COM 0041.002 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECEi` Michael DuBois, P.O. Box 2813, Kamuela, HI 96740, (808) 885-4094 'g7 JflN 7 A~ 10 13 Aaron Chung COUNTS CL~~~;i< Chair Committee on Finance RE: Transfer of Funds~~~s~e~. Fax (808) 969-3291 Dear Mr. Aaron Chung: It has come to my attention your committee will meet to move State Grants funds earmarked for glass recycling into County funds. I want to bring some facts to your attention prior to these funds being transfered. `This is the second $216,000 given to the County by the State. The first $216,000 failed to go through proper procurement procedure and all of the money was simply given to one company Recycling Systems of Hawaii. The first funds were never made public like the current funds, nor did prospective bidders have a fair and equitable chance to bid for the funds. 'With the County giving all of the first $216,000 to one company also established a monoply for glass recycing on the entire island. The company was allowed to purchase over $130,000 of equipment and receive $85,000 for labor. At the same time the County cancelled the diversion funds for glass recycling to all recycling businesses thus establishing a monoply for one company. Currently Big Island Recycle & Rubbish (BIRR) is protesting the first $216,000 with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Environmental Recycling also protested the County glass contract but was not allowed to have a hearing because it filed a day and a half late with the DCCA. However, now the County Corporate Council is spending thousands of our taxpayers dollars to silence BIRR's protest on how the County issued the funds: (to indicate only a few) Failed to disclose to the public or notify businesses that funds were available from the State ' Failed to specify in RFP 1533 that State funds specifically for glass recycling were available. ' The County contract with only one company gives that company a tremendous competitive advantage and denies other businesses from being able to compete. • A loose knit association of haulers and recycling businesses want the current funds to be transfered, but with one condition: ' An advisory council made up of haulers and recycling businesses as well as community leaders to work directly with the County to insure that there will be total fairness in the dispersement of the funds. No funds will be transfered unfit the Advisory Council agrees on the future glass recycling program. ~:rcr1:yL No. ~ NO ¢ ~ ~ ,pJl,<~ rile o._ l.~' ~ !t,•f. Tot Presented F L , ~ ,~X~~- t:~C. mate dAN _ 7 199J ~ a/~"