2016-02-10 Regular Session Minutes

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provide a little bit more detail criteria and basis of selection. And the third document, is a copy of District 5 contingency relief fund resolution 375-16 submitted January 12, 2016 and adopted February 3, 2016. Resolution 268-15 was introduced by Council member Greggor Ilagan. I did vote in favor of the resolution, was subsequently adopted. The decision and the disposition of our stepping up application is expected February 19, 2016. But may be delayed due to the extension of the application deadline. And I believe the date of application is on the application, the copy of the application itself. Just a little background, the stepping up initiative is a program administered and supported by NACo and the Psychiatric Association. I guess the basic question is if the travel stipend that would be offered to our....if our application is accepted and selected. Would that fall under the definition of a gift? When I do look at the Ethics Code under Section 2-82 definitions. Unfortunately, there is no definition of a gift,but there is a section that relates to gifts in 2-91.4. Okay. Another question I would have is if the travel stipend falls under definition of a gift, then I'm kind of questioning on travel accord. Transportation compensation received by Council members who participate in NACo events, then those would also...I'm kind of concerned cause those would also be construed to. I would maybe perceive this as gifts. Furthermore, contingency funds resolution 375-16 was introduce and approved subsequent or after the Stepping Up Initiative Summit Application was submitted. Not to mention the motivation to participate in the Stepping Up Initiative is not predicated on the travel stipend, but rather to reduce the incidents of recidivism of persons with mental illness within our correctional facilities. The travel stipend would be granted to the team and not solely for the introducer of the resolution. Therefore, my belief that this section regarding conflicts of interest would seem more applicable. The purpose of the travel is to attend the summit and receive training on proper implementation of the initiative in our County. If you have any questions, let me add if the Board would rather entertain the premise that the gift section 2- 91.4 is more also relevant than I would like to amend the petition to also consider that section if that is possible. I'm not aware of the procedure. The application process considers the answers to specific questions and is a competitive process, although preference is given to applicants who have adopted resolutions supporting the Stepping Up Initiative. In terms of influence, if we're going about influence of why we're doing this initiative. What has influence me to support and participate in this initiative is my years of service with the State of Hawai`i Department of Public Safety. And my experience first-hand in the incarceration of individuals suffering from mental illness who in my belief 13