HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.26.22. COG Commission Minutes. Approved
COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES/ May 26, 2022
INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): ZOOM WITH IN-PERSON
LOCATIONS FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY PER AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
\[2:08 pm\] Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum.
ATTENDANCE
Present:
D9 Michael Konowicz, Chair
D1 Neal Herbert, Vice Chair
D3 Chantee Shiroma
D2 Matthias Kusch
D6 Kenneth Obenski
D7 Daniel Malakie III
D8 Karie Wakat
Absent D4 Madie Greene
D5 Shannon Matson
Additional: Robert Command, Deputy Managing Director
J. Yoshimoto, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Pomaika‘i Bartolome, Executive Assistant, Office of the Mayor (Present for a
portion of the meeting)
Jeannie Miskovich, COG Commission Secretary – Officer of the Mayor
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Pomaika‘i Bartolome, Office of the Mayor
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None
COMMUNICATIONS
None
\[2:12\] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 12, 2022, REGULAR MEETING
Discussion: Comm. Wakat was not listed as “present”; Comm. Obenski’s name
was misspelled
Comm. Obenski moved to approve the minutes with corrections as stated
Comm. Kusch Seconded the Motion
Discussion: None
Voice Vote: Ayes: (7) Unanimous
5/12/2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
\[2:16\] PRESENTATIONS
6(a) Presentation and overview of a cost analysis of the County of Hawai‘i
Boards and Commissions by Pomaika‘i Bartolome, Office of the Mayor
(PowerPoint Presentation on File)
Q&A
\[2:36\] Boards and Commission Staffing Q: C. Kusch – Does the cost analysis reflect
full or partial salaries to staff the boards and commissions? Are the staffing duties
listed as part of the normal function of the positions doing the staffing? Costs of
staffing, and (salaries / benefits) are not reflected in this analysis.
C. Herbert – Requests a copy of the PowerPoint to be sent to all Commissioners.
Q: Are there additional costs or savings associated with the two Planning
Commissions, with costs savings in travel, and two dedicated secretaries A:
Possibly – the estimated costs are based on 2021.
Q: C. Konowicz – Is it difficult to fill B&C Vacancies A: Not difficult; Some
Boards have greater interest. Q: Marketing Expenses? A: No marketing expense
– Recruiting volunteers is done through word-of-mouth, in-house press releases
Bobby Command- There are at least two additional B&C to stand up with
administrative support from Mayor’s office. There is a staffing bandwidth
challenge – suggested B&C to meet quarterly rather than monthly.
\[3:00\] C. Konowicz – Would it be effective/efficient for County to have a dedicated staff
for administrative purposes? A: Worth looking into.
J. Yoshimoto – Residual budgets (food, mileage) of the Commissions are rarely
fully used. The meeting frequency of each Board or Commission is mandated,
often by the State. Sunshine law requires a physical space provided for all meetings
– Statewide decisions imposed upon County takes a toll on the budget. Council
services assists if the meeting is in council chambers. Worth a discussion for
efficiency / sunshine / physical locations / zoom tech . All Boards and/or
Commissions currently on pause, or without a quorum should be fully activated as
soon as possible.
\[3:08\] C. Herbert – Comment – Follow up with additional items of investigation. Would
also need a list of vacancies on Boards and Commission
\[3:17\] 7. DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND ACTION ON THE HAWAII STATE
ETHICS PROGRAM FOR CONSIDERATION OF FULL OR PARTIAL
ADOPTION BY THE COUNTY OF HAWAII.
Discussion: C. Herbert – The new legislation automates the process of ethics
training with a 30-minute online certifications tutorial with no staff involved.
Automated trainings maximize information technology and on-line training rather
than personnel.
J. Yoshimoto – Agrees with an on-line tutorial within-person access to answer
questions for specific circumstances. Corp Counsel can assist with Resolution
language.
\[3:22\] 8. RECONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND ACTION ON
COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION’S AMENDED RULES PASSED
ON APRIL 22, 2022.
Discussion: There are inadvertent, non-substantive, formatting and
typographical errors to correct in the text of the Amended Rules.
Comm. Herbert moved to reconsider the Commission’s Amended Rules passed
on April 22, 2022,for the purpose of making the non-substantive corrections to the
text
Comm. Malakie Seconded the Motion
Discussion: None
Voice Vote: Ayes: (7) Unanimous
The Motion for Reconsideration of the Cost of Government Commission’s
Amended Rules, passed April 22, 2022, is passed.
\[3:25\] 9. DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND ACTION ON THE AMENDED RULES
FOR THE COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION.
Discussion: There are inadvertent, non-substantive, formatting and
typographical errors to correct in the text of the Amended Rules.
Comm. Obenski moved to pass the Cost of Government Commission Amended
Rules, as drafted
Comm. reconsider the Commission’s Amended Rules passed on April 22, 2022,
to make corrections
Comm. Wakat Seconded the Motion
\[3:30\] Voice Vote: Ayes: (7) Unanimous
The Motion is passed - The final draft will be routed for signatures.
10. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA
An updated status report and to establish a routine procedure, with action
steps, to move the process forward into “Phase 2” –
Ramzi Mansour, Director of Environmental Management
\[3:37\] ADJOURNMENT
Comm. Obenski made a Motion to Adjourn
Comm. Herbert Seconded the Motion
Discussion: None
Voice Vote: Ayes: (7) Unanimous
Meeting adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
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