2011-08-25 Fire Commission Minutes - Special Meeting

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STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Taniguchi announced the Commission would be taking public testimony in both open and closed sessions. Testimony of Jo Kim: My name is Jo Kim. I appreciate the opportunity to come and speak to you on behalf of Glenn Honda who is candidate for the Fire Chief position. I know that the Fire Chief position is one of the highest paid positions in the county and most important. ---. I know that the commission was established to depoliticize the appointment of the Fire Chief and you’re in charge of finding the best qualified candidate to represent our county. So what --- important characteristics of the Fire Chief. I think of a leader as someone that really --- with feeling confidence, that they are knowledgeable about their duties to they bring in the best ---, someone who is not boastful, who’s not arrogant, who has a feeling for public service, really, really speaks well, Glen Honda. I think you’re looking for someone that is innovative because of these times of economic hardship, we’re going to have to figure out how to do more with less, I think Glenn’s a really thoughtful person and will be able to bring that level of innovation to the --- position. I think you’re looking for someone who will make decisions on the merit, to be able to analyze the qualities that you’re looking for, make decisions not based on emotion but really, have a clear vision of where the department needs to get ---. --- to be able project confidence in the ability --- fire department, to respond to natural disasters, to respond to emergency situations, and I think Glen’s a steady person, is a --- person and that the kind of people we want as our representative to represent the County. I think you’re also looking for someone who is professional in the abilities and a good judge of character and I entrust Glen implicitly in making those kinds of decisions. --- for myself --- as you know --- for 16 years, I think you have --- so rather than go through each their qualifications --- look at the broader picture who will be the guy --- perhaps you don’t know him personally, but I think that he’s a person who’s really strong in technique, that ---represent out County very well. Thank you very much for the opportunity to ---. Chairman Taniguchi noted that there being no other public testimony in Open Session, he would entertain a motion to move into Executive Session. At 9:08 a.m., Commissioner Robinson moved to go into Executive Session to consider the hire and/or evaluation of applicants for the position of Fire Chief, where consideration of matter affecting privacy will be involved, to deliberate or make decisions upon matters that require the consideration of information that must be kept confidential pursuant to a state or federal law, or a court order and a closed session is requested to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. (Pursuant to HRS 92-5(a)(2) and (a)(4) and Hawai‘i County Charter Section 13-20(b)). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henkel and carried unanimously by voice vote. 2