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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: May 1, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 825/Bill No. 268 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> TIME: 10:18 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 268, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 268, transmitted by Council Member K. Angel Pilago, via Communication No. 825, dated April <br /> 13, 2006, seeks to initiate a Charter Amendment to Article III, Section 3-7, of the Hawaii County Charter <br /> 2000, relating to meetings. <br /> This measure proposes to amend "Article III, Section 3-7. Meetings; Rules and Journal; Voting <br /> Quorum." of the Hawaii County Charter (2000) and require an equal amount of county council meetings <br /> between East and West Hawaii to assure fair and equitable access for all citizens to our government by <br /> Democracy. <br /> Effective January 1, 2001 a charter amendment provided that the county council meets at least quarterly <br /> in North or South Kona. Today, rapid growth and development increasingly affects the quality of life of <br /> citizens in the districts of Ka`u, South Kona, North Kona, Waikoloa, Kohala and Waimea. Citizens of <br /> these West Hawaii districts have expressed a strong and far-reaching desire for increased constituent <br /> participation, citizen involvement, and commitment to the democratic processes of county council <br /> meetings. Public opinion reminds us that effective debate, resulting in positive decision-making requires <br /> personal interaction among decision-makers and citizenry who will ultimately be impacted by such <br /> decisions. <br /> Your Committee heazd testimony in favor ofthis measure. <br /> Some members of Your Committee were concerned about the added administrative and operational costs <br /> of the operations of the aforementioned measure, while other members felt that this should be placed on <br /> <br /> the ballot. <br /> For informational purposes, Council Chair Stacy K. Higa and Council Member Fred Holschuh voted <br /> <br /> kanalua twice. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 268 and recommends it <br /> pass first reading. <br /> <br /> smc <br /> Hues NOES A&E ass Respectfully submitted, <br /> ARAKAKI X <br /> HtcA X COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> HOFFMANN X <br /> HOLSCHUH X <br /> IKEDA X ' <br /> ISBELL X t~ <br /> aACOSSOH x VIRG IA ISBELL, CHAIR <br /> PILAGO X FC REPORT NO. 291 <br /> SAFARIK X ADOPTED: <br /> <br />