MIN CHARTER 2018-08-10 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -2 August 10, 2018 (Note: At this time, Assistant Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen carne forward to address the members of the Commission. Ms. Schoen presented a document for the record. See Charter Communication No. 1.4.) MS. SCHOEN: Right. CHR. ADAMS: If you would just introduce yourself for the record and please proceed with your presentation. MS. SCHOEN: Good afternoon Mr. Chair and Commission members. My name is Renee Schoen. I am the Assistant Corporation Counsel, and Joe Kamelamela the Corporation Counsel, apologizes for not being here today. But I am here and basically the powers and duties, and functions of the Office of the Corporation Counsel are found in Chapter 5 of the Charter, particularly section 6-5.3 provides that the Corporation Counsel is the chief legal adviser and representative of all County agencies, including the Mayor and the County Council, all boards and commissions, all officers and employees in matters relating to their official powers and duties. Currently we have 13 attorneys in our office. We have two vacancies so we are looking to fill those. Of the 13 attorneys, eight of the attorneys serve in the counseling and drafting department and that division provides legal support and representation for the 18 departments, 37 boards and commissions, I think the number is closer to 39. We have five litigators and they represent the County in State District Court trial level and then also in Appellate Courts. We also represent the County in Federal Court matters and in administrative matters as well. Our office also provides administrative support to the Board of Ethics and that's a five member board. We provide a secretary and then we are also legal counsel to that board. In addition, we investigate all claims that are filed against the County and that is under section, I think it's 13 6.8 of the Charter. We do investigate all claims for property or personal injury type cases. We have about 12 support staff that helps us and basically that's what we do. You know the Charter is really important to everything that we do. It's basically the Constitution of the County so all of the legal advice that we provide is you know, starts with the Charter. At this time we don't have any recommendations as to changes but certainly we are available to help along the way and if anything comes up along the way, we will be happy to help this commission. Page 7