MINUTES for 2025-02-26 FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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DCC D Frenz: wanted to clarify one statement, VAC is open to the public. Anyone from the public can come. Would have to, theoretically, provide public testimony on a specific agenda item. Would not be a member but anyone can come. Read Fact Sheet regarding organization. No female requirement, previously discussed. If VAC wants to propose a change to the County Code, you would have a motion, motion would only be a recommendation since VAC is only a committee. If you have a relationship with a council member who could submit proposed legislation, that's how it would work best. Advise council member VAC met on x day, made this motion, here's why and can you help us or consider it. That would be how the process gets started. Chair M Dolittle: that's how it happened back then, wrote a letter to then Mayor who included a recommendation and it was taken to former council member Valarie Poindexter, as the council chair, and CM Poindexter and another council member at the time, took that and ran with it and helped address all of the codes and changes. We need to have a clear consensus on the committee of how exactly we think it should be and what would be the best representation for the veterans of Hawaii County. Want a broader representation of all of the regions of this county so veterans have a voice countywide. D Lewis: representation is important. I think about who isn't represented. Without dictating specific language, don't need that. The intent is to have broader representation on the island and skill sets. Could have at -large members and make a list of existing veterans organization to make a pool of recommendations as opposed to a directive for it. Chair M Dolittle: it's the application process through the Mayor's office and the council confirmation office that can ensure that diversity. D Lewis: There's the intent and then there's specificity in the actual specific representation. This needs to have more discussion as to what the wording could be. You want, for terms, to have people that care and who are engaged. Naming specific organizations that have to be there defeats the purpose. Chair M Dolittle: Point of clarification, State of Hawaii has 10% veteran population and would suggest Hawaii county is larger than state average because it's the most affordable county. D Lewis: veterans don't necessarily join veterans organizations but they may join other (non - veteran) organizations. As a committee we can continue to look for that pool of people. To find those that are engaged who can make things happen towards issues VAC has for veterans. Chair M Dolittle: Advantage of other groups, not apart of government. VAC is strictly advisory and recommendation group to communicate what veterans are thinking to the mayor's office and to the council. That's where that advisory ends. If they don't choose to do something with it, it dies or members take it out to other veterans groups. What you're saying is we need representation of veterans on a wider basis. How do we find that language? It takes a bigger discussion.