2019-02-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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there is no response is unfair and inappropriate. He suggested the commissioners think about it and return to the next meeting with proposed alternate language. The commissioners agreed to come back with alternate language at the next meeting. d. Proposal to form standing committees by county regions, east and west. Chair Bennett explained that Commissioner Gaffney had recommended at the last meeting that they create two standing committees, one for the east and the other for the west. The purpose would be to allow the committee members to meet, in person or by phone, to work on issues. There were questions on how many members could be in a standing committee, and Ms. Noda said they needed a legal opinion. Ms. Mellon-Lacey said she needed to research the issue and would come back with a legal opinion at the next meeting. Commissioner Fulton said she wanted it on the record that the intention of the standing committees is not to accomplish official commission business, but to focus on regional specific issues. If a subcommittee had a meeting of the minds, it would expedite the issue at the general meetings. They would have a better organized presentation which would eliminate some of the discussion. She requested the legal opinion also include the number of members that can be on a standing subcommittee. Chair Bennett said he was requesting that Corporation Counsel do the necessary research and provide them with guidelines on what would constitute acceptable, legal subcommittees, and bring the legal opinion to the next meeting. Mr. Richards pointed out that the County Council struggles with the Sunshine Law as well, and for them to have an ad hoc committee, it has to have a specified job. When the job is completed, the committee reports back and disbands. They cannot have an open book as far as standing committees. After further discussion on the matter, Chair Bennett said they would table it and wait for Corporation Counsel to guide them with a legal opinion. Commissioner Fulton announced that she would need to leave the meeting by 11:30 a.m. e. Discuss strategies and options to develop users of reclaimed water from the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Chair Bennett said his intent on this item is not to hear from the department on strategies, but on what it is doing to develop reclaimed water customers.