1999-10-27 Charter Commission Minutes

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minutes 10-27-99Page 20 of 48 RAY: John, let Jiro finish. SANTANGELO: I’m not arguing with him. SUMADA: So, I think it’s just a matter of perspective and I don’t know how the Charter will evolve, but our government, or our organization needs to, and we’re going through the normal process, I think, of growth. SANTANGELO: I agree. And as far as wastewater, when there’s a need for it, generally, free enterprise will come in and combine, and work that out. Again, I got into a part of it I said I shouldn’t, and I did it anyway, so thanks. RAY: Any more questions? Gary. YOSHIYAMA: Couple of questions. I need a perspective here. Do your two departments work together on different kinds of projects? Have you in the past, are you currently working on some today? Could you give us some examples? PAVAO: The time that we would work with Sewer is, like, anytime that we would work with HELCO, The Gas Company, whatever. When we propose a project, we contact Sewer Department to ensure that their facilities are not going to be interrupted by the construction of our facilities. So, in that sense, we do coordinate planning and construction projects. YOSHIYAMA: In looking at the Charter, is there anything preventing a shifting of wastewater to the Water Department at this time, other than ordinance, getting the County Council? SUMADA: I would say not since the Public Works section of the Charter is very vague. YOSHIYAMA: Okay, thank you. I had another question but it’s off of this subject, so I’ll just wait. RAY: Okay. Any other questions for these gentlemen? Okay, we’re going to take a five minute break. Oh, excuse me. HIGASHI: It’s not on the sewer and combination of water, but is there any changes in the Charter that you’d like to see other than what’s there now? I see you have a water fund. PAVAO: That’s just pretty much to correct what’s being done now, I think. I have no other concerns about our section of the Charter, other than the combination of - HIGASHI: Do you know when that section was put in? Section 8-4 on Water Fund, or for what reason that was put in? PAVAO: I’m sorry I don’t have the Charter with me. HIGASHI: It said there’ll be a separate water fund which shall be utilized only for water purposes. PAVAO: Yes, there is a separate water fund. What we do is, we deposit our funds with the County Treasurer and it maintains in a special fund, and that’s basically - HIGASHI: Was that put in to be very specific that that’s only for water use? Is that right? file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 10-27-99.html7/1/2011