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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 051 2025-07-08 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: July 8, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 365 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 365, reports as follows: Communication No. 365, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated June 19, 2025, requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Bernadette C. K. Urban -Smith to the Police Commission. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Ms. Urban -Smith, who was also present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee. During her introduction, Ms. Urban -Smith stated that she had not formulated an opinion on current affairs with our Police Chief, and that she would be present on Thursday to sit-in at the Police Commission meeting to learn more. Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if she had any connection to the Ironman group. Ms. Urban -Smith responded no. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked Ms. Urban -Smith if her children participated in the Hawaii Isle Police Activities League (HI -PAL). Ms. Urban -Smith said they did not, but she was familiar with the program. Member Onishi said all staffing has been eliminated and that sports activities for youth have suffered as a consequence and he wondered about her thoughts on whether staffing could be added back into these programs. Ms. Urban -Smith said that she supports HI -PAL and that staffing across the Department should be prioritized. Ms. Urban -Smith said she believes there are not enough opportunities for children to be active and stay out of trouble. Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked Ms. Urban -Smith to share her thoughts on the Hawaii Police Department's role regarding immigration control. Ms. Urban -Smith said that her father is a transplant from the Philippines and that she doesn't agree with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's methods. Committee Members Rebecca Villegas and Holeka Inaba spoke in favor of the appointment. Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada asked Ms. Urban -Smith to expand upon what her concerns are relating to the community and the Police Department that she had mentioned earlier. Ms. Urban -Smith GOEAC Report No. 51 GOEAC-51 Page 2 July 8, 2025 said that she has concerns about the safety of her property and tenants as a business owner and community member. Chair Kagiwada asked if there was something she was hoping to change while on this commission. Ms. Urban -Smith mentioned that she would be bringing insight into the hiring process and ideas for retaining employees that she feels she can offer that would benefit the Police force. Ms. Urban -Smith said that we need increased staff across the board and as a business owner she has ideas on that. Pursuant to Article VII, Chapter 2, Section 7-2.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, members of the Police Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 365, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Bernadette C. K. Urban -Smith to the Police Commission. SIM AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND z:;;AFFAIRS JEKN KA—GlWAffA, CHAIR GOEAC REPORT NO.: 51 ADOPTED: XJ` 2 3 2025