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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GREDC 2020/07/21 2018-2020 Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development 23`'d Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i July 21, 2020 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic ORDER: Development was called to order at 12:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Karen Eoff, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member (came in later) Ms. Valerie Poindexter, Member (came in later) Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 659.6: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION'S UPCOMING PLANS AND PENDING PROJECTS From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated June 30, 2020. Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 659.6. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I was hoping Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder was back by now. We have Managing Director Roy Takemoto here, to provide an update to the Council on the Administrations projects and plans. Okay, but are we all situated for Roy to go ahead and get started? I want to be mindful of everyone's time, and the fact that we have a very heavy agenda. Thank you. GREDC-23 July 21,2020 MR. TAKEMOTO: Thank you, for the opportunity. Can you understand me okay? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: You can take it off, we are all masked up Roy. Thank you. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay. I won't sing to you and throw out. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: You're a singer? MR. TAKEMOTO: No, you don't want to hear me sing. Okay, Roy Takemoto, Managing Director. Today I will just quickly go over where we are on COVID-19 response. And then delve into some of the affordable housing projects and active CIP (Capital Improvement Projects)projects. And then I'll just open up for any questions and answers that you may have about anything. (Note: At this time, Managing Director Roy Takemoto came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office, a copy of the PowerPoint is made part of the record see Comm. 659.7.) MR. TAKEMOTO: Any questions on COVID? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Go ahead, Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Roy, I just wanted to curiously hover around the bubble resort, and you mentioned the geofencing. And then you also mentioned kind of working in collaboration with Maui and Kauai. Would you mind expanding on that a little bit? And I'm coming from a place where in the past when we were trying to address COVID, there was different messages, right, From the state, Kauai was being treated or doing things one-way, where Maui and we were doing other. So I just kind of wanted to understand that better, because if we had a consistent way of tracking people coming to the Big Island. I think it would go a long way to the success of, you know, slowing the curve or smashing the curve. Tell me a little bit about what those conversation looks like with geofencing, and Maui and Kauai. MR. TAKEMOTO: Hawai`i's Mayor, kind of came up with the idea and explored it. From what I understand Maui had approached a vendor, and the vendor gave them a proposal. So they shared that proposal as far as a PowerPoint the concept. And to delve into the details of how well that concept will work, Maui invited the other counties who were interested to discuss with the vendor and all together the applicability, the reliability of this system. So that is where Page 2 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 things stand now where Maui opened up this invitation and we responded by giving them contact people in our county who would collaborate with them. MS. LEE LOY: With that collaboration, is there a hope that we would collaborate resources also so there would be, you know, for the geofencing or whatever app is developed. That collectively all the municipals would kind of share in the cost. Is that the hope? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, no, that's a good idea. And nobody wants to reinvent the wheel. So if somebody comes up with a good one, then we will all jump on the same bandwagon. MS. LEE LOY: I had one other question regarding the mask wearing and the social distancing. And I keep getting questions about how many can be in a social group, whether it was a graduation party or funerals. Where is Hawaii County as far as the number of people who can gather, and what's the rationale. And I ask that because a familial group sometimes is counted as one, and in other times a familial group is counted as five. So I just wanted to be very clear on what Hawaii County's gage on social gathering looks like. MR. TAKEMOTO: The source of the numbers we use, is from the Department of Health. And the number is 50 indoors, and 100 outdoors. The scientific basis for that number is more I think in terms of control and contact tracing manageability. So given those numbers there has been confusion of whether those numbers apply if you're related in the household; and, you know, all that kind of combinations and variations. So I think in this coming Rule 10, we'll just kind of say just keep the number 50 indoors, and 100 outdoors. And there are certain exceptions to that however, either stricter or actually more lenient. So some of those exceptions include churches, provided they meet their own safe practices. Restaurants, provided they meet their industry-safe practices. Those are the two I can think of offhand, there are exceptions to the 50 and 100. Little bit more strict, or another exception would be sport team kind of activities. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you Roy, for that. Because I think that's what everybody's asking for, is just a very bright line. Fifty means 50, right? And so what I heard you say in Rule 10, sounds like the Administration would be putting out a bright line of guidelines as it relates to that. Roy, thank you so much. I yield at this time, until we get to the other parts of the presentation. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Matt, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. Hey Roy, thank you for being here, appreciate it. So in regards of re-opening, I think the biggest concerns I'm hearing, and I've voiced this before, are the keiki, our teachers, and frontline workers like airline, hotel industries. Our communities are really tight knit it, so I Page 3 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 feel like one asymptomatic case really could cripple our hospital system. If that was to happen, like the clusters we've seen. And we've been very lucky so far, our numbers are great. But(inaudible) the travel, you know, there's a concern. I don't usually agree with the Administration. I find myself on the other side of the fence frequently. But in case this case, I really do agree with what you're doing. Just a couple of notes that I've come across so far. I'm hearing that the hardest hit states, some of the hot spots in the places that you put up on the PowerPoint, are unable to test their citizens and receive their results in three days. The average test results that are receiving, are being received in about seven days. And that worries me because, you know, that means that they are being tested three days before they get on the plane, which is already a concern. Jumping into a plane full of people, and then they'll get their test results about three days into their vacation. So how can we possibly trust every person coming here to not be asymptomatic, or to spread COVID? Second thing I want to touch on is, I'm getting a lot of phone calls about who do you call for a COVID concern in our county? Other counties have done like a COVID hotline. I know we have 211, but do we have a number people can call in our county for specific questions or health concerns? Are we in process of setting that up, or am I completely, you know, blind to the fact that we have one already? MR. TAKEMOTO: Civil Defense has been the number to call for almost any COVID related questions. But let me give you two other alternatives, not to make it more confusing. But if you don't know who else to call, then call Civil Defense. But if you want to report a quarantine violation, then it's the non- emergency police number. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: And if you need assistance, personal financial assistance, whether it's rent assistance or unemployment or whatever. Then there's is a new program that has been set up. It's part of the pilot thing of the Financial Empowerment Center concept. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But as far like a health concern hotline, say they call Civil Defense or police non-emergency? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Yeah, I was aware of those, but I guess more for the public too if they're watching. Secondly, this was brought up in an email as well. If a visitor comes in, and they arrive early in the morning and they can't check into their hotel until 3:00 p.m. What does that person do for the six hours between when they landed, and when they are able to check into their Page 4 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 hotel? I think that's just a good point for us to remember is that, you know, when they arrive and when they can check in are two very different times. For the most part if I ever go vacation, I'm usually spending my first few hours getting lunch, trying to get to the place, getting a rental car, going to Costco. Whatever you're going to do before you go to your hotel, and settle in for the evening. And then lastly, there are a large number of people, some of the industry from the short-term vacation rentals. Really asking a point in question which is, why are hotels being deemed safe when vacation rentals are not? When it comes to keeping people safe in a quarantine. And on the backside of that, offering to be quarantine places as a short-term vacation rental. Because they can track the individuals better than a hotel would be able to be. So I'm just putting out these comments coming in from the public that I'm feeling, and trying to respond to. Some are very good, like, you know, what is our hotline number? Others are more ideas for us to think about, and I'd like to put them out there for you. Yeah, I do worry about opening the interisland travel, especially given what's happening in the rest of the nation and the ability to test. And even our testing here, has been cut in half. That was in the paper about a week and half ago. So if we cannot test, and we can't get results in time. How are we expected to keep people coming in honest, and actually know who's sick and who's not. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, good you kind of covered all the reasons why that we were pushing back against the governor to open up. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I am completely in agreement with you on pushing back against the governor's opening. I do want economy to bounce back, but not at the expense of our people. Thank you. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Go ahead, Tim. MR. RICHARDS: Thanks, Chair. Thanks, Roy. Roy the enforcement, and from what I'm gathering that's quite inconsistent and appears to have some inconsistencies in Waimea. So how is that supposed to function? MR. TAKEMOTO: The enforcement of the quarantine, the people who are supposed to be in quarantine. MR. RICHARDS: No, not in quarantine, of gatherings like farmers markets. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay. As far as gatherings, enforcement is something that we try to do more as an education process, which is why we have the taskforce set up. The prevention and education taskforce, led by our Fire Department. So Page 5 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 when we get a report of a violation, the taskforce is the one who goes out first, and tries to work with the business or the organization and to see ways that they can improve their practices. Should it not follow through and we get a call second or third time, then the enforcement would start kicking in. And that's when our police would probably respond rather than the taskforce, on the second or third incident. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. So my understanding is it's the enforcement is initially educational, not punitive? MR. TAKEMOTO: Right. MR. RICHARDS: Or it supposed to be that way, okay. I'll follow up with you later then. Thanks, Chair. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I just want to check in with the ladies in Kona. Any COVID-19 related questions for Roy at this time? MS. EOFF: No. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, thank you. Roy, go ahead. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay, so COVID rap-up. Move to affordable housing. (Note: At this time, Managing Director Roy Takemoto returned to the PowerPoint presentation.) MR. TAKEMOTO: Let me just open up for any questions on this information, or anything on affordable housing or homeless that you may have. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Any questions for Roy, housing related? Roy, I have a question. So I loved that you've listed and mapped out,the existing and the proposed. And then, you know, identifying target audiences and income level. I'm wondering, you know, as we kind of work on a housing plan for our county, is the next logical step to start talking about just increasing housing inventory for working families, people that are defined as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Okay, you're nodding, yes. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, we're working on that on couple fronts. Accessory dwelling units, liberalizing how we can stimulate accessory dwelling units, which would serve as decentralized rental units. We're looking at ways to bring down actually the reach of homeownership to the lower income groups by incentivizing self-help and looking into the concept of the community land trust. And we'll package all of this into the strategic plan. The relationship of the efforts to Page 6 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 expand homeownership to the lower income levels. How we incentivizing different types of rentals, and infrastructure. Primarily those three aspects. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Great,thank you. Good to hear that you're talking about investments, and infrastructure and making sure that we kind of maximize use of any investments. So that's great to hear. Do you want to talk a little bit more of what you have on this update sheet here, as it relates to 201H.? MR. TAKEMOTO: 201H, we didn't finish mapping that, but we do have the data. So we'll map those as well, and that actually could be a really interesting study of past 201H and whether they're still affordable today. And the promises made at that time. You know, actually how many units were actually delivered. So that would be one effort of how we would be looking at the 201H data. The other thing we're working on the 201 H is the rules, and we have a draft now that we're working on. In purpose of those rules, is to provide clear expectations to any applicant coming in on what is expected of them. And how we can work with them to support their intentions, to provide affordable housing. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, that's great to hear. I'm hoping that the housing strategic plan can contain that, like reflection and audit of tools. That we have at our disposal now, to accelerate the progress of, you know, standing up more affordable housing. Because if we have a bunch of tools and they're not working, it warrants us to take a hard look and figure out why. And see what kind of adjustments we need to be making, at not just a county level. But this is where we start working, you know, with our delegation on the state side to make those tweets on the state side. So keep us posted Roy. Any other questions related to housing? Tim, I see your light on. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah. Thank you, Chair. Thanks, Roy. And you test on the 201H,just some of the conversation you and I have had for the last two years concerning. One thing you didn't mention Roy, was the water. An aspect, because that's been the hickey or stutter steps for some of the projects we've been trying to push forth. And I realize that's also a bigger picture, than just saying "Oh, yeah, we need water." But you did touch on the infrastructure cost, which does again relate back to water and water infrastructure costs as well. I look forward to going forward with that, I don't know if you want to make any comments on water. But that's some of our holdup, we're waiting on determinations of water availability on some of this. So you want to comment on that, Roy? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. Actually that's a good lead into the next area I was going to get into, which is the active CIP projects. And one of the lists that I gave you today, is a list of Water Supply's projects. They have a project in North Kohala that should be increasing the capacity. To what extent it's increasing, we can get more details from Water Supply. South Kohala has some projects there Page 7 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 that should be primarily improving the efficiency and reliability of the system, not so much capacity increases for South Kohala. The main capacity increase efforts seem to be focused on North Kona, where affordable housing is a great, great need. And water has been the constraint. So Water Supply is working on some projects there that would increase capacity. But not only that, they're also exploring ways to improve their understanding of the groundwater resource in that complex area. The relationship between the high water, and the basal groundwater. But besides Water Supply, we're also coordinating with the State Housing HHFDC (Hawai`i Housing Financial & Development Corporation). Because they have couple of well projects that have been on their books, but now they're picking it up and moving them forward. So we're trying to push them as hard as we can. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, because again, some of the constraints we've been facing, our conversations has been the water availability and be able—and I don't fault the Water Department entirely. Population has grown. There are resources that are approaching, maxed out some of our regions until we can expand that. The paradox is we keep talking about affordable housing, but unless we have water service to supply then we start running to this bottleneck. And you know, also the other determinations that we are waiting for, is not just the aquifers in Kona but also in the North Hawaii area as well, because those are supposed to be refueled right now by sea water as well. So again, water is of issue for affordable housing going forward. And we can talk more about this later, Roy. Chair, thank you. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Any other questions for Roy on this one? Matt, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Kona, I don't know if Kona has any? MS. EOFF: Not at this time. Thank you. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I'm looking at your, are we talking about affordable housing still or are we talking about the active CIP's? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I think he was transitioning, so we kind of in that transition phase, yeah. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Roy, I'm looking at the Puhala Road extension. I had an email on Friday from a concerned individual, where we're at with the project. Where are we with the Puhala Road extension? And thank you, for tracking all of these. Page 8 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. Puhala, the challenge there was how the county can acquire some interest that would allow the county to improve the roads in Eden Rock. And Puhala extension, the obstacle has been that segment that is a roadway owned fractionally by the residents of Eden Rock. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I think we discussed that at the previous Council meeting, but I want to say that was almost six months ago. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, okay. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So where are we? Has Corp. Counsel made any movement? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, so since then, I don't know if you heard that there was an offer by one of the land owners through Real Property Tax, that they want to just give it up and donate it to the county. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: So we're trying to see how we can leverage, well first to accept that offer and get the title to that property. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Because we can do that, it's allowed by code? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. It would probably have to come before you folks, to accept that donation. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: You need help with that? MR. TAKEMOTO: Nope. I'm sure—yeah, we will seek your help if we need it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: But that's kind of moving along. But then the implications of that and how that can help us either to get an easement, or how we can exercise that fraction of interest in other ways to improve the road. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That's just one of many connectivity routes, yeah, in Puna that we have the same issue across the board. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. But that Eden Rock one is the most challenging. I think if we can get past that one, the other segments are little bit more doable. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, good. Thank you. I yield, Chair. Page 9 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Go ahead, Val. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, thank you, Chair. I had a question about theI don't know if that should be in this one or not. But there was a CIP one that we were dealing with Pa`auilo Park. I think they were going to put it up to compliance with the ADA (American with Disabilities Act), and they added more money into that to make sure that we took down the lights in that field that have been there since I was a very little girl, and hasn't been working, maybe since I was in elementary or high school maybe even. And is rusting, and kids are climbing on that, and I know some kids fell and got hurt on those. And if you look at the lights, you can tell it is from the 60's maybe even, the way the light poles are built like a tower. You know, instead of a straight pole. And it's all rusted and all. I know that this year they were supposed to have taken it down. But since COVID the pandemic hit, I don't know if things changed. But the last time we spoke I think was, I spoke with Parks and Rec, that it was supposed to have started this year, during the summer I think. So can you check on that, because that's not on this CIP list and it was promised already. And it was the money was appropriated for that. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. The list that Val is referring to is the last page on table. MS. POINDEXTER: Oh, okay. Yeah, this one here. MR. TAKEMOTO: I didn't include Parks and Rec. MS. POINDEXTER: Oh, okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: Because there was several, so I need to update this list with Parks and Rec projects. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, if we could just see in each of our districts what has been appropriated and already given a timeline, and if the timeline changed. Okay, thank you. Thank you for that, Roy. And thank you, for all the work that you're doing. And I think Matt, I don't know if it was you who started this whole process, but whoever did, thank you. Because it does give us a good status report to get back to our constituents. So appreciate it Roy, all the work you do. Okay, thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Roy do want to share anything else about CIP? MR. TAKEMOTO: Well just roughly, generally, the projects that I included on this list are those that areI know our departments are actively working on. And they include transportation where the roads, or trails, wastewater. I forgot to Page 10 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 include solid waste like the compost facility, which I'll update. Public Safety, the Dispatch Center, Mass Transit. There's couple transit hubs actually that we're looking at: the Pahoa one and one in Kona, more on the planning phases. And I talked about the different water projects already. But if there's any other projects that we've missed that you have interest in, then just send me a note and we'll compile it. And whatever way the information is useful for you in terms of a spreadsheet,just let me know. But we can provide the different phases, the cost, and the completion date. So let us know what you need, beyond what I've already provided you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thanks, Roy. Go ahead, Matt. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Roy, I talked to you a little bit about the floodplain management study that we're trying to get done for Puna. With the United Sates Army Corps of Engineers. I talk to him briefly before I came into the meeting, that's why I was late. And there is no cost for the study, and they're waiting on us to help them move forward. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, that was not the question though. I think the question that Public Works has to explore, is that benefit cost ratio. And related to the anticipated Public Works projects that would go into a flood program like this. Which is kind of based on the population density, and all that kind of stuff that I'm not aware of what the details are. But anyways, so Public Works is the ones developing these questions that they'll get back to the Army Corps contact that you provided, and just clear it up. And if that benefit cost ratio is not an issue, then definitely we'll jump on that opportunity. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, I'm still learning. But I'd just would like to say there is no cost, because it's 100 percent federally funded for this aspect of the study. Any further movement could incur cost, but that has yet to be determined. But what I see in Puna is flood water is probably the major component of road degradation and a lot of, you know, public health concerns that we're dealing with especially during flooding. And I know we have a tropical depression, possible hurricane floating on the Pacific Ocean, and it's that time of year. Just looking to make headway. We did pass the resolution in March. And I just want to make sure we're moving ahead with the Army Corps of Engineers to get this going, being that there's no cost to the county. So I appreciate it. Thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Sue, go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, thank you, Chair. Roy, I know Val touched on it. Yeah, if we could do a CIP project on just park and park facilities, and where they are. Because I know in my particular district, we're looking down at a lot of rehabilitation projects for ADA compliance. So it would be good to see what that Page 11 GREDC-23 July 21,2020 landscape looks like, but also the timelines of the project. So like right now the zoo and Pana`ewa Equestrian Center, if they're open or not open. And then by districts, right. That would be wonderful updates for us. And just kind of leaning over to Mr. Richards, maybe in a separate communication,just a robust discussion around the 201H programs. Because it's kind of complex, right? In addition to just the exceptions and exemptions around 201H but how maybe we can amplify, and accelerate some of our CII'project very strategically so that if there are those types of projects, and there just hinging on, you know, a road pavement or the changing of a pump, or expansion of a waterline, where we could actually start pushing on more affordable housing. That would really be a good exercise, so that we're focusing a lot of our resources in a very strategic manner. But those were my suggestions. A separate for Parks like Val mentioned, and then maybe one related to the 201H. In addition to not to only the infrastructure, but other entitlement hiccups or critical path items. That might be just a small speed bump to get over, rather than just keep pushing in an area where it's just too costly. Chair, I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Just want to check in one more time with folks in Kona. MS. EOFF: No, we have no questions. Thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Roy any closing remarks, or anything else with your presentation that you wanted to share? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. Just anything else that I didn't cover, open to answer any questions. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, seeing none. Thank you, Roy for being so available. And again, for a very comprehensive update, we appreciate you taking the time to update us and also have, you know, open door policy, open lines of communication with each of our offices. So thank you. Alright Mr. Clerk, we have a motion on the floor to close file. All in favor please say "aye." Vote on Comm. 659.6: The motion to close file on Comm. 659.6 was carried by Filed the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 12