21-04-28 EMC minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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increasing it to more than $5,000. The problem is when you don’t have any money and there’s a 50 percentmatch, that does cause a problem. We arestill going to be pursuing those to see where we can come up with the matching funds. We use our staff time so we might be able to cover our match using our staff time for that, maybe even volunteer time. We are definitely pursing those and more than just those two programs. We are looking to try to fill some of the funding holes that we have and we are looking for other grants too, not just that one. Chair Adams said she was glad to hear we are going after that. If anyone is working with organizations, the web link (in the agenda) may be provided to non-governmental organizations as well. The deadline is May 18, so work fast. iii. Future venues for EMC meetings – whether to continue virtual meetings or resume in-person meetings in Hilo/Kailua-Kona. Chair Adams asked whether it is OK to keep having virtual meetings. The discussion from the last meeting was yes, we all like the fact that we don’t have to drive across the island. It sounds like things might be loosening up relative to COVID-19. But have we heard of any official rule that allows us to continue holding virtual Commission meetings? Deputy Counsel Hall said the Commission can continue conducting virtual meetings, as it has become the norm across most boards and commissions in the County. Chair Adams noted by way of background for the new commissioners that because this is the “Big Island,” the discussion in the previous meeting determined we all appreciate not having to drive more than an hour to go a meeting, and would continue this. She said it’s great for having more opportunities for the public to listen in on the meetings. As far as she was concerned, we should still do this. However at some point, post-pandemic, we should get together just to get together, because there are advantages to bonding as a group. For now, she is glad to keep meeting via Zoom. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE www.hawaiicounty.gov>Our County> County Calendar> (Meeting date). Director Mansour started by thanking Vice Chair Gaffney and Commissioner Fulton for their meeting, and for reaching out for discussion. He thanked Commissioner Burns for meeting with Solid Waste Division staff to understand our business to get a better focus on our needs. He asked Commissioner Cardwell to let us know when she wants to visit the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. As far as some of the comments that were given at the beginning regarding the Endangered Species Act are concerned, we could look into it about the animal take. We will look at Section 10 to see how that will be impacted. To Commissioner Olson, regarding the abandoned vehicle issue, please continue working with Chief Goodale to figure out a way, he said. Deputy Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses was committed to do more about the abandoned oing to be able to come with something that can take care of these issues. The beautification project is under Public Works, but they also 16