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NOTE <br />: The Commission discussed Chair BowlesÓ letter dated February 3, 2010 <br />addressed to Mayor Kenoi regarding the Fire ChiefÓs evaluation. It was moved by <br />Commissioner Kaoiwi and seconded by Commissioner Bertsch that the letter be <br />approved and submitted to Mayor Kenoi. The motion was unanimously carried <br />with all ayes and no nays. <br />UNFINISHED BUSINESS <br />Commissioner Bowles voiced the need for filling the commission vacancies. <br /> <br />COMMITTEE REPORTS <br />Budget & Finance <br />Commissioner Robinson reported on his meeting with Chief Oliveira. He reported <br />that he had an insightful conversation with the Chief on budget issues. Some of <br />the topics of their discussion included: <br /> Some of the departmentÓs budget. <br /> Volunteer segment of the fire department and the key role the <br />volunteer companyÓs may play in possible budget cuts. <br /> That there are 12 unfunded vacant positions. <br /> Possible affected stations are Volcano, South Kohala, Central and <br />Kailua. <br /> Budget reduced for the upcoming budget. Seven to nine percent <br />may be salary cuts. <br /> Possible furlough plans which may involve HGEA, some operationa <br />units and bargaining units. <br />Commissioner Bertsch expressed his uneasiness with Vice Chair Robinson’s <br />report on his meeting with the Fire Chief. He was concerned that information <br />presented may be misconstrued or misunderstood in the minutes of the meeting. <br />Chair Bowles stated that they were having open discussion regarding potential <br />actions and stressed the importance of the discussion. He raised a point most <br />important to the commission which is the Volunteer Program and the need to <br />focus on continuing to strengthen that program in support of the service side, in <br />the budget sense, and how important it is to discuss it at commission meetings. <br />Commissioner Bertsch concurred with Chair Bowles, however, expressed his <br />uneasiness about certain items of the report and that the way it was being <br />delivered was kind of hearsay and that Chief Oliveira wasn’t presenting the report <br />himself. He expressed his concern that the report could be misconstrued based <br />on another’s interpretation of what the Chief said and it being reflected in the <br />minutes. He is also concerned with the fact that the commission meeting is a <br />public forum and felt uneasy discussing information about firefighters who may be <br />affected by possible budget cuts, the closing of stations, or furloughed stations. <br />9 <br /> <br />