2006-11-08 Board of Ethics Minutes Regular Session

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Board of Ethics Minutes - Regular Session November 8, 2006 but in a previous discussion it was stated that the cost is not what we are looking for. She recommended that we exempt personal residency from three sections of the financial disclosure form; Item 5, Item 6, and Item 7. The County Code, Section 291.1(C) 5 would need to be change to say that you are not required to disclosure property that is your personal residence. Ms. Leithead -Todd said that people have concerns about stalking, restraining orders, identity theft, and robbery. There is no longer free access to Real Property Records online unless you are a government entity. There is a move to protect private issues and protect personal property information from the public. The purpose of the disclosure is to look for conflicts of interest, not personal property ownership. Ms. Lum would also like to see "within the County of Hawaii" removed from Section 2.91.1(c). Ms. Lum said that she feels that any investment, whether in Hawaii County or outside of Hawaii County should be stated. The disclosure form is confidential and the information is protected and never released to the public. Ms. Lum suggested three items be changed in the County Code: The financial code amount; eliminate the need to disclose personal residence; and the phrase "property located in the County of Hawai`i." Chair reiterated that the issue is whether personal residence should be disclosed on the Financial Disclosure Form. Ms. Lum put a motion to the floor that we ask the County Council to amend the Code of Ethics section 291. l (c)5 to add that you are not required to disclose personal property held that is your personal residence. Ms. Kendall seconded the motion. Mr. Joseph said he still was not convinced that it was necessary to make a change to the code as this is a confidential financial form and he was worried about repercussions that we might be overlooking by making such a change. Ms. Leithead -Todd said that one of the reasons you may need that information is to check on someone's district requirements. This information is screened by the County Council. With elected officials it is made public in case there is a dispute as to whether someone is actually living where they claim to reside. Ms. Lum rescinded her previous motion and asked that there be further discussion, Ms. Sharpless rescinded her second. The Board decided to table the personal property issue to an unspecified later date, but wanted to pursue the updating of the two remaining items of concern; the dollar amount code and the wording "located in the County of Hawai`i." Motion and Vote: Ms. Lum moved that we ask the County Council to amend the Code, Section 291.1(C)5, to remove the wording "located in the County of Hawaii" from that section, and to change Section 291.1(C)8 to update the dollar amount code to reflect a more realistic dollar amount; Ms. Kendall seconded the motion, all members voted aye, motion carried. 3