1999-05-19 Charter Commission Minutes

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HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSIONPage 4 of 41 IRVINE: John, I would think that would be absolutely necessary because we’re not going to have probably as much public testimony as would warrant driving all around the Island to hear one person speak or even two. I think we need to present whatever information we have at the beginning of these meetings, like maybe what departments are thinking of what, and then take input. But I can’t see just scheduling public hearings that might last 15 minutes. RAY: Okay. Other comments? BESS: Yeah, I -. RAY: Mr. Bess. BESS: What I think we ought to do is obviously combine, you know, the substantiative department with a public hearing. But first off, I think what the Commission needs to decide, because this is with regard to an earlier meeting, one of the early meetings about, gee, maybe all of the people will not go to all of these public hearings, that there will be committees, so that we should specify those are substantive that not all of these would necessarily be substantive meetings. So that, you know, maybe -, I’m not speaking on my behalf because I really do plan on going to all of these, but I think that, you know, from the standpoint, other people that have schedules that may not be able to commit to that, and so, you know, every other public hearing we have departments involved with those meetings. But whatever the Commission decides. But I’m just making reference to an earlier point, early on. And I think Marni was the one that mentioned that, that it might be difficult to make all of the meetings. HERKES: Mr. Bess, I have driven to Hilo five times in the last seven days. BESS: I -. RAY: Marni -. HERKES: So I don’t think that’s a question. But you’re right, not everybody -, there isn’t everybody here today. There wasn’t everybody here last time. There is going to be a play. But I don’t think you can schedule who can come at which time. BESS: So what you’re saying is that you think that there ought to be substance attached to every public hearing, is that it? HERKES: I think there ought to be substance attached to every public hearing, you’re right. BESS: From the departments? HERKES: No. Substance attached. BESS: I’m sorry. HERKES: Nnot necessarily from the departments. BESS: I’m meaning it in terms of eliciting testimony from the departments. Isn’t that what we’re talking about here? RAY: That’s what I, you know, was talking about, specifically. file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 5-19-99.html7/1/2011