2006-06-15 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

Home

Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 June 15, 2006 Chairman Highley read an email Ralph Morita of DAGS sent to Vice Chairman Stevens: Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), Public Works Division Staff provide technical support assistance for the implementation of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funded work at all the State Veteran Cemetery facilities. All requests including West Hawaii Cemetery Improvement Projects need to be coordinated through the State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Office of Veterans Services. In accordance with the primary concerns raised by the West Hawaii (Kona) Veterans Council Advisory Board members during the field meeting on April 20th, there is an immediate need for installation of additional "grave liners ", because the existing soil is non - cohesive and do not jeopardize any of the available project funds. DOD and DAGS staff expedited coordination work for West Hawaii (Kona) Veterans Cemetery Improvement Projects that provided the "best use" of $300,000 total in current available state funds that lapse on June 30th and the 1.2 million in federal funds from the US Veterans Administration accordingly. West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Phase II -A DAGS Job No. 11 -14 -7244 which is for the installation of grave liners is out to bid and will encumber about $150,000 in lapsing state construction funds by June 30th Chairman Highley said that means grave liner project is already out to bid which means that the design is the original plan. Stopping that now would lapse the funds and it would be lost which is Representative Cindy Evans concern. West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Phase II -B Job No. 11 -14 -7244 which involves planning work for development of a revised master plan document based on plans with feedback from DOD, DAGS and the West Hawaii Veterans Council Advisory Board that USVA staff supports /approves the design for design work permit for long term CIP funded improvement projects to be constructed using the 1.2 million dollars available federal grant funds from the USVA. It also noted the request to relocate the additional grave liners to be installed under DAGS cannot be accommodated at this time because proposed changes to the existing master plan document which was previously approved will have to wait until work on the revised master plan document is completed. The bidding process will have to be terminated and termination will cause about $150,000 in available state funds to lapse. Chairman Highley shared at the Kona meeting held with state representatives, Mr. Morita offered their West Hawaii non - profit group to apply for a grants -in -aid. Vice Chairman Stevens wrote emails on April 25th and June 6th to Mr. Morita to get more info on grants