February, 1978

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April, 1978

General Meeting - CZM Message from the President (Helen Griffin) Transportation Report on February Units (Fran Burgess) Family Conference Calendar Membership LWV of Honolulu - Proposed Budget 1978-79 Proposed Program 1978-79

Proposed Program 1978-79 The proposed program consists of three continuing items on which League may act -- planning, transportation, local government -- and three new recommended items. The new programs would continue to emphasize the interrelationships among our studies. One would investigate the role of citizen participation in government. Another would measure the impact of federal money on City/County government. And the third would add specifics on City Council to our local government position. These program items are in keeping with National League emphasis on Cities/Urban Crisis, and reflect the concern of members for urban problems. Program Continued action: Planning Transportation Local government New items of study: City Council Impact of federal funds on City government Task Force on citizen participation in government Planning Our current position calls for promoting member and public understanding of the planning process...promoting city planning which includes consideration of overall development objectives with zoning controls implemented to uphold the development plans...encouraging citizen input in the planning process. ACTION ANTICIPATED! While continuing to follow all phases of planning, the committee will focus on formulation of development plans. First, how well is the procedure for actualization of the plans being followed? Second, how effective is citizen participation, in terms of the process of bringing in participation, and amount of participation? Transportation Our current position calls for promoting understanding of Oahu transportation needs and problems among members and the public...continuing evaluation of city transportation plans and actions with emphasis on a balanced system to meet public needs, understanding of its use as a land use and planning tool, and funding that permits transportation to function as a public service. ACTION ANTICIPATED; The transportation committee sees no consensus developing on a fixed guideway system (HART) for Oahu. However, the committee will study the Environmental Impact Statement for HART and keep members informed. Also to be evaluated is the City's Transportation System Management program; TSM is a means of getting the most out of our existing transit system. The committee will also keep abreast of transit developments nationally, especially in terms of financing and cost efficiency. Local Government Our current position calls for a City Charter that expresses the principle of an oxen and responsive government, that clearly defines duties, responsibilities and accountability of the various branches of that government, and provides for citizen representation. The Charter should also set fair, enforceable standards of conduct for City officers and employees, and provide amendment procedures. ACTION ANTICIPATED: Action will be taken as the situation warrants. New Items (Recommended) City Council This study would provide for specific positions on certain City Charter provisions regarding the City Council. It may be adopted with all or some of the following areas of interests should the Council be full or part-time (terms to be defined) bearing in mind the role of Council in City government and the possible duplication of work between the Office of Council Services and administration departments? should there be any change in Council confirmation of administration department heads? should Council members be limited in the number of terms they may serve? should terms be staggered? should Council elections be partisan or non-partisan? should Council members be elected from both single and at-large districts? This study will lead to a consensus no later than April 1980. A position reached at that time would enable League to take action at the next Charter review in 1981. Task Force on Citizen Participation in Government One of the basic League principles states, "The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens..." It is of continuing concern to League how citizen input in government is solicited and used, and how effective it really is. Of special interest is the creation of commissions and boards to formally invite citizen opinion. It will be the duty of the Task Force to review citizen participation, with emphasis on institutionalization of the process, to determine if current methods are effective. A report to the membership is requested no later than April 1979. The State League will be asked to join Honolulu in this review. Impact of federal funds on City government It is impossible to speak of urban problems -- land use, transportation, welfare, housing or whatever -- without taking financing into account. Who pays for what? In the past few years, more and more federal programs have pumped money into crisis-ridden cities. What is the impact of these funds? That is what this study is all about...how Oahu is affected by the availability of federal money for solving problems. This study is envisioned as an open-ended investigation that will help members become more knowledgeable about City financing, and enable League to ask the right questions at budget time. Further, because of the interrelationships among program items, the results of this study could be far-reaching with regard to our other committee work. Among the questions to be investigated what federal funds are available to the City? what effect does the availability of these funds have on City planning and budget-making? how are federal funds used by the City? do they have a positive or negative effect on the functions of the City government? on services provided to citizens? what happens if a source of federal funds is withdrawn?

February, 1978

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April, 1978