2011-04-27 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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over to support the programs that have a lot going on right now. So, we’re kind of doing those things. We really are. The area, when you talk about technology side, that would really help. Because they do go to a lot of meetings. There is that having to attend meeting, having to go here and having to go there, which if you could have more capabilities via video conferencing, that helps. We’ve use a lot of our teleconferencing. We’ve done a lot of that. So a lot of our meetings now we try to stay, if it’s available and you can teleconference, we do that. But the video conferencing is really hard to do. Not many people have that capability so therefore some of the times some of our staff are traveling to meetings. So, that’s one way that that can save a inaudible -if you can incorporate that and technology. MS. O’HARA: When you say that video conferencing isn’t widely available, you’re talking more the private sector? Is that what you’re saying? MR. KUROHARA: I think so yes. Depending on the different organizations that are calling the meetings. If there is more public availability ofvideo conferencing centers, then you could possibly save. Cause you have meetings in Kona and guys from Hilo don’t have to go to Kona. Same way if you fly to Oahu, if it’s available. MS. O’HARA: I just have one follow up question. When we were first discussing, I was asking you about the recommendation by the energy commission to do an islandwide energy plan update. And you said that would be contracted out? But didn’t the agricultural commission do their own report? MR. KUROHARA: It’s not the commission, but they reviewed onethat was done by the Kohala Center. MS. O’HARA: Oh, that’s right. Done by the Kohala Center. MR. KUROHARA: So that was recently introduced to the County Council. It’s going through that process right now of being adopted. MS. O’HARA: So something similar with the energy side MR. KUROHARA: Yes. What the other one lacked was a more definite cost and timetable for the thing. So what we want to do is update that energy plan to include which ones, and what kind of cost is associated with that, and sort of a definite timeline on when these should happen. MS. WONG: One of the topics that came up again with Pomeroy at the last meeting was their number one priority was ag lands, which then moves into Bobby Jean’s area. But that also involves your area, so if we could, if you don’t mind, I’ll call Bobby Jean up at the same time because the topics were overlapping. If you could stay for a little bit more. MR. KUROHARA: I have to be someplace at 12. MS. WONG: Okay. 21