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1 <br /> I <br /> i <br /> i <br /> i <br /> Hawaii County Council-25 November 3, 2015 <br /> CHR. KANUHA: We can do it separately if that's the position—if Corporation <br /> Counsel is okay with that. <br /> MS. WILLE: Could we do the second one first, because I'm not sure we need to <br /> go into Executive Session on the second one. <br /> CHR. KANUHA: Sure, Mr. Clerk, can you just read in Communication 528? <br /> Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members,the <br /> of Business: following items were taken out of order: <br /> Comm. 528: REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF LEONG KUNIHIRO <br /> BENTON&BROOKE AS SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR DEPARTMENT OF <br /> HUMAN RESOURCES, HEALTH& SAFETY DIVISION,WORKERS' <br /> COMPENSATION BRANCH <br /> From Corporation Counsel Molly A. Stebbins, dated October 14, 2015, <br /> requesting an attorney-client confidential discussion to consult with the Council <br /> the hiring of special counsel, including pricing information. <br /> CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille, may I have a motion? <br /> MR. HENRICKS: Then the motion,just to be clear,is to authorize the hiring of <br /> special counsel,which requires a 213 vote of the Council. <br /> CHR. KANUHA: The motion will be to authorize for Council to hire <br /> special counsel. Okay, Ms. Wille, go right ahead. <br /> Motion to Au rp ove: Ms. Wille moved to authorize the hiring of special counsel. <br /> Seconded by Mr. Onishi. <br /> MS. WILLS: Yeah so, can—you know, if there's something that you feel needs <br /> to go into Executive Session, but otherwise, I see this as a—can we just explain it <br /> here to the extent that you feel comfortable? <br /> MS. STEBBINS: Sure. Good afternoon, Chair Kanuha, members of the Hawaii <br /> County Council, Molly Stebbins, Corporation Counsel. We, for the past several <br /> years,had an attorney working for us who handled our workers' compensation <br /> matters, and she unexpectedly past away a few weeks ago. So,we thought about <br /> our options for handling workers' compensation cases,which is a highly <br /> specialized area of the law. Prior to having Nora.Pinnow as a County employee, <br /> we contracted out for these services, and that's what we would like to go back to <br /> at this point. Hiring somebody with the necessary experience,bringing them in- <br /> house, doesn't seem likely possibility at the moment. At least not bringing <br /> someone on board as quickly as we need somebody. So we're looking to hire <br /> outside Counsel to handle this. <br /> Page 68 <br />