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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: August 15, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 391/Res. No. 254-17 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 1:07 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 254-17 reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 254-17, transmitted by Finance Director Collins Tomei, via Communication <br /> No. 391 dated July 28, 2017, authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the <br /> University of Hawai`i. <br /> This agreement would provide $25,000 from the Department of Research and Development to the <br /> University of Hawai`i to fund its Building Private Sector Capacity to Control Little Fire Ants in <br /> Hawai`i County project. <br /> Diane Ley, Director of Research and Development, responded to Council Member Jen Ruggles' <br /> inquiry as to the intent of the agreement as coming out of the department's annual request for <br /> proposals to fund economic development projects. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee moved <br /> forward with the proposal based on feedback they have received through their offices and the Little <br /> Fire Ant hui. She noted the need for training professional landscapers and yard-service providers with <br /> understanding little fire ants and identifying the appropriate species and the appropriate pesticides to be <br /> used. The intent is to train professionals and commercial businesses to be able to offer services to <br /> residents. They find that a lot of departments are already doing outreach, training, and education <br /> programs for homeowners. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee technicians will develop a <br /> curriculum to address specific barriers and will provide outreach for each district, ensuring that trained <br /> professionals apply pesticides properly. <br /> Council Member Eileen O'Hara supports this measure, stating this is an issue that a lot of homeowners <br /> have been ignoring. She indicated that the little fire ant problem has economic ramifications, including <br /> health issues to small animals and pets, causing blindness and other diseases. <br /> Pursuant to Section 46-7, Hawai`i Revised Statutes, the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i is authorized <br /> to execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents with the University of <br /> Hawai`i to provide aid to the County as described above. <br /> FC Report No. 35 <br />