REP PSPRC 002 02/03/2009 2008-2010

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: February 3, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 88 PLACE: Councilroom Ben Franklin Bdg., 2nd Floor 333 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 10:03 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Communication 88, reports as follows: Communication 88 from Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated January 7, 2009, requests the Council's approval of the appointment of Mr. Robert A. Fitzgerald as County of Hawaii Director of Parks and Recreation, pursuant to Article VI, §6-8.2, Hawaii County Charter. Mr. Fitzgerald's appointment was effective January 7, 2009, and he will serve co-terminus with Mayor Kenoi. Mr. Fitzgerald has been Sales Manager for Wyndham Vacation Resorts, a Realtor, and a business owner involved in flower farming and retail flower shops. Mr. Fitzgerald also has extensive high school football coaching experience at Konawaena High School. Council Member Brenda Ford expressed concern about parks maintenance improvements, and efforts to include school campuses as a way to increase park related activities. Mr. Fitzgerald agreed and emphasized including school facilities to expand County Recreation opportunites as his number one priority. Council Member Dennis Onishi asked Mr. Fitzgerald to expound on his visions prioritizing projects within Parks and Recreation. Mr. Fitzgerald's example of measuring progress in all aspects of the Department's service to the community by using the acronym FUDA, standing for Fun, Useage, Dreams and Affordibility. Thereafter Mr. Fitzgerald shared a variety of ideas for new programs within his Department. All the remaining Council Members expressed appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Fitzgerald's appointment, and agreed that it would not be necessary for him appear before the full Council.