NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

FEBRUARY 17, 2004

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSIONERS: Chair Roy Wickramaratna called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. with a quorum present.  At this time, the Commissioners introduced themselves.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Jeanette Nekota, Ben Sanchez, Ed Gall, Kalene Sakamoto, Roy Wickramaratna.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Pohai Ryan, Ray Galas, Ben Gudoy, Karen Iwamoto.

STAFF: Benjamin Kama (Executive Secretary), Kelley Santiago.

GUESTS: Tom Heinrich (Manoa Neighborhood Board No. 7), Clifton Takamura (McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8), Robert Finley (Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9), Bill Woods (Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board No. 18), Daisy Murai, Michelle Matson (Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5), David Pagan, Seth Harris (City Corporation Counsel).

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion on Resolution 03-54 relating to Civil Service status for the Neighborhood Commission Office staff – Sakamoto moved seconded by Gall that the Neighborhood Commission support Resolution 03-54, CD-1.

Discussion followed:

Nekota stated that she has problems with Section 16 of resolution which states  “Every employee occupying on December 31, 2004 a staff position for the neighborhood commission shall continue, without necessity of examination, in the same position after conversion to the civil service; provided that the employee possesses, on December 31, 2004, the minimum qualifications for the position which the employee occupies…” She added that her main concern is that the positions will not be available for open recruitment.

In response to Nekota’s question regarding the current recruitment process, Kama stated that a list of applicants for the position is sent to the Mayor for selection.

Heinrich suggested that the Commission update and revise the position description for each member of the Neighborhood Commission Office.

Woods noted that throughout the years, his board has worked with several Neighborhood Assistants who each worked differently.  He recommended that the work conditions be standardized.

Takamura noted his support of Resolution 03-54.

Bob Finley, Chair, Waikiki Neighborhood Board reported that his Board voted to support the resolution.

Kama noted that Neighborhood Assistants are instructed not to advise or consult with the Boards.

Wickramaratna made note that the Neighborhood Assistants have been doing a good job and added that it is the responsibility of the board chair to control the meeting.

Heinrich suggested that the following be added as an andemdum to the current motion: “The Commission looks forward to the opportunity to evaluate the operations of the Neighborhood Commission Office and to see how transition to Civil Service may also improve the position description and the actual level of training provided to the employees at the Neighborhood Commission Office”.

Sakamoto accepted.

The motion failed, 4-0-1. Aye: Sanchez, Gall, Sakamoto, Wickramaratna.  Nay: Nekota

Discussion on Conflict of Interest – Kama reported that there it is not considered a conflict of interest for a current board member to serve dually as a Commissioner.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.

ADJOURNMENT: Sakamoto moved seconded by Sanchez to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously, 5-0-0.

Chair Wickramaratna adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

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