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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0097.003 2006-2008 a~?~ Lincoln S.T. Ashida i'•~~,' Corporation Counsel Harry Kim ' Mayor Gerald Takase : • , Assistant Corporation f"• o~'~~°" Counsel COUNTY OF HAWAII OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262 • (808) 961-8251 • Fax (808) 961-8622 February 20, 2007 Senf via email and hard copy Honorable Pete Hoffmann Chair, Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Hoffmann: RE: Nomination of Ross Wilson, Jr., to the County of Hawai i Water Board Communication No. 97 At the February 6, 2007, meeting of the Hawaii County Council Planning Committee, the majority of the Committee deferred the hearing on the above mayoral nomination until the February 21, 2007 meeting of the Committee. This postponement was to allow nominee Ross Wilson, Jr., to personally appear before the Committee to address concerns raised by a member of the public as welt as some Committee members. We thank you and your fellow Council members for affording Mr. Wilson this opportunity. On February 9, 2007, our office promptly notified Mr. Wilson of the February 21, 2007, meeting date. Mr. Wilson indicated his desire to attend this meeting to respond to concerns raised by the single testifier, as well as by Committee members. Mr. Wilson was appreciative of the graciousness shown by the Committee in affording him this opportunity. This morning (February 20, 2007), I reviewed my Council board, and noticed the enclosed communication dated February 8, 2007, from Councilman K. Angel Pilago to you, requesting Mr. Wilson's confirmation be waived through the Planning Committee to the full Council (unfortunately, this communication was not copied to our office). Today, I contacted Mr. Wilson via telephone, and learned he planned to attend the continued hearing on his confirmation before the Planning Committee scheduled for February 21, 2007. When I informed Mr. Wilson the matter had Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider lief. To: Pf~s~W~ Ref. Uafe FEB 22 ~nm Honorable Pete Hoffmann February 20, 2007 Page 2 been moved to Thursday instead, he indicated he is not able to attend the Council meeting on February 22, 2007, since he has a business meeting commencing at 1:30 p.m., followed by a conference call at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Pilago's request to have this matter brought before the full Council for consideration is presumably premised on his desire to have the Council act pursuant to Article XIII, Section 13-4(I) of the Hawaii County Charter (2000), as that section requires action by the Council, and not a committee. We recognize Mr. Pilago and you have acted within your authority in waiving this matter, and will ensure the nomination is properly considered by the full Council. I explained to Mr. Wilson it may be likely the Council will act in his absence. I offered Mr. Wilson the opportunity to express to the Council any statement he has concerning his nomination. Mr. Wilson regrets not having the opportunity to appear personally before the Council, as he believes in transparency in government. As a lifelong Big Island resident (born and raised), who is one-quarter Native Hawaiian, he looks forward to serving his community on the Water Board. Mr. Wilson thanked Mayor Harry Kim for showing faith in nominating him, thanked Department of Water Supply Manager Milton Pavao who supports him, and thanked the Council for considering his nomination, knowing there are many qualified volunteers out there in our community. On behalf of Mr. Wilson and the Administration, we again thank the Council for allowing a deferral of this matter so Mr. Wilson could appear. We also thank the Council for considering this written input, since due to unfortunate timing circumstances, Mr. Wilson is not able to attend the Council meeting on February 22, 2007. Very truly yours, W" LINCOLN S. T. ASHIDA Corporation Counsel Encl. c: Honorable K. Angel Pilago (w/ encl.) Honorable Dominic Yagong (w/ encl.) Honorable Donald Ikeda (w/ encl.) Honorable J Stanley Yoshimoto (w/ encl.) Honorable Stacy K. Higa (w/ encl.) Honorable Emily Nae'ole (w/ encl.) Honorable Bob Jacobson (w/ encl.) Honorable Brenda Ford (w/ encl.) Honorable Casey Jarman (w/ encl.) S: Departments/council/Corresp./Letter to Council re R Wilson 2-20-07/LSAmr • PETE HOFFMANN ` •r er \ BRENDA FORD ' Cheir & Presiding Officer ~w s"y STACY K. RIGA DONALDIKEDA K. ANGEL PILAGO •0 BOB JACOBSON Vire Chair EMILY I. NAEOLE • ~I~° DOM[NIC YAGONG 'la wi J YOSHIMOTO HAWAI `I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii RECEIVLIII Hawaii C~unry Building ~ 1S Aup ni Street ~T~~. Mt. tl., BY Hila, Ha ai'i 96710 ~Ot~~~l1 ilD County Council February 8, 2007 I Pete Hoffmann, Chair Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 RE: Communication No. 97: Nomination of Ross Wilson, Jr. of Council District 8 to the County of Hawaii Water Boazd At the February 6, 2007 Committee on Planning meeting Mr. Wilson was not present, having notified the Council of a prior commitment on that same day. The Committee therefore approved postponement of this matter until the February 21, 2007 Planning Committee meeting. The postponement was to allow for fuRher discussion and afford Mr. Wilson an opportunity to answer questions. However, Communication No. 97 notes that Council Action regazding Mr. Wilson's nomination is due by March 3, 2007 and that the last Council Meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2007. For the above reasons and, pursuant to Section 2(g) of Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the County of Hawaii, this written request is submitted with my approval that the above-referenced matter be waived from the Committee on Planning to the full Council for immediate action. In reviewing this matter, timely approval is crucial. It is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and the matter placed onto the next Council agenda for review. However, in the event this request is denied, for whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Planning for placement on its future agenda. Sincer y, K. Angel Pilago, C t Committee on Planning ove ate/Waive to Council: Disapproved/Date/Refer to FC: Pete offma air Pete Hoffmann, Chair Hawaii Co my ounc I Hawaii County Council KAP "11 2 Comm. No. Ref. Toe out' Ref. Date FEB 13 2007 Howai'i County /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer