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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.06.22. COG Commission MinutesCOST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION f c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 + Hilo, Hawaii 96720 + h` • M��� COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES / October 6, 2022 INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): ZOOM WITH IN -PERSON LOCATIONS FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY PER AGENDA [2:01 pm] [1] CALL TO ORDER, QUORUM Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum. ATTENDANCE Present: D9 Michael Konowicz, Chair D1 Neal Herbert, Vice Chair D2 Matthias Kusch D4 Maddie Green D5 Shannon Matson D6 Kenneth Obenski D7 Daniel Malakie III D8 Karie Wakat Excused: D3 Chantee Shiroma Additional: Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Corporation Counsel Robert Command, Office of the Mayor Jeannie Miskovich, Commission Secretary Pomaika'i Bartolome, Office of the Mayor [2:05 pm] [2] STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public Testimony (Debbie Hecht) regarding PONC Report, Wastewater Report. [3] COMMUNICATIONS Bobby Command - Department of Management submitted documents re: Managing Director - Provided to Full Commission [2:07 pm] [4] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2022. Comm. Wakat moves to approve the September 29, 2022, Meeting Minutes. Comm. Herbert seconds the Motion. Discussion: None Voice Vote: Ayes: (8) Unanimous 9/29/2022 Meeting Minutes Approved [5] DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND DECISION ON A RECOMMENDA- TION THAT THE ROLE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR BE REDEFINED [2:10 pm] MOTION: Comm. Herbert moves to adopt the recommendations regarding the Managing Director position into the Final Report of the Commission Comm. Matson Seconds the Motion Discussion: Comm. Obenski opposes, with written responses. [2:14] Comm. Matson sent follow-up ideas and corrections with distinction between civil service and "at will" employment and finds the recommendation to be a potential solution and would like to see it in the Final Report to weigh the pros and cons. Comm. Herbert comments that it is crucial to stabilize the management of the county, with turnover at the Department Head level (using DPW as an example) and supports moving the recommendation forward in the Final Report. Comm. Kusch commented that the Commission has not had enough time for thoughtful consideration and that he finds no correlation between a new Administration and turnover in leadership across departments; Chair Konowicz commented that, although the Commission has scratched the surface of this issue, it has not done proper research and due diligence. Comm.(s) Kusch and Konowicz thought the issue may be best placed in the "Other Concepts to Consider" category of the Final Report. [2:31 pm] MOTION RECALLED Comm. Herbert recalled his Motion to adopt the recommendations regarding the Managing Director position into the Final Report of the Commission MOTION Comm. Matson moves to defer the issue regarding the Managing Director position recommendations to the October 13, 2022, meeting. Comm. Kusch seconds the Motion Roll Call Vote: Ayes (7) Comm.(s) Herbert, Kusch, Greene, Matson, Malakie, Wakat, and Konowicz No (1) Comm. Obenski [2:34 pm] Motion to defer the issue regarding the Managing Director position to the 10/13/22 meeting passes (6] DISCUSSION, REVIEW AND DECISION ON A RECOMMENDA- TION THAT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER BE ADDED TO THE COUNTY TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION FROM AND BETWEEN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS Discussion: Chair Konowicz sent follow-up recommendations [2:36 pm] Comm. Wakat moves to adopt recommendations as set forth by Chair Konowicz into the Final Report Comm. Obenski Seconds the Motion Discussion: None Roll Call Vote: Ayes (8) Comm.(s) Herbert, Kusch, Greene, Matson, Malakie, Wakat, Konowicz, and Obenski Motion to adopt recommendations on PIO positions as set forth by Chair Konowicz into the Final Report passes [2:40 pm] [7] STATUS REPORTS OF PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUPS 7(a) Building Division: Comm. Malakie submitted PIG report Findings and Recommendations will be deliberated by the full Commission at the 10f13/22 meeting 7(b) County Fleet Comm. Herbert submitted PIG report Findings and Recommendations to be deliberated at the 10/13/22 meeting [2:45 pm] 7(c) Boards and Commissions -- Chair Konowicz reviewed the recommendations (1) Office of Shared Resources to support the various Boards and Commissions and to recommend a county charter amendment that the Cost of Government Commission meet for two years and (2) questions the significance of and whether the Cost of Government Commission serves the purpose as designed. MOTION [2:49 pm] Comm. Herbert moves to adopt the recommendations as set forth in the B&C PIG into the Final Report Comm. Matson seconds the Motion Voice Vote: Ayes (8) Unanimous Motion to adopt the recommendations as set forth in the B&C PIG into the Final Report passes 7(d) PONC - Comm. Matson submitted PIG report Findings and Recom- mendations to be deliberated at the 10/13/2022 meeting. [2:54 pm] [81 DISCUSSION, REVIEW, AND DECISION ON RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE TO ADD TO THE FINAL REPORT REGARDING THE FOLLOWING: 8(a) DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Discussion: Comm. Wakat points out that the report is missing the last statement regarding Hawaii Earth Recycling. Comm. Matson's "Kovno Decision" report should be folded into the DEM final report. MOTION Comm. Obenski moves to make the appropriate non -substantive edits to the DEM PIG report Comm. Kusch seconds the Motion Discussion: None Voice Vote: (8) Ayes Unanimous Motion to make the appropriate non -substantive edits to the DEM PIG report passes 8(b) BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Discussion: None [3:01 pm] 8 (c) REVENUE GENERATION Discussion: Chair Konowicz - The remaining Revenue Generation recommen- dation, apart from those identified by the PIG that the county is already pursuing, is to increase vehicle registration fees for vehicles brought into the state, to catch them up on contributing to the county AV fund. [3:11 pm] MOTION Comm. Herbert moves to adopt the Revenue Generation PIG recommendation on increasing vehicle registration fees for out-of-state vehicles as set forth in the Final Report Comm. Kusch seconds the motion Discussion: Comm. Matson is not comfortable with this as a stand-alone item and suggests adding all the PIG revenue generating recommendations, including those found to already be pursued by the county, showing due diligence, and giving credit for research done. Comm. Herbert suggested the recommendation be placed in the "Other Concepts to Consider" section of the Final Report. 8(d) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Discussion: None 8(e) WATER SAFETY EFFICIENCYIWELL & PIPE MAINTENANCE, Discussion: Comm. Malakie suggested removing this area of inquiry. [3:15 pm] [9] STATUS REPORTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS ON PRIORITY FOCUS AREA, SUGGESTED SAVINGS/EFFICIENCY AREAS AND REVENUE GENERATION Discussion: Comm.(s) agree that all pertinent reports have been submitted. Comm.(s) Obenski and Konowicz voiced appreciation to the various PIG(s) for their efforts and work product. [3:19 pm] [10] DISCUSSION ON ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA Discussion: Chair Konowicz set the stage for final report and 10/20/22 final Commission meeting. Chair Konowicz will insert all Commissioner and PIG reports into the accepted Final Report template with Secretary support. [11] ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Cost of Government Commission will be October 13, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. [3:28 pm] [12] ADJOURNMENT MOTION Comm. Herbert moved to adjourn the meeting Comm. Wakat seconded the motion Discussion: None Voice Vote: Ayes (8) Unanimous Meeting adjourned at 3:29 pm.