2000-05-31 Charter Commission Minutes

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minutes 05-31-00Page 7 of 54 I think it’s a great, great idea. RAY: So, you think a meeting in South Kohala, because it would probably have to be in the resort district to have a sufficient meeting room – there aren’t any meeting rooms in Waimea. I guess it could be in the school but it couldn’t be in the school during regular hours, so it would probably be in the resort area vs. being centrally in Kailua, where there again, would be probably in a resort, but it would be a lot more accessible to general populations. TYLER: Yes, I believe it would and I think if you leave some flexibility, which I hope you will, to the Council to make some decisions as to well, you know, we’ve got some big projects in Konawaena, middle Kona, and well, we ought to schedule it at the Kona Surf where many of them are held, at the Kamehameha Ballroom, which seems to be large enough; or we’re having some major land use decision-making up north at South Kohala. Give us the flexibility. One of the concerns that’s come up in the Council when we talk about having meetings in Kona is the cost. And I bring that up not as a negative but if we are to rent a room, and we cannot get it gratis, it potentially costs a lot of money. So this is something the Council would be responsible, or the clerk, for researching, and the staff, to have a regular meeting place. I think it’s going to work. And as I say, I think it’s a real catalytic proposed amendment because it shows that you’re being sensitive to the perception that West Hawaii’s neglected. I just want to really commend that to you. I’ve received some other comments by e-mail which I have been asked to pass along to you. I received one from Shannon Rudolph who said that she felt that an elected Charter Review Commission would be something that, in the years ahead, might afford more community members to become involved in government, and she gave an example: In her home county, before she moved to Hawaii some years ago, where 40 people ran for 11 spots on the Review Commission, and it was just a way to get more people involved. I’ve also received a number of comments regarding Neighborhood Boards. I know that’s not on your agenda. I have suggested to people who have brought this up before me that they review some considerable materials which I have in my files for the future. So, I just wanted to mention that in case it does come up. Also, I received a copy of Mr. Jack Brunton’s very interesting letter; 22 years in law enforcement. You have a copy of it. I think Mr. Pranke gave it to you. With respect to your Unfinished Business today, the Transitional Language: Ms. Herkes referred to what she believed was all the Boards and Commissions have been changed to nine members. HERKES: No. Sue says no. Some are mandated by State Law. TYLER: Right, that’s correct. But those that are not mandated, are you looking at a general language for all the others? BESS: As far as I know, the Civil Service Commission is provided by State Law, but the Liquor Commission is the only Commission presently that we are not recommending that there be nine Commission members or that there are already in place, nine Commission members. So that’s on the agenda today. TYLER: Very good. Is that the transitional language? Is that Unfinished Business, VII A? RAY: No. BESS: It is on New Business, item C. TYLER: Okay. RAY: The transition language is how to transition to the new Boards and whether it be holdover or we – TYLER: Somebody’s going to have four year terms. Okay. So, I won’t address that. I thank you for taking up my – HERKES: Do you have any feelings on that, on how to transition those Boards and Commissions, if we do it geographically? RAY: It’s kind of a mess now the way it’s set up. file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 05-31-00.html7/1/2011