REP GOEAC 005 2025-01-07 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: January 7, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 49 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 49, reports as follows: Communication No. 49, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated December 9, 2024, requests the Council's review and confirmation of Renee N. C. Schoen as Corporation Counsel. Mayor Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Ms. Schoen, who was also present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee. Multiple Committee Members inquired about the ability of Corporation Counsel to balance the best interests of the Administration and the Council. There was also a question regarding level of preparedness and Ms. Schoen assured the Council that she would be available and prepared. When asked about her approach to litigating legal risks to the County, Ms. Schoen said she would be working with the Risk Management Office and providing the Council Members and County staff with training on risk mitigation. Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 5, Section 6-5.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, Corporation Counsel is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 49, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Renee N. C. Schoen as Corporation Counsel. sim AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORTvNiFir 2 jo:24 jE,N1?1kAdKkT57A-, CHAIR GOEAC ADOPTED: 2025