HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2020-05-21 2018-2020 SPECIAL Hawaii County Council
Special Meeting
41st Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
May 21, 2020
INVOCATION: Reverend Katlin McCallister from the Church of the Holy Apostles gave the
morning's invocation.
CALL TO The special meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at
ORDER: 9:05 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Karen Eoff, Acting Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chair(came in later)
Ms. Karen Eoff, Vice Chair(via videoconference from Kona)
Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member (via videoconference from Kona)
Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member
Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member
Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona)
PLEDGE OF At this time, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder led the Council in the Pledge of
ALLEGIANCE: Allegiance.
STATEMENTS At this time, the Acting Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of
FROM THE business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to provide comment in regards to Bill 144,
and came forward when called by the Acting Chair:
Michelle Meleadez: Bill 144 (Comm. 774).
Robert Johnson: Bill 144 (Comm. 774).
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, if there are no other testifiers, we can go ahead and
close statements from the public and move on to our agenda items. Okay,
Mr. Clerk, Order of Resolutions. Resolution 644-20.
Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
ORDER OF The Acting Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
Res. 644-20: AMENDS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED CONTINGENCY RELIEF FUND
TRANSFERS DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY
AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT PERIOD BEYOND
THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR
Extends the contract period for previously received contingency relief funds to
allow services pertaining to canceled events and activities to be provided after
June 30, 2020.
Reference: Comm. 945
Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to adopt Res. 644-20. Seconded by
Ms. Villegas
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Yes, thank you very much. This resolution is being brought
forward by the department because there have been contingency relief funds that
did not occur or could not be expended prior to our fiscal year ending June 2020.
So as a result, they're allowing the contract terms to be extended beyond the fiscal
year term from June 30, 2020 to June 20, 2021. This is providing that the funding
has not been redirected prior to June 15''.
So, I believe Director Sako is in Hilo if any of the Council Members have
questions. And I guess this is for Council Members who may have had
contingencies that were not able to successfully give it away. So, Director Sako if
you need to clarify or add something to that, feel free. I yield.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Thank you. Council Members, do you have any
questions? Go ahead, Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, thank you, Chair. I just wanted to thank the
Administration and the Director for putting this forth, because this was part of the
conversation we had earlier the days blend together. But the concern for our
contingency. So thank you, I yield.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you, anybody else?
MR. HENRICKS: No one else at this time, Madam Chair.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, then may I take a vote on Resolution 644-20? All
in favor, please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Res. 644-20: The motion to adopt Res. 644-20 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Acting Chair Eoff—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Chung— 1
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, moving on to Bill 143. Mr. Clerk, can you please
read in Bill 143, Communication 775.1, and Bill 143, Draft 2.
MR. HENRICKS: Sure, before I do, I just wanted to say, as part of the process,
because we don't have a lot of people in this room right now, I think that if we get
to a point where there's any Council Members who would like to have County
personnel, directors, administrators, available for questioning and discussion we
can perhaps lay something on the table or take a recess and then summon them.
So I just wanted to share that as part of a protocol for today so that we don't
sacrifice the opportunity to have discussions with County personnel,
administrators. So we'll have that in place and we have—we don't actually have
people on standby but we'll find them and we'll work our way through the agenda
that way. Acceptable?
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Very good, thank you. Okay, thank you, Mr. Clerk.
BILLS FOR The Acting Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
ORDINANCES Bills for Ordinances (First Reading).
(FIRST READING):
Bill 143: RELATES TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020, TO JUNE 30, 2021
From Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 1, 2020, transmitting the proposed Capital
Budget for FY 2020-2021, and the Capital Improvements Program for the next six
years from Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to 2025-2026,which includes 37 projects
requiring a total appropriation of$175.7 million. Approximately $159.2 million
are intended to be funded in whole or part by bonds, and $16.5 million to be
funded by the State Revolving Loan Fund or State Capital Improvement Projects.
Reference: Comm. 775
Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R)
and
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Comm. 775.1: From Mayor Harry Kim, dated May 5, 2020, transmitting Bill 143, Draft 2, which
adds 5 projects, for a total of 42 projects and the $72.1 million increase in
appropriations over the first draft.
; and
Bill 143: RELATES TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF
(Draft 2) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020, TO JUNE 30, 2021
Draft 2 of the proposed Capital Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021
requires a total appropriation of$247.8 million, of which approximately
$186.8 million are intended to be funded in whole or part by bonds, $16.5 million
are to be funded by the State Revolving Loan Fund or State Capital Improvement
Projects, $44.5 million are to be funded by federal funds.
Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to pass Bill 143 on first reading.
Seconded by Ms. Villegas
ACTING CHR. EOFF: I would just like to state that, pursuant to Article 10,
Section 10-2 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Mayor has submitted an
amended Capital Budget to the Council on May 5h, 2020. Just a reminder that we
have to amend Draft 1 with the Mayor's proposed Draft 2 before we can discuss
any of these amendments. So, I'm going to ask if there is any discussion on
Draft 1 before we go ahead and ask for the motion to amend it with Draft 2.
MR. HENRICKS: None on this side, Madam Chair.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you, and there's none on this side. So
Ms. David, may I have a motion to amend Bill 143 with the proposed Draft 2, as
submitted by the Mayor via Communication No. 775.1.
Motion to Amend: Ms. David moved to amend Bill 143 to Draft 2, as
circulated. Seconded by Ms. Villegas.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, then we do have several communications, which
propose amendments to Draft 2.
MR. HENRICKS: I believe we should call for the vote at this time to amend to
Draft 2 before we take in further amendments.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, may I take a vote on amending with Draft 2? All
in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 143, to Draft 2, as was
to Amend: circulated, carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Acting Chair Eoff–8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Chung– 1.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Now we can move to these amendments. I believe,
Ms. Lee Loy, the first communication is 772.2.
MR. HENRICKS: Yeah, Madam Chair, this is the Clerk. I'll go ahead and read
each one in and the Council Member who introduced the amendment will go
ahead and make the motion to amend Draft 2 with their communications. And I'll
just—for your information, Mr. Chung is now with us.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, then I'll hand it back over to the Chair. Thank
you.
MR. CHUNG: Karen, why don't you just continue for a little while until I get my
bearing here? Thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay. Then, Mr. Clerk, could you please read in
Communication 775.2?
Comm. 775.2: From Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy, dated May 7, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 1) proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's
Lili`uokalani Gardens Renovations project in the amount of$1 million.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Lee Loy moved to amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
contents of Comm. 775.2. Seconded by Mr. Richards.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Lee Loy, go ahead.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. This is just a re-appropriation from previous
years, and I ask for everyone's support.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Any more discussion? Hearing none, then all in favor
please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the contents of
to Amend: Comm. 775.2 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carried. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.3: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 11, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 2) proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's
Kaiwiki Park Improvements project in the amount of$1.7 million.
Motion to Ms. Poindexter moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.3. Seconded by
Ms. David.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Go ahead, Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, it's a re-appropriation, because it was going to lapse,
so putting it back on to our wish list. Thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
then all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.3 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Comm. 775.4: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 11, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 3) proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's
Honoka`a Gym Floor Improvements project in the amount of$300,000.
Motion to Ms. Poindexter moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.4. Seconded by
Mr. Richards.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Just re-appropriation of this one again. Thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
then all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.4 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.5: From Council Member Rebecca Villegas, dated May 12, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 4) proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's
Kahalu`u Beach Park Improvements project in the amount of$600,000.
Motion to Ms. Villegas moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.5. Seconded by
Ms. David.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Villegas, any discussion?
MS. POINDEXTER: This is just a reallocation and making sure that this project
remains on the Capital Budget wish list. And with the resurgence of the reef
ecosystems at Kahalu`u right now, it would be really wonderful to be able to
allocate these resources and complete that project. Bring it to fruition. So, thank
you for your continued support.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
then all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.5 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.6: From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated May 13, 2020,
(Memo No. 5) transmitting a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation
Department's Kikala-Ke6kea New Park Development project in the amount of
$1.5 million.
Motion to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to further amend Bill 143,
Further Amend: Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 775.6. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, any discussion?
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: This is a re-appropriation from an existing
appropriation. This would be a much needed facility on the Puna side of the
island, especially after the eruption and I look for your support. Thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Thank you. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in
favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.6 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.7: From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated May 13, 2020,
(Memo No. 6) transmitting a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Public Works
Department's Puna Roads Repair and Maintenance project in the amount of
$12,120,000.
Motion to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to further amend Bill 143,
Further Amend: Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 775.7. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Discussion.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Again, a re-appropriation for Puna roads and
repair. It couldn't be more transparent than that, and incredibly needed in my
district.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. All in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.7 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.8: From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated May 13, 2020,
(Memo No. 7) transmitting a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Public Works
Department's Modification and Relocation of Puna Water Spigot Stations project
in the amount of$600,000.
Motion to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to further amend Bill 143,
Further Amend: Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 775.8. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: And discussion?
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I ask for your support,please.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in
favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.8 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.9: From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated May 13, 2020,
(Memo No. 8) transmitting a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Public Works
Department's Puna Inner-Connectivity and Emergency Access Routes project in
the amount of$20 million.
Motion to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to further amend Bill 143,
Further Amend: Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 775.9. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Go ahead, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I find this to be an incredibly important
appropriation due to the need for connectivity between the subdivisions in my
community and across the island really. But I would love to see some movement
on any of these projects. Mahalo.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
all in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.9 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk.
Comm. 775.10: From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated May 13, 2020,
(Memo No. 9) transmitting a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Public Works
Department's Puna Streetlight Installation and Repairs project in the amount of
$150,000.
Motion to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to further amend Bill 143,
Further Amend: Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 775.10. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Go ahead, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: A re-appropriation. I look for your support.
This is for Districts 4 and 5. Mahalo.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. All in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.10 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carried. Mr. Clerk, Memo 10.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Comm. 775.11: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 13, 2020, transmitting
(Memo No. 10) a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Public Works Department's
Laupahoehoe Point Access Road Improvements project in the amount of
$2.3 million.
Motion to Ms. Poindexter moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.11. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Just ask for your support for the re-appropriation.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
then all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.11 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Memo 11.
Comm. 775.12: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 13, 2020, transmitting
(Memo No. 11) a proposed amendment to re-appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's
Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp Improvements project in the amount of$2 million.
Motion to Ms. Poindexter moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.12. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Any discussion?
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, I just ask for your support, but I also want to ask
Administration to seriously think about the improvements on that boat ramp.
That community and other people who use it around the island, because a lot of
our beach parks are closed, a lot of people are now coming to Laupahoehoe Point
and that boat ramp is very dangerous. So I'm hoping that this year
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Administration will consider putting some improvements into an area that is
inundated with people from around the island and also with visitors. So I ask for
your support. Thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Hearing none,
then all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.12 was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. And Council Members we have, I
believe, two additional amendments to the Capital Budget. So I'm going to ask
the Clerk to read (Comm.) 775.13.
(Note: Comm. 775.13 and 774.14, transmitting proposed amendments to
Bill 143, Draft 2, were circulated.)
Comm. 775.13: From Council Member Maile David, dated May 19, 2020, transmitting
(Memo No. 12) a proposed amendment to appropriate the Civil Defense Land Mobile Radio
(LMR)project in the amount of$2 million.
Motion to Ms. David moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.13. Seconded by
Ms. Villegas.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Any discussion?
MS. DAVID: Yes, I believe Director Sako, could you please come and give us a
brief explanation of this Capital Improvement amendment? Thank you.
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MS. SAKO: Thank you for moving to amend. This is part of a much bigger
project. The Land Mobile Radio Upgrade that Civil Defense has been working on
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
for several years now. This is the last portion of it. It's actually a
re-appropriation to complete the repairs on the last three remaining towers. And
we realized just at the last minute that it was lapsing on June 30''.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you Ms. Sako. Any questions or comments?
Hearing none, all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.13, was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. Mr. Clerk, Communication 775.14.
Comm. 775.14: From Council Member Maile David, dated May 19, 2020, transmitting
(Memo No. 13) a proposed amendment to appropriate the Civil Defense Microwave System
Replacement project in the amount of$4 million.
Motion to Ms. David moved to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2,
Further Amend: with the contents of Comm. 775.14. Seconded by
Ms. Villegas.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Yes, and I believe Ms. Sako, is this another re-appropriation for
Civil Defense.
MS. SAKO: Yes, it is. This one is a little bit different. We replaced the
microwave system about 15 to 20 years ago. And every about 15 years it has to
be the system itself has to be replaced. And so, we're expecting it to be about
$3.5 million. So in case it's a little more, we just want to appropriate $4 million.
MS. DAVID: Okay, I just have one more. What is microwave? What's the
microwave replacement system?
MS. SAKO: It's the current communication system.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. DAVID: Alright. Great, thank you.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Any other questions?
MR. HENRICKS: Madam Chair, Ms. Kierkiewicz would like the floor.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Quick question, Deanna. You talked
about replacement. Does this money also include expansion in areas where we
might find some gaps in communication?
MS. SAKO: That part is actually under the Land Mobile Radio upgrade. It's all
kind of part of the big system.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay,perfect. I mean, I think that's critical. When I did a
ride-along with our firefighters in the Puna district, there were many pockets of
the region that we visited that had absolutely no coverage. And it's so direly
needed. So thank you for making this a priority. Chair, I yield.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other questions? Okay, hearing
none all in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 143, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 775.14, was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries. I believe that is the last amendment that
I'm aware of to Bill 143, Draft 2. So now we're back on the main motion,
Bill 143 as amended to Draft 2 and then further amended with all of those
previous memos. So we'll take a vote, all in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Bill 143: The motion to pass Bill 143, Draft 2, as amended to Draft 3,
Draft 3 on first reading was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Acting Chair Eoff—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Motion carries and Bill 143 is now amended to Draft 3
and passes first reading. Mr. Chair would you like to take over now?
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I'll take over the operating budget.
ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you.
Relinquish Chair: At this time, the Acting Chair Eoff relinquished the chair to Chair Chung.
CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Clerk.
Bill 144: ESTABLISHES AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020, TO JUNE 30, 2021
From Mayor Harry Kim, dated February 28, 2020,transmitting for consideration
the proposed Operating Budget for the County of Hawaii for the Fiscal Year
ending June 30, 2021. This balanced budget includes estimated revenues and
appropriations of$625,941,676; which represents a proposed 6.9 percent increase
compared to the 2019-2020 fiscal year Operating Budget.
Reference: Comm. 774
Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R)
and
Comm. 774.3: From Council Member Mailed David, dated April 13, 2020, transmitting
responses received from each County Department regarding the 2020
Departmental Budget and Program Review written questions, requested via
Communication 774.2 dated March 31, 2020.
; and
Comm. 774.4: From Mayor Harry Kim, dated May 5, 2020, transmitting Bill 144, Draft 2.
Draft 2 reflects a decrease in estimated revenues and appropriations of
$40,853,048 from the first draft due to the current economic downswing related
to COVID-19.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
; and
Bill 144: ESTABLISHES AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF
(Draft 2) HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020, TO JUNE 30, 2021
Draft 2 of the proposed Operating Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2021, includes estimated revenues and appropriations of$585,088,628, for a
6.5 percent decrease from the first draft.
Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to pass Bill 144 on first reading.
Seconded by Ms. Villegas.
CHR. CHUNG: You know, I'm going to read something. "Pursuant to
Article 10, Section 10-2 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Mayor had submitted
an amended Operating Budget to the Council on May 5, 2020." So, it's just a
reminder that we have to amend Draft 1 with the Mayor's proposed Draft 2 before
we can discuss any amendments.
So, any discussion on Draft 1 before we amend with Draft 2? There being none,
Ms. David, may I have a motion to amend Bill 144 with the proposed Draft 2, as
submitted by the Mayor via Communication 774.4?
Motion to Amend: Ms. David moved to amend Bill 144 to Draft 2, as
circulated. Seconded by Ms. Villegas.
CHR. CHUNG: Now I have a question. I understood that the Mayor—should we
just wait or take a recess? Why don't we take a very short recess?
MR. HENRICKS: Could we—it'll be good to you can call the vote on this
amendment so that will get us basicallyI believe, right?
CHR. CHUNG: Yeah, why don't we take the vote on this Draft 2, right? We
have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 144 to Draft 2, as circulated, was
to Amend: carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Chair Chung–9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. CHUNG: Yes?
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MR. RICHARDS: I was just going to ask about the PowerPoint? Is that
forthcoming?
MR. HENRICKS: Yeah, we are set up for that as well.
MR. RICHARDS: Okay, thank you.
CHR. CHUNG: Should we just take a recess? Okay.
Recess: At 9:43 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:50 a.m.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, I'm going to call this meeting out of recess. This morning
we have Mayor Kim, who'd like to address the Council before we act on the
Operating Budget. Mayor Kim, good morning. Yes, go ahead.
(Note: At this time, Mayor Harry Kim came forward to address the
members of the Council.)
MAYOR KIM: Thank you very much. A little winded this morning. Just for one
minute of your time in regards to, you're going to hear shortly, if you didn't hear
already. We had some increases in the COVID-19 cases for Hawaii Island. Not
too many days ago we were zero active, and today we're at five. So several
meetings to explain where it came from and why, and make sure that all of
people, you know, respond accordingly.
What we wanted to communicate was that these five, to learn from, was almost all
family-oriented connection, emphasizing importance of, you know,practicing
prevention. And the purpose of that was to make sure that the public didn't feel
that great increase was out there, not knowing where it came from
CHR. CHUNG: Mayor since you brought it up because people going to ask
anyway, how many more cases?
MAYOR KIM: We had three.
CHR. CHUNG: Today? And it's from the cluster in Waikoloa?
MAYOR KIM: Partly.
CHR. CHUNG: Partly? Where?
MAYOR KIM: Yeah, two of them.
CHR. CHUNG: And the other one, where?
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MAYOR KIM: In Hilo.
CHR. CHUNG: Related to any other
MAYOR KIM: No, it was related to travel.
MS. VILLEGAS: Chair Chung? We can't hear over here at all. Is there any
chance we could increase the volume? My apologies for interrupting.
CHR. CHUNG: Oh, I'm sorry. Mayor, your mic isn't on. Oh, it was on? Maybe
just pull it closer to you.
MAYOR KIM: Okay. I'm sorry.
CHR. CHUNG: So it was one in Hilo and two in the Waikoloa cluster?
MAYOR KIM: Right.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay. Alright, thank you.
MAYOR KIM: I just wanted to ensure the public that, you know, the system of
identifying, isolation and control is there and this is not something that was
overnight widespread in the public. This was travel related and family related
connection-type.
CHR. CHUNG: The people are going to ask, right? The travel related, where
was the travel?
MAYOR KIM: In furthering the answer right now—I'll answer the question but I
just wanted to qualify—we avoid mentioning names, places, things like that.
Even districts we try to avoid because too many conclusions. Anyway, the one in
Hilo was a person who was travel related, worked on the mainland and then came
back from a short trip to LA.
CHR. CHUNG: But now in quarantine, right?
MAYOR KIM: Yeah.
CHR. CHUNG: Yeah, okay.
MAYOR KIM: And I think—maybe I'll put this out because it's always public,
there was a young child, and that young child was a sibling of, but that person is
well on the way to recovery and I think by day's end, I was told this morning, that
the boy should be cleared.
CHR. CHUNG: Good. Terrific. Thank you, Mayor. Go ahead.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MAYOR KIM: Thank you very much for this opportunity. This budget is a
much different one. I thank you, the Council, for bearing with us in so many
last-minute changes and even at this point uncertainty. Uncertainty that people
are looking forward to not only Hawaii County obviously, but the United States
governments of county—local and State government, as far as was there going to
be any funding coming forth from the federal Government known as COVID-4
Funding. We were told recently, meaning in the past week or so, the latest
information we have as I think most of you know all of this,just to repeat it that
there is a proposal to Congress at this point known as COVID-4, and at this time
it is something the House had passed and going to Senate review, and naturally
not naturally, but there will be a lot of discussion on it.
The question that was asked, and answered this for the question asked, was when
will we know? And the answer was at that time the best they could say is maybe
June and maybe July. The amount was not even discussed because that is so
flexible on the settlement.
Our fingers are crossed, I think everybody in the 50 states across, that Congress
will pass something because as you all know all of the funding that had been
passed by Congress had been directed towards people of the so-called private
sector and nonprofit sector. This will be the first federal passage in regards to a
possible Act in regards to funding government sector. So we're anxiously
awaiting that. We all know about what the Governor had proposed of possible
ways of meeting the cut, and everything is on hold until further notice, I guess, so
to speak.
So in regards to this budget, we covered it this morning to make sure I don't say
anything misleading that in the event something is passed, in the event that it does
come forth to county benefit, and therefore we can use that money for operational
costs, naturally we will come back to you with an amended budget proposal.
Hopefully this, what the Department of Finance, you know, there is very good
coverage in regards to where we were and the steps forward to where we are
today. I wish the budget was different in the sense of we had to raise taxes, but
after discussion I think, and which we appreciate the Council's approval, you
know, that this was the best way to do the most good with the least harm to
individuals. So I'll be glad to answer any questions that you may have on this
budget proposal.
CHR. CHUNG: In case we don't have any questions right now, are you going to
be hanging around or do you have to go back to your office?
MAYOR KIM: I'll hang around for a while, but I'll be connected with the
internet. All you have to say on the mic and we'll be monitoring it, and I'll come
right down.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, alright. Does anyone have a question for the Mayor right
now? Kona? Anybody?
MS. EOFF: I don't think so. Not just yet. Thank you.
MR. RICHARDS: Chair?
CHR. CHUNG: Yes, Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Thanks, Chair; and thanks, Mayor, for coming back in. I
appreciate the work on the budget. This is going to be a question for Deanna, but
I think I'll just set the stage, and maybe, Chair, not so much pose a question. In
these national calls I've been sitting on for NACo (National Association of
Counties), and listening to other jurisdictions, I'm getting a sensing of a
20-percent decrease as a pretty realistic number for all incomes across the
jurisdictions. When I look at this, it's about seven percent. So I'm going to be
asking that question forthcoming, Deanna and Mayor. So I want to put it out
there so as you're maybe going through the presentation, Deanna, whoever's
giving us the PowerPoint, I just wanted to set the stage so you had some time to
think on that. Chair, I yield at this point.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay. So we have a PowerPoint presentation? Go ahead,
Deanna.
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MS. SAKO: Good morning, everyone. Hopefully you have copies in your
packets. So Ted prepared a PowerPoint for us and so we'll get started. This is
about the amended budget. You know, we did turn in a budget on February 281'
and a lot changed since then.
(Note: At this time, Ms. Sako provided a PowerPoint presentation to the
Council. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the
proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or view online at
www.p awai:icoun,ty...gr i_Cel�;.� r l. A copy of the PowerPoint is made a
part of the record. See Comm. 774.9.)
MS. SAKO: So you know, the Administration did our best to balance the budget.
We've submitted that to you, and we're happy to answer any questions.
CHR. CHUNG: Thank you, Deanna. Any questions right now? Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Deanna. Okay, so coming back to the question I
posed early on. In listening to other jurisdictions, the sensing I'm getting is
somewhere between 15 and 20 percent anticipated decrease in revenue, and this is
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
a reflection of probably about seven percent, in that ballpark. So it would appear
that we're going to have to double the cuts we have. What is the thought process
going forward, and I think we've been through a similar situation back in the
financial crisis of 2008-2009, going through that. What was done then and has
that been looked at as a possible roadmap for the current situation we're in now?
MS. SAKO: So that was looked at and we did pretty much all the same things.
We had some options available back then that we no longer have available to us
today. I believe we deferred some of the PONC payments (Public Access, Open
Space and Natural Resources Fund), and didn't make them a couple of those
years. That's not an option anymore because contribution is mandated by Charter
right now. So that's roughly $7 million that we're not able to reduce that we were
able to in the past. We unfunded positions back then. A lot of those positions
were never actually funded again, so departments are already working at a
reduced staffing level. Furloughs were actuallyI think it probably just the
timing of the crisis, but furloughs had already been discussed and negotiated with
the unions by the time everyone had to set their budgets. Due to the timing, that
hasn't happened yet. So I'm not saying that discussions aren't under way, but
that's not an option to us right now. So we did look at those things.
But when we looked at the revenue, you know, we're kind of fortunate in that
GET (General Excise Tax) we do believe is going to drop 25 percent, but that's in
a separate fund that is primarily funding Mass Transit right now. And then
transportation projects. So we were able to reduce the transportation projects and
just decide to do fewer. We're also hopeful that a stimulus package might be
coming as well, so they working to have shovel-ready projects.
Fuel tax has seen some significant decreases, it's not at the 20 percent level.
April will probably be a better determinant of that. But we looked at each month,
you know, for the current year as well as the next year. We reduced fund balance
for Highway Fund significantly because we didn't believe that they would be able
to realize that fund balance. In the special funds, we actually look at the fund
balance as of June 30, 2010, and that's normally what we budget. Highway Fund
has roughly $10 million in fund balance; however,because fuel tax is going to be
down, weight tax may be down a little bit and all of those things, we don't believe
that's a realistic fund balance number. So we reduced that because we don't them
to end up with negative fund balance. You basically cannot budget more than you
have. So Highway Fund also took significant hits to fuel tax and all their
revenues.
So that leaves us with General Fund, and real property tax is our main revenue for
it. There's a portion of people's taxes that come through the financial institutions.
You know, they pay it as part of their escrow payment to the bank, as part of their
mortgage. So we believe that the banks and financial institutions have already
collected the majority of those payments, and will be able to pay in full come
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
August 20'h partly. Even if they haven't collected on all of those they will make
good on it because they want to be the holder of those receivables. They don't
want us to be the ones to foreclose. And that's historically how that's worked.
Many other people are used to paying both the whole year's taxes in August.
So we had our staff sit down and analyze what they thought the collections would
be. They realistically came up with a ten percent decrease that they believe
people won't be able to pay. We ended up using eight percent just as we're trying
to balance the budget and see. In reality, we don't know what it's going to be.
We have nothing to compare it to. We did not have a significant uncollectable
issue back at the last time the market dropped, so we didn't really take that into
account. This time we are. We did not have the unemployment rates that we
have now back then. So last time we actually didn't reduce real property tax
collections, we looked at other things. So this time we actually took into account
an eight percent reduction.
So I realize other jurisdictions may be impacting or expecting 20 percent, but
everybody's tax system and structure is different as well.
MR. RICHARDS: And I do appreciate that. Our County GDP (Gross Domestic
Product), don't worry about the State, and you and I have discussed this, is
somewhere around $8.5 billion, and we know $3 billion comes out of tourism.
And for the month of May, it's probably in the $200,000. So substantial
downturn. Some of your projections if I'm understanding correctly are predicated
on the fact that the economy is kind of starting to spool back up again. So I
thinkI want to hear some conversations, and Mayor, probably you may want to
weigh in on this, as far as what we're going to do with our economy. Because
without getting the economy started, you talk about the tax collection, but if
people don't have cash to pay their taxes, they're not going to pay it.
I also understand that there are some projections where delaying tax collections
till later in the fiscal year to help people out with the cash flow, because there's no
point in penalizing for someone who doesn't have the cash to do it.
MS. SAKO: We have talked about that part, and waiving penalties and interest
for at least like the first month. But back when we were talking about it, no one
really knew when the State would be kind of basically reopening for business. So
that continues to be a point of discussion.
MR. RICHARDS: But we're going to have to come up with more than a point of
discussion because we have a looming date to come up with a plan.
MS. SAKO: Like I said, I think some of the organizations will pay the taxes on
August 20'', but we believe some will not be able to. So we have already said we
will waive taxes—or not taxes, sorry wrong word. Penalties and interest for
30 days.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MR. RICHARDS: You just got a lot of people happy right there.
MS. SAKO: I know. For 30 days, into September. If we need to extend that
longer, that's the part that's still a point of discussion. If we need to go beyond
30 days.
MR. RICHARDS: Okay. You know Chair, I'm going to yield right now so other
Council Members can join in. Thanks, Deanna. I don't think we've cut enough
right now. I'd rather cut now and re-appropriate later, rather than cut later. So I
yield.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else have a question before we go on to the
amendments? Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Hi Deanna. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor.
Are there any proposed increases to different rates? You know, like we have
some rates we charge as a County. You gave us a beautiful list, thank you. But
do we have any proposed rates that are coming up that we can defer for the time
being. One man called and asked me if he could defer the proposed tipping fee
rate increase that we had. I think that's a small gesture that our County could do
just to help kind of limit the financial burden on the general public right now.
So I believe both sewer fees and tipping fees were an incremental increase that
was adopted. I'm not sure if there were others. The budget's not based on
deferring those, but you know, you could talk to DEM (Department of
Environmental Management) to determine. They would have to cut additional
amounts, and their funds, especially Solid Waste Fund, is pretty tight already. So
if you were to reduce that, General Fund would probably have to increase the
subsidy.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah, I saw that. Yeah, I don't think we're
talking about huge amounts of funding, but it helps the general public through
these times. So I need to discuss that with DEM and—well DEM in that case.
MS. SAKO: I'd need DEM to tell us what the incremental amount would be, and
hopefully, I believe they're the same. Because I don't remember what the amount
of the increase on the tipping fees was, although I might be able to because they
cut a substantial amount out of their budget, and so we would probably have to
give it back to them in a General Fund subsidy. So the landfill tipping fees are
expected to increase by $300,000. So if the Council were to amend the ordinance,
I mean that's how that would happen, you know, because right now the law says
that, you know, to go up whatever date, July 1st or whatnot. So, but that would be
$300,000. That would either have to be cut from the Solid Waste budget or
Transfer from General Fund.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, so amendment, but has the
Administration discussed any changes like that?
MS. SAKO: No, those are some of the fees that, you know, hadn't been increased
in a really long time. So I think we just felt like we were still catching up to what
normal might be, obviously not knowing that COVID-19 would becoming up. I
was trying to check on sewer fees. I think those are more substantial.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So a deferment until a later period could be
beneficial to the public and would allow us to implement that change later in the
fiscal year, which would still give us the funds later on in the year, but just not
right now as we develop the budget. So that could be an option, then.
MS. SAKO: It could be an option, but they still need a balanced budget, so
whatever we do has to be supported by the budget. So either they need tipping
fee revenues or they need increase from General Fund, or they have to cut.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. thank you, Deanna.
CHR. CHUNG: Sue Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Deanna, I'm going to walk back a little bit to
that revenue piece where you mentioned, you know, a lot of our properties are
owned by banks, right? What is that percentage in this larger pie?
MS. SAKO: I don't have that in front of me. I didn't bring it. But it's not like
half or anything like that. But I want to say maybe it was like a quarter of our
collections.
MS. LEE LOY: Okay. And then others who self-pay, right? So I'm trying to—if
you could get that to me, because
MS. SAKO: Well, everybody else self pays.
MS. LEE LOY: Self pays, right. Because then the defer of penalties and interest,
I kind of want to know what percentage of that General Fund, if we were to defer
penalties and interest, what that would look like.
MS. SAKO: So when we initially looked at the deferring penalties and interest or
even delaying the payment date, we were looking at cash flow. And when we did
those calculations, we were unaware that we would be getting $80 million
through the State from the CARES Act. So that hadn't happened yet. We
actually were pleasantly surprised that they would be passing through some of
those funds, because we thought the State needed it to balance their own budget
and, you know, pay unemployment. So we could defer the penalties and interest a
little bit longer now, given that we probably would have the cash flow.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. LEE LOY: So my follow up to that is the PONC fund. Reading the Charter,
it says, "Two percent of the certified real property tax revenues, including
penalties and interest." So how does that integrate if we're deferring penalties
and interest? Is that going to be a ?
MS. SAKO: We always transfer on the actual amount collected, so that's why
sometimes at the end of the year if our collections are higher we have to actually
come back in and ask you guys to appropriate more. So whatever the actual
collections are is what the actual transfers will be.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Chair, I yield.
CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: That's alright.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay. Anyone from Kona want to make a comment, ask a
question?
MS. EOFF: Yes.
CHR. CHUNG: Karen, go ahead.
MS. EOFF: Thank you. Hi. Thank you, Ms. Sako. The Mayor alluded to the
Congress discussion right now about the 4th CARES Act, that some of that money
we might be able to use for counties like ours to help catch holes in our budget.
Like you said, the dates, it may not be likely to happen or we might not get an
answer soon enough to use it in this exercise of balancing this budget, but could
you just go over ? I wanted to clarify how it would work if we were informed
of flexibility in the usage of that money after we go through this exercise. How
would you address that going forward, when it is available?
MAYOR KIM: As soon as we receive any kind of confirmation in regards to the
amount and ways we can spend it, and if we are allowed to spend it in regards to
operational or budget balance way, we will come back to the Council immediately
for an amended budget proposal.
MS. EOFF: I see. Then one more clarification regarding the current$80 million
that we're expected to get from this vote from the State, that isn't reflected in this
proposed operating budget because it's more like a grant, is that correct?
MAYOR KIM: It is that, and the conditions are that we are to expend it I wish
it was encumbered, but it was expended by December 31"beginning with all
expenses occurring from March 1st. And very strict that all monies must be spend
on COVID related expenditures and nothing else.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. SAKO: So part of that money was appropriated yesterday and we'll come
back with a better plan for the rest of it for the Council to pass as we continue to
discuss the economic improvements and other portions of it as well. Or economic
stimulus for our island.
MAYOR KIM: I do want to comment on that, that we are going to make sure
first of all that we do expend it, and it's a tight timeframe. We categorized it how
we're going to spend it. I think the major one goal is to see how we can directly
get it back to where we do the most good. Above all keeping it on this island.
MS. EOFF: Okay, and I know you had to submit a proposed budget for the use of
those funds, so I would expect then over the next several months, we would be in
discussions about the various appropriations.
MS. SAKO: Yeah, the departments did a good job of coming up with expected
expenditures, including whether it's some kind of rental assistance or mortgage
assistance, or various programs. The thing we're doing right now is kind of
studying the other programs that are out there, whether it's by non-profits or
others. Because one of the requirements is to not duplicate benefits, at least with
other federal funds. So we're kind of monitoring that to come up with something
that will help the community and can be easily administered without having to do
a lot of double-checking with other sources of revenue. But we do want to get
that out as quickly as possible.
MS. EOFF: Okay, great. That sounds like there will be a lot of discussion in the
future going forward. I'd just like to say, I don't know if it's exactly relevant
right now, but just that I really hope that we will be able to use those funds to
directly benefit our community in really helpful, direct ways. So I guess
MS. SAKO: Yeah, the Mayor's been very clear that, you know we want that
money to stay on our island, whether it's the vendors we're utilizing or giving it
to our constituents and the public.
MAYOR KIM: If I may, what you just said, it's an absolute priority when you
just add up round numbers. That's $80 million. I think we got notice that the
FEMA in regards to the post impact of the roads and water is another
$100 million. All I'm putting out there is I think our responsibility of us in
government, all of us, to get as much from the sources, of the outside sources in
this case the federal government, to be spent here in this time. Just to ensure the
public and the Council obviously that this is a very high priority, to seek any way
we can bring in here to be spent here.
MS. EOFF: Well, really appreciate that, and I couldn't really start to understand
all that you folks have had to consider and adjust and deal with at this last kind of
few weeks or months. And really appreciate all the effort and work that you've
had to put into this. So mahalo. I yield.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
CHR. CHUNG: Before I call on Ashley, let me follow up on what Ms. Eoff
talked about. First of all yeah, thank you very much both of you and your team. I
know when Senator Dela Cruz requested a detailed description of how we're
going to use the monies, you guys only had about three days to act, right, on that
thing. But I did call him up on Friday
MS. SAKO: I think it was two.
CHR. CHUNG: Maybe two. Okay, I apologize. Even less. But I did speak to
him on Friday and he related to me that everything was in on a timely manner and
he was satisfied with all of the county's efforts and descriptions. But you know,
since that time we've also been talking with members of the House of
Representatives as well, and the Senate. I don't know if it's still in there. I think
it is as a proviso to all of this, but the requirement that there be consultation with
the Councils. I just wanted to get a picture as to what the Administration had in
terms of consultation, because that seems to be a very important topic from the
Legislature, especially the Finance Committee.
MS. SAKO: I think when we talked, I want to say a week ago Wednesday, it was
we would kind of consult as we appropriated it. So that's why we only
appropriated a small portion of it for the emergency needs and expenditures we
knew the County had and that's why we wanted to clarify with the Mayor the
specific programs that we're going to be entering into. So that we want to have
kind of enough information so that it doesn't change significantly after we talk to
you guys. So as we come in to appropriate additional funding, that was kind of
our plan, and if you want more communication prior to that. But there's a lot of
programs in the works right now.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay. But I know you guys are cognizant of that requirement. I
just wanted to know what you're understandingI mean, how you intended to
further that consultation requirement, right? Because sometimes what you guys
think is consultation and what we think is consultation are two different things,
right? So I just wanted to get that out there.
MAYOR KIM: If I may?
CHR. CHUNG: Yes.
MAYOR KIM: Absolutely. We interpret it as similar as you do, the reason for
the first break was everybody was in limbo, Mr. Chair. I think you understand
this, that we thought we were going to work with the Governor's Office. We had
no communication truthfully with the Legislature until that particular memo that
gave us literally less than two days to do—and if you saw it, it was all broad
categories that we'll come back and communicate with the Council, especially for
ideas on how it can be developed into programs, if you will specifically help the
most people.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
CHR. CHUNG: And make no mistake about it. I know what you guys have been
going through, and I did relate that to the legislators who, you know, I discuss
matters with. And I said it in a polite manner of course. But we're having to
scramble here at the lowest level of government, right? The federal government's
doing some stuff and it's trickling down now to the State. And the State is doing
stuff, and it's only been about two weeks since our TAT (Transient
Accommodation Tax) was, you know, disappeared, and we're having to grapple
with the fallout of that. We anticipated it of course, but nonetheless, it's
something that we're going to have to grapple it right during the throws of our
budget process. So we didn't have too much time to do it.
So I made that very clear to them. You know, because sometimes they lose sight
of that as well because they're doing their thing in their silo, but they forget that
everything they do and above them is really affecting us in a way that we have to
rush through things. Right? Things are so fluid.
MS. SAKO: Yeah, and I think one of the things they added in SB 75 (Senate
Bill) was also the contact tracing and to work with the Department of Health on
that. So we know that's an important consideration too. So that's one of the
things we want to stand up right away.
Right now we are hopeful that the State will get the unemployment checks out a
little bit quicker so that people will have some form of income, but we're
definitely working on the other programs as well.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, very good. Ashley.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you,
Deanna. Thank you, everyone, for your hard work.
MS. SAKO: Since you're kind of thanking everyone, we really do want to thank
all the departments who really had to kind of drop everything to help us balance
the budget. I mean yes, we kind of saw it was coming, but until you sit down and
actually look at things and how your programs are going to be impacted and
what's going to happen, you know, everyone really had to do a lot of work and
we're very appreciative of all that they've done.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I'm glad you said that. I try to stay in close touch with
many of the department heads and got the response of, "working on new budget,
call you next week." Right? So everyone was really very diligently working on
this new draft that we have. And Deanna, you know that I've done a number of
ride-alongs and job shadowing with various departments, because I felt it was
really important to see first-hand how our employees work, the kinds of
conditions that they're in, and I see that they work so incredibly hard, and I'm
very proud of our County.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
It was eye-opening because I saw—it was very evident that over the decades, over
the years, there was a failure to invest in certain things. Now we at this moment
are having to bear the cost of shifting priorities between Administrations. It's sad,
but it's also great to see how resilient and resourceful our people can be despite
very tight economic throws that they're in. And all of their efforts to ensure that
we get these critical services that are mandated by our County done to serve
community. And it just you know, doing the job shadowing really brought to
light that we just can't ignore certain things any longer.
You know, prior to COVID, Council Member Lee Loy and I were working with
the Administration to figure out how can we adopt a more budget for
outcomes-type model; how do we engage the community around this process;
how do we as Council Members really leverage and direct where we want capital
improvement projects to go so that it is really a budget that is being worked on in
partnership between Administration, Council, community. It just takes a lot of
work.
Seeing all of this play out, coronavirus, it's a very nimble issue, and I feel like not
just locally but regionally, nationally. A lot of the tools that we are using to try to
address it, they're just blunt outdated tools. And it's no one's fault. No one
dreamed of being in the situation right now. So we're doing our best to be
reactionary and to curb where we can. But I just think that right now we have a
lot of opportunity to create new tools, new financing mechanisms to really
address this issue, to recover, to rebuild, to be more resilient and bounce forward.
You know, there's a real opportunity for some institutional transformation if we
are, I think, bold enough and willing to kind of take that leap.
I'm really curious around how soon you think our County can expend the CARES
Act money. You know, I'm looking at a program that the City and County of
Honolulu launched mid-May, Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund $10,000
grants to small business. So we saw that the Leg. had approved SB 75 yesterday.
How soon can we expect that money, and once we have it, what is the process to
then begin funding many of the projects and programs that we all would like to
see funded so that we are providing the immediate relief to our residents and
small businesses.
MS. SAKO: So Research and Development as well as others are currently
working on a lot of those programs. The last I had heard, the State hadn't actually
gotten the money yet, so I'm not sure when we will physically get it. But you
know, we appropriated it and once it's signed by the Governor, obviously we
have every expectation that will come to us. We do have to sign it and will you,
you know, with the State that they're currently drafting. And I'm sure, you know,
it's going to say, "In accordance with the CARES law," and it,just like the Act,
will have all of the language spelled out of the federal rules. So we're monitoring
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
those rules to make sure we stay in compliance, but we're trying to move quickly,
just like we had to kind of move quickly when suddenly our employees had to
work from home and we weren't really set up for that.
So same way, you know, we're very happy we're getting this money, but we
haven't really known about it for very long. So you know, Honolulu had the
advantage of knowing about their money for a lot longer than we have. So we're
working to try and get that up and going as quickly as possible.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: So beyond that, I'm thinking about like any procurement
that may need to happen, the request for proposals, getting the resolutions and
necessary bills for ordinance in front of the Council. I'm just worried that's going
to take months just because that is simply our bureaucratic process, and I just
wonder if there are any ways to expedite given the emergency proclamation.
MS. SAKO: I would say that the Council's been very good and having the
special meeting last week really helped. I would hope that they might be open to
that—you all would be open to that going forward, if needed. You know, or at
least allowing us to reach the deadline sometimes. Because having to be 12
business days ahead of a meeting, you know, that's usually prior to even a
meeting before the meeting is going to get on the agenda. So sometimes that's
been difficult, but the Clerk's Office and the Council Chair have been awesome in
letting us breach and get things on the agenda. And we're greatly appreciative of
that.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Awesome. It's great for you to say that publicly so that
we're all kind of aware, and the public is also aware of our filing deadlines. I
know that when we are focused and can work fast,we really do. You have come
in real clutch for me on a couple of programs, including the Emergency
Resilience Loan Program, which I think will be a really great model for us to
invest some of this CARES Act money into, in the future.
We're here to work with you, Deanna, Mayor. I'd just like for us to think about
some radical shifts around how we work together. Right? To grow, to be more
inclusive, to be more sustainable, to really create good policy change. But not
just that, words on paper. What are we really doing to engage to private and civic
sector in helping to do that work. We have to leverage those public-private civic
partnerships where it makes sense. Because I think we'll be a stronger, more
resilient community as a result and then we will be able to have an even more lean
government.
I'm just really looking forward to working on that with you, so that we can really
embrace a more localism-type government. Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR. CHUNG: Yes, Mayor.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MAYOR KIM: If I may comment on that, because there are questions that are
forwarded to us, "How come Oahu?" As Deanna stated, Oahu is so lucky
because they are 500,000 and above so they got a direct appropriation, and they
knew what they were getting. We don't even have the money yet, and I just want
to ensure this Council, you know, we will work with you, Mr. Chairman and
Members of the Council, in regards to expending funds. The easy part is now for
us to calculate all the money that has been spent that falls in this category of
public works, parks, police, civil defense, and those things are being calculated
for reimbursement(inaudible). And new programs and ideas that you may have,
please, we will work with you guys on that.
CHR. CHUNG: Thank you. Mr. Richards?
MR. RICHARDS: Thanks, Chair. And thanks, Mayor, for that. The Mayor does
bring a point out, and just clarification, the reason Oahu was ahead, and we
discussed this previously, but for our constituency, there was a clause in the
original CARES Act that had direct funding from the feds to counties of greater
than 500,000 population base, which it translates to about three percent of the
counties in the nation. So it was recognized by Congress that it wasn't really a
fair thing and they're working on fixing it this time, which will be helpful so we
could hopefully get direct funding from the feds.
Chair if I might, I had a question for Deanna. Deanna, I always appreciate each
year that you send me the spreadsheets, because I live and breathe spreadsheets.
MS. SAKO: We know you love them.
MR. RICHARDS: One of thein the projected collections, under the GE
(General Excise) tax, it still is reflective of around—get to that other one—it had
a projection of about$37 million. And knowing what our economy's doing,
that's an optimistic collection for our fiscal year. I'm wondering if that was an
initial ?
MS. SAKO: We initially did 25 percent, and that was based on discussions with
various retailers and other people at the time. Also knowing, and I thought it
might be in the message but it may not have made it in, that fund is primarily
Mass Transit as well as Debt Service and Transfer to Capital Projects Fund. So if
the—let's say yes, our projections is way too high and it ends up being only half
of the $50 million that we originally projected, we believe that we could just
reduce the Transfer to Capital Project Fund and still be okay. I'm trying to find
the right column here.
MR. RICHARDS: Well, I'll come meet with you and stay six feet away while we
have the conversation, but again, I'm
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. SAKO: And as I mentioned earlier, you know, there have been no actual
numbers from March; which, you know, we started kind of midway through the
month. But we thought that would at least be a good start to showing kind of
where we're headed. So, and it really depends when the State gets opened back
up to tourists again in terms of where it will go. We know tourism won't recover
for a while, but in terms of how much the decrease is, is all dependent on that.
MR. RICHARDS: Which brings up my concern, and then I'll come back to the
other side, Mr. Mayor. What's going to fix our issues is the economy, and fixing
the economy means working towards getting that re-established and re-opened.
I'd like to thank you for the work on starting to get our County beach parks
opened and recognized. And we can do it. I know we're going to have to be
mindful and we have to ask our public to be understanding and patient as we try
to get things done. I know the general plan—we don't say anything nationally
the general plan is about every two weeks it looks like we can pulse and open
more in two weeks, then open more; and I'm hoping shortly we'll be able to open
up the barbers so I can get a haircut, Mr. Mayor. But we'll know the economy is
doing well when I can get a haircut, or improving.
All kidding aside though, do you have a plan as far as getting more of the
economy starting through all—and granted, it's a different time. We have to keep
the social distancing, we're going to have to keep the hygiene, the disinfecting, all
that going. But we did good. When you made the declaration early on to stop it,
we did very, very well as far as controlling it. Now a gentle re-opening, but a
consistent re-opening, so we can get that economy going. Because I know west
side we have a lot of small businesses and large businesses that are struggling,
and they're asking for some sort of direction. So Mr. Mayor, can you comment?
CHR. CHUNG: Before he does that, let me just make a comment. I'm going to
give that line of questions some latitude as it does have some tangential
relationship to our budget, but it is also at the same time highly speculative, right?
It doesn't directly deal with our budget. But it is an interesting topic, so just let's
keep that sharp, okay? And let's not go too far afield on this one, okay? Go
ahead.
MAYOR KIM: I think of all the questions that we are posing to ourselves now is
how to go forward. And just in the past day or two, I think we completed an
overall plan. One of the things that very few people understood from the
beginning is that how we go forward and when we go forward is based on the
Governor's proclamation, to stay within that. And he's passed Rule Number 8, I
think, which was just passed on the 20'h of this month, you know, allows us
counties to look into a different level of risk and impact.
I do want to say the following. I think our position with—our general philosophy
is a little different. Ours is based on not in numbers and of the hospital and
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
those things. It was based on what we felt might, through testing or any
information, what the status of the coronavirus is on this island. Which it makes a
difference.
But outside of that, directly answering his question, I think Hawaii State has been
identified as the most impactful State economy-wise, because we are so
dependent on factors of tourism, outside of local. We all know that the biggest
factor relating to that was a policy made by the Governor in regards to stopping
all incoming passengers with a quarantine element. Anyone coming in from
regardless, outside of Hawaii would be quarantined for 14 days. I think we saw
in Japan for example, good example, that we depend on anywhere from 20 to
35 percent or more directly as far as our economy here. Almost immediately over
that, we can cancel almost 100 percent of the travelers here. And today remains
that 100 percent no traveling.
Because of that factor, come back or even going forward in the economy on the
Island and State of Hawaii is a very, very difficult one because it's based on
factors we cannot control, especially on a County government level. I knew this
and everybody knew that. That our recovery, along with the information we're
the most impacted of all the 50 states by the coronavirus as far as economy is
going to be a long and difficult one. We have to put the safety of citizens first
before the economy because that is the heavy discussion, when do we lift that?
My personal position has always been it is when we address that threat. Because
in the first month or so, the daily, and I do mean daily review of all the data of the
positive cases that have been identified was where did it come from, what was the
basis of it, was there any community-based, and once that line was crossed in this
State, that evidence was it was community based. This is when the Governor
knew immediately we have to hit the cause of it. And that's when that policy was
imposed.
When will that policy be lifted? Our position has been when we have a couple of
things. Number one, all of the check systems in the airports on both sides are in
place, and is today's wording and we'll send it to you as soon as we're finished it
within a day or so of that plan, when it is well-developed and well-coordinated. I
consider it the catch-all going back immediately to where we were as far as the
threat if we do not address those things. So what's bringing the disease in, and
that is a difficult one, because we do not control what happens in California. And
here is the hardest part to your question, what we've learned in the past two or
three weeks recently. That the biggest threat are those asymptomatic people
coming to Hawaii or the rest of the world. That that's what caused the pandemic
to hit New York for example, from Europe instead of from the east. I think we
know that well, that the biggest threat is carriers of the disease that have
absolutely no symptoms showed or can be tested as far as temperature and those
obvious things.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyway.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MAYOR KIM: And so know that we will do the inter-island thing is being
reviewed now, but that doesn't help the economy much. But know, Members of
the Council, we are well aware of the extreme importance of getting the economy
back, but it's based on things that we have so very little control over.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, and I know you guys are working really hard on that, and
we can save that discussion for another time very soon. Very important
discussion. Let's get back to our budget. Mr. Richards, anything else?
MR. RICHARDS: Thanks, Mayor. I do appreciate that, and I think you pointed
out, and Chair I think it is important that a lot of, for that economy, yes we're
looking but we don't control that opening necessarily. So thank you, Chair. I
yield.
CHR. CHUNG: Anyone else? Kona, anybody?
MS. DAVID: Thank you. Chair Chung?
CHR. CHUNG: Yes, Maile. Go ahead. Nice to have you back.
MS. DAVID: Thank you very much. And thank you for allowing me to be
absent yesterday. Is Deanna Sako still there? Yes, I see her. Okay. So Deanna,
in going through the budget, the proposed amendments, I'm seeing that there have
been substantial reductions in almost all the departments in order to balance this
budget. I just wanted to confirm that the reductions, the huge ones, you know, in
the hundreds of thousands of dollars, basically all relate to services. You know,
vehicle registration, driver's license, our IT people (Information Technology), and
building. So these will definitely impact services that we already provide,
because everybody was asked to cut, is that correct?
MS. SAKO: Yes, that's correct.
MS. DAVID: Okay, Parks Maintenance, $355,000. So I just—
MS.
ustMS. SAKO: No, Parks can probably answer better, but I think part of their costs
were deferred because decided it would probably take them a little bit of time to
re-establish some of their programs, because they're going to have to do things
differently to comply with social distancing and things like that. But definitely
everyone's are going to hurt including theirs, yes.
MS. DAVID: I see. That's what I'm seeing right now. And then, that's why I
really think that your explanation of the possibility of having some leeway on the
purpose or the use of the $80 million, that could really help us and help restore
some of the cuts that we're going to really be seeing if we don't get that leeway.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
So other than that, I just wanted to thank you folks for all the work that you guys
have been doing on this very unprecedented situation that we're in. One more
thing I just wanted to make a note, following up on Chair Chung's statement, is
just I'd like to thank Representative Luke and our legislative partners on that side
for being very collaborative and inclusive in sharing their thoughts about having
their support in trying to get us some leverage in using these funds to possibly
help us balance out budget, or included in our budget, expanding the cause.
So I just wanted to make that statement because I think everybody is trying to do
their best, and we're just getting so many emails from our constituents. And
basically, you know, if we could satisfy everybody's requests and do what they
want, we would be living in a perfect world. But apparently that's not the case.
So I just really want to thank our legislators for working alongside with us in
trying to help our community recover from this. And that's about it. I don't have
any other things to mention about our budget, but just noting that everybody has
basically taken a huge cut in their operating. So with that said, thank you Chair
Chung. I yield.
CHR. CHUNG: You know, let's take a short recess. We have to restart our
system here. Then we'll get back online.
Recess: At 10:57 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting was reconvened at 11:02 a.m.
Comm. 774.6: From Council Chair Aaron S. Y. Chung, dated May 14, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 1) proposed amendment to increase the Fund Balance from Previous Year account
by $315,000, and increases the Council's Contingency Relief account by the
same amount.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Lee Loy moved to amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with
the contents of Comm. 774.6. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR. CHUNG: Any discussion on this matter?
MR. RICHARDS: Chair?
CHR. CHUNG: Yes, Mr. Richards, go ahead.
MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, thank you. And thanks forI appreciate the fact that
this is coming forward, and once again here in the budget. I don't think there's
anybody more critical in spending money than I am. With that being said, this is
for contingency funds, and I think this last year shows the importance of the
districts having a little bit of latitude to quickly respond to things. So though I
think we have to work on our budget, I will be supporting this going into the
budget. Thanks, Chair. I yield.
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
CHR. CHUNG: Thank you very much. It really amounts to just about a third of
what we received over the last several years at least, and as you said, yeah, it
really—if this COVID situation proved anything, you know, there is a need for
these types of funds. Okay. So thank you very much. Anyone else? If not, we
have a motion on the floor. All in favor, signify by saying "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with the
to Amend: contents of Comm. 774.6, was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Chair Chung—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
(Note: Comms. 774.7 and 774.8, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 144,
Draft 2, were circulated)
Comm. 774.7: From Council Member Maile Medeiros David, dated May 19, 2020, transmitting
(Memo No. 2) a proposed amendment to increase the Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection
Program account by $25,000, and increase the Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection
Program Salaries and Wages account by the same amount; and add a new line
item for Cash in Lieu of Vacation.
Motion to Ms. David moved to further amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with
Further Amend: the contents of Comm. 774.7. Seconded by Ms. Eoff.
CHR. CHUNG: Maile, yes. Go ahead.
MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. I think Ms. Sako, if she could basically explain
what the acronym is.
MS. SAKO: So our PMVI is Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection. It's actually a
program that's paid by the State. It's the safety check program. They basically
utilize our County budget, whatever we budget in there. That's what they
reimburse us for and we're going to have some additional expenses with one of
our employee's retiring and they're willing to pay for it if we amend the budget.
So we look for your approval. Thank you.
MS. DAVID: Thank you very much for that. Chair, I yield, and ask for your
support.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else? If not, we have a motion on the floor. All
those in favor, say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 774.7, was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Chair Chung–9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried.
Comm. 774.8: From Council Member Rebecca Villegas, dated May 20, 2020, transmitting a
(Memo No. 3) proposed amendment to increase the Fund Balance From Previous Year account
by $250,000, and increase the West Hawaii Golf Program by the same amount.
Motion to Ms. Villegas moved to further amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with
Further Amend: the contents of Comm. 774.8. Seconded by Ms. Eoff.
CHR. CHUNG: Go ahead, Ms. Villegas.
MS. VILLEGAS: I tried to think long and hard about whether or not to put in a
request again this year, or some funding for allow for golfers on the west side of
the island to utilize the golf courses here as we do not have any municipal golf
course on the west side. In speaking to a number of different community
members and those who, especially now with the golf courses opening up again,
and folks feeling the pains of quarantine, and providing opportunities for them to
spend time in the outdoors on golf courses I think is still a viable spend. I think
it's a more—especially as we have been looking at a discrepancy and the
difference in the amount of resources generated on the west side versus the east
side on the island as a whole, and allowing for a little bit more equitable access to
a sport that many on this island hold near and dear, and utilize as a way to relax,
get grounded, spend time in nature.
Especially, you know, in a recent Council meeting when we had to allocate
another $350,000 to subsidize the municipal golf course. I think this is an
equitable spend and in investment in the continued health, well-being of those that
participate in this sport and this activity. And having access to it at a more
reasonable price on this side of the island. So with that I would ask for the
continued support of my colleagues in the requesting for this funding to
perpetuate this program. With that, I yield.
CHR. CHUNG: Maybe if I could ask a question of either Deanna or you,
Ms. Villegas. Or anyone else who can answer this. Which are the golf courses
that are on part of this list? Is Waikoloa Village on that? Does anyone know?
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. VILLEGAS: Waikoloa Village is currently the only golf course in this last
cycle who participated in the subsidy program. There were some challenges with
communication with other golf courses at the opportunity for this, and they have
been waiting patiently for the opportunity to participate in this next fiscal cycle.
But the Waikoloa Golf Course was the only one that put in that—that the bid was
processed for and has been currently utilized through the program.
CHR. CHUNG: I just mentioned Waikoloa, but I didn't know about what the
situation was. So you have out there Makalei, Makani, Keauhou Country Club,
what else? What other golf courses are out there?
MS. VILLEGAS: Oh, well there's loads of golf courses.
CHR. CHUNG: That's about it, right?
MS. VILLEGAS: I can't name them all off the top of my head, but I know there
are some other ones that would like the opportunity to participate and kind of
missed the cycle on this. So I'm hoping that they will put in a bid and want to
participate this time. There were also some—and I'll just put this out there.
There were a couple of complaints about it being the Waikoloa Golf Course
because there are still golfers coming from the other side of the island, and that's
the closest one for them to drive right over the Saddle Road and enjoy on this
side, which Lord knows, we all want to eliminate the disparity and the perception.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay, well—right. And I'm not asking this question to hold this
thing up, because I support it. I agree with your equitability premise. But I want
to understand the program, okay?
So Deanna, why is it that only Waikoloa—and really did not know that only one
golf course was participating in this last year. I'm totally surprised by that. But
what happened?
MS. SAKO: I'm not sure. I can find out for you what happened on the bid or
whatever, or if just the wrong people were notified at each course. But I know
they went through the process, so I'm not sure what all the details of that. I can
try and find out.
So you wouldn't even happen to know how much Waikoloa was charging then, to
begin with? No?
MS. SAKO: No. Let me text P&R (Department of Parks and Recreation).
MS. VILLEGAS: I could ballpark it was between $25 and $35.
CHR. CHUNG: And had they not had the subsidy, how much would it have
been? Not much more, right? Waikoloa Village?
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. VILLEGAS: It's $50-$65, something like that.
CHR. CHUNG: I don't think that much. That much?
MS. VILLEGAS: I do know there was some challenges in Parks and Rec., that it
came down to the wire for the actual execution, and the bid was put out with very
little time for the golf courses to respond. So there were some challenges in that
capacity as timing when we hit at the end of the year because the program was to
begin on January 1st. So it took—and I'm not sure what the circumstances
particularly were in Parks and Rec. at that time with staffing or whoever was
managing it. But it did pose some challenges.
CHR. CHUNG: So we don't even know how much of that$250,000 that was
appropriated the last time was used. Do we know?
MS. VILLEGAS: Most of it is my understanding.
CHR. CHUNG: All to Waikoloa Village? (whistles) That's not a good situation.
Yeah, that's kind of crazy. But I mean, again, I'm not saying this to try to go
against the measure because I support it. I just want to make sure that we're
doing something that makes sense. Because what really concerns me right now is
this: I think we should be going to talk to the golf courses to see if they can
reduce their rates. Because the only guys who are out there right now are local
golfers because we don't have too many tourists out there. So I think they would
be happy to have and play instead of us having to subsidize right now. I mean,
maybe at the back end when we start opening things up, but if we start doing it
right now, they don't have any play anyway. They need the play. So I think it
would behoove the County to try to get a favorable rate from them right now.
That's just my thought. And the fact that we spent$250,000, and hopefully I'm
wrong on this, but all on one golf course. That's poor administration. It's no fault
of yours Ms. Villegas, because it was a well-intentioned thing, but the
administration of this was horrible. I'm very surprised.
Secondarily I would say this: You know, Ms. Villegas, you know, you come up
with this thing every year, and it's good. But at some point,just by Makalei Golf
Course or something already. I mean, so that we can just fast track the Kona
golfers to play on a public course. I mean, I would think Makalei is probably
available. I don't know about Makani. Keauhou obviously not. Maybe even
Waikoloa Village possibly, too. Because if we look to build a golf course, it's
going to be very costly, and it's going to take a long time, if it happens at all.
I know there was a Mr. Oshirota who came here last meeting. And you know,
he's probably one of the main drivers behind that. But you know, a long time ago
when you were only a little girl at that time, Ms. Villegas
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Hawaii County Council-41 May 21,2020
MS. VILLEGAS: I was never little, Chair Chung.
CHR. CHUNG: Well a young girl. Young girl. But you know, the County was
all set to do a golf course at Kealakehe, and it fell through. There were just all
these things that happened. I don't want to go into them, but it was basically the
Kona people who undermined their own project. So we don't know what's going
to happen, so my suggestion is just buy Makalei. That's my thought anyway.
Very simple.
MS. VILLEGAS: Chair Chung, do you think we could convince the State or the
Federal Government that it would be a COVID expense?
CHR. CHUNG: That's a good one. I like your thinking, Ms. Villegas. I really
like that. You know, and I don't think it's going to be a huge amount, too. I
really don't. But that's something you should consider anyway. But for now, I
just wanted to throw those points out, you know, about having to subsidize guys.
I think those golf courses are going to be licking their chops if they know that
we're going to be subsidizing them when they're not getting really much play
right now. They need the play. So just things to consider. But I support this of
course. Anyone else want to make a comment? If not, we have a motion on the
floor. All those in favor say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to further amend Bill 144, Draft 2, with the
to Further Amend: contents of Comm. 774.8, was carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Chair Chung–9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHAIR CHUNG: Motion carried. Okay, anything else? If not—because I know
there's going to be a lot of action from now until the next meeting but for not, we
are back on the main motion, Bill Number 144 as amended with Draft 2 and then
further amended. Mr. Clerk, let's do a roll call.
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Hawai`i County Council-41 May 21,2020
Vote on Bill 144: The motion to amend Bill 144, Draft 2, as amended
(Draft 3) (to Draft 3), was carried by the following roll call vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards,
Villegas, and Chair Chung– 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
(Note: Mr. Richards voted "kanalua" then "aye.)
CHR. CHUNG: Are there any other matters, Mr. Clerk?
MR. HENRICKS: No. We're good for the day. Thank you.
CHR. CHUNG: Okay. If not—
ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
MENTS: Announcements.
(There were none.)
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, at 11:17 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn the
meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff,
Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Chung–9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. CHUNG: Meeting adjourned.
Approved: AUG 1 9 2020
COMT -CL RK
JH/ja
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