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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 136 Draft 01 2020-2022 A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT INVESTMENT IN HAWAI‘I COUNTY FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN AND THE AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN AND TO FORM A PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUP TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL. WHEREAS, the federal American Rescue Plan enacted on March 11, 2021 appropriated federal funds to the State of Hawaiʻi to address the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic and make necessary critical investments in infrastructure, including in public transportation, wastewater treatment and broadband; and WHEREAS, the proposed American Jobs Plan, which was introduced by President Biden on March 31, 2021 would result in additional federal funds invested in infrastructure, affordable housing, research and development, clean energy, and broadband and the community-based care economy; and WHEREAS, the proposed American Families Plan, which was introduced by President Biden on April 28, 2021 would result in additional federal funds invested in universal preschool, high quality, affordable child care, affordable higher education, paid family and medical leave, nutritional assistance to families and students and extend key tax cuts that benefit workers and families; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the County to have a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to advocate for the investment of federal funds on our island and, due to uncertainty of timing and the urgent need for investment in the County of Hawaiʻi in the areas provided for in each of these federal funding packages, it behooves the County to be able to respond quickly and with flexibility; and WHEREAS, Section 92-2.5(b)(2), Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, allows for a permitted interaction group to consist of “[t]wo or more members of a board, but less than the number of members which would constitute a quorum for the board” that may be assigned to “[p]resent, discuss, or negotiate any position which the board has adopted at a meeting of the board; provided that the assignment is made and the scope of each member’s authority is defined at a meeting of the board prior to the presentation, discussion, or negotiation”. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI that it adopts a position of support for investment in Hawai‘i County from funds provided to the State of Hawaiʻi from the American Rescue Plan, the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan in the areas of: Infrastructure including roads, bridges, wastewater treatment; Affordable housing; Research and development Economic development; Clean energy and transportation; Broadband; Health care, including mental health. Affordable early and postsecondary education; Paid family and medical leave; and Nutritional services for families and children BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a permitted interaction group be formed of no more than four (4) members of the Council that is authorized to advocate on behalf of the Council at the state and federal levels for investment in Hawaiʻi County in the aforementioned areas of the American Rescue Plan, the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan and to discuss strategies for its advocacy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the permitted interaction group will continue to serve until one calendar year from the formation of the group and provide monthly reports on the first meetings of the month of the Committee on Governmental, Operations, Relations and Economic Development until one calendar year from the formation of the group. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable United States Senator Brian Schatz; the Honorable United States Senator Mazie K. Hirono; the Honorable United States Representative Ed Case; the Honorable United States Representative Kaiali‘i Kahele; the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor, State of Hawaiʻi; the Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi, Hawaiʻi State Senate President; the Honorable Scott K. Saiki, Speaker of the State of Hawaiʻi House of Representatives; and the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor. Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai‘i Hilo, Hawai‘i ROLL CALL VOTE    AYES NOES ABS EX   CHUNG       DAVID       I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________. INABA       KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER       KIERKIEWICZ       KIMBALL      ATTEST: LEE LOY       RICHARDS       VILLEGAS              Reference:  COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.