County Auditor, Maui Bus Among Referral Topics

Maui bus. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui County Council is expected to make initial committee referrals on Friday that could include review of the Maui Bus schedules and fares; and a resolution to hire the first county auditor.

The council’s first regular meeting for the 2013-2015 term begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, in the council chambers.

Council Chair Gladys Baisa today confirmed announced that she expects the council will refer legislation to its eight standing committees for the first time this term.

“At its organizational meeting on Jan. 2, the council established its standing committees for this term, and now they are ready to get to work,” said Baisa.

Baisa said individuals are encouraged to actively participate in county government. “I hope that the council’s efforts to notify the public of what the council and its committees are doing will help to foster public awareness and participation,” she said.

The following items are scheduled to come up for review by the council:

• Council Chair Baisa’s request for committee review of the Maui Bus program. This request is expected to be referred to the Housing, Human Services, and Transportation Committee, chaired by Councilmember Stacy Crivello, and is intended to generate public input on transit routes, schedules and fares.
• A bill introduced by Councilmember Mike White to establish a crosswalk at Paia Elementary School. The item is expected to be referred to the Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee, chaired by Councilmember Elle Cochran.
• A resolution to hire the first county auditor. This is a placeholder resolution to allow the Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Councilmember G. Riki Hokama, to eventually consider candidates for the new position created by a Charter amendment last year. The Office of the County Auditor is scheduled to be operational by July 1.
• A resolution that was re-introduced by Councilmember Michael Victorino to establish a “zero waste” county policy. The item was pending from the prior council term.
• A resolution recognizing Poverty Awareness Month. This ceremonial resolution was introduced by Council Chair Baisa and may be adopted Friday.
• A bill extending a conditional permit allowing Ameron Hawaii to continue concrete-batching operations in Kihei. This is among several bills to approve zoning and other land use requests that are expected to be referred to the Land Use Committee, chaired by Council Vice-Chair Robert Carroll.
• Resolutions authorizing the Friends of Moku`ula nonprofit organization to continue operations on county property in Lahaina. This matter is being carried over from the prior council term and is expected to be referred to the Economic Development, Energy, Agriculture, and Recreation Committee, chaired by Councilmember Don S. Guzman.
• Resolution introduced by Councilmember Donald Couch, Jr., establishing the order of community plan updates. The resolution would require community plans to be updated in the following chronology: Lanai, West Maui, Kihei-Makena, Wailuku-Kahului, Makawao-Pukalani-Kula, Paia-Haiku, Hana, Molokai and Kahoolawe.

The council meeting is open to the public. The first committee meetings are scheduled for the week of Jan. 28, 2013.

***Supporting information courtesy County of Maui.