Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: January 8, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 14/Res. 21-19 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 10:30 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 21-19,reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 21-19, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 14 dated <br /> November 30, 2018, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State of Hawai`i <br /> Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. <br /> This resolution provides $100,000 from Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the <br /> Department of Information Technology to fund its Hi-WiFi project to increase access to affordable <br /> internet and broadband services in unserved and underserved areas in Hawai`i County. <br /> Jules Ung, Director of Information Technology(IT), gave a brief description of the HI-Wi-Fi program. <br /> Last year IT approached the Council of each district for suggested locations for Wifi hotspots atCounty <br /> facilities in each of the districts. Ms. Ung stated the information was reviewed for feasibility and <br /> practicality. IT will leverage existing infrastructure by using funds from the Department of Commerce <br /> and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and Spectrum to put up pilot test sites. The first sites will be in <br /> Hamakua, mainly in Honoka`a and Pa`auilo, and if these are successful and based on statistics show a <br /> lot of public accessing the hotspots, then more locations will be put up. The feedback from last year was <br /> put into a spreadsheet,which will be updated based on the Council's preferences for future test sites, as <br /> well. <br /> Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz inquired as to how the internet will be made available at these <br /> public facilities. She asked if they would be at a park or a gym and whether the public would then be <br /> able to plug into a WiFi hotspot. Ms. Ung responded that location will be based on the feasibility of <br /> existing infrastructure at the facility, and the device can even be installed on a utility pole nearby. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 21-18, and <br /> recommends its adoption. <br /> dmm <br /> AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, <br /> CHUNG X <br /> DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> EOFF X <br /> KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X -� <br /> KIERKIEWICZ X4111160w._ = �. <br /> LEE LOY X <br /> POINDEXTER X MAILE MEDEIR I S I)AVID, CHAIR <br /> RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 3 <br /> VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN 2 3 2019 <br />