2024-05-23 Fire Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Fire Commission Regular Session Minutes May 23, 2024 Page 8 DCC Salas-Ferguson suggested the commission consider aligning both reports with the calendar year for simplicity. Further discussion ensued regarding the timing of the annual chief evaluation, and whether it should follow the fiscal or calendar year. It was decided to add this topic to the agenda for the next meeting for further discussion. Chair Kosaki informed the commission that he would not be available for the next meeting and inquired whether they would like to reschedule. They agreed to reschedule for Tuesday, June 25t". Ms. Correa will verify venue availability for that date. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review, discuss, and finalize the letter addressed to the Mayor's Office in response to Correspondence No. 23-03 from the Department of Human Resources regarding the review of the commission's secretary position. Chair Kosaki stated he needed to confirm a few details before drafting a letter to the Mayor's Office. He asked for clarification on creating a letter regarding a backup secretary in case their current secretary is unavailable and whether they need to specify if the backup would come from the Police Department, Fire Department, or Mayor's Office. DCC Salas-Ferguson, who was not present at the Kona meeting, confirmed that the commission is drafting a letter to the Mayor's Office to request additional support. Chair Kosaki explained that they wanted to reallocate the secretary's position to a higher SR rating, but there were issues with that. At the last meeting, DCC Wong suggested the best solution was to request a backup secretary to ensure the commission could continue its business, noting they recently went five months without a secretary and couldn't hold meetings until Ms. Correa returned. DCC Salas-Ferguson advised that the commission does not need to specify where the backup secretary would come from. Chair Kosaki stated that he would draft the letter and send it to Ms. Correa for distribution so the commission can review it before the next meeting. Commissioner Hirakami emphasized the importance of highlighting that without a backup secretary, the commission was unable to meet for five months. Chair Kosaki agreed, and Ms. Correa added that this was the second time it happened; after Ms. Pelayo retired, the commission couldn't meet for six months. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Kosaki announced that Ms. Correa will verify if they can reschedule their next regular meeting to June 25, 2024. If the venue is unavailable and there is a quorum, they will proceed with the meeting on June 27, 2024 at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A, Council Chambers.