HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 163 Draft 01 2014-2016OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee — March 16, 2016
Action: Postponed to call of Chair; never taken back up
Re: Bill 163; Comm, 736 (2014-2016 term)
J+tv,'.0F N�
�IJigi
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
f,Tt Of.N',�r
BILL NO. 163
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VII, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY
CHARTER (2014), BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER ESTABLISHING A
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AN AGRICULTURE COMMISSION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Article VII, of the Hawaii County Charter (2014), is amended by
adding a new chapter to read as follows:
"CHAPTER
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Section 7- . Orstanization.
There shall be a department of agriculture consisting of a director of agriculture, an
agriculture commission, and the necessary staff.
Section 7- . Statement of Policy.
It is declared to be the nolicv of the county to support policies and practices that promote
agricultural self-sufficiency, protect and preserve the indigenous heritage of agricultural
resources. and promote family farms and community cooperatives necessary to promote food
security on Hawaii island.
Section 7- . Director.
The director shall be appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council and maybe
removed by the mayor.
Section 7- . Qualifications.
The director shall have a minimum of three years of experience in the fields of both
conventional and organic agriculture, a degree in agriculture, and a minimum of three years in an
administrative capacity.
Section 7- . Powers, Duties and Functions.
The powers duties, and functions of the department of agriculture shall be further
prescribed by ordinance and shall be exercised and performed by the department.
Section 7- . Agriculture Commission.
(a) There shall be an aariculture commission consisting of nine members who shall be
appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. One member shall be a resident of
each council district. The terms of the members shall be as prescribed in section 13-4.
The agriculture commission shall advise the department on issues related to the functions
of the department, and shall exercise any other powers related to the functions of the
department that may be delegated to it by ordinance.
(b) Commission members shall serve staggered five-year terms. Upon the appointment of
new members to the commission, one member shall be appointed to a term of one year,
two for a term of two years, two for a term of three years, two for a term of four years,
and two for a term of five years. Members initially appointed for a term of one or two
years shall be eligible to succeed themselves for an additional full term.
(c) A member may be removed upon recommendation by the mayor and the approval of the
council.
(d) No member whose term has expired shall continue to serve on the commission, except
that if no successor has been appointed and confirmed, the member may, at the discretion
of the member, continue to serve until a successor is appointed and confirmed. Existing
vacancies shall be filled prior to replacing any member whose term has expired but is
willing to continue serving until the existing vacancies are filled.
(e) Any vacancy occurring in the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term.
("f) Members shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties. Necessary expenses may be paid in advance
as per diem allowance.
(g) The affirmative vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to make any action
valid."
SECTION 2. New material is underscored. When revising, compiling, or
printing these charter provisions for inclusion in the Charter of the County of Hawaii,
the reviser need not include the underscoring.
SECTION 3. 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 invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 4. 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 in the 2016 general election.
2
SECTION 5. Upon approval of the charter amendment proposed in this
ordinance by a majority of voters voting on this legislation in the 2016 general election,
as duly certified, this ordinance shall take effect at twelve o'clock meridian on December
5, 2016.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL IVEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI I
Hawai i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1 st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Date of 3rd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm. 736