REP GOEAC 006 2025-01-07 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: January 7, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 50 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 50, reports as follows: Communication No. 50, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated December 10, 2024, requests the Council's review and confirmation of William V. Brilhante, Jr., as Managing Director. Mayor Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Mr. Brilhante, who was also present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee. Mr. Brilhante mentioned some of his areas of focus were going to be recruitments for new employees for the County as well as improving morale for current employees. Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Brilhante to explain the "Pods" system. Mr. Brilhante said that communication is the key, and this system is a component of the importance of communication. The Mayor will be assigning either an Executive Assistant, Managing Director, or Deputy Managing Director to be liaison or go-between to each department to help hold each department head accountable and provide support to them. The four pods are Public Health, Public Safety, Infrastructure, and the Service Arena. Mr. Brilhante will be directly managing the Department of Human Resources and Corporation Counsel, which are under the Service Arena Pod. Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked about ways to improve the length of time it takes for new employees to be hired. Mr. Brilhante said that an ad -hoc committee will be formed to look at hiring issues and ways to overcome those obstacles. All members present spoke in favor of the appointment. Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 1, Section 6-1.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Managing Director is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. GOEAC Report No. 6