09.29.22. COG Commission Minutes - Approved

Home

Comm. Obenski moved to accept the submitted format as a template for the 2022 Cost of Government Commission Final Report Comm. Kusch Seconded the Motion Discussion: Report will be sent through Keyra Wong, Corp. Counsel, for spelling/grammar, non-substantive editing Voice Vote: Ayes (8) Unanimous Motion to accept the submitted format as a template for the Final Report Passes \[6\] DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND DECISION ON A RECOMMENDA- TION THAT THE ROLE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR BE REDEFINED \[2:17 p.m.\] Testimony: Public oral testimony (Debbie Hecht) Discussion: Commissioners discussed the checks and balances in place to filter political appointments of Department/Division Heads, the role of Mayor, County Council, and best practices to keep continuity across administrations. This type of recommendation would require County Charter amendments –and a legislative review to identify all additional charter amendments necessary. Bobby Command commented on Hawai‘i County history: Hawai‘i County had a system of a Board of Supervisors with the Chair as de facto Mayor, until 1968, when the present system was chartered. MOTION: Comm. Obenski moved to include a broad recommendation in the report that the role of the Managing Director be redefined. No Second / Motion dies Discussion: Comm. Herbert suggested tabling the issue until the 10/6/22 meeting MOTION: Comm. Herbert moved to table the discussion on recommendations regarding the role of Managing Director to the 10/6/2022 meeting Comm. Matson seconds the Motion Discussion: Comm. Kusch commented that the commission could recommend the subject for a future Cost of Government Commission to take on. Voice Vote: Ayes (8) Unanimous Motion to table the Discussion, Review, and Decision on a Recommendation that the Role of the Managing Director be Redefined to the 10/6/2022 meeting passes \[7\] DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND DECISION ON A RECOMMENDA- TION THAT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CO)BE ISSUED WITH EACH REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION Discussion: Comm. Wakat – Clarification as to land or buildings- and whether recommendation is exclusive to secondary real estate only? Chair clarifies. Comm Kusch raised hesitations for many reasons - older homes, challenging socio-economic concerns, expenses to administer such a program, and the recommendation would make housing even more expensive. Chair Konowicz commented that the fees would cover any expenses and raised a public safety issue. Comm. Obenski commented that the recommendation would contribute to further housing shortages and is over aggressive; Comm. Wakat suggested the CO recommendation be applied outside of the main population.