co.hawaii.hi.us/council/charter/2010 Hawaii County Charter

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Section 3 -7. Meetings; Rules and Journal; Voting and Quorum. The county council shall meet regularly at least twice in every month at such times and places as shall be established by rule of the council, and meet at least quarterly in the judicial district of North Kona or South Kona. The council shall determine its rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping a journal of its proceedings, which shall be a public record, in which the ayes and noes shall be entered as required by this charter or at any other time upon the demand of any member. The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership shall be necessary for council action. A majority of the entire membership of the council shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members. Whenever the term "entire membership" appears in this charter pertaining to council voting, it means the entire membership of nine members, even if there are vacancies. (1979, Prop. 13; 1990, Prop. 13, sec. 3; 2000, Prop. 13, sec. 1.) Section 3 -8. Actions of the Council. Every legislative act of the council shall be by ordinance. Non - legislative acts of the council may be by resolution and, except as otherwise provided by law, no resolution shall have the force and effect of law. Every ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the form required for final adoption. The enacting clause of every ordinance shall be `BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII" and the enacting clause of every resolution shall be `BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I." (2010, Prop. 7, sec. 4.) Section 3 -9. Resolutions. Reading of resolutions may be by title only. A full reading may be required by a one - third vote of the entire membership. Section 3 -10. Ordinances. (a) Ordinances shall be initiated as bills which shall be passed only after two readings on separate days. Reading of bills may be by title only. Full readings and public hearings may be required by a one -third vote of the entire membership. (b) Every ordinance of the council shall embrace but one subject, which subject shall be expressed in its title. If an ordinance embraces a subject not expressed in its title, only that subject shall be void. (c) Bills embracing: (1) The fixing of special assessments for the cost of improvements; (2) The appropriation of public funds or authorization of the issuance of general obligation bonds; or (3) The imposition of a duty or penalty on any person, shall pass first reading by a vote taken by ayes and noes, and digests of such bills shall be advertised once in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation in the county and shall also be distributed via an electronic medium, such as the Internet, with ayes and noes, at least three days before final reading by the council. Not less than three copies of such bills shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the county clerk at least three days prior to the final reading thereof. in