REP PSMTC 020 2016/08/16 (2014-2016)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND MASS TRANSIT DATE: August 16, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 983 PLACE: Council Chambers Kona, Hawai`i TIME: 9:18 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit, to which was referred Comm. No. 983, reports as follows: Communication No. 983, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, dated July 25, 2016, requests review and favorable recommendation of the nomination of Ms. Denise Laitinen of Council District 4 to the County of Hawai`i Fire Commission. After the close of public testimony, Deputy County Clerk, Jon Henricks, read Comm. No. 983 into the record, preceding a motion made by Ms. Poindexter and seconded by Ms. David to approve the nomination. Executive Assistant to Mayor Kenoi, Ms. Charmaine Shigemura, introduced and provided background information on Nominee Laitinen, expressed the Mayor's support, and requested Council's favorable action of this appointment. Ms. Denise Laitinen is a 20-year resident of Hawai`i. She is the owner of DLC Hawai`i Media and works as a writer, narrator, and instructor. From 2002-2014, Ms. Laitinen worked on contract as a Firewise Communities Coordinator statewide. Ms. Laitinen is the current president of the Big Island Press Club and volunteers with the American Red Cross. She is the past secretary of the Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group and the past secretary of Volunteer Organizations Archive in Disasters. Ms. Laitinen states that she is not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed, she will serve a vacant term to end on December 31, 2018. Ms. Laitinen appeared in front of Your Committee with an opening statement expressing gratitude to Ms. Shigemura for covering her background, adding her experience serving as Vice Chair on the Maui Fire Commission holding the responsibility of hiring the Fire Chief. During discussion, Your Committee expressed appreciation to Ms. Laitinen for her willingness to volunteer given her busy schedule and extensive background with wildfire safety. Committee members requested Ms. Laitinen expound on how her prior Maui Fire Commission experience will apply moving forward, if her nomination is approved. Ms. Laitinen shared that process and necessary steps that were taken during the selection of the Maui Fire Chief. She shared that she has not yet looked at the scope of duties and policies for the County of Hawai`i Fire Commission, but instead intends to come in with an open mind and readiness to learn and share mana`o. Your Committee agreed that Ms. Laitinen is not required to appear at final confirmation before the full Council, but was extended the invitation to attended if so desired. PSMTC Report No.: 20