HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 577 04/21/1992 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Date: April 21, 1992 Re: Comm.' 3125
Place: Councilroom
Time: 10 : 00 a .m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 537, reports
as follows :
The purpose of Bill No . 537, Draft 2, is to amend Chapter 4, Hawaii
County Code, 1983 , Relating to Dogs, Cats, and Animal Control as
follows :
1 . To the definition of "at large" has been added the
word "cat . "
2 . The special deputized officer is deleted and
"officer" is changed to "humane officer, " who is an
employee of "a" humane society.
3 . The word "officer" has been changed to refer to a
police officer or any special officer who is
authorized to act as a police officer according to
requirements of law.
4 . A definition of humane society has been added.
5 . References to a specific humane society have been
deleted and the county is authorized to enter into
contracts with more than one humane society.
6 . The humane society with whom the county has
contracted may designate its employees as humane
officers to carry out provisions of HRS Chapter 143 .
7 . Quarterly reports shall be submitted by the humane
society to the county.
8 . A special assessment shall be assessed against the
owner or person who has violated Article 2 or
Section 4-20 of Article 4 , which amount shall be
collected by the Humane Society for the County of
Hawaii in addition to any fines, fees or expenses
assessed against such person.
FC REPORT NO. 577
ADOPTED: JUL 1 1992
FC- 577 Page 2 April 21, 1992
9 . Indemnification to the county has been extended to
"the seizure, impoundment and disposition of dogs,
cats and small domesticated animals, or any activity
arising under the contract or this chapter . "
10 . Section 4-32 and 33 of Chapter 4, relating to
issuance of summons, is repealed.
11. The term "officer" shall include a humane officer.
Communication No. 3572, from Corporation Counsel Michael J.
Matsukawa, dated April 8, 1992, transmits for review and discussion
an ordinance amending Chapter 4, Hawaii County Code, 1983, Relating
to Dogs, Cats and Animal Control; also, an Agreement for Services
Relating to Animal Activity in the County of Hawaii .
On January 13 , 1992, your Committee heard from Corporation Counsel
Michael J. Matsukawa; Police Chief Victor Vierra; Mr. Patrick
Gorman, Humane Society; and Mrs . Janet Silva . Your Committee
referred Bill No . 537 to Corporation Counsel for a Draft 2, which
would incorporate the following suggestions : 1) there be a
citation, which includes the fine, impound fee, and the food fee; 2)
the Police Department will train the humane officers and handle
complaints against them; 3) the Finance Department will oversee and
administer the Humane Society Contract . Your Committee also
directed Corporation Counsel to draft a new agreement with the
Humane Society which reflects the wording of Bill No . 537, Draft 2 .
At the April 21, 1992 Finance Committee meeting, the Finance Chair
presented a plan to end the impasse which was approved at a meeting
with the Administration: 1) Mayor contract with Hawaii Island
Humane Society for 1992-93; 2) the Chief of Police issue a limited
deputization order for Special Police Officers of the Humane Society
animal control personnel and prescribe rules and training procedures
for all such officers to enforce Chapter 4 , County Code. She
recommended that the Police follow the Rule 13 for Special Police
Officers followed by the Oahu Humane Society; and 3) a contract be
made in 1993-94 with the Humane Society based on the above
recommendations . Chief of Police Victor Vierra recommended that the
Humane Officers undergo background checks .
The Committee discussed the pros and cons of Draft 2 with input from
Chief of Police Victor Vierra and members of the Oahu Humane
Society. Concerns about the deputization of Humane Officers and
Special Police were expressed and the liability involved in issuing
citations .
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FC- 577 Page 3 April 21, 1992
Your Committee on Finance moved to pass Bill No . 537, Draft 2, on to
full Council without recommendation with the understanding that
Councilman De Lima will work on a Draft 3 to be submitted for full
Council decision.
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HELENE H. HALE, CHAI •WOMAN /
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ROBERT H. MAKUAKANE, VICE CHR. BRIAN J. ' DE LIMA, M.0 "ER
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TAKASHI DOMIN O, MEMB MERLD .i LAI, R
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HARRY S RUDDLE, MEMBER SPENS,ER I . SCHUTTE, MEMBER
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