2008-01-09 Board of Ethics Agenda

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BOARD OF ETHICS 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 A G E N D A Wednesday, January 9, 2008 – 10:00 a.m. 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230 (Conference Room) Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the December 12, 2007, Regular Session. Minutes of the December 12, 2007, Executive Session. 4. COMMUNICATIONS The Board’s Informal Advisory Opinion that incumbents using County funds for mail- outs within six months of an election may constitute an unfair advantage as defined by Section 2-83 of the Ethics Code. 5. NEW BUSINESS Board-initiated inquiry and possible investigation/hearing regarding whether it is a violation of the Code of Ethics for Council members to use County funds to pay for newspaper advertisements. The Board will consider a formal resolution, pursuant to Rule 5.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Board of Ethics, to determine whether an investigation shall be conducted and a hearing held concerning an alleged violation of the Code of Ethics by various Council members in using County funds to pay for newspaper advertisements. If the resolution is passed, the Board may investigate the matter and hold a hearing immediately thereafter, or may schedule a hearing for a future meeting date. The Board may also consider issuing an informal advisory opinion concerning this matter. (Includes Communication Nos. 2007-131, 2007-132, and 2007- 133, letters from Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel, on the issue, and Communication No. 2007-130, from Emily Nae‘ole.) 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a.Report on status of Ethics Guide for Hawai‘i County Officers and Employees booklet. b.Report on status of Board’s request for a time limit for incumbents who are seeking reelection in an election year on sending campaign literature using County funds. c. Report on status of Board’s request for authority from the Council to fine officials and employees who violate the Code of Ethics.