HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-08 Board of Ethics Minutes
HAWAI‘I COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS
MINUTES –REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
10:05 a.m. to 10:28 a.m.
Hilo Lagoon Centre
101 Aupuni Street, Room 145
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Members and staff present:David Heaukulani, Vice Chair
Arne Henricks, Member
Bernard Balsis, Member
Renee N. C. Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Mary E. Crosson, Secretary
1.CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Heaukulani called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
2.STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no statements from the public.
3.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 11, 2011, MEETING (REGULAR
SESSION)
Motion and vote:
Mr. Henricks moved to approve the minutes, Mr. Balsis seconded the
motion, and all members present voted aye.
4.NEW BUSINESS
a.Petition No. 2011-08: Officer’s request for an informal advisory opinion on
whether the officer may sit on a State of Hawai‘i board.
The petitioner was not present. The secretary informed the Board that she had notified
the petitioner about this meeting. The Board decided to move ahead with the agenda and see if
the petitioner showed up later.
b.Review of Gifts Disclosure Statements received from Councilmembers Brenda
Ford and Frederick Blas.
Ms. Schoen informed the Board that gift disclosure statements are to be reviewed for
potential conflicts. Mr. Blas had reported receiving no gifts, and Ms. Ford reported a $90 gift,
which fell below the amount required to be reported. The next step would be to accept and file
the disclosures.
Motion and vote:
Mr. Henricks moved to accept and file the disclosures, Mr. Balsis
seconded the motion, and all members present voted aye.
Mr. Balsis asked whether all the councilmembers would be sending in gift disclosure
statements, and Ms. Schoen explained that they were required to report gifts if they fell within
Section 2-91.5 of the Code. That section required a gift to be reported if (1) it was worth more
than $100, (2) the giver had interests that could be affected by official action or lack of action, or
(3) the gift was not excluded underparagraph (d) of that section (which dealt with gifts that were
excluded from reporting requirements).
5.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Heaukulani announced that the Board’s unfinished business was tentatively
scheduled to be heard at its July 13, 2011, meeting.
Ms. Schoen said it was hoped the newest Board member could start on July 13, 2011, so
that the several pending petitions from Dan Cole could be heard.
Motion and vote:
Mr. Balsis moved to go into executive session to review the
confidential matters under agenda item 6. Mr. Henricks seconded the motion, and all members
present voted aye.
10:12 a.m.:
The Board left regular session.
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10:25 a.m.:
The Board returned to regular session for voting on the executive session
matters.
6.VOTING ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
a.Approval of the minutes of the May 11, 2011, meeting (Executive Session).
Motion and vote:
Mr. Balsis moved to approve the minutes, Mr. Henricks seconded the
motion, and all members presentvoted aye.
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.
Motion and vote:
Mr. Balsis moved to accept all the confidential financial disclosures
as submitted, Mr. Henricks seconded the motion, and all members present voted aye.
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7.ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Heaukulani announced the Board’s next meeting: July 13, 2011, at a 10:00 a.m. at a
location to be determined.
Ms. Schoen reminded the Board that they needed to return to agenda item 4a, regarding
the officer’s request for an informal advisory opinion.
4.a.Petition No. 2011-08: Officer’s request for an informal advisory opinion on
whether the officer may sit on a State of Hawai‘i board.
Ms. Schoen reported that she had called the officer while the Board was reviewing
financial disclosures. The officer stated that the officer was unable to come to the meeting and
requested that it be continued again. At this point, the Board could either continue it or ask that
it be withdrawn and resubmitted when the officer was ready to appear before the Board.
Mr. Henricks said it was also understood that the officer was to submit further
information to the Board, and nothing had been received.
Motion and vote:
Mr. Henricks moved to continue Petition No. 2011-08to the next
agenda, on condition that the party appear with further information or withdraw the petition. Mr.
Balsis seconded the motion, and all members present voted aye.
8.ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Heaukulani adjourned the meeting at 10:28 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
(signature of Mary E. Crosson, Secretary)
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