1.  Amends Rule No. 2 (Meetings), Section 1.

“1.  Regular Council Meetings.  The Council shall meet regularly at least twice in every month at the place and time designated by the Council.  Whenever possible, the meetings will be scheduled on the first and third Wednesday of each month.  The Council shall hold an equal number of meetings in East and West Hawai‘i[.To the extent possible public testimony shall begin at the time designated on the agenda.  Absent extenuating circumstances, ceremonial and other matters customarily handled in advance of Statements from the Public shall be handled prior to the time stated in the agenda for public testimony and shall be placed on the agenda.”

Justification includes: Accountability to the public in terms of when public testimony commences.

2.  Amends Rule No. 2 (Meetings), Section 6(a)(1).

“6. Videoconference Meetings.

(a)  The Committees and Council may hold videoconference meetings provided that:

(1)     If a Council Member wishes to attend a meeting via videoconference, a written request shall be submitted to the Council or Committee Chairperson as well as simultaneously to all members of the Council, and approval obtained prior to the agenda deadline for that meeting.  The Chairperson shall handle the request in the following manner:

(A)     The request shall only be granted for compelling, urgent or

unusual  circumstances;

(B)    The request shall be read on the record prior to public testimony and be recorded in the minutes;

(C)    In case an emergency unexpectedly necessitates missing a Council or  Committee meeting, the Council Member shall advise the Chairperson 

         and the other Council Members as soon as possible; and

(D)  The Chairperson of the meeting shall make an announcement prior to public testimony to explain the reason for the Council Member’s absence.”

Justification includes: The norm should be in person meetings -- presence promotes better working relationships among councilmembers, which contributes to a more effective and productive Council. Also having all councilmembers in the same location increases Accountability to those who want to testify in person to all members.

Amends Rule No. 2 (Meetings), Section 9.

“9.  Attendance.   If a Council Member is unable to attend a meeting, prior written notice shall be given to the Council or Committee Chairperson with the reason for absence clearly explained.  Repeated absences from in-person attendance by any Council Member may be cause for censure.”

 Justification includes: The public has the right to expect attendance by all councilmembers unless there is good reason for absences.

Amends Rule No. 10 (Voting), Section 6.

“6.  No member shall refrain from voting unless excused by the Chairperson for a stated conflict of interest or is otherwise excused as provided herein.  Unless a member is excused from voting, silence shall be recorded as an affirmative vote.”

  Amends Rule No. 11 (Disclosure of Interest), Section 2(b).

“2.    Any member who has a substantial financial and/or personal interest directly affected in any action proposed or pending before the Council or a Committee shall refrain from deliberating on said action and shall be excused from voting on the matter thereon. 

(a)   “Substantial” means an interest which is sufficient in magnitude to influence one’s official action.

(b)  “Financial interest” means an interest held by a Council Member, his or her spouse, [or dependent children] domestic partner, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, or grandchildren, which is

(1)    an ownership interest in a business,

(2)    a creditor interest in an insolvent business,

(3)    an employment, or prospective employment, for which negotiations have begun,

(4)    an ownership interest in real or personal property,

(5)    a loan or other debtor interest, or

(6)    a directorship or officership in a business.”

                Justification includes: Provides more accountability and transparency by the councilmembers concerning disclosure of family member financial interests in the matter before the Council.

 Amends Rule No. 13 (Public Statements and Testimony), Section 3.

“3.  Oral Testimony.  Oral statements from any member of the public shall abide by the following:  . . . .

(c)     Persons sharing the same or similar points of view may testify as a group with one spokesperson who shall list the names of all persons in the group in attendance and may state their home community or district, and that listing of names shall not be considered as part of the time allotted for public testimony.

(d)    During public testimony, Council Members may ask the testifier a specific question, as opposed to making any comment of approval or disapproval or otherwise, and may request submission of specified additional information.

 Justification includes: 1.) Gives the public the option of testifying as a group; 2) Allows Councilmembers the opportunity to ask questions for clarification or for more information during the period of public testimony.
portion of the proceeding.

“6.  All certificates [which do not have a major impact or which do not affect a significant number of people, and are received less than six (6) days before the regular meeting date of the Council, may be considered at such meeting] shall be submitted no less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled meeting date and shall be placed on the agenda prior to Statements from the Public, as provided above in Rule No. 16.”