HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0017.02 - Testimony - CA-3 - Climate Change and ResiliencyMargaret Wille
Attorney at Law
65-1316 Lihipali Road
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
Tel: 808-854-6931
margaretwille(cr�,mac.com
December 14, 2018
To: Charter Commission
Fr: Margaret Wille, on behalf of myself
Re: Testimony on Comm. 17 CA -3 Revising Section 6-8.3 (Climate Change and
Resiliency Related)
NOTE: See also related testimony to create a Department of Agriculture and
Resiliency
While I agree with the general principles in the proposed amendment of Section 6-8.3 set
forth in Communication 17, I would modify and expand that amendment as follows:
Amend Chapter 8 "Department of Research and Development" Section 6-8.3
"Powers, Duties and Functions" as follows:
The director of research and development shall:
(a) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative
decision-making, and program and policy-making.
(b) Provide staff leadership for public and private development programs,
enterprises and plans, including economic, social and cultural proposals,
which enhance and improve the county community.
(c) Coordinate informational and regulatory knowledge of all federal and
state grant- in -aid participation programs which affect the county.
(d) Establish a division of grant -writing, that shall be dedicated solely
to grant -writing in cooperation with other Departments and with
non-governmental entities, to promote the goals of this Charter and
in particular of the objectives of the general plan as stated in this
Charter Article III Section 5-2. The division of grant -writing shall
be headed by a person with at least three years experience in grant -
writing.
(e) Establish a division of climate change sustainability and resiliency,
that shall be dedicated to systematically addressing the multifaceted
crisis of climate change, including matters concerning sea level rise,
drought, destruction of sensitive ecosystems including both those
are on island and those in near shore waters, as well as associated
matters such as food security and energy security.
(1) The division of climate change sustainability and
resiliency shall be headed by a person with at least three years
experience in a related field.
Comm. No. 17.2
(2) The division head shall assist the directors or heads of
each department and each agency, to determine the amount
of greenhouse gas emissions produced during its operation for
the previous year and assist each department or agency to set
substantial goals and proposed action plans to achieve its
objectives.
(3) The division head shall also meet with the mayor on a
regularly basis and report on the goals, plans, and objectives
consistent with becoming net carbon neutral by 2030.
(4) As part of this division there shall be a climate change
and resiliency commission comprised of seven members. Five
shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the
Council as prescribed in Section 13-4, and shall have expertise
in climate change and or natural resource management or in
a related field. The director of planning, the director of
research and development, or their designated
representatives shall serve as the remaining two members.
The Commission shall meet no less than quarterly to chart the
County's progress towards measureable outcomes consistent
with its objectives, including with respect to reduction of
green house emissions and increasing infrastructural and
systemic resilience to climate related risks. The Commission
shall report annually to the council and the mayor on its
findings, activities, and recommended actions and
expenditures.
Comment: I agree we need to focus on the most critical issue facing our island and
our planet — the climate change crisis and need to provide a solid entity within the county
the sole agenda of which is climate change and its consequences. To advance in a
meaningful way we need to set a clear statement of mission and have knowledgeable and
experienced staff singularly dedicated to that mission (leadership).
As council member I previously discussed doing more in this area and the response was
R&D currently focus here and the Department heads need to be responsible for their
departments in this area. I don't think the Department heads are in a position to add this
major agenda to their day to day obligations. However... I do not think a new department
with all of the overhead is necessary — set it up as a new division with the sole focus of
climate change.
On a related note I suggest a division solely dedicated to grant fund writing — which will
be able to focus on grants available in the area of climate change, resiliency, and other
areas — both for the county and advising non-governmental entities of available grants.
Historically this county has done a poor job when it comes to seeking and obtaining
grants.
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