HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 115 09/28/1986 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: September 23 , 1986
PLACE : Kona Imin Center , Holualoa
TIME: 1:15 p.m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works, to which was referred till 246 ,
reports as follows:
The purpose of Bill 246 is to provide for the establishment of a
Veterans Advisory Committee to assist the Mayor and Council in its
veterans affairs. Bill 246 provides for the appointment of a
13-member Committee by the Mayor subject to Council confirmation.
This bill provides for staggered terms of five years. Bill 246
further provides that membership shall include one (1 )
representative each from the American Legion, Big Island Retired
Military Association, Club 100 , Disabled American Veterans ,
Fleet Reserve Association, 442nd Veterans Association,
Hilo Interpreters Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars , and the Veterans
of the Vietnam War .
Your Committee is aware that there presently exists a Veterans '
Cemetery Advisory Committee , whose function is to assist and advise
both the administration and County Council in matters dealing with
the Veterans' Cemetery. For the past year , there has been much
discussion as to the size and composition of this committee.
Further , there has been some concern and discussion as to whether
Resolution 163-77 was the proper enabling authority for the
formation of the Advisory Committee .
Bill 246 resolves these opposing positions by formally establishing
an expanded 13-member advisory committee which recognizes as part of
its members, a specific veterans-affiliated organizations. Bill 246
also expands the scope of the advisory committee from one on
veterans ' cemeteries to one dealing with all veterans ' affairs.
Your Committee acknowledges the written testimony of
Mr . Stephen Todd, Administrative Aide to Mayor Carpenter , in support
of Bill 246 . His summarized testimony read by the Committee
Chairman, points out:
PWC REPORT 115
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1. That a committee created by resolution does not have the force
and effect of law and that in order to accomplish the
Council 's responsibilities and objectives, the advisory
committee should be established by ordinance;
2 . That the present committee has only three confirmed members
with six others pending confirmation;
3 . That by increasing the size of the committee from 9 to 13
members, three major veterans ' organizations would be afforded
representation;
4. That Bill 246 gives nine major veterans ' organizations a right
to representation on the committee and assures them of
continuous representation;
5 . That Bill 246 establishes the committee as advisory in nature
and resolves any conflict on its rule-making authority;
6 . That Bill 246 provides for an expanded scope of responsibility
which permits the committee to discuss and present
recommendations to the Council and administration concerning
other veteran-related issues ;
7 . That Bill 246 insures a turnover of its membership by
providing that a person may not be reappointed for at least
two years; and
8 . That the major features of Bill 246 have been discussed with
representation of various veterans ' organizations .
Mr . Todd' s written testimony incorporated as part of the minutes ,
also points out that Bill 246 eliminates the provision requiring
that no more than a bare majority of the members of the committee
may belong to the same political party. The elimination of this
provision provides veterans ' organizations a greater flexibility in
nominating members to the advisory committee .
Your Committee on Public Works is in accord with the purpose of this
Bill . Your Committee recommends that Bill 246 be passed on first
reading by the County Council . ,
MERLE K. LAI, CHA W MAN
R SSELL S. KOKU:UN, VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER
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TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEMBE ROBERT N. HERKES, MEMBER
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