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Form #: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: November 14, 2017 STAFF CONTACT: Glenn Sako PHONE: 808 961-8811 A. REQUEST: Resolution authorizing County (via R & D) to.enter into agreement with the University of Hawaii to provide funding for it's research proposal, Innovative Agricultural Research to Control Rough Sweet Potato Weevil and for the contract term to end on June 30, 2018. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 46-7, the County may enter into agreements with "any public body" with the consent of Council. R & D is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R & D to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawaii, a public body, for the purposes of funding its research proposal, Innovative Agricultural Research to Control Rough Sweet Potato Weevil, pursuant to HCC 2- 139(3)(c). • Sweet potato production has increased dramatically in the state of Hawaii and has topped $7.3 million from 1100 acres. The County of Hawaii has the bulk of the production and the preferred cultivar 'Okinawan' is grown along the Hamakua coast. Sweet Potato production is adversely affected by pests and a relatively new pest is impacting production. The Rough Sweet Potato weevil, Blosyrus asellus, severely damages the tuber surfaces and reduces their marketability. This proposal is for$9,680.00 and will be used to improve the sustainability of sweet potato production in Hamakua by evaluating the effectiveness of two promising insecticides and evaluating 12 sweet potato varieties reported to have resistance to insects. Request that the term of the contract will end on June 30, 2018. Funds are from 2016-17 Fiscal Year Budget. The additional time is needed to complete the pesticide and variety evaluations of in the field. ii/1qSIGNED: , DATE: /ii Depar r'i nt Head