2014-07-17 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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· Each department was their own policy so there is nothing across the board in terms of how many vehicles are out, if employees are allowed to take them and how they can be used while they are at work. Ms. Kelly asked if people take home an electronic vehicle, do they have to install a charger at home and who is going to pay for that. Ms. Kierkiewicz doesn’t think electric vehicles can be taken home. Ms. Maddox understands the electronic vehicles in West Hawai‘i is a vehicle pool and are available for employees to use during the course of their work day for County related business. Mr. Mitchell commented it is not intended to be taken home. Ms. Kelly stated at a recent blessing at Mauna Lani shops, the head of the Electric Association for the Big Island was saying there isn’t enough charging stations because the island is so big and an electric vehicle could not go around the island because there is not enough charge stations to make sure a vehicle can go around the island. If the County was to have a pool of electric vehicles, would they be running out of charge for not being able to fuel because there are not enough charging stations? Mr. Mitchell said that was a great question; the electric cars can only go about 30 miles on a full charge. He said the good news is the charging stations are being paid for by grants; the charging station at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center was paid via grant by Better Place, Inc. Two vehicles can be charged at a time and it take 3 ½ hours to charge. Mr. Mitchell agrees that the County needs to get more grants for more charging stations. Ms. Kelly asked that if the County is being more proactive on the electric vehicle pool, it would be wise to have a study that for so many miles to have a charge station in different County buildings. Mr. Mitchell stated the Better Place, Inc. got a chunk of money and looking to help not only our island but other islands. Mr. Mitchells agrees with Ms. Kelly that the County will need more charging stations. Mr. Espejo asked what a County employee does for the 3 ½ hours while the car is being charged. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that’s a good question; she thinks if the Commission is going to suggest the County invest in more charging stations, it should be the 3S because those charges a car in less than an hour but the investment is very significant, $60,000 per charger. Ms. Maddox stated that’s probably a question for Will Rolston, the County’s Energy Coordinator. She does not think it’s the Commission’s kuleana to be able to talk about that kind of cost benefit analysis and how it plays into any plans the County may or may not have. Mr. Mitchell commented the federal government didn’t start buying electric cars until 2011, they bought 116, Kauai bought some in 2010 so this is still really new; Hawai‘i County is sort of at the forefront, the public can charge their cars for free during regular business hours. Ms. Kierkiewicz and Ms. Maddox reported the following on overtime issues: · Recognizes there are overtime issues. They meet with a Personnel Review Committee every week to discuss and figure out next steps or ways to cut back. 7