Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OFT E <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: December 3, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 605/Res. No. 403-19 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii I <br /> TIME: 5:30 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 403-19, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 403-19, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 605 <br /> dated October 31, 2019 authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State of <br /> Hawaii,pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes 46-7, for a grant to the Police Department. <br /> Accepts funds of$10 million from the State of Hawaii to reimburse the County for overtime costs, <br /> supplies, equipment, and other expenses incurred by the department in response to the protest activities <br /> related to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea. <br /> Postponed on November 19, 2019,to December 3, 2019. <br /> Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed his understanding that the idea for the Council to <br /> accept funds by way of a grant from the State is to cover costs incurred by the Hawaii County Police <br /> Department on Mauna Kea. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section <br /> 46-8 applies in this instance. Corporation Council Joseph Kamelamela responded HRS Section 46-8 <br /> does not apply in this case and that HRS Section 46-7 is more applicable in this case. Mr. Kamelainela <br /> noted that although HRS Section 46-7 was enacted before statehood, it specifically calls for the consent <br /> of the Council. <br /> Mr. Kamelamela explained that funding for the Fire Department is paid directly through the State and <br /> therefore the Fire Department does not go through this process. Finance Director Deanna Sako <br /> explained that EMT's (Emergency Medical Technician)presence was requested to be on Mauna Kea in <br /> case of any medical emergency. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder again questioned why the Fire Department <br /> did not have to go through this process. Director Sako explained that the Fire Department is already <br /> under contract with the State, therefore their operations were conducted under that agreement. Ms. Sako <br /> clarified that in the budget ordinance, all of the grants contain provisions, referring to the language <br /> where the Mayor can enter into an agreement with the State and Federal agencies for grants that are <br /> included in the budget. <br /> Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked that if the County accepts these funds, what liabilities would be placed <br /> on the County and the Council since the Council has not seen the agreement? Mr. Kamelamela stated <br /> the agreement has already been signed and also explained there was a prior resolution dealing with a <br /> lease agreement that came before the Council, and now the current resolution is to validate that <br /> agreement. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed his confusion on how the $10 million is being spent in <br /> response to the protest activities when there are so many other things that need addressing on this island, <br /> such as roads and other County and State projects. <br /> FC Report No. 88 <br />