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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> DATE: March 11, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 1059Bi11258 <br /> PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br /> 78-128 Ehukai Street <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> <br /> TIME: 9:30 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br /> Communication No. 1059, regazding Bi11258, reports as follows: <br /> Bi11258, transmitted by Council Chair Pete Hoffmann via Communication No. 1059, dated <br /> February 27, 2008, amends Chapter 2, Article 15, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 <br /> Edition, as amended), Relating to Campaign Mailing Restrictions. <br /> There was no testimony from the public on this proposed amendment. <br /> Council Chair Pete Hoffmann stated that this is the second of two proposed amendments to the <br /> fines and penalties ordinances. This amendment is a result of a controversy related to mass <br /> mailings from the prior election. Although all Council members have the authority to use public <br /> funds to provide updates of County Council activities for their constituents or the public; this <br /> proposed amendment clearly defines campaign mailing restrictions as related to mass mailings. <br /> Furthermore, Council Chair Hoffman seeks the support of his colleagues on this proposed <br /> amendment. <br /> Your committee members commented and discussed the proposed amendment. Concerns were <br /> brought up by your committee members on the advertisement of public meetings, email <br /> notifications of County Council or Committee meetings and public notices with no commentaries <br /> from respective Council members' offices; and they were assured that they are not in violation of <br /> <br /> the law. Corporation Counsel Ashida clazified that the language in this proposed amendment <br /> applies to campaign mailing restrictions versus an informational benefit to the community. <br /> Council member Stacy Higa questioned as to who will enforce the violation in the proposed <br /> amendment. Corporation Counsel Ashida confirmed that proposed "Section 2 - (b)..., as the <br /> ethics commission..." will evaluate and determine if the violation occurred. Corporation <br /> Counsel Ashida noted that a correction to change "ethics commission" to "Board of Ethics" was <br /> needed. Council Chair Hoffmann made a friendly amendment to change the word "ethics <br /> commission" to "Board of Ethics" in Section 2 - (b) as recommended by Corporation Counsel. <br /> This friendly amendment was duly seconded and unanimously approved. <br /> PWIRC RPT NO. 61 <br /> <br />