HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0477.002 1996-1998 qtr os w~\
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DONALD [KEDA S ~ ALAN S. KONISHI
Caunry Clerk ~ Depury Counry Clerk
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OFFICE OF `rHE COIII~(`TY CLERK ``8"'°"1eAVd"°'
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Haunn County Bu'Id`"q RECEIVED
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To: Councilman Aazon S.Y. Chung, Chair, Committee on Finance ''~*-County Council 1.,r'- t
From: Liana Cox, Legislative Assistant ~%~r7~t--~
Following is an outline of events leading to the establishment of the Honolulu Frre
Commission as requested.
The first Hawaii Fire Commission was established by the electorate of Honolulu City and
County at the 1996 general election.
A. Purposes of Fire Commission
1) Establish asemi-autonomous body to regulate departmental affairs.
a) The removal of Mayoral administration in the department allows for
the department to operate practically independent.
2) Eliminate politics from the rank and file.
a) Prior to this proposal blatant cheating and inside maneuvering
occurred in the fire department.
b) Administration was accused of playing political favoritism.
1) Utilizing Council subpoena powers, the Honolulu Council held
a heazing to address the concerns of Fire Department
personnel.
3) Provide the rank and file a body, other than administration, to voice wncerns.
B. Actions taken by Honolulu Council relating to the Fire Department
1) Fire Chief Sid Ah Mook was not reconfirmed to his appointment due to the
Council investigation.
2) Interim Fire Chief Anthony Lopez was appointed by the Mayor and confirmed
by the Council.
3) Councilman John Henry Felix introduced legislation creating Public Safety
Commission.
a) Numerous concerns were voiced as to the absence of the Civil Defense
agency.
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b) Strong opposition from the Police Commission and Department further
impaired the establishment of the PS Commission.
c) The measure was killed at first reading, with no discussion.
4) Legislation creating Fire Commission was introduced by Councilman John
Henry Felix.
5) A workshop was held 2/96 to discuss the proposed commission, the fmdings
aze as follows:
a) Fire Chief Lopez was not in favor of the Commission.
b) Regazding the prohibition of political activity of personnel, Deputy
Corporation Counsel indicated the proposal raised constitutional
questions.
c) ACLU, stated they have a problem with the ban on all political
activities. (Reference was made to the Federal Hatch Act of 1939
which restricted all political activity by federal employees, which has
recently been amended to allow certain activities.
C. Establishment of Commission
1) The Honolulu City and County charter requires charter amendments to be
done by resolution.
a) Resolution No. 95-98 was adopted by the electorate.
D. Current Commission
1) The present Fire Commission chaired by Mr. Anson Ilae reports:
a) The Fire Department personnel of Oahu has accepted the commission
with open arms.
b) The morale of the personnel is at an all time high.
c) They are in the process of accepting neazly 80 applications to fill the
seat of a full time Fire Chief.
d) The Fire Chief will fill alife-time position, thus allowing continuity.
e) They aze still faced with budgetary concerns, however, those concerns
have not prohibited them from fulfilling their duties.
f) The Commission is not prohibited to participate in political activities,
however, they have taken it upon themselves to rid politics from the
department.
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