2006-12-07 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Discussion: Mr. Joseph said he would like to know if the County has an auditor in place and whether the various departments are audited on a regular basis. Ms. Noda said she did not know, and the Chair asked her if she could get an answer for the next meeting. Mr. Joseph said it would be worth looking into, as he had often thought the County needed to be audited on a regular basis by an independent auditor. This matter was deferred to the next meeting, with Ms. Noda to research the issue. 1. Provide for the exemption of all advisory commissions from the "Sunshine Law " provisions and rigorous quorum requirements. Mr. Sakaguchi said he does not understand why the Sunshine Law should apply to advisory committees, as they are not decision - making bodies. He said that posting notices is important but also constricting or restrictive. Mr. Joseph said the public should always be afforded opportunity for input and that the Sunshine Law protects commissions from making decisions without informing the public. Mr. Sakaguchi said he would hope that in the future, computer websites could be employed to let the public know what is happening. The COGC's secretary told Mr. Sakaguchi that the County's website includes all the agendas and minutes of its boards and commissions. Mr. Joseph said the Sunshine Law is to protect against decisions being made behind closed doors. Mr. Sakaguchi said that he just felt advisory commissions should operate with more flexibility. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. There was no second to the motion. M. Pay all County commission /advisory committee members a nominal sum of $100 per meeting (longer than two hours; not longer than four hours). Mr. Sakaguchi it is his opinion, but he gets a sense that many commissions or committees are "shibai." He said he would suggest a nominal sum be paid to members so that they would be serious about their duties. He said commissioners who are not retired may lose money by participating in a commission. He said he knows it would cost the government a substantial amount but that the government could possibly cut down on the number of advisory committees. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. There was no second to the motion. n Schedule an equal number of meetings of County -wide commissions and advisory groups in West Hawai `i and East Hawai `i. 14