HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-10 Board of Ethics minutesHAWAI‘I COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS
MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 10:23 a.m.
25 Aupuni Street, Room 1501
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Members and Staff Present:
Bernard Balsis, Vice Chair
Arne Henricks, Member
Glen Hisashima, Member
Renee N. C. Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Mary E. Fujio, Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Balsis called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENCY ITEMS
There were no statements from the public.
3. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2013
Motion and vote: Mr. Henricks moved to approve the minutes, Mr. Hisashima seconded the motion, and they and Mr. Balsis voted aye.
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review of Gifts Disclosure Statements received from the following County officers or employees: (1) Zendo Kern, Council Member; (2) Dennis Onishi, Council Member; (3) J Yoshimoto, Council Chair.
Ms. Fujio explained that the above disclosures were received, and they all indicated that no gifts were received valued over $100. The deadline to submit gift disclosures was June 30. Mr. Balsis said the disclosures will be accepted and filed.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Petition No. 2013-01: Review draft Informal Advisory Opinion regarding former employee Jeremy McComber’s request for an opinion from the Board about his current employment with HOPE Services Hawai‘i, Inc., and its intent to submit a proposal in response to a request for proposals for a management and service provider for Nā Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini housing program in Kona.
Motion and vote: Mr. Henricks moved to accept the draft, and Mr. Hisashima seconded the motion. Mr. Balsis asked if there were any discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. All three members voted aye.
(Note: The posted agenda incorrectly listed Unfinished Business twice, as Items 5 and 6.)
Motion and vote: Mr. Balsis moved to go into executive session for review of the confidential matters agendized therein. Mr. Henricks seconded the motion, and all three members voted aye.
10:03 a.m.: The Board left regular session.
10:16 a.m.: The Board returned to regular session.
7. VOTING ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
a. Approval of the executive session minutes of May 8, 2013.
Motion and vote: Mr. Henricks moved to approve the minutes, Mr. Hisashima seconded the motion, and they and Mr. Balsis voted 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.
Mr. Balsis said that in reviewing the disclosures, the Board noted that number 3 was incomplete and was being referred back for completion. Disclosure No. 9 continued to be incomplete, even though the Board had sent Gloria Wong, the filer, two letters explaining that it needed to be completed.
Mr. Balsis said that he recommended the Board send a final letter to Ms. Wong, informing her that she needed to submit a complete financial disclosure, which would be held in confidence by the Board, and that if she does not, the matter would be referred back to the mayor. He said there are specific penalties in the Code, and those penalties should be outlined in the letter to Ms. Wong.
Mr. Henricks said the letter should include the fact that the Board does not have authority to waive compliance, as Ms. Wong had requested. The letter should also give Ms. Wong an opportunity for a hearing before the Board if she wants one.
Mr. Balsis asked Mr. Schoen if there was any news on potential new Board members, and Ms. Schoen said no. She explained that the Mayor’s Office handles the applications for board and commission members and was aware of the shortage.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Balsis announced the next meeting: August 14, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 1501 of the Hawai‘i County Building or another location to be determined if necessary.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Balsis adjourned the meeting at 10:23 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Mary E. Fujio (with her signature)