. Swartman: No, we did not. Mr. Bynum: I suggested to one member that that might be an area that the cost control could look at. I know ...I believe our current fee for driver's license is the lowest in the State, and it costs us more as a county to produce it than we get back for fees. So it's an area that, for what it's worth, you might want to look at Ms. Swartman: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Chang. Mr Chang: I'll make this very brief, because I think we will ...we'll get to meet with ...chat with you ourself, cost control, parks and ree, but as we chatted a little bit earlier, there different elements at the golf course, the pro shop, the restaurant, the snack bar, of course the golf cart is separate, I think the ball ...the guys that pick up the balls are separate, the carts are separate, so in the private sector, as you know, they could get a lot more creative to try to offset better rates. But one of the things that Councilmember Furfaro was mentioning, he was in shock, and so was I, when we didn't have an ATM machine or a Visa or Master Card that they could pay, because if you're coming from the east side or you're coming from the west side, wherever you're coming from, the visitor, and they find out... they drive through traffic and they finally get to the resort, then sorry, we don't take credit cards, so you got to try to find them in Hanama`ulu or Foodland or Safeway. So that's something that we can work with the parks and rec, because they have the breakdown of the shops, the golf carts, the clubs... rental clubs, and one of the things that was unfortunate was that the website didn't get updated right away when the recommendations came in. So the visitor always expected the prices to be the same, only to be shocked that when they approached, it was...they saw what they saw, and yet there were changes... months. So we need to coordinate all of that. But with that being said, you're a busy happy mom, and a great resident, and I'm glad that you're able to have fun in some of your spare time within our community, and we want to just thank you for being a part of serving our community again, Michelle. Ms. Swartman: Thank you very much. SPECIAL MEETING 13 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr. Chang: Thank you Chair. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. I just wanted to close, you know, kind of this issue. You know, I think we need to go back to the intent, what was the intent of the golf course, to be used for what purpose, recreational purpose for our residents mainly. I think that's the key. Going back into looking at the intent, I can tell you that 15...if you go back and check the records, go back at least 15 years, you're going to find that the golf course was self-sustained. It was always that way before. And then came all of a sudden we had this sprinkler system that we needed to install because the golf course was kind of going downhill, the sprinkler was just in terrible shape, there was leaks, it was not in good shape, we needed to do a bond float, and so it started to change. It is an enterprise fund, but you know, it's not anywhere close to that in respect to right now I'm looking at the figures here, we're talking about in excess of $250,000 of general fund money being used to subsidize that. So anyway, you have some work to do, and thank you for your hard work. Ms. Swartman: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Council Chair Asing: Thank you, appreciate that. With that, can we have the next applicant, Linda Iwamoto. Linda, good morning. FIRE COMMISSION: - Linda Ka`auwai-Iwamoto - Term ending 1213112012 LINDA KA`AUWAI-IWAMOTO: Aloha. Council Chair Asing: Good morning. Linda, I just want to open it up to yourself for any information you care to share with Councilmembers. Ms. Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: Okay, I'm Linda Ka`auwai-Iwamoto. I was born and raised in Kapa`a area. I'm the last of 17 children. I graduated from Kapa`a High School, continued my education in Honolulu at Cannon's Business College that is no longer existing, and graduated in secretarial and accounting business, then I worked with the department of Hawaiian home lands for 32 years, and retired in 2000. This was all in Honolulu. And then I worked for Kainehameha Schools for two years running the summer school program... assisting, rather, in the summer school program, and then worked with TSA in Honolulu for four years as an instructor for TSA, then transferred to Kauai. It was time to come home, and worked for month and a half, and then transferred with USDA-APHIS at the Lihu`e Airport where I'm currently employed as a part-time employee. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. With that, Councilmembers, any questions for Linda? Councilmember Furfaro. Mr. Furfaro: I just wanted to say, Linda, thank you very much for your service thus far. I think the fire commission is making great strides in SPECIAL MEETING 14 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 identifying loss prevention in our county, and I have no questions for Linda. I saw her at the blessing of the new fire station and we talked then. Ms. Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. Any other questions? Councilmember Chang. Mr. Chang: Good morning, Linda. I just want to thank you for your enthusiasm. You got such a great smile, and I remember the old Cannon's Business College there in Honolulu. That goes back a long time. But I just want to say, really, really nice presentation; you hand-wrote everything yourself, and we got a very, very good person in yourself coming into the fire commission. So we want to thank you for your work, and welcome back home. We're happy to have you back. Ms. Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: Thank you. Good to be home. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: Thank you. I'm glad you're back home, and appreciate your service on the commission, and is there currently a woman on the fire commission? Do you know? Ms Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: Besides myself? Mr. Bynum: Yes Ms Ka`auwai-Iwamoto. Darnney Proudfoot, she's the chair. Mr. Bynum: Oh yeah, yeah, Darnney, yes, okay. Good, thank you. Ms. Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: You're welcome. Council Chair Asing: Any other questions, Councilmembers? If not, thank you very much. Appreciate you helping and assisting the community. Ms. Ka`auwai-Iwamoto: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Thank you very much. With that, can we have the next applicant, Ernest Kanekoa. POLICE COMMISSION: Ernest L. Kanekoa, Jr. - Term ending 12/31/2012 Council Chair Ming-. Good morning. SPECIAL MEETING 15 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 ERNEST KANEKOA: How are you doing? Mr. Furfaro: Good. And yourself? Mr. Kanekoa: Not too bad. Doing pretty good. Council Chair Asing: Ernest, I'd like to open it up for you to share any information you care to share with Councilmembers. Mr. Kanekoa: Okay. I'm originally from Hana, Maui, born and raised there. I got my education in Honolulu. Graduated from Roosevelt High School, graduated from Honolulu Community College, Kapi`olani Community College, and University of Ilawai`i under TIM (travel industry management). Started with the Sheraton Hotels, Sheraton Waikiki in particular. Was with Sheraton for 20 somewhat 26, 27 years. When I... 1984 1 was transferred from the Sheraton to Sheraton Princeville to open up the new Sheraton Princeville as the director of safety and security. During that time that I was working for Sheraton, I also obtained my private investigator license in early 80s, opened up a security company called KSI in 1990, opened up a restaurant in Kapa`a in early 80s as well. Provided a lot of different security protection throughout those years, and currently employed by the Makahuena Resort as general manager, and just recently opened up the Kalaheo Steak & Ribs restaurant up in Kalaheo. So I'm a busy guy. Council Chair Asing: Sure sounds like it. With that, Councilmembers? Councilmember Furfaro. Mr. Furfaro: Thank you. Ernie, it's very good to see you here. Mr. Kanekoa: My pleasure. Mr. Furfaro: I do want to share with my colleagues here that during Ernie's 20 plus years with Sheraton, one of the things that we should point out is those were similar years that Ernie and I worked together, and it was... the n it was ITT Sheraton, it was not Starwood. It was ITT Sheraton. The focus on loss prevention was pretty intense. The scrutiny for safety, security, loss prevention as within the Sheraton organization then, many, many contracts were of a government nature, and so I feel when Ernie refers to his time coming back up to the Princeville Sheraton, his role as a loss prevention officer and manager and director of security, he was very well suited because of the ITT training. So I'm very happy to see you step forward. Thank you. Mr. Kanekoa: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. Any other questions for Ernie, Councilmembers? CoundImember Chang. SPECIAL MEETING 16 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr Chang- Good morning, Ernie. First of all I'd like to thank you for choosing to volunteer with our police commission. I know your family from Maul. I think your father used to be a police officer also. Mr. Kanekoa: Yes, in Honolulu. Mr. Chang: But you know, with your background, I think it brings a real good business sense, an opportunity for a business sense on the police commission, because of your background. I asked this question earlier to some of the applicants. Did you apply or have interest in the position, or were you asked, and either or, what was your reaction? Mr. Kanekoa: Well, going back about 5 years ago, I was interested in serving on the police commission during that, but at that time I didn't have any time to spare, you know. But I was recruited and I told them that yes I was interested. To answer your question, yes I was recruited. Mr. Chang: Were you excited? Mr. Kanekoa: Absolutely. Mr. Chang: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Any other questions, Councilmembers? Councilmember Kawahara. Ms. Kawahara: Thank you. Yes, I was wondering if you got recruit too, so thanks for the question, Councilmember Chang, and I dust wanted to thank you for coming in and volunteering to be of service to the community, especially on this commission. Mr. Kanekoa: Appreciate it. Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Any other questions, Councilmembers? Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: Well I want to ask you about Kalaheo Steakhouse, but it's not on the agenda. So maybe offline Mr. Chang: Kalaheo Steak & Ribs. Mr. Bynum: It's a new name. So new owners then? So that's new ownership? SPECIAL MEETING 17 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Mr. Kanekoa: Yes. It's the former Kalaheo Steakhouse. My partner and I... Caroline Ferguson and I own the restaurant. Mr. Bynum: blow long? Mr. Kanekoa: We've been open for about a month and a half now. Mr. Bynum: Because I've been hearing good things. Time to go back to Kalaheo Steakhouse, I heard. Mr. Kanekoa: You got to come. Mr. Bynum: Thank you. Sorry. Council Chair Asing: Any other questions? If not, Ernie, is this the first board that you're serving on the county level? Mr. Kanekoa: On the county level yes, but for the hotels... industry, many. Council Chair Asing: I just want to thank you for, you know, stepping up, participating, assisting in the community. Thank you very much for your help. Mr. Kanekoa: My pleasure. Thank you. Council Chair Asing: The reason I asked you first time is that I don't recall your being on the county level board, and I just want to thank you for that. We need all the assistance we can get with background people who served in different capacities throughout their careers and share that with our county, and I really appreciate that. Mr. Kanekoa: My pleasure. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. With that, can we have the next applicant, Joel Guy. CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION: • Joel Dennis Guy - Term ending 1213112012 Council Chair Asing: Good morning, Joel. JOEL GUY: Good morning Councilmembers. Thank you... Council Chair Asing: I understand Joel is a little timid and would like Councilmembers to kind of go easy on him, not used to I guess maybe watching SPECIAL MEETING 18 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 some of the TV programs and reading the newspaper, a little bit gun shy Am I correct`] Mr. Guy- Yes, Council Chair. I do enjoy watching it nightly and I read a lot about it. I don't spend a lot of time right here, so yeah, I was a little nervous coming. Council Chair Asing: Good. Thank you. With that, Councilmembers, any questions? Mr. Furfaro: Could Joel give us a little background of himself? Council Chair Asing: Yes, sure. Mr. Guy: My name is Joel Guy. I was fortunate enough to have been born and raised in Hd'ena. I currently live in Hanalei I am the vice president of the Hd'ena to Hanalei community association. I had a business in Hanalei, a restaurant, for about 5 years, and at the time I was the president of the Kaua`i Northshore Business Council. I am still on the board, but I am no longer the president. The last legislative session I had the honor of working with Representative Morita at the State level. That was a real amazing experience. My family has some land in Waipa that I farm pretty regularly. That's about it for now. Council Chair Asing: Good, thank you. With that, Councilmember Furfaro. Mr. Furfaro: Yes, thank you. Joel, thank you very much for being here. We've talked a little bit over the last year or so, and I know how much you enjoyed your time with Representative Morita's service during the legislative session, and I was very happy to have you step forward and be willing to serve on the charter review commission, having kind of an overview of State government. It might be very appropriate to participate in the next level of the political subdivision, so thank you for stepping forward. Mr. Guy: Thank you, Councilman Furfaro. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Chang. Mr Chang: Thank you, Chair. Joel, great to see you. I'm sure looking at your responses here, I'm sure you learned a lot in the State legislature actually videotaping for Mina Morita, and I guess that kind of explains maybe the little bit of the shyness. There's always somebody in front and there's always somebody in back, but I remember your restaurant was very successful, very, very popular there on the northshore, and you actually have a wonderful story that we really won't get into, but you traveled the world with your pals Bruce and Andy Irons. I mean what a great opportunity to videotape two of the best surfers in the SPECIAL MEETING 19 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 world, and hang out. So you've seen a lot and now that you want to rededicate yourself and be a part of Kauai, I think it speaks a lot for a young man out there in Hd'ena. So we want to thank you and welcome you to the big city of Lihu`e, and I know that you'll serve us well. Thank you Joel. Great to see you. Mr. Guy: Thank you very much. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Kawahara. Ms. Kawahara: Thank you Chair. Good morning, Joel. It was a pleasant surprise to see your name on the list here of nominees, so I'm looking forward to having you on the commission. And just Councilmember Chang didn't ask this time. How did you get interested in doing this actual commission, and how did your name come about being on the list? Mr. Guy: You know for me, I couldn't be more fortunate with my childhood and everything that I've been given from this beautiful island. I mean I couldn't have written it better, my life. It's only been about 40 years, thirty-nine and a half, and I seriously feel that it's my responsibility with that gift is to give as much back to the island. And so I've always kind of put it out there that anything I can do to help Kauai, you know, the people and the island, is something that is dust so important to me. So I think I've always put it out there and someone just approached me about it. Ms. Kawahara: I think we are very fortunate to have you and going to have some really good input on that commission. So thank you very much for coming forward and participating. Appreciate it, and it's good to see you. Mr. Guy: Thank you. Council Chair Asing: Councilmember Bynum. Mr. Bynum: Good morning, Joel. Mr. Guy: Good morning. Mr. Bynum: Thanks for stepping up, and well said. I appreciate your statement you dust made a lot. Specific to the charter commission, you know, that's one that gets a lot of attention, and it's really important. You know, I don't need to tell you, because it's our constitution, right, it's our governing document. And it's been somewhat controversial what it says and how it should be interpreted. But one of the things I'm concerned about is I expect commissioners to use their judgment, that's why we hire them to be independent... hire them, why we appoint them to be independent and use their judgment, and I think there's been some sense in the community that, oh if citizens petition for something, it's the conlnlissionef s duty to place it on the ballot, and I have a different view of that. I SPECIAL MEETING 20 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 think we ask commissioners to use their judgment about whether they believe a proposal is appropriate and good for the ballot. So I dust encourage you to use that judgment. Maybe I should put this in a form of a question. Do you think because a group of citizens is petitioning a particular agenda item that it's the responsibility of the commission necessarily to place that on the agenda ...on the ballot? Mr Guy You know, first I want to thank you for sharing your perspective on that and how you feel. I think a lot of.-and I don't know much about... I'm really eager and dust so grateful for the opportunity to learn, you know, and like I said, I think that... I'm at a loss of thought here, but the question being do I feel that I should listen to everybody else? I think that the beauty of it is there are resources available to you in making the decision that you do on this board or any board, and I think utilizing those resources and doing your homework is a much more ...I think it would guide me in any decision. I think that that's... having access to such great people like yourselves and other information, you know, is what's more important in...you know, is equally as important in making decisions. So I do look forward to learning a lot about how it all works and to be as effective as possible. Mr. Bynum: I appreciate that answer and your patience with me expressing an opinion. Obviously, listen to everyone, but you know, use your judgment about how you proceed. So thank you very much, Joel. Mr. Guy: Thank you, Councilmember. Mr. Furfaro: Well now we all know he's the same age as Brett Favre (inaudible). Mr. Chang: He's six months younger than Brett Favre. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. Joel, I just have one question for you, and that is, you know, you say you were raised in the northshore area. What's your view as to has the change from your earlier days, I guess, to today, how do you view the change. Is it too rapid or is it fair or is it good or...how do you feel? Mr. Guy: Thank you for that question. You know, I have seen a lot of changes. I went to Hanalei School, graduated there, my son graduated there last year and he shared a lot of the same teachers I had, which is really neat to see, you know, that strong sense of community that I think is maintained through the years on. There's been a lot of growth, and I'm sure land use issues are concerns for a lot of people. I've seen a lot of positive growth over the years, and I think that that maybe doesn't get as much attention as some of the negative growth. And for me to see the attention to the children out there versus ...I mean there was attention to me, I'm not saying that I didn't... but I dust feel a lot...it seems like, for my son and his group of friends, they have a lot of activities out there that we're trying to create for them So I think that some of those things has been SPECIAL MEETING 21 FEBRUARY 17, 2010 good, you know, the attention that some of the people that have moved there, some of the money that they've been able to...I don't know if it's money, but dust support to the education out there. You know, you look at the playground at Hanalei School now versus when I was there and it's much different, and I know that a lot of that was from some, you know, support from the community. So I see a lot of positive growth out there in a lot of different ways. I mean I'm sure I could bring up things of negative, but I think, you know, to focus on some of the positives and see how we can continue to see Hanalei and the island grow in a positive way is so much more productive, it's so much more fun for me. Council Chair Asing: Thank you. I don't have any other questions, so thank you very much. Appreciate you stepping forward. Mr. Guy: Thank you. Mr. Chang: Thanks for being positive. Council Chair Asing: That's the last applicant that we have, so unless Councilmembers have any questions, I'm going to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Furfaro: Mr. Chair, could you let them know about the process for appointment? Council Chair Asing: Okay, thank you. For all of you who are still here, you are on the Council Agenda today, and so you will be contacted soon on your confirmation. So with that, thank you very much. The meeting is now adjourned. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:39 a.m. Respectfully submitted, PETER A. NAKAMURA County Clerk