HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-24 Regular Session Minutes1
HAWAI‘I COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION Thursday, January 11, 2024 10:01 a.m. – 12:24 p.m.
Hawai‘i County Building 25 Aupuni Street County Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Members and Staff Present: Rachel Short, Chair Christopher Ho, Member Kelly Valenzuela, Member Denise Nakanishi, Member
Sylvia Wan, Deputy Corporation Counsel Khayla-Lei K. Peiler, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER (10:01 a.m.)
Ms. Short called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. Present were Rachel Short, Christopher Ho, Kelly Valenzuela, Denise Nakanishi, Sylvia Wan, and Khayla-Lei Peiler. 2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (10:01 a.m.)
Ms. Short: Good morning everyone this is the Hawaii County Board of Ethics meeting for January 11th 2024 being held here at the Hawaii County Building Council Chambers. I am our Chair Rachel Short
and I’ll allow my fellow Board Members to introduce themselves.
Ms. Valenzuela: Kelly Valenzuela Ms. Nakanishi: Denise Nakanishi.
Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Ms. Short: Thank you all for being here very much today. Just as a reminder, under HRS 92-3 sunshine law the board may remove any person
who willfully disrupts a meeting to prevent or compromise the
conduct of that meeting. All persons appearing before this board are reminded to conduct themselves in a courtesy manner. At this time we’ll open up any statements from the public either in person or via Zoom. Do we have anyone signed up to give public
testimony?
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Ms. Wan: Deputy Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Wan, um Madam Chair we do not have anyone signed up for testimony at this time.
Ms. Short: Thank you very much. Seeing that there is no public testimony at this time we will move on to the approval of the regular session minutes.
3. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR SESSION MINUTES (10:02 a.m.) a. Approval of the regular session minutes of November 08, 2023. Ms. Short: Would someone like to make a motion to approve our regular
session minutes from November 08, 2023?
Ms. Nakanishi: I make a motion that we approve the minutes from November 2023.
Ms. Valenzuela: I second it.
Ms. Short: Is there any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion to be had I’ll call for a vote. All in favor say Aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Hearing no opposition, the regular session meetings from
November 08, 2023 are thus approved.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Nakanishi moved to approve minutes from November 08, 2023; Ms. Valenzuela seconded. All members voted aye. (10:03 a.m.)
Ms. Short: Moving on to Agenda item 4a new business, annual nominations
of the chair and vice chair of the Board of Ethics. 4. NEW BUSINESS (10:02 a.m.)
a. Annual nominations of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Ethics.
Ms. Short: At this time I will open up nominations for Chair. Mr. Ho: Chris Ho, move to nominate Rachel Short as Chair.
Ms. Wan: Ms. Short do you accept that nomination? Ms. Short: I do.
Ms. Nakanishi: I second.
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Seeing none I will continue serving as your Chair of the Hawaii County…oh
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Ms. Wan: Oh.
Ms. Short: Oh we need a vote.
Ms. Wan: You need a vote. And I’m just going to put this advisory on the on the table so today we only have four members of the Board, that is quorum, according to the Hawaii County charter 13-4, um in order
for any measure to pass today all members… a quorum of
members have to vote in favor. If a quorum does not vote in favor of a proposal it will fail. So I just want to let you know that at the top.
Ms. Short: So at this time there is a motion on the table for me to continue to
serve as the Chair of the Hawaii County Board of Ethics. Is there any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion to be had I’ll call for a vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Hearing and seeing no opposition the motion passes and I will remain as the
Chair for the Hawaii County Board of Ethics.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to nominate Rachel Short for Chair. Ms. Short accepted the nomination. Ms. Nakanishi seconded. All members voted aye. (10:04 a.m.)
Ms. Short: At this time I will open up for nominations for Vice Chair of our
Hawaii County Board of Ethics. Chair Rachel Short I would move to um nominate Chris Ho as the Vice Chair of the Board of Ethics. Ms. Wan: Chris Ho do you accept that nomination?
Mr. Ho: I do. Ms. Short: Would someone like to second my motion?
Ms. Nakanishi: I’ll second it.
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Hearing no discussion I’ll call for a vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Hearing opposition no opposition and all in favor Chris Ho is the new Vice
Chair of the Hawaii County Board of Ethics. Thank you, my
friend. Ms. Wan: Congratulations.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Short moved to nominate Chris Ho for Vice Chair. Mr. Ho accepted the nomination. Ms. Nakanishi seconded. All members voted aye. (10:05 a.m.)
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Ms. Short: Petition…moving on to Agenda Item 4b Petition 2023-13, Review
of a petition um from a County Employee seeking clearance and
guidance regarding potential conflicts in interests and reporting of gifts. Per the advice of um Corp Counsel I do need to disclose my personal relationship with the person appearing before us. Shannon Matson is um a very very close friend of mine, almost hanai family
so I’ve been advised to recuse myself from this matter.
Ms. Wan: You can go ahead and step down if you’d like. Ms. Short: Thank you.
Mr. Ho: I will also disclose that um I do know Shannon and she is actually close friends with my husband, however I feel I can be very impartial for this.
Ms. Wan: Ok. That is um duly noted. So at this point we only have 3 voting
members left on the Board. Which is not sufficient for quorum. So at this time procedurally this petition would otherwise need to be tabled until our next meeting. So that’s what’s going to happen because at this point procedurally we don’t have enough to proceed
with this Petition. So this matter will be continued to the next
agendize meeting. February. Thank you. Chair would you like to return? Ms. Short: Yes, thank you.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Short recused herself from voting on behalf of the Board due to conflict of relationship with the Petitioner. Not enough members left for quorum to pass any motions. Petition is continued to next Agenda. (10:06 a.m.)
Ms. Short: Moving on to Agenda Item 4c Petition 2023-14, this is a review of a petition alleging that the Prosecuting Attorney and Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys have violated section 2-83(3) Fair Treatment of the Ethics code…yeah, hang on I’m trying to find
my…this. I would also note that Agenda Item 4d Petition 2023-15
is a related issue so I will now open it up to the Board to discuss whether or not we would like to hear these issues separately or together.
Ms. Nakanishi: Is it ok to hear them together if there’s additional parties on 15?
Ms. Wan: I’m sorry um can you please restate the question?
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Ms. Nakanishi: I believe there is an additional party under 2023-15.
Ms. Wan: Yes. So um…uh 2023-14 has 3 parties 2023-15 has 2 additional
parties. However, it appears that the facts and circumstances are encompassed in both petitions so it it is valid for the Board to decide whether or not they want to actually hear this matter together cause even though the respondents are separate um the
issues do merge at a certain juncture. I believe we should probably
have a motion for the Board to officially decide. Ms. Short: Would someone like to make a motion?
Ms. Valenzuela: I’d like to make a motion to be able to hear both of them together.
Ms. Short: I’ll second that motion. Any discussion to be had? Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. I…I’m having a hard time seeing why the the two would
be lump together while I understand that one of them pertains to a
group that was a part of the actual the the big part um I feel like it’s two completely separate issues…um so I’ll leave it at that. Ms. Short: Anyone else care to share? Denise?
Ms. Nakanishi: The the issues um the uh but the facts are the same. Even though there are additional issues. Ms. Short: So Chris your thought is they’re two different complaints we
should hear the complaints separately?
Mr. Ho: Yes, um I can’t really say anything else on it because then it draws directly into what’s written.
Ms. Wan: I would note that there was a question as to whether this should be
a closed hearing or not so I would advise the Board against discussing any of the details of the Petitions until that question is resolved. I’ll just remind that the motion on the floor is just whether or not to hear the petitions together or separately.
Ms. Short: And since we must be unanimous in order to hear um…in order to vote whether to hear these separate or together I guess we should go ahead and vote because that would tell us. So the motion on the table…
Ms. Nakanishi: Or should we amend the motion? Ms. Short: Go for it. Kelly made the motion. Or Denise?
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Ms. Nakanishi: I…I um move that we hear these two petitions separately.
Ms. Wan: Ok. Um…Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. At this point
um your amendment is actually contrary to the initial motion in that it is fundamentally opposed. I think whether or not your primary motion succeeds or fails will be your ultimate answer to that question.
Ms. Short: So the motion will remain on the table that for this to be a closed…for this to be um for us to hear them separate or together excuse me. And at this time we’ll call for a vote. And the vote will determine.
Ms. Wan: Yes. Cause either if it passes it will be heard together. If it fails it will be heard separately. Ms. Short: Correct. Ok so at this time I’ll call for a vote. All in favor of
hearing Petition 2023-14 in unison with 2023-15 together say aye.
Ms. Valenzuela: Aye. Ms. Nakanishi: Aye.
Ms. Short: Ok. All opposed say nay. Mr. Ho: Nay.
Ms. Short: Ok hearing the opposition and knowing that we have quorum that
motion fails and we will hear Petition 2023-14 and Petition 2023-15 separately. Motion and Vote: Ms. Nakanishi moved to hear Petition 2023-14 and Petition 2023-15
together. Ms. Short second the motion. Ms. Nakanishi and Ms. Valenzuela voted Aye and Mr. Ho voted Nay. The motion failed and Petition 2023-14 and Petition 2023-15 will be heard separately. (10:12 a.m.)
Ms. Wan: And uh Chair…before we move forward I just need to note for the
Board that prior to my employment as a Deputy Corporation Counsel and being counsel for this Board I was previously worked with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and the Respondents in both petition 2023-14 and petition 2023-15 are former colleagues
of mine, however that being said…I do not believe that my former
relationship would otherwise interfere with my role in my capacity as counsel for this Board. I’m just putting that out there.
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Ms. Short: Thank you very much Sylvia. K. so at this time the Board will call for Petition 2023-14. Do we have statements from the public
regarding Petition 2023-14?
Ms. Wan: Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan. There is no one that has signed up for public statements at this time.
Ms. Short: Ok. Seeing that we have no public testimonies this agenda item is
now closed… Ms. Nakanishi: Sorry do we need a…have a clos…
Ms. Short: We’re gonna get there right now.
Ms. Nakanishi: Ok. Ms. Short: Yeah.
Ms. Wan: So not…not the agenda…not that the agenda item is closed but that public testimonies is closed. OK. Ms. Short: Yeah. Public testimony is now closed for Petition 2023-14 at this
time, so in Petition 2023-14 the Petitioner has requested a closed
hearing in her Petition and subsequently requested an open hearing. Two of the Respondents have requested a closed hearing to protect the Petitioners privacy rights. At this point our Board can either make a decision based on the information already provided
to the Board or seek additional information from the parties
present. Mr. Ho: Um thank you Madam Chair. I would actually like to move to dismiss this…or um when can that actually…
Ms. Wan: Oh! I’m sorry um right now the question before the Board is just are we going to have a closed hearing or an open hearing. Mr. Ho: Based on the documentation that was already provided with
nothing else?
Ms. Wan: No…um…the closed hearing or open hearing could be made just based on the documentation that’s there. My understanding also is that one of the Petitioners, I’m sorry the Petitioner and one of the
respondents is present if you want to address just the reasoning for
whether it should be closed or open. Cause we’re…um…as far close and open at this point in time you’re just going to be concerned about privacy interests regarding matters of a personal
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nature. So um the information that has been provided to this Board at this point from the Petitioner is Petition says she wants a closed
hearing, subsequent communication was that she wanted an open
hearing. Mr. Ho: Gotcha!
Ms. Wan: Uh…from the respondents, a couple of them asked for a closed
hearing. So the question is up for the Board. Ms. Short: So right now we are just deciding if we want the hearing to be open or closed before we continue.
Mr. Ho: Then I would move to… *INAUDIBLE COMMENTS FROM THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR* Ms. Wan: I’m just going to um…uh reiterate for the record what is occurring.
So there is a translator for this particular Petitioner of Petition 2023-14. Uh translator is requesting more information regarding what is a closed hearing versus what is an open hearing. Ms. Short: Thank you Sylvia.
*PAUSE FOR TRANSLATOR TO TRANSLATE TO THE PETITIONER* Ms. Wan: Ok. Do you need any other… *INAUDIBLE COMMENTS FROM THE TRANSLATOR*
Ms. Wan: Ok. So now that the translator has caught up, I am gonna put a gentle reminder to the Board we may want to… Ms. Short: Decide open or closed?
Ms. Wan: Well yes, but you may also want to slow your speech a little bit so that the translator has a chance to translate in real time. Ms. Short: Thank you Sylvia. Open or close?
Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to a closed hearing…feel like I didn’t word that correctly. Ms. Short: Do you want to reword it?
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Ms. Wan: Um…ok in order to close the hearing you can do the motion but you need to state the reasons why.
Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to a closed hearing based on the documentation provided being of um an extreme personal nature um… Ms. Wan: Affecting the privacy…
Mr. Ho: Affecting the priv…um privacy of the individual. Ms. Wan: Ok. The Petitioner.
Mr. Ho: Petitioner. Sorry.
Ms. Short: Would someone like to second Chris’ motion for a closed hearing? Ms. Valenzuela: I second.
Ms. Short: Is there any discussion to be had? Ms. Valenzuela: Not at this time.
Ms. Short: Seeing that we have no discussion I’m going to call for a vote. At
this time all in favor say aye. Aye. All oppose say nay. Hearing no opposition the motion for this to be a closed hearing passes. We’ll give a few moments to re-situate for allow that to happen I believe?
Ms. Wan: So at this point in time the board is going to ask that um the chambers be cleared uh members of the public are going to be put into a meeting room and only the Petitioner and Respondent for Petition 2023-14 shall remain within Chambers.
Ms. Frenz: DCC Wan? This is DCC Frenz can I clarify who will be allowed to remain on Zoom? I believe that would be myself… Ms. Wan: If you want to, if you want to remain as counsel for the Office of
the Prosecuting Attorney you can be allowed Ms. Frenz.
Ms. Frenz: And is…Mr. Waltjen I believe is also allowing Ms. Osorio to join um as to his complaint. Is that correct Mr. Waltjen?
Mr. Waltjen: Yes please. Thank you.
Ms. Wan: Ok. So just a moment while we um situate everyone else. Thank you for letting us know.
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Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to enter closed hearing to hear Petition 2023-14; Ms.
Valenzuela seconded the motion. All members voted aye (10:17 a.m.) 10:19 a.m. The Board entered closed session. 10:28 a.m. The Board entered open session. Ms. Wan: Alright Deputy Corporation Counsel Sylvia Wan, the um we are now in open hearing. You may re…state your motion.
Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to dismiss Petition 2023-14. Ms. Short: Would someone like to second Chris’ motion?
Ms. Valenzuela: I second it.
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Mr. Ho: Uh my motion to dismiss is based on lack of evidence um within
the documentations that were provided and all subsequent
documents as well, seeing as though the matter has already been addressed with the appropriate agency. Ms. Short: Any further discussion? So that is…so at this time I’ll call for a
vote. All in favor of the motion to dismiss Petition 2023-14 say
aye. Aye. Any oppose say nay. Hearing no opposition the motion to dismiss Petition 2023-14 due to insufficient evidence submitted with the petition does pass.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to dismiss Petition 2023-14; Ms. Valenzuela seconded the motion. All members voted aye (10:29 a.m.) Ms. Short: So at this time um we’re moving on to Petition 2023-15 and before I open up the petition for consideration of the Board I would like to
address a question that was posed as to what type of petition and
hearing Petition 2023-15 is set for. Petition 2023-15 was filed pursuant to and hearing Petition 2023-15 is set for. Petition 2023-15 was filed pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-86(b) seeking an informal advisory opinion regarding an alleged
violation of the code of ethics. As such, the Board’s consideration
of this Petition falls under Rule 4 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Board of Ethics. At this point… Ms. Wan: Um, yes actually. No that’s fine because this one didn’t there is no
request.
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Ms. Short: At this point the board can either make a decision based on the
information already provided to the board or seek additional
information from the parties present. Ms. Wan: Um, im sorry Chair I believe Corporation Counsel Ms. Frenz has her hand waiting.
Ms. Short: Ms. Frenz, please. Ms. Frenz: Thank you, good morning everyone Deputy Corporation Counsel Cody Frenz, I apologize for the interruption but as to the Petition
that you just did the motion on I wanted to uh clarify that there was
a slight difference between the motion or the discussion and in closed and the actual motion I believe the conversation also included failure to state a claim for a violation of the County Code of Ethics and I don’t think I heard that in the motion that just
passed was only indicating not the proper venue so I’m hoping that
you would do a motion to reconsider or to clarify the motion that you just passed to ensure that you cover both proper venue and failure to state a claim or violation of the code of ethics which I believe was the intent.
Ms. Short: I believe we did say that. Mr. Ho: Hi Chris Ho. I will concur with what she did say my question is does the conversation or excuse me not the conversation the
rationale in of itself is not necessarily apart of the motion itself the
motion is just to dismiss do I then have to provide evidence and rationale as to why? Ms. Short: The discussion is documented correct?
Mr. Ho: Cause we vote on the dismissal itself not… Ms. Wan: I believe the order is that it’s being dismissed for insufficient evidence at this point um its I mean you could also dismiss it for
improper venue but at this point your entire discussion is recorded
within the minutes. It’s not recorded necessarily within the order itself. Mr. Ho: Ok.
Ms. Frenz: My only concern is that the motion itself was to dismiss for not being in the proper venue and I wanted to make sure that you were properly articulating that there was also in your opinion a failure to
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state a violation of the code of ethics. So if the…if the motion to dismiss is for those reasons that fine I just want to make sure the
order articulates that you have also found a failure to state a
violation of the code of ethics which I think is critical given that the hearing before the Board this morning. Ms. Nakanishi: Can the motion be re-read cause I did hear the words
discrimination which is why I didn’t expand.
Ms. Wan: Uh…I believe… I believe um the motion was saying from lack of evidence. As well as improper venue.
Ms. Frenz: That…Not in open session.
Mr. Ho: Chris Ho move to…sorry…reconsider. Ms. Wan: My um issue with moving to reconsider is a motion to reconsider
can only be brought if a member is going to reverse their vote and
at this point in time you haven’t. I…I don’t believe this Board intends that um so the motion is what it is which is primarily to dismiss. And I will look back at the minutes and try to make sure it reflects what is within the minutes when I draft the order for the
Board for its review at next hearing.
Mr. Ho: Question? In the event that um it it doesn’t when it comes back to the Board for approval are we able to change things within in it?
Ms. Wan: You can.
Mr. Ho: Ok. Ms. Wan: You can at that time.
Ms. Short: Ms. Frenz? Ms. Frenz: Uh I think the intent is clear of the Board so maybe merely clarifying uh at this juncture now while its still um on the this
particular agenda that the intent of the Board is to dismiss for
failure to state a claim or a violation of the code of ethics and its being dismissed for that purpose and Ms. Wan can draft the order accordingly. That’s…that’s all. I’ll defer to Ms. Wan.
Ms. Wan: I would concur with that. So at this point you may want to recall if
you want to do that if the Board wants to do that you may want to recall uh 23-14 just to expand on its reasoning.
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Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to recall 2023-14.
Ms. Short: Is there a second to Chris’ motion?
Ms. Nakanishi: I second. Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had. Hearing none we’ll vote at this time um
the motion to recall Petition 2023-14 for purposes of clarification.
All in favor say Aye. Aye. All Oppose say nay. Hearing no opposition the motion to reconsider Petition 2023… Ms. Wan: Recall.
Ms. Short: Recall, excuse me. Petition 2023-14 for purposes of clarification does pass. At this time we will reopen Petition 2023-14 would someone like to make a motion regarding Petition 2023-14?
Mr. Ho: Move to dismiss 2023-14.
Ms. Short: For what purposes Chris? Ms. Wan: Um…uh ok so at this point I think it would just more be along the
lines of…because you already dismissed it. That has been decided.
It’s more about um just adding to the reasoning of the Board for the dismissal. Mr. Ho: Gotcha! Additional reasoning would be failure to state a claim
within Section 2 - 83(3) Fair Treatment within the Petition that was
submitted. Ms. Short: Would someone like to second Chris’ motion?
Ms. Nakanishi: I second.
Ms Short: Any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion I’ll call for a vote all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Hearing no opposition the motion passes. Thank you very much.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to include the additional reasoning for the dismissal of Petition 2023-14; Ms. Nakanishi seconded the motion. All members voted aye (10:36 a.m.) Ms. Short: Moving on to Petition 2023-15 again. At this time we are calling
Petition 2023-15 and at this point this board can either make a
decision based on the information already provided to the board or seek additional information from the parties present. I will open that up for discussion as to what we would like to do. Board?
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Ms. Short: So at this time we can make a decision based on the information
already present or we can continue to seek additional information from the parties present. How would the Board like to proceed?
Ms. Short: Do we want to seek additional information? Ms. Nakanishi: Uh in the abundance of caution I move that we go into a closed hearing.
Ms. Short: With what reasoning? Cause I will note for the record that there is no request for open or closed. Ms. Nakanishi: In the abundance of caution for the personal privacy of the parties of the petitioner.
Ms. Wan: Of the petitioner. Ok. Is there a second? Ms. Short: Would someone like to second Denise’s motion for a closed hearing.
Ms. Valenzuela: I second it. Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Hearing no opposition at this time 10:38 the Hawaii
County Board of Ethics will move from an open into a closed hearing. We’ll give a few moments for that transition. Motion and Vote: Ms. Nakanishi moved to enter closed session in the abundance of caution of the Petitioners Privacy. Ms. Valenzuela seconded the motion. All members voted aye (10:38 a.m.) 10:38 a.m. The Board entered closed session. 11:55 a.m. The Board entered open session. Ms. Short: At 11:56am the Hawaii County Board of Ethics is officially back in open session. We are hearing Petition 2023-15 a review of a
Petition alleging that a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and the Victim/Witness Counselor violated Section 2 - 83(3) Fair Treatment of the Ethics Code. At this time I will ask for a motion from a Board Member.
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Ms. Valenzuela: I’d like to make a motion that we take a vote.
Ms. Short: We need a motion to vote on.
Ms. Nakanishi: I make a motion that we dismiss Petition 2023-15 on the basis that there is no specific um evidence that shows unfair treatment.
Ms. Short: Would someone like to second that motion?
Ms. Valenzuela: I second it. Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion at this time I will
call for a vote on dismissing Petition 2023-15. All in favor say aye.
Aye. All oppose say nay. Hearing no opposition the motion to dismiss Petition 2023-15 is hear by moved and…Passed. And the Petition is dismissed. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time.
Motion and Vote: Ms. Nakanishi moved to dismiss Petition 2023-14; Ms. Valenzuela seconded the motion. All members voted aye (11:57 \]]]]]]]]]]]]]]\][pp[]\a.m.) *Ms. Nanamura translates to Ms. Ikeda in Japanese*
Ms. Short: At this time can I have a motion to move us into executive session
to review the executive session minutes and continued review of confidential financial disclosure forms… Ms. Wan: I’m sorry continue…continue down.
Ms. Short: As well the conf…as well as the gift disclosures. Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to enter into executive session at 11:58am to discuss um personnel matters as well as gift disclosure forms.
Ms. Short: Do I have a second for Chris’ motion? Ms. Valenzuela: I second. Ms. Short: Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. All oppose say nay.
Hearing no opposition at 11:58am the Hawaii County Board of Ethics will move into closed executive session in order to review our confidential financial disclosure forms, as well as gift forms. We’ll give a few minutes for that to take place. Thank you.
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Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to enter executive session to review Confidential Financial Disclosure Forms, Gift Disclosures, and the Executive Minutes; Ms. Valenzuela
seconded the motion. All members voted aye (11:58 a.m.) 11:58 a.m. The Board entered closed session. 12:23 p.m. The Board entered open session. Ms. Short: 12:23 we are in open session so that we can review and approve. We’ve already reviewed. So we can approve of the executive
session minutes from November 8, 2023. Do I have a motion from
someone to approve the executive session minutes from November 8, 2023? Mr. Ho: Chris Ho. Move to approve executive session minutes of
November 8, 2023.
Ms. Short: Would someone like to second Chris’ motion? Ms. Valenzuela: I second.
Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion we will take a vote. All in favor say Aye. Aye. All oppose say nay. Hearing no opposition the executive session minutes from November 8, 2023 are approved.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to approve executive session minutes from November 8, 2023. Ms. Valenzuela seconded the motion. All members voted aye. (12:23 p.m.) 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS (12:24 p.m.)
a. The next monthly meeting of the Board of Ethics is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hawai‘i County Building, Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
Ms. Short: Moving on to our final agenda item. Which is 6A, the next
monthly meeting of the Hawaii County Board of Ethics is scheduled for…that’s not right…February 14th 2024 at 10am here at the Hawaii County Building, Council Chambers. At this time I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
8. ADJOURNMENT (12:24 p.m.) Mr. Ho: Move to adjourn.
Ms. Nakanishi: Second.
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Ms. Short: Any discussion to be had? Seeing no discussion we’ll take a vote.
All in favor of adjourning aye. Aye. Any opposition say nay.
Hearing no opposition at 12:24pm on January 11, 2024 this concludes your Hawaii County Board of Ethics meeting. Thank you every one for being here.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Ho moved to adjourn the Hawai’i County Board of Ethics meeting; Ms. Nakanishi seconded the motion. All members voted aye. (12:24 p.m.)
Respectfully submitted:
Khayla-Lei Peiler, Secretary