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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 024 2022/05/31 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: May 31, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 812/Bill No. 175 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 2:31 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 175, reports as follows: Bill No. 175, transmitted by Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, via Communication No. 812 dated May 16, 2022, initiates an amendment to Article V of the Hawai`i County Charter(2020 edition), relating to establishing a Youth Commission within the Executive Branch, which adds a new chapter to create a commission consisting of up to 15 members between the ages of 14 and 24 years old that would integrate its ideas and perspectives into County government. Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz introduced the measure and provided background information as to the intent of the bill. Several Council Members expressed their support for getting more youth involved in civic activity and the intent of the measure. Questions were raised about the cost of setting up and maintaning the new commission, wording about the age ranges, the requirement for members to be registered to vote, and the role and selection of the three adult advisors. Corporation Counsel, Elizabeth Strance, offered possible clarifying language concerning the age range. Ms. Strance also raised a question regarding parental responsibilities for their minor Commission Members in following Chapter 13 of the County Charter regarding ethics. Ms. Strance offered to look at this issue more closely before the next reading. Managing Director, Lee Lord, expressed his concern about adding an additional commission that would need to be filled and staffed by the Executive Branch. He stated that there are no discretionary funds available for this purpose at this time. Mr. Lord also stated that the Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Poma`i Bartolome, who is currently tasked with filling Board and Commission positions in addition to her other work is already over-taxed. Mr. Lord mentioned that the Administration is considering adding an additional Executive Assistant position that would be solely for filling and maintaining appointed positions for the Mayor's office and that they would be requestion funding for this position from the Council. GOREDC Report No.24 GOREDC-24 Page 2 May 31,2022 Ms. Kierkiewicz asked for her colleagues' support on the bill, reminding the Council that since it is a proposed Charter amendment, it would ultimately be up to the voters to decide if a Youth Commission is something the people of Hawaii County want for the community. There was one public testifier in support of the bill. The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable recommendation passed with six"ayes." Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 175, and recommends its passage on first reading. J lk AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL INABA X OPERATIONS, RELATIONS,AND KANEALI`I-KLEIN>iELDER x ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X LEE LOY X �- ATHER L. k BALL, CHAIR RICHARDS X GOREDC REPORT NO.: 24 VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: J�N 1 5 2022