2006-12-07 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Sakaguchi said he does not blame the Kona side for feeling alienated and that more effort should be made at having meetings there. Motion: Mr. Sakaguchi moved that the COGC adopt this recommendation. Ms. Provalenko seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Joseph said he could support the motion if the wording was changed a bit. He said that instead of an equal number, where a meeting is held should depend on the where most of the members of a board or commission reside. If there was an equal number from the west side, he agreed that an equal number of meetings should be held there. But if a board has mainly East Hawaii people, or all East Hawaii people, he did not see a reason for meeting in Kona. Ms. Provalenko said doing this could make a difference when soliciting people to apply for boards and commissions. Ms. Nicholson pointed out that it would impact the availability of the speakers. Ms. Provalenko said she agreed that it would depend on where commissioners come from, or where the quorum is coming from. Mr. Joseph said the wording should be something like schedule meetings of County -wide commissions in West and East Hawaii based upon representation and on the agenda. If someone from West Hawaii, for example, lodged a petition with the Board of Ethics, the Board would go over there to hear it. The recommendation should be reworded so that whatever percentage of a commission is from West Hawaii, that percentage of meetings should be held in West Hawaii. Motion Withdrawn /Amended: Mr. Sakaguchi said he would withdraw his motion and Mr. Joseph could substitute his. Ms. Nicholson clarified that the recommendation was to schedule meetings of County -wide commissions in West and East Hawaii based on representation. second. Ms. Provalenko said she would second the motion and was withdrawing her earlier Vote: All commissioners present voted aye. o. Establish a new County department to take a leadership role in promoting more extensive use of computers, and telecommunications and internet, and managing all technological resources and initiatives. Mr. Sakaguchi said it was his opinion that if you left innovation to the various departments, nothing would happen. He said he had made this recommendation before meeting with Data Systems. However, he said a new department is needed to take a lead on this. If it is left to the department heads, they are not capable or willing to move the County forward. 15