LIHU‘E — The drafting of a new County Charter, with changes focused at addressing the island’s population growth, was the focus of the County Council meeting held Thursday. A rapid resolution to do just that was discussed. The matter was
LIHU‘E — The drafting of a new County Charter, with changes focused at addressing the island’s population growth, was the focus of the County Council meeting held Thursday.
A rapid resolution to do just that was discussed. The matter was later referred to the council’s Committee of the Whole.
Councilmembers noted in the resolution that the size and complexity of Kaua‘i’s society today “warrants a fresh examination of the conceptual and structural changes needed to ensure effective government in the 21st century.”
The resolution was introduced by Councilman Mel Rapozo. He said a new charter could eliminate “inconsistencies and ambiguities in the text that currently exists in the charter.”
In the resolution, councilmembers are asking members of the recently formed Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission to draft a new charter. The current charter was approved in 1969 during an era when the office of the mayor was first introduced to Kaua‘i’s county government.
Proposals to write a new charter failed two times in the past due to lack of public support, the resolution states. One attempt failed in 1974, and another met the same fate in 1996.
In other matters, council members approved the revising of $365,000 in surplus and appropriated funds in the county general fund to aid in the construction of a drug-treatment center for adolescents at the old Kauai Humane Society building near Salt Pond Beach Park in Hanapepe.
The treatment facility would enable Kaua‘i youths to remain on the island for substance-abuse rehabilitation, whereas now they must travel off Kaua‘i for such residential help.
The facility is one of the key components of an anti-drug use plan initiated by Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste to stem illicit drug use on Kaua‘i.
The estimated construction cost of the one-acre, drug-treatment facility is about $1.2 million. In addition to the council-approved funds, $560,000 would come from state capital-improvement funds, and another $250,000 would come from private donations and pledges, the bill states. In addition, leaders in the county Department of Water will cover the cost of upgrading the water system at the old Kauai Humane Society building. That work would be done at an estimated cost of $1.2 million, all covered by the DOW leaders, county documents noted.
Building of the project is overdue, county officials noted in documents sent to the council. In 2000, leaders in the state Department of Health reported that the adolescent substance-abuse treatment “need” had doubled in a three year period on Kaua‘i.
Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho introduced the bill requesting the $365,000 for the treatment facility.
In other matters, the council approved $150,000 toward the widening of Maka Road in Kalaheo. The work would include putting in a raised sidewalk that leads to Kalaheo School.
The raised sidewalk is to be in compliance with guidelines of the federal American with Disabilities Act.
The improvements, requested through a bill introduced by council Vice Chair James Tokioka, would make students walk to and from school safer.
Lester Chang, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@pulitzer.net.
