REP FC 028 2017/08/01 (2016-2018)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: August 1, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 368/Res. No. 243-17 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 9:46 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 243-17, reports as follows: Resolution No. 243-17, transmitted by Council Member Valerie Poindexter, via Communication No. 368 dated July 14, 2017, changes the full time equivalent status of a Housing and Community Development Specialist III position from a part-time hourly position to become a full-time salaried position. This resolution requests a change in the time element of the above position to accommodate the increased number of housing projects in Kona,which requires close monitoring of management, financial, and social services; also anticipates the position to provide oversight to upcoming Community Development Block Grant projects such as the Certified Kitchen (The Friendly Place) and Kona Abuse Center renovation projects. Council Member Tim Richards asked for an explanation of the financial impact on the department and balancing their budget. Housing Administrator Neil Gyotoku responded that it was budgeted for fiscal year 2017-2018, and they plan to establish a full-time position in Kona to monitor existing and upcoming new construction projects such as Kamakana Village, Kamakoa Nui and Kaialulu '0 Waikoloa. He stated the position is needed to help monitor construction as well as project management. He noted they also have the Friendly Place and Hale Kekaha, the emergency shelter, and also Uluwini housing projects which will help them budget and monitor activities of those projects as well. In answer to Mr. Richards's question regarding the overall impact moving from a part-time to a full-time position, Mr. Gyotoku stated that the increase would be approximately$47,000 part-time to full-time including the benefits. The part-time position is currently at $25-30,000. He stated the position has been vacant for the past couple of years and is stationed in Hilo. However, the plan is to transfer the position over to the west side because that has been the focus of activities in South Kohala and North Kona Districts. Council Member Sue Lee Loy questioned which projects this position would monitor. Mr. Gyotoku responded Uluwini, which is 92 units along Hina Lani; the Friendly Place, in the industrial area; and Kamakana Villages, which they are almost finished with. He added that a new project would be constructed within the next two years. They are also working on Waikoloa, developing a multi-family unit in Kamakoa, and Kaialulu '0 Waikoloa which is an urban FC Report No. 28