Posted on: Thursday, May 4, 2006
11 charter proposals OK'd for voters to decide upon
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
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WHAT'S NEXT?
Here's a look at key steps in the Charter Commission process: Wednesday: 2 p.m., Honolulu Hale, City Council Committee Room, second floor. Tentatively voting on proposals on planning and zoning, curbside recycling, bicycle-friendly policy, city department descriptions. September: Final list of charter amendment proposals published. Nov. 7: General election. MORE INFORMATION To see the full list of proposals: Visit the Charter Commission Web site at www.honolulu.gov/chc or contact the commission staff at 592-8622, charter@honolulu.gov or the office at 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 1485, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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The Honolulu Charter Commission approved 11 proposals to go on the ballot in November but will hold another meeting next week to consider which other proposals should be added to that list.
Charter Commission Chairman Donn Takaki said the members expect to add some ballot proposals on May 10. But he said members have tentatively agreed to combine some of the "housekeeping" type measures that are designed to clean up outdated language in the charter.
Takaki said the commission members want to keep the number of proposals on the ballot to a reasonable number so that voters will take the time to consider them. Past elections have shown that voters' interest fades when the number of ballot questions rises over 10.
These are the proposals set to go before voters (after review by a style committee):
Proposal 1 — Remove the City Council's power to reject the recommendations of the Salary Commission.
Proposal 5 — Eliminate the first special election when there are only two candidates for an office.
Proposal 34 — Administration and enforcement of the executive capital budget ordinance so that the funds would lapse in 12 months rather than in six months.
Proposal 35 — Revise powers and duties of the director of the city Department of Information Technology.
Proposal 55 — Ask voters if they want to keep term limits and staggered terms for council members.
Proposal 75 — Include the prohibition against ethics commissioners taking an active part in political management or political campaigns set forth in the state Constitution.
Proposal 76 — Delete prohibition of political activities by Honolulu Police Department employees.
Proposal 78 — Delete the reference to the Civil Defense Agency in "Appointment, Confirmation and Removal of Officers and Employees" because the position is civil service, not appointed.
Proposal 91 — Set aside one-half percent of real property tax revenues for land and natural resources protection and one-half percent for affordable housing.
Proposal S-6 — Delete requirement of Social Security numbers on petitions.
Proposal S-10 — Bring the charter up to date with technology and ensure public access to important city information via a widely accessible electronic medium, such as the Internet.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
