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GRC-9 Page 2 Comm. 482/Bill 152 <br /> Mr. Yoshimoto questioned what would be the function of the Staff Attorney. Ms. Ford <br /> explained the Staff Attorney would be available to all council members for individual questions <br /> and to address the Council at meetings and in Executive Session. The Staff Attorney would be <br /> hired by the clerk and Special Counsel would be hired by vote of the Council. <br /> Mr. Yagong expressed his support for the Bill saying it is a good direction for the Council and <br /> added that as a Charter amendment it would go before the voters to decide. He reiterated that <br /> Corporation Counsel is still the attorney for the Council. This measure would apply only when <br /> there is a conflict of interest. Mr. Yagong supports a simple majority vote for the hiring of <br /> Special Counsel for outside opinion. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann asked for clarification of how Honolulu and Maui hire Special Counsel. He <br /> stated that he will be supporting Bill 152 for a Charter amendment. <br /> Mr. Ikeda noted that the Council Chair presently has authority to hire a Staff Attorney, and <br /> doesn't see a need to put it in the Charter. Ms. Ford agreed that we can currently hire a Staff <br /> Attorney, but the difference with the Charter amendment is that it specifies, "without express <br /> limitations." This will give the Staff Attorney the authority to disagree with Corporation <br /> Counsel. Mr. Yagong added that this language gives the Staff Attorney the authority to give <br /> advice without conferring with Corporation Counsel and added that in Honolulu, Council Staff <br /> Attorneys can represent the Council. Mr. Blas stated he supports Bill 152. <br /> Mr. Yoshimoto requested information on what Maui and Honolulu have in their Charter with <br /> regards to how many votes it would take to hire an attorney. He agrees with the track we are on <br /> and wanted to make sure that the entire council would be able to listen to the advice of the <br /> Special Counsel even if they didn't vote to hire. <br /> Chair Pilago asked Ms. Ford to provide more clarification regarding "without express <br /> limitation," and to bring additional exhibits from other counties' Charters to further explain the <br /> super majority versus the simple majority question to the Council. <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 152 <br /> and recommends its passage on first reading. <br /> ke <br /> AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted, <br /> BLAS X <br /> FORD x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL <br /> HOFFMANN X RELATIONS <br /> IKEDA X <br /> ONISHI X ,�� <br /> PILAGO X <br /> I��� <br /> SMART X K. ' NGE PILAGO, CHAIR <br /> YAGONG X GRC REPORT N'i 9 <br /> YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: JAN 20 2012 <br />