Section 15-16-4 - Meetings(a) The authority may meet and exercise its powers in any part of the State of Hawaii. All meetings of the authority shall be open to the public, except executive meetings. Public notice of all meetings, except emergency meetings, shall be made pursuant to section 92-7, HRS. The parliamentary procedure to be utilized by the authority in the conduct of its meetings, shall be based on Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 1971.(b) Regular meetings shall be held at the regular meeting place of the authority on the first Wednesday of the month, provided that if such date is a legal holiday, then the regular meeting for such date shall be held on the date immediately following the holiday. Any and all business of the authority may be transacted at regular meetings. Notices of meetings of the authority shall: (1) Be sent to those requesting to be on the mailing list for this purpose and other interested parties;(2) Be posted in the office of the authority; and(3) If possible, be distributed to the news media. The authority may hold its regular meetings on other than the stipulated dates, times, and places, provided that proper notice be given of the changes.
(c) Special meetings may be held at such times and places as the authority may require, as called by the chairperson at such time and place as the chairperson may determine, and must be called by the chairperson upon the written request of three or more members of the authority filed with the executive director. Written notice of any special meeting must be given to each member of the authority at least seventy-two hours prior to the date of the special meeting. At the special meeting, no business shall be considered other than as designated in the notice.(d) The authority may hold an executive meeting closed to the public upon a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present at the meeting. The reason for holding the executive meeting and the vote of the members shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the meeting. An executive meeting may be held for any of the following purposes: (1) To consider the hire, evaluation, dismissal, or discipline of an officer or employee or of charges brought against such individuals, where consideration or matters affecting privacy will be involved; provided that if the individual concerned requests an open meeting, an open meeting shall be held;(2) To deliberate concerning the authority of persons designated by the authority to conduct labor negotiations or to negotiate the acquisition of public property, or during the conduct of such negotiations;(3) To consult with the authority's attorney;(4) To investigate proceedings regarding criminal misconduct; and(5) To consider sensitive matters related to public safety or security. No ruling, rule, contract, appointment, or decision shall be finally acted upon in an executive meeting.
(e) The authority may hold an emergency meeting upon a finding that an imminent peril to public health, safety, or welfare exists, provided that: (1) The authority states in writing the reasons for its finding;(2) Two-thirds of the members to which the authority is entitled agree that the findings are correct and an emergency exists;(3) An emergency agenda and the findings are filed with the authority's office; and(4) Persons on the mailing list are contacted by mail or telephone as soon as practicable.[Eff 6/25/81, am and comp 9/8/86] (Auth: HRS §§ 91-2, 206E-4] (Imp: HRS §§ 92-3, 92-4, 92-5, 92-8)