NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 9, 2004

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSIONERS: Chair Roy Wickramaratna called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  At this time the Commission members introduced themselves.

Sheri Kajiwara announced that Kelley Santiago is on vacation.  The meeting will be recorded and later prepared by Santiago.

COMMISSIONER’S PRESENT: Kalene Sakamoto, Roy Wickramaratna, Pohai Ryan, Ed Gall, Ben Gudoy, Jeanette Nekota.

COMMISSIONER’S ABSENT: Ben Sanchez, Karen Iwamoto, Ray Galas.

STAFF: Benjamin Kama (Executive Secretary), Sheri Kajiwara.

GUESTS: Clifton Takamura and Ron Lockwood (McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8), Debbi Glanstein (Kailua Neighborhood No. 31), Michelle Matson (Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Neighborhood Board No. 5), Linda Young (Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34), Lucky Wickramaratna, David L.M. Pagan, Linda Ure, Seth Harris (City Corporation Counsel).

PUBLIC INPUT:

1.       Clifton Takamura noted that he has been gathering information for the Neighborhood Commission website to put together an information brochure regarding Neighborhood Board participation.

Ben Kama thanked Takamura for his efforts.

2.       Debbi Glanstein reported the following: (1) Resolution 04-18 passed second reading will be presented at the Executive Matters Committee on Thursday, March 11.  (2) Board members have been asking about permissibility of electronic communications between board members, not for decision-making, but for discussing of emails.  Glanstein questioned if there were any policies set by the Commission on such acts.

Kama reported conversing with Kathy Bryant-Hunter, Chair, Kailua Neighborhood Board, in which she was told that two board members may communicate electronically but are not allowed to solicit votes.

3.       Linda Young expressed concern regarding inappropriate behavior and violence on neighborhood boards.  She referred to the actions of a fellow board member and reported that several complaints have been filed against him.  She added that all boards be protected by standards of the City and County.

4.       Ryan suggested neighborhood mediation as a way to resolve board conflicts and added that Corporation Counsel must address the issue.

Kama suggested that complaints be reported to the police, as a file will be kept by HPD.

Young reported that another member of the board is an officer with HPD.

5.       Michelle Matson reported that her board is dealing with a similar situation and asked that the Neighborhood Commission Office supply the board with a mediator.  As of yet, she has not received a response from the office and noted that Kama is aware of the situation.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2004: Sakamoto moved seconded by Nekota to approve the February 10, 2004 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted.  The motion carried unanimously, 6-0-0.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 9, 2004

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APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004: Sakamoto moved seconded by Gall to approve the February 17, 2004 Special Meeting Minutes as submitted.  The motion carried unanimously, 6-0-0.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: None.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

CHAIR – No report.

COMMISSION MEMBERS:

Nekota reported attending the February meeting of the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board. 

Ryan reported attending Kailua Neighborhood Board’s meeting in March.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT: Kama reported the following: (1) Clara Ching has been approved by the City Council to served on the Neighborhood Commission.  (2) Resolutions 03-54 and 04-18 will be heard by City Council’s Executive Matters Committee on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 9 a.m.  (3) A total of fourteen complaints were received (Eight – Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board; Six – Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board).  (4) NCO will be meeting with the City Council Budget Committed on Friday, March 12, 2004.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

COMMON CONCERNS OF NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD PRACTICES – Glanstein noted that in 1994 Corporation Counsel submitted an opinion limiting board involvement with private issues.  She requested that more information about the opinion be available.

Suggestions were made that opinions from Corporation Counsel be readily available on the Commission’s website for reference and review.

Takamura noted his concerns with participants of board meetings not understanding the process and procedures of the board.

Ryan requested that the Commission address the following: (1) Protection of volunteers and parameters while they serve.  (2) Constructive forms of communication.  (3) Options for different meeting formats.  (4) Leadership development.

Suggestion was made that the NCO send thankyou letters to chairs for attending workshops and reminder notices to respect others’ opinions.

Kama stated that after the workshop last August, such letters were sent to all board chairs.

Discussion followed regarding safety concerns at the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board meetings.

Sakamoto suggested professional help for the board.

Discussion continued with members discussing possible remedies to address safety issues such as hiring a facilitator to help with conducting board meetings.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 9, 2004

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COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS – Discussion ensued regarding starting a non-profit organization supporting Neighborhood Boards.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN – No report.

BUDGET – Sakamoto thanked everyone who participated in the Budget Presentation held on February 23, 2004.

ELECTIONS – No report.

EVALUATION – No report.

SCHEDULING OF THE NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2004.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.

ADJOURNMENT: Ryan moved seconded by Sakamoto to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously, 6-0-0.

Chair Wickramaratna adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by:

Kelley Santiago