The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0311.000 2016-2018 •�JtY OF p, . , VALERIE T. POINDEXTER • yy� • Phone: (808)961-8828 1 Council Chairwoman&Presiding Officer ; Fax: (808)961-8912 Council District 1 -----' Email: vpoindexter@co.hawaii.hi.us mow... HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i c CI rn Hawai`i County Building = _ 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 ,•� Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 4r7 W Com' . . r May 23, 2017 .c * : TO: Jennifer Ruggles, Chair Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation And Members of the Hawai'i County Council FROM: Al Valerie T. Poindexter, Council Chairwoman Hawai'i County Council • SUBJECT: Protocol established for positive working relations between members of the Council and the Department of Public Works Attached is a memo from Frank J. De Marco, Director of Public Works regarding protocol established for positive working relations between members of the Council and the Department of Public Works. This item will be placed on the next Public Works and Parks and Recreation committee agenda. I anticipate that this discussion should take approximately 30 minutes. Thank you. /el • cc: Donna Goodenow, Council/Committee Services Supervisor Laura Murashige, Executive Assistant to the Council Chairwoman Earlanne Leslie, Special Assistant to the Council Chairwoman Jennifer Ruggles, Chair Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation Frank De Marco, Director of Public Works Ref. To: Lt.)P�2,C. Ref, Dote MAY 2 201 Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer • Harry KimSY CF kq�`• Frank J.De Marco,P.E. h1avor / �% i Director • * + .*1 Wil Okabe Allan G.Simeon,P.E. Managing Director ^:r:-c:::c. ', �' Deputy Director . 611nrif1 f fv-at�t DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 7•I•Iilo, 96720-4224 Lsj (808)961-8321 •Fax(808)961-8630 "11C, public_works!a hawaiicounty.gov 1r— The r -The following is the protocol established for positive working relations between members of the Council and the Department of Public Works. This is the same procedural request that was made of prior Councilmembers. A clear understanding of the role of the Council as the legislative branch of government and the Administration as the executive branch of government will enable us to work together harmoniously. The County Charter states that the Council's"...primary function shall be legislation and public policy formulation,as distinct and separate from the executive administration of county government." It is clear that responsibility for operations of executive departments rests with the mayor and department - heads. I do understand that in the course of doing your job,there will be many times that information is needed from departments or requests will be made for some type(s)of action from our department will be made. Establishing a protocol for such requests will enhance the effective management of our department as well as honor the separation of powers inherent in the County Charter. Therefore, I request that when.Councilmembers or their staff have a desire for either action or information that is beyond what would normally be provided to a member of the public,that request shall be directed to me as Director of the department. In keeping with the separation of powers,such • communications should clearly be requested. I,as Director,will then route the request to the appropriate division heads or personnel and make sure that there is appropriate follow up. I ask that staff members not be contacted directly except for inquiries for information or services that are normally provided tothe public. It can be awkward for Public Work staff members to receive requests directly from Councilmembers when their direction should be coming from their department/division superiors. In the event that a Councilmember feels a division chief or division staff members are not being responsive to a request, please bring it to my attention and I will follow up. Thank you for your understand and I look forward to continue working with each of you. Mahalo, AA-1- Daf\fAvL3 Frank J. De Marco, P.E. DIRECTOR cc: Mayor Kim Managing Director Okabe County ofHawai•i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. R3 _ /moi'. Cy La ern. FROM FRANK DE MA ..... RCO DPW DIRECTOR: The Mayor directed me to issue clarifying protocols to staff and notify Councilmembers regarding requests to general information and requests for work/actions (see attached). • Councilmembers and their staff are, of course,welcome to contact DPW staff at any time during normal working hours to make general information requests. However, all work/action requests must be reviewed/approved by the Department Head/Director. If you have any questions regarding this email or the attached protocol, please contact me at 961-8324.- Council Chair Poindexter, sorry for the duplication, as a copy of the attached protocol was emailed to you yesterday. Frank