HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-12 Board of Ethics AgendaBoard of Ethics 05/06/2021 02:50 PM
BOARD OF ETHICS, County of Hawaii
`•.•_, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Tel. No. (808) 961-8251
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AGENDA
DATE: Wednesday May 12, 2021
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Hawaii County Building, Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI
96720
As part of the response to the threat of COVID-19, Governor David Ige issued a Nineteenth
Proclamation Related to the COVID-19 Emergency dated April 9, 2021, suspending Hawai'i
Revised Statutes Chapter 92, Public Agency Meetings and Records, to the extent necessary
to enable boards as defined in Section 92-2, to conduct meetings without any board members
or members of the public physically present in the same location. This meeting will be held
through a combination of some board members being physically present at the meeting
location and some members participating by interactive video conference through WebEx.
Only persons that are present for the particular item on the agenda will be allowed in the
meeting room. Each person will be required to wear a face mask and maintain six feet
physical distance from any other person as required by law.
The public may view the meeting live online via Zoom. To sign up for access to the meeting
online via Zoom, please contact Liza Osorio at Liza.Osorio@hawaiicountygov or 808-961-
8251 no later than 12 noon, Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Anyone wishing to testify orally online
via Zoom must sign up by 12 noon, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 by contacting Liza Osorio. The
Board has taken these public health safety precautions in order to minimize physical contact
and maximize physical distancing.
Submitting Written Testimony: The Board encourages the public to submit thoughts,
comments, and input via written testimony. To ensure timely delivery to Board Members prior to
the meeting, written testimony must be submitted before 12:00 noon on the business day prior to
the meeting by: (1) email to Liza. Osorio@hawaiicoun ov, (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8622, or
(3) mail to the Board of Ethics office at 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. All
written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be part of the permanent record.
CALL TO ORDER
2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
3. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 2021
4. NEW BUSINESS
Memo from Board Member Lawrence Heintz dated December 6, 2020 to discuss
proposed amendments to the Hawai'i County Charter and the Hawai'i County Code to add
new sections to the code of ethics regarding the duty of county officers and employees,
Board of Ethics 05/06/2021 02:50 PM
BOARD OF ETHICS, County of Hawaii
`•.•_, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Tel. No. (808) 961-8251
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the failure to discharge duties and responsibilities, the appearance of fairness doctrine,
and to amend the oath of office.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Petition No. 2020-08: Review draft informal advisory opinion regarding request from
a County employee seeking guidance on potential conflicts as the newly appointed
Planning Director.
1. Review further communication from petitioner requesting additional
guidance.
b. Petition No. 2021-01: Review draft informal advisory opinion regarding petition
alleging that a County officer or employee is in violation of Sections 2-83 (Fair
Treatment) of the Hawaii County Code.
c. Petition No. 2021-03: Review draft informal advisory opinion regarding request from
a County Employee seeking guidance on potential conflicts.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION
With reference to agenda items listed, one or more executive meetings are anticipated. In
particular, the Board of Ethics anticipates it may consider the evaluation, dismissal, or
disciplining of an officer or employee of the County of Hawai'i, where considerations of
matters affecting privacy will be involved. The Board may also consult with the Board's
attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Board's powers, duties, privileges,
immunities, and liabilities. Therefore, pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes ("HRS")
Sections 92-5(a)(2), 92-5(a)(4), and 92-6(a)(2), the following items may be considered in
Executive Session.
a. Review of the executive session minutes of April 12, 2021
b. Review of Confidential Financial Disclosure Forms filed pursuant to Section 2-
91.1(d), Hawai'i County Code, by County board and commission members and
designated County employees, where personal matters will be reviewed:
Name
Position
County Agency
1.
Eric Scicchitano
Vice Chair
Water Board
2.
Esther Imamura
Planner V
Planning Department
3.
Amy Self
Member
Board of Ethics
Board of Ethics 05/06/2021 02:50 PM
4.
Shawn Perry
Building Inspector
Public Works
5.
Michael Bell
Member
Water Board
6.
Eric Dennis
Appraiser
Department of Finance
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next monthly meeting of the Board of Ethics is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9,
2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hawaii County Building, Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni
Street, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720.
8. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability,
contact 961-8304, ext. 101 as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will
allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in
alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
BOARD PACKET. Pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes Section 92-7.5, the board packet
provided to members of this board for this meeting is available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the Office of the Corporation Counsel, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325,
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720.
NOTICE TO LOBBYISTS
If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaii County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist (Article 15,
Section 2-91.3(b), Hawaii County Code).
A lobbyist means "any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or
$275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or
urging others to communicate with public officials." (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawaii County Code.)
Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk -Council, 25 Aupuni
Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.