HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 268 Draft 01 2004-2006OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK
f County of Hawaii
f Hilo . Hawai`i
Introduced By: K. Angel Pilago
Date Introduced: May 17, 2006
First Reading: May -17, 2006
Published: N/A
REMARKS:
May 17, 2006 - Close File due to
lack of majority aye votes. Charter
amendment requires 6 ayes (2/3 majority).
Second Reading:
To Mayor:
Returned:
Effective:
Published:
REMARKS:
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
Arakaki
X
Higa
X
Hoffinann
X
Holschuh
X
Ikeda
X
Isbell
X
Jacobson
X
Pilago
X
Safarik
X
5
4
0
0
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
Arakaki
Higa-
Hoff nann
Holschuh
Ikeda
Isbell
Jacobson
Pilago
Safarik
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing BILL was adopted by the County Council published as
indicated above.
APPROVED AS TO
FORM AND LEGALITY:
DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL
COUNTY OF HAWAII
Date
Approved/Disapproved
of 120
MAYOR, COUNTY OF HAWAI `I
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
COUNTY CLERK
Bill No.:
day Reference:
Ord No.:
a
C-825/FC-291
COUNTY OF HAWAII
ORDINANCE NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
BILL NO. 268
AN ORDINANCE TO INITIATE A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION
3-7, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER (2000) RELATING TO MEETINGS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The frequency of county council meetings is outlined in Article
III, Section 3-7, of the Hawaii County Charter (2000). Effective January 1, 2001 a charter
amendment provided that the county council meet at least quarterly in North or South Kona.
Today, rapid growth and development increasingly affects the quality of life of citizens in the
districts of Ka`u, South Kona, North Kona, Waikoloa, Kohala and Waimea. Citizens of these
West Hawaii districts have expressed a strong and far-reaching desire for increased constituent
participation, citizen involvement, and commitment to the democratic processes of county
council meetings. Public opinion reminds us that effective debate, resulting in positive decision-
making, requires personal interaction among decision -makers and citizenry who will ultimately
be impacted by such decisions. Therefore, an equal amount of county council meetings between
East and West Hawaii shall assure fair and equitable access for all citizens to our government by
Democracy.
The purpose of this charter amendment is to require that county council meetings be held
in West Hawaii on even -numbered months throughout the calendar year and that on odd -
numbered months throughout the calendar year, council meetings shall take place in East
Hawaii. This amendment would be beneficial to all citizens of Hawaii Island for the following
reasons:
• The timeliness of this amendment would avoid further public perception of
exclusiveness and would begin positive efforts toward bridge -building between East
and West Hawaii .
• It will affirm our citizens' inherent and inalienable constitutional rights guaranteed
under the Hawaii State Constitution to the enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
• It will foster continued citizen participation at the municipal levels of government that
in turn will result in qualified, effective and informed public participation at all levels
of government.
• It will allow full and complete opportunity for public input and participation in
discussions, debate and resolutions regarding issues that impact the quality of life of
our citizens.
• It empowers decision -makers to make informed and concise public policy.
• It satisfies the county council's fiduciary responsibility to reach out to every segment
of the public to provide its citizens fair and equitable access to government through
just and equitable public processes.
SECTION 2. Article III, Section 3-7 of the Hawaii County Charter (2000), is amended
to read as follows:
"Section 3-7. Meetings; Rules and Journal; Voting and Quorum. The county council
shall meet regularly at least twice in every month at such times and places as shall be established
by the rule of the council_[, and Fneet at least quai4erl , in the judicial district of North Kona or
Seuth-Kena.] The county council shall hold regular meetings in East Hawaii on odd -numbered
months (January, March May July, September and November) and shall hold regular meetings
in West Hawaii on even -numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and
December). The council shall determine its rules and order of business and shall provide for
keeping a journal of its proceedings, which shall be a public record, in which the ayes and noes
shall be entered as required by this charter or at any other time upon the demand of any member.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership shall be necessary for council action.
A majority of the entire membership of the council shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller
number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members.
Whenever the term "entire membership" appears in this charter pertaining to council voting, it
means the entire membership of nine members, even if there are vacancies."
SECTION 3. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New material is
underscored. In printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed material, and underscoring need
not be included.
SECTION 4. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of
the ordinance which can be given effect without the provision or the application, and to this end,
the provisions of this ordinance are declared severable.
SECTION 5. Upon adoption of this ordinance, this council, by appropriate resolution,
shall provide that this amendment be submitted to the electorate of Hawaii county for approval
at the next 2006 general election.
SECTION 6. Upon its approval by a majority of voters in the 2006 general election, the
charter amendment proposed in this ordinance shall take effect on March 1, 2007.
INTRODUCED BY:
i
K. ANGEL PIL
Hilo , Hawai`i
Date of Introduction: May 17, 2006
Date of 1t Reading: May 17, 2006
Date of 2nd Reading:
Date of 3rd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE. Comm. 825