MIN CHARTER 2018-10-12 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -4 October 12, 2018 Please understand our position is not to take away from the principal of protecting special lands. We know that is very important. Outside of the lower rate --let's take a simple example that the present Charter says that we cannot ever sell it. I cannot ever use that two percent funds for any of the maintenance of any park or any lands purchase. It presents a simple problem sometimes if the land should be given or sold to the State or National Park or whatever reason, that the Charter prevents any of that for even consideration. I'm asking for review of that to see what is best for the public. The other thing I want to touch very lightly on is in regards to the proposal of the Department of Water Supply. I've always, and I mean always from way back as far as I can understand government, the Department of Water Supply is our most precious resource. And that resource must be protected from as much as possible the control of a single factor like the Mayor. I push for and I will always support it be under the people's commission. Even that is questioned by some, "Well you appoint the commissioners." This is correct. But the Council—we just nominate, the Council approves or disapproves. I am for a form of government that disseminate the power as much as possible where it is best. The Department of Water Supply belongs under the control, supervision of the people through the commissions system. The Mayor's responsibility and our authority is in regards to general supervision and budget review. Nothing more than that, and I think it is in the best interest of public that we keep it there. In regards to the last one of the appointees, I am opposed to where the appointees of cabinet are to be reviewed every two years. I think all of you and I see several of you have administrative experience, and you can see how much of a problem that would pose to appointed people where the continuation of them would be under the authority someone else besides the Mayor. Even the dismissal of it would be difficult. So I ask you to please look at that. In all of it, I think, has one common denominator and that is a government that is what we consider is best for the people, not for the Mayor. Thank you. CHR. ADAMS: Mr. Mayor, if I may ask the Commissioners if they have any questions? Briefly, in the advisory commissions you have the ability to appoint advisory commissions in the Charter, and in the Charter it talks about the fact that the departments will generally fund from their own funds these advisory commissions. There has been expressed to us some concern about those. Do you have any comment about that? MAYOR KIM: There's a commission that I am thinking about now in regards to funding. What we do on staff is try to appoint someone to—especially of secretarial staff and any other expense. Any review of that that this commission feels is best for the members who execute their duties will not be fought. Funding in regards to where the sources come from basically, you know, it comes from the very same source. It's a matter of process of where it --what department it comes Page 11