StarBulletin.com

Kauai mulls construction, Sunshine Law


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POSTED: Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Kauai residents will decide whether they want six possible changes to the Kauai County Charter, ranging from creating a new county auditor to mandating the County Council control growth.

One would conform the County Council to the state Sunshine Law, which regulates open meetings.

Currently, the Charter states the Council can meet in private executive session only to consult with the county attorney on claims.

Members of the current Council, however, meet regularly to discuss other matters with the county attorney in executive session. Councilmembers have said they have received an opinion from the county attorney regarding this matter, but have refused to give the information to the public, citing attorney-client privilege.

Another would attempt to control growth of hotels and condominiums on the Garden Isle by requiring any zoning or variance permits for the development of tourist accommodations be passed by a two-thirds majority of the County Council. Currently, the Planning Commission is responsible for processing all permits.