2004-12-08 Fire Commission Minutes

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Power Point Presentation (see ATTACHMENT B) by Chief Darryl Oliveira re 2004 ANNUAL REPORT Commissioner Matsuda questioned the reason for the disbanding of the safety committee. Chief Oliveira said that he was unsure because it happened prior to his administration. Commissioner Bowles mentioned that in regards to the supplemental budget, the Chief brought up the concept of lobbying and he knew that there was trouble in the past with the police department over that issue. There is a need to know what the role of the commission is with regards to the budget. CommissionerWardstatedthatthewordingisveryimportant.Withherjobthey never use the word lobbying instead they use the words educated support. The HFC needs to educate others in the community as to what is out there before the council, and legislature. Being there and showing youre in support of the Chief when he addresses them is also important. Commissioner Bowles stated that the HFC is really representing their particular districts. There is a need to sometimes be critical of the department. Commissioner Fergerstrom agreed that they do need to be critical and also supportive. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked Corporation Counsel Ashida if he could explain the difference on how the HFC and the HPC is set up in regards to the issues that were raised by Commissioner Paul DeSilva. Corporation Counsel Ashida explained that if he was referring to the complaint which former Judge DeSilva lodged against Commissioner Manago for his alleged presentation to the Hawai'i County Council, that would not be an issue for the HFC and its members. The reason is that the HFCs provision in the Charter grants the Fire Commission specific authority to make recommendations before the County Council. The Hawai'i County Charter Section 7-4(6), subsection b, states that the Fire Commission shall review the annual budget prepared by the Fire Chief and make recommendations thereof to the Mayor, Managing Director and the County Council. Commissioner Fergerstrom stated that if they use that provision as a preamble to any type of presentation to the County Council, this would justify and legitimize the HFCs educational support of the budget issue. 7