HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2022/11/01 2020-2022 Committee on Finance
46th Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
November 1, 2022
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at
ORDER: 1:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Matt Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder,
Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder, Chair
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Vice Chair
Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member(came in later)
Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member
Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III, Member (came in later)
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member
Absent& Excused: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
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: The following individuals registered to speak in support of Comm. 1077, and
came forward when called by the Chair:
Alan Roth.
(representing Friends of
Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical
Garden)
Marie Morin.
(representing Friends of
Amy Greenwell EthnoBotanical
Garden)
Karen Eoff.
(representing the
Kohanaiki `Ikaika `Ohana)
FC-46 November 1,2022
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Clerk, can we please go to
Communication 84.7?
Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members,
of Business: the following items were taken out of order:
Comm. 84.7: FIRST QUARTER REPORT OF PERSONS EMPLOYED UNDER A
CONTRACT FOR LESS THAN 90 DAYS: JULY 1 —SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
From Human Resources Director Waylen L. K. Leopoldino, dated October 3, 202
transmitting the above report pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-12.5.
Vote on Comm. 84.7: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 84.7.
Filed Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following
voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and
Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Lee Loy and
Richards —2.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: And for our next order of business thank
you, Director. For our next order of business, let's go to Bill 230, please.
Bill 230: PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
DOWNTOWN HILO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 2, AS
AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER 35 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Establishes a Business Improvement District to finance certain infrastructure
improvements and supplement public safety, sanitation, transportation, and
landscaping services in the Downtown Hilo area, to be applied to 183 parcels
assessed at$500 per parcel each year.
Reference: Comm. 1060
Intr. by: Mr. Chung
Motion to Approve: Mr. Chung moved to recommend passage of Bill 230
on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Chung, go ahead.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, thank you. First of all, Mr. Chairman, thank you very
much for taking this out of order. We have Mr. Roy Takemoto, former Managing
Director, here to answer any questions, if need be. I'm going to give some
background on this.
First of all, a similar bill was introduced about two years ago. This is almost
exactly the same thing that was introduced the last time, but I was advised by our
County Clerk that it might be better if we just came up with a new bill, so that's
what we did. There are certain requirements of these types of bills that probably
made it very yeah, made it advisable to make anew bill. But just as
background—well, first of all, I received an email from Mr. Takemoto (see
Comm. 1060.1), and he's a humble individual as we all know. He said he
appreciates the credit that I keep on bestowing on him on this thing "but stop that
already," so I'm going to stop that, okay, but I cannot do it or explain this thing
without at least explaining Roy's involvement in all of this, so I hope you don't
mind, Roy.
So at the tail-end of his administration, I allowed Roy to come up and introduce
the predecessor to this bill. Roy had done a lot of work on it. It was held in
committee at my request and not pulled out during the course of these last two
years. The reason for that is we were mired in, you know, COVID (Coronavirus
Disease) lockdown basically, and it just—to me it wasn't the best time to surface
something like this, which would have an impact financially on a lot of the
businesses that were suffering at that time, but now is the time.
To the credit of many other community-minded individuals, led by Nimr Tamimi,
they formed a group that was willing to take on the task of doing community
outreach, you know, to talk to affected landowners and businesses, and explain to
them what the benefits of this type of proposal would mean to them. Really,
when you think about it, this is all it was ever meant to be, a community-based
effort because there were some apprehensions on the part of some public
members who were fearful that this type of exaction would be shoved down their
throats, and that was never, ever the intent. It was intended to be a community-
based measure.
You know, to the credit of Nimr and his team, and Roy, and Roy is of course part
of all of that, and they did areal good job. I wasn't too sure if they were going to
be ready today, and I had every intention of holding this one more time until that
working group said, "Yeah, we're ready." Because what needs to be done, really,
is to identify the stakeholders and all of the affected parcel owners, because a
lot—you know, well, I'm thinking it has changed somewhat from the first time
this surfaced. Roy just told me today that they're ready to go. I think I've stated
this before, the funds that are generated by virtue of this type of arrangement is
not intended to replace what the County is supposed to be doing in that area, but
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more to augment and to reflect the needs of the association and the downtown
people.
So anyway, I think Roy is here to answer any other questions. I'm going to
mention one more thing though, there are some requirements, statutory
requirements that associate with these types of measures, and one is that if 50 or
over 50 percent of the affected landowners, or property owners—and there are
two formulas, and I'm not going to go into detail on that, but there are two
formulas. If there are 50 percent objections lodged, then this thing will
automatically die, and also, there is a requirement for a public hearing. The
public hearing has to be done after 90 days of the introduction of this bill. When
was this thing introduced anyway? Probably about a month ago. No earlier than
a month after its introduction and no later than 90 days, so we have that window.
We could do it while I'm still here, but I'm thinking it might be best if we let the
next Council Member take care of that.
But in the meantime, though, I would like to move this ahead. There might be
some changes to the exhibits, particularly Exhibits A and C. I'm not exactly too
sure. That's a work in progress. Roy and his team are going to have to work that
thing out. But I do ask for all of your support, at least moving this through.
There are safeguards against this thing being ramrodded down the throats of
affected landowners.
You know, we could use the—what is it called? Ms. Villegas, what's that? The
Kailua Village? Business Improvement District as a model, highly successful.
There was a community meeting held. Ross Wilson came. He gave his
perspectives and talked about all of the benefits, and I think it was well-received
by the people who were in attendance. So anyway, if you guys have any
questions, you can ask Roy, you guys can ask me,but if not, I would ask all of
you to please move this thing through. Thank you.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Council
Members? Mr. Inaba.
MR. INABA: Just a procedural question. When we establish a zone like this, and
if so happen properties within the zone subdivide, how does that work for them,
and a new TMK(Tax Map Key) is established? Because right now, we are listing
TMKs out.
MR. CHUNG: Right.
MR. INABA: I just thought of it and wondered what would happen.
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MR. CHUNG: Well, I guess it would depend on when the subdivision was done.
If it's done after the establishment, well than, you knowI mean, talking
procedurally in terms of objections and things like that?
MR. INABA: Yeah.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, and that—you know, that would be gone.
MR. INABA: Okay.
MR. CHUNG: But if it's done—and that's why Roy and his team, and Council
staff, will have to take a close look at all of these TMKs, yeah, prior to the
adoption of the measure.
MR. INABA: Oh. Thank you, Mr. Chung.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Thank you. Mr. Chung, thank you for introducing this. I think this
is a great issue to bring forward, especially for downtown Hilo. Having worked
with former Council Member Angel Pilago on the Village Improvement District
in Kona, it was like Mr. Chung said, "It's a very comprehensive, but a very fair
process,"where each business owner or each owner of property within that
district is allowed to take part, 50 percent. In that case, we did get over 50
percent, but there were some people that of course didn't support it. However,
now I think you can see the benefits for everyone, even for the ones that don't
liveI mean, that did not support this initially, because Kailua Village Business
Improvement District organization has really stepped out, the beautification of
that village.
I see good things for downtown Hilo, as well, and the process is a fair one. So
thank you, Mr. Chung, for expanding that on the Hilo side. I will support this
measure. Mahalo.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. David. Ms. Villegas, go
ahead.
MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah, I concur with the statements of Chair David. While not
going back quite as far with her direct work for Angel Pilago's office, I've had the
honor and privilege of working with the Kailua Village Business Improvement
District and all of the different measures that they work really hard on
beautification. They have aloha ambassadors that travel through a village and
creating relationships, even with our houseless population there, and supporting
our small businesses through some of the things they struggle with, and it kind
of expanded into an opportunity to embrace other conversations as we navigate
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long-term planning for the village. I think that it would highly benefit,
potentially, the other most urban area on our island.
So I will definitely be supporting this today, and do recommend something
like the organization that helps manage what happens on the Kona side. So
thank you, Roy, for your unending commitment to your community, and for
utilizing your long list of talents, skills, and knowledge to continue to support
the betterment of the community you call "home." That is a true testament to
the kind of man you are and the kind of leader you are. So, thank you.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Villegas.
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Mr. Takemoto, I almost didn't
recognize you, looking all casual and tanned today. Great to see you. Thanks
for continuing to be involved in this. I know this is one of your babies when
you were working for former Mayor Kim, so thank you for helping Council
Member Chung kind of ushered this through and get it over the finish line.
Council Member Chung, I'll be supporting this.
I don't know if you know, but downtown Hilo has a special place in my heart.
My dad used to own a gas station, right in downtown Hilo, right across Kalakaua
Park, kitty-corner of the Post Office, where Atlas Recycling is now, so many,
many, many years of my childhood was spent in Downtown Hilo pumping gas,
just cruising those streets. So, do see the need for setting help something like this.
I think the Kailua Village model has been extremely successful, and so I do want
to make sure that we're supporting this process, especially if it's something that
the community had asked for. I think this is one of those tools that's really
remarkable in being community-driven, government-supported. So just providing
another pot of funding, and a framework for community partners, and businesses,
to be working in partnership with the government to be taking action on ideas and
different plans that they have to solve for some of the challenges in the area.
So right on, Council Member Chung. I'll be supporting this, and hopefully, we
can start looking at maybe doing something like this for Pahoa. Thank you,
Chair. I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz.
Mr. Richards, go ahead.
MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, thank you. I'm just going to echo what
Ms. Kierkiewicz just said, Roy, good to see you. I agree, I've been going to Hilo,
or coming to Hilo, for decades, right, Mr. Chung? I can appreciate the fact that a
kind of reinvigoration, revitalization, is needed. I was driving through Hilo
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maybe a couple of weeks ago, and I was thinking about that and trying to figure
out what's the best way to do this, and this looks like the way to start doing this.
So, I definitely going to support it. Thank you. I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Ms. Kimball.
MS. KIMBALL: Thank you; and yeah, thank you, Council Member Chung for
bringing this forward. I, too, was driving through Hilo the other day and just
taking a moment to be grateful for living in this area and being able to go to a
small town that still has that wonderful small-town feel and character, and just
thinking about I want to make sure that we're able to preserve that over time.
I had a couple of procedural questions. You know, in terms of the list of TMK
and the 50 percent threshold, is it one TMK, one vote, or is it one entity, one vote,
because I see there are some entities that own multiple parcels.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, best I can recall, I don't have the ordinance in front of me,
but I did say there are two ways of doing this; one would be, of course, I think it's
by the parcel, okay, the second one is by the assessed value of all of the parcels,
when you talk about 50 percent and stuff like that. I'm just working off of
memory, so I think it's by parcel not by person.
MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, and that kind of—that actually kind of leads me to my
question, is that I don't know what happened with the Village association, Kailua
Village, but is it always a flat fee or is it ever based on like property value?
MR. CHUNG: I think they're going to establish the fees.
MS. KIMBALL: Okay. This is just for the purposes of presentation today? Got
it, thank you. Yeah, I'm happy to support this and see it go through to the next
step. Thank you for introducing something here at the end of Holeka's and my
first term that we haven't seen before, so we can just keep growing our skillsets.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Mr. Chung, go
ahead.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, and I really do appreciate all the kind words in support of
this measure. But I just wanted to ask Roy if he had anything he'd like to say
today. I mean it looks like it's going to move forward, and you'll always have
that opportunity on the second go-around, depends on when you want to say it.
He actually made a nice presentation too, I think, that might be appropriate. Not
today, of course, but at some other time. But you want to say anything today,
Roy? Okay, come up.
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(Note: At this time, former Managing Director Roy Takemoto came
forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MR. TAKEMOTO: Roy Takemoto, happily retired. Thank you for the kind
words and for your support in this Business Improvement District. We provided
written testimony; we being the Steering Committee that was formed to restart
this process. Take a look at the list of people who were there because they all
contributed significantly to moving this along.
We provided in our testimony some proposed amendments to the bill, and it
would affect the text of the bill itself, but also the three exhibits. The District Plan
that we provided in the testimony would be Exhibit A to the bill, and that would
be replaced hopefully with what we had submitted.
Exhibit B is the map, and that would also be replaced because that had changed
between the previous bill and this bill. When we went out to the community,
originally the boundary only included downtown Hilo. It was expanded to Zone 2
and 3, which included the areas along Kilauea all the way across the State
Judiciary Building, to kind of unify that whole area, to give it a brand new
identity, that would kind of connect it to Downtown Hilo, as well as to extend the
clean-up and security services and homeless outreach to that area, as well.
Exhibit C to the bill is the assessment road. And because of the extended area,
Zone 1 to 3, that exhibit would have to be changed. We have an old list, and we
kind of calculated. We sent notices to all the owners within those zones based on
the current Real Property Tax mailing list to let them know initially that this idea
was coming along, and we gave a second notice when we planned the special
meeting for the owners. So, they had two—as well as a door-to-door distribution
of flyers. So it was quite an effort to reach out to them. The response we got was
not many directly opposed. A lot just waiting for more information, but a lot in
favor. So, that's it. Do you have any questions?
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Takemoto. Good to see
you. Any questions from the Council for Mr. Takemoto? Okay. Mr. Chung,
anything else?
MR. CHUNG: No.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Okay, seeing no further discussion.
Mr. Takemoto, wonderful to see you. You actually walked me through my
understanding of an Improvement District. You're absolutely a wealth of
information, so it's good to see you back here. I'm glad that you're retired
because you should be retired and having fun.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Mr. Chung, I'll be supporting this today, and well-done. I remember this bill
from about two years ago. I did wonder what happened to it because I know you
started it, and just wondered where it ended up. So, good to see you back. With
that, good discussion. We have the motion on the floor to forward Bill 230 to
Council with a favorable recommendation, all in favor?
Vote on Bill 230: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 230 on
(Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder–8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy – 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Can we please move to—let's go to
Resolution 594-22, please?
Res. 594-22: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PURSUANT TO
HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR A GRANT TO THE
HAWAII COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Allows for the receipt of$494,900, which would be used towards the department's
purchase and installation of washer/extractor/dryers for personal protective
equipment, and for grant writer fees.
Reference: Comm. 1069
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 594-22. Seconded by Mr. Richards.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: We do have our Fire Department members
here today if there are any questions from the Council. Ms. Kierkiewicz, go
ahead.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. If I could just maybe call Chief Smith
forward? I know this is something we actually talked about maybe one or two
years ago, being able to buy equipment that would wash our PPE(Personal
Protective Equipment) of all the toxic carcinogens that our firefighters are
exposed to. So Chief, if you just wanted to take a minute to kind of talk about the
grant that you were able to secure and what it's going to mean for our
department?
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FC-46 November 1,2022
(Note: At this time, Assistant Fire Chief Ian Smith came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. SMITH: Sure. Good afternoon, Chief Ian Smith, Hawaii Fire Department.
You know, cancer prevention in the Fire service is something that our
administration is passionate about. We know that it's in an area in a dangerous
profession, and everything that we can do as a department to help offset some
of those dangers, we want to do. So we are fortunate enough this is our third
go-around writing this grant, so we are fortunate enough that this time around we
were able to get approval for 21 extractors and dryers. So basically, these are
it's kind of like a washing machine,just not for use with household items. This is
just for the personal protective equipment.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Great. And then Chief, do we have money in the budget to
maintain what you're purchasing? I just want to make sure that we're keeping in
mind, walking into the next budget cycle, the maintenance piece of it.
MR. SMITH: Yeah. So there is a 10 percent match that goes along with this.
The period of performance of the grant is over two years. Beyond that two years,
we expected between warranties that come along with it and what we can get in
the budget that we'll be able to see through, into the future.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I'll be supporting this.
MR. SMITH: Thank you.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Third times a charm.
MR. SMITH: Yes, yes.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: And I know how hard you—it's really difficult to be
getting federal grants, and I know how important this one was for your
department, so we'll be supporting it. Thank you again. Congratulations. Chair,
I yield.
MR. SMITH: Thank you.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Seeing no
further discussion, the motion is on the floor to forward Resolution 594-22 to
Council with a favorable recommendation, all in favor?
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Vote on Res. 594-22: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 594-22
(Approved) was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Chung and Lee Loy —2.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, let's move on to Bill 231, please.
Bill 231: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Increases revenues in the Transfer from General Fund account($6,000); and
appropriates the same to The Food Basket, Inc. account. Funds would be used to
provide a grant to the Hawaii Island Food Basket to purchase food for its Kona
warehouse.
Reference: Comm. 1066
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder(B/R)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 231
on first reading. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion, Council Members?
MR. INABA: Thank you. I believe there is an amendment, if I may?
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, yes,please.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Inaba moved to amend Bill 231 with the contents
of Comm. 1066.1. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Motion is on the floor. Council Members,
discussion on the motion?
MR. INABA: Yeah, I think this has to do with funds that I gave to the Food
Basket, I believe so, and it was for $3,000. Somehow paperwork got mixed up
and it was $6,000, so this bill and this corresponding amendment are to correct
that.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Inaba.
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MR. INABA: Mr. Richards may have something to add.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Richards, go ahead.
MR. RICHARDS: No, I think we ought to make him give the whole $6,000. I
think the Food Bank could use it. I appreciate the donation to the Food Basket,
Mr. Inaba. But yeah, that's what I was going to ask, how come the cutback? But
I understand,paperwork.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Okay, seeing no
further discussion. Motion for the amendment is on the floor. All in favor of the
amendment?
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 231 with the contents of
to Amend: Comm.1066.1 2 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Back to the main motion on Bill 231, as
amended, any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor?
Vote on Bill 231: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 231,
Draft 3 Draft 2, as amended to Draft 3, on first reading was carried
(Approved) by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And that was for Bill 231, being forwarded
to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Clerk,please.
MR. BROWN: I want to apologize, I haven't been asking if there is any
testimony for each item, so anybody out there in the public or at our sites please
let us know, speak up if you want to testify. We are on Communication 31.46.
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Comm. 31.46: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: SEPTEMBER 16 –30, 2022
From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated October 4, 2022, transmitting the
above report pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-12.3.
Motion to Closes File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 31.46.
Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion? Mr. Inaba,
go ahead.
MR. INABA: Yeah, I know Ms. Hirota is here. There are change orders for
Kukui Ola in this report. So Ms. Hirota, if you could please just give us the
update on these change orders, and if time permits, a quick update on where we
are?
(Note: At this time, Housing and Community Development Specialist
Sharon Hirota came forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MS. HIROTA: Sharon Hirota, Division Manager, Community Engagement for
the Office of Housing and Community Development. I'm here to provide
information in regard to the contract amendments on the report. It reflects
amendments that we've been working with our Design Build contractor for the
Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment project out in Kailua-Kona. So a
combination of adjustments to reflect changes in our contract.
So, a couple of things. So the first one to work with started under the
proclamation issued by Governor Ige on homelessness. And then, we were
informed that the work needs to end with the existing contract, the Design Build
contract for the construction of the access road, and the construction of—the prep
work prior to vertical construction. So based on that, we had to go back to our
contracts and do a reconciliation and do some adjustments to the contract because
some of the work included the design of the village, which we needed to then pull
out.
I think the most recent change is Amendment No. 5, which adds $6.1 million to
the Design Build contract, and this iswe finalized our contract with the
developer that will provide for rough grading of the entire site, the construction of
the access road leading into the project, including the installation of the
infrastructure to support utilities and drainage. It will also include paving curb
and gutter striping and signage. And then the State is also requiring us to do
fencing under the side of the property and address the turnout lane from the
project onto Kealakehe Parkway.
MR. INABA: Thank you, and when do we think this access road, specific to
these change orders, will be completed?
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MS. HIROTA: Work started, so long-awaited project. We are finishing theI
think earlier we informed you that we received an award of$10 million through
the U.S. Congressional Office, of$10 million to support the vertical construction
of this project; and upon receipt of federal dollars,we needed to complete the
federally required environmental assessment. We are at the final stages of that.
We hope that we will be completed with that work by mid by the end of
November, early December, and with 30 days' notice to a contractor, we will start
work.
MR. INABA: Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Thank you,
Ms. Hirota. Seeing no further discussion. Motion is on the floor to close file on
Communication 31.46, all in favor?
Vote on Comm. 31.46: The motion to close file on Comm. 31.46 was carried
Filed by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Clerk, let's go to
Communication 770.1.
Comm. 770.1: SINGLE AUDIT OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021
From County Auditor Tyler J. Benner, dated October 11, 2022, transmitting the
above report prepared by N&K CPAs, Inc.,pursuant to Hawaii County Charter,
Section 10-13.
; and
Comm. 770.2: From County Auditor Tyler J. Benner, dated October 11, 2022, transmitting
PowerPoint presentation materials to be displayed by N&K CPAs, Inc.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 770.1 and
Comm. 770.2. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We have joining us today some of the
members from N&K, as well as Ms. Deanna Sako, our Finance Director.
Gentlemen, can you guys give us a brief overview of the audit that was performed
for the Federal Assistance Programs?
(Note: At this time, Audit Principal Chad Funasaki and Assurance
Services Division Senior Manager Andrew Ho, both of N&K CPAs, Inc.,
came forward to address the members of the Committee.)
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for joining us today.
MR. FUNASAKL Okay. Hi. Yeah, good afternoon, Chair Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder, Finance Committee members. My name is Chad Funasaki, and with
me, I have Andrew Ho. We're from N&K CPAs.
This afternoon, I have a pretty short slide to cover the—it's a Single Audit Report.
We did meet with the Committee members earlier this year to go over the Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report. This is for the Single Audit or the Compliance
Audit. Again, we have a short slide-deck here, and I'll have Andrew maybe walk
us through it, and then we're open for questions, I guess, after the presentation.
So go ahead, Andrew.
MR. HO: Good afternoon, Chair and Finance Committee members. So as Chad
mentioned, this is just a brief summary of the Scope of Audit services. I think
maybe a few months ago we presented on the Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report.
(Note: At this time, Mr. Funasaki and Mr. Ho provided a PowerPoint
presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject
presentation, please see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file
in the Clerk's Office, or the video archives online from the County's
homepage at www.hawaiicounty.gov. A hard copy of the presentation is
made a part of the record, see Comm.770.2.)
MR. HO: Like Chad mentioned, that's actually all we have for our presentation.
We just want to open it up to any questions you folks may have.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, gentlemen.
Council, questions? Okay, we got no questions on this side. Oh, wait, we got
one. Ms. Villegas, go ahead.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah, so just to break it down in laymen's terms. In looking
though this,just kind of a short PowerPoint, it appears to me that we are in no real
risk of any issues after this audit. Is that a correct assumption?
MR. FUNASAKL Yeah, this pertains to the 2021 year. Again, well it is—it's
obviously a bit later than it has been in previous years, but we're obviously into
we're done with Fiscal 2022, and we're actually in the process of that audit,
presently. But during that period of time, as Andrew indicated, we had looked at
those three programs, the biggest being that Coronavirus Relief Fund, and that
was like roughly $77 million in total federal expenditures under that program,
which I believe was about half. Half of your total federal expenditures were
related to that Coronavirus Relief Fund. So as it pertains to those three programs,
no, we had nothing to report as it relates to internal controls over compliance as
well as any compliance findings that we came across.
MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you for clarifying, I just wanted to make sure that I was
getting the correct impression that this is good news. So congratulations to the
Administration, Department of Finance, and all the other departments that
navigated a windfall of much-appreciated resources, but also in an unprecedented
time withoftentimes, directions and specifics coming oddly enough sometimes
on the heels of what had been allocated. So I just want to complement our teams
on managing those resources so efficiently, effectively, from what seems in 2021
without any issues according to this audit, so thank you for that good news today.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Villegas. Ms. Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, gentlemen, for the report
and the brief presentation. So the good news is we've spent, as a County, federal
funding responsibly, which is always a good thing. Just curious, how long does it
take for you folks to do this examination of the various transactions? How long
does the audit take?
MR. FUNASAKL It kind of depends. We normally start—well, on the Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report, which is what we're in the process with now,
we typically started maybe, I'd say September. We need to get—well, obviously
we try and push to get it done and completed by the end of the year.
The Single Audit piece, it kind of depends on the amount of programs we need to
look at. I know—again, as I mentioned earlier, this particular report is obviously
a lot later than it typically has been due to there were extensions granted by the
Federal Government for the deadline for the Single Audit Report. It's typically
due—and it's going to revert back to being due nine months after Fiscal Year
End. So for the 2022 audit, it's due end of March of 2023; so there's no longer
that six-month extension that they granted in previous years because of COVID.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
But to answer your question, it's a little hard to say. I mean, we definitely need to
get it done by March, and it depends on the amount of programs we need to look
at. We do conduct an assessment as to which programs need to be audited, so that
can change from year to year. So, it really depends.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: And that assessment of what programs to look at, that's
something that you do on your own, in partnership with the Auditor's office, in
consultation with Finance Department, how does that play out?
MR. FUNASAKL It's in consultation, based on information that we receive
from, I believe, from Kay (Oshiro) or Deanna, as it relates to the amount of
federal expenditures. Also, we are required to rotate programs back on. Like if
we haven't looked at a program in two years, we're almost required to audit that
program.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay.
MR. FUNASAKL So it really depends on the amount of expenditures, the size of
the program, the assessment of risk; and also again, rotation. If we haven't
looked at it for a while, we need to look at it again. So those are various reasons
or things that come into play as to which programs we need to look at.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: But with the Coronavirus Relief Fund close to $80 million,
the nature of that fund,just something we haven't really utilized, expended, as
County governments before. So could you just really briefly, for the Council,
walk us through? What exactly are you looking for when you do these audits?
Because that's a lot of transactions to be studying and to be making a decision
upon. So what exactly are you requesting from the Finance Department, and
evaluating to come to your conclusion?
MR. FUNASAKL Well, I think for this particular program obviously, it's the
liability of the expenditures, if it's being spent in accordance with federal
regulations of program requirements. I believe that's a big area that we look at,
and that's typical in any part that we look at. I mean, are the expenditures
allowable?
So depending on the program, you could have other types of things, like
eligibility may become a requirement. There's procurement. There could be
things like any matching cost-sharing. There could be special tests related to that
program, so it really varies. But as it relates to the Coronavirus Relief Funds, it's
primarily going to be the allowability of those expenditures.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, that's really helpful because I know that as we
receive the funding, there were so many changes within the Treasury. I know that
Director Sako was just very diligent in making sure we stayed up on the rules so
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FC-46 November 1,2022
that all of our expenditures were in fact legal, because we certainly didn't want to
have to be put ourselves into any jeopardy of any funding being called back.
Thank you, gentlemen. Really appreciate your indulging me in these questions.
Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Okay, seeing
no other questions for you folks. I have one question. Does your audit take into
account—and for example, I'm looking at different programs, and the federal
program award amount, total federal expenditures, and the first question that pops
into my mind is how much time do we have left to spend down the rest? Does the
audit take into account the amount of time left to expend the total award amount?
MR. FUNASAKL Well, typically there's a period of performance that I know a
lot of awards have those. As it relates to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, I don't—
CHR.
on'tCHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: This would really apply across the board,
and I understand this is for the 2021 Fiscal Year, correct?
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. SAKO: So Chair, if I could just add to this?
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you.
MS. SAKO: The total federal expenditures, it's actually for the current fiscal year
being audited, so in some cases, some of the amounts may have been spent in
previous years, as well.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Is it worth adding in or having it
available within the timeframe to spend down these funds? Some may be a
five-year period, some might be a one-year grant.
MS. SAKO: I believe—Chad can correct me, but I believe this is the format
required by the Bond Federal Government.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Okay.
MR. FUNASAKL Yes. Yeah.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So the audit doesn't take into account
though, timeframe, or if all funds would be expended in the timeframe allowed?
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MR. FUNASAKL Well, again, there is a requirement for a period of
performance, so it's not—would be indefinite. I mean, there is a stated time as to
when these funds need to be expended by.
MR. HO: I think,just to add to what Chad is saying, that would be more so on
like a major program level like as we're going through and identifying applicable
compliance requirements, that's where we would probably look at that. But with
regards to maybe overall, with regard to the schedule of expenditures, the federal
awards, I don't—maybe—Chad, I don't know if you want to add in on that.
MR. FUNASAKL Well, the period of performance does apply. That requirement
does apply to this program. So yes, there is a timeline for when these funds need
to be spent. I don't know off the top of my head as to when these funds need to
be expended by.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I think just for me, these are all going to be
different, each different grant, each program is going to be different.
MR. FUNASAKL Right.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So maybe hard to track, but good for the
Council to know. I'm just wondering if
MS. SAKO: I think we look at it probably more closely when we're closing the
books. Our accountants up in the Accounts Division actually sits down with each
department and goes through grant-by-grant to make sure they've expended
everything by the end date of each grant; because some of the grants are good for
one year and sometimes the year is our fiscal year, sometimes the year is the
federal fiscal year. Some grants are good for three years, five years, it just kind
of—each one is a little bit different.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. We track internally, though?
MS. SAKO: Um-hum, we do.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So not part of the audit function?
MS. SAKO: No.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Okay, that was my only question.
Thank you, gentlemen, appreciate your time. Ms. Sako, thank you. Okay, seeing
no discussion, Council Members, we have the motion on the floor to close file on
Communication 770.1, all in favor?
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Vote on Comms. 770.1: The motion to close file on Comm. 770.1 was carried
Filed by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and
Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Lee Loy and Richards —2.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Can we please move to Comm. 1077?
MR. FUNASAKL Thank you.
MR. HO: Thank you.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, gentlemen.
Statements The Chair called Kai McGuire, Esq., who registered to speak regarding
from the Comm. 1077, and came forward when called by the Chair.
Public on
Comm. 1077:
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Clerk, can we go to
Communication 1077, please?
Page 20
FC-46 November 1,2022
Comm. 1077: APPLICATIONS FOR 2022 STEWARDSHIP GRANTS FOR COUNTY
LANDS ACQUIRED THROUGH THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND
From Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, dated October 14, 2022,presenting
favorable recommendations for the following qualified nonprofit organizations
requesting funding to maintain certain parcels acquired through the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund:
• Kohanaiki `Ohana(`O`oma Shoreline Beach Park)
Funds requested: $20,380
• Ho`omalu Ka`u(Kahua Olohu)
Funds requested: $26,675
• Na Mamo O Kawa(Kawa`a/Kawa`a Bay)
Funds requested: $117,012.48
• Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens
Funds requested: $95,380
• P6h5h5 I Ka Lani (Waipi`o Valley Lookout)
Funds requested: $39,710
• Kohala Lihikai (Kaiholena)
Funds requested: $59,298
• Kohala Lihikai (Halawa Hale O Kaili)
Funds requested: $36,651
Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file Comm. 1077. Seconded by
Mr. Richards.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion on
Communication 1077? Mr. Inaba, go ahead.
MR. INABA: I just had a question. I know these are the recommendations being
provided by the Finance Department, who now manages the Maintenance Fund,
but what the process was or has been to kind of get out to community that this is
an opportunity to apply for? Do we know what the process is?
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Ms. Sako did say
that Mr. Hamana Ventura is in Kona to help us with some of this, especially this
one in particular.
MR. INABA: Oh, wonderful. Aloha.
(Note: At this time, Real Property Manager Hamana Ventura came
forward to address the members of the Committee.)
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Ventura, go ahead.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MR. VENTURA: Okay, thank you. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager.
Thanks for your question. You know, it's been word-of-mouth for all these years.
But as we get more—where I used to be in part of the stewardship program we
have website information available to our stewards, and we're always available to
answer questions. We'd love to interact more; we're moving in that direction.
So, whatever we can do to help this along.
MR. INABA: Thank you. Perhaps for organizations who are not already tied to a
specific parcel like some of these are, is there an opportunity or what is required
so that they can be you know, an organization that helps with stewardship, is
there an application that they have to apply for to be linked to a certain property?
MR. VENTURA: Yeah, so we have applications in place on our website. But the
most important thing, similar to the Council grants, is that either you have to be a
501(c)(3) or be umbrellaed under to apply. So if there are groups out there that
have interest, then we can help walk them through that process, or help put them
in touch with groups or organizations who can they can lean on for support to
work their way through this process.
MR. INABA: Thank you very much. That's all the questions I have, Chair.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Thank you,
Mr. Ventura. Council Members? Ms. Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Mahalo nui, Hamana, and I know she's
not on right now, Maxine Cutler. You guys have been so incredibly helpful to a
lot of the nonprofit groups that are applying for this fund. So I just want to take a
moment to thank you and recognize all of your efforts in the background to ensure
that our applicants are submitting solid applications.
I notice here in the transmittal from the Director that there are a couple of folks
—
a couple of applications that were not recommended for funding. One of them
just wasn't allowed because they were trying to apply for funding that wasn't
on that isn't a PONC (Preservation, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Commission)property, but the other was recommended to not receive funding by
our commission. Are you able to kind of share with us what some of the issues
were with that particular application? Is it some organization that's received
funding in the past? Are there ways in which to kind of help build capacity when
the organization—so that next time they apply, they're more successful in
obtaining the funding?
MR. VENTURA: Yeah, so thank you for that question. So what we're learning
as we go through this process is that sometimes we—our expectations are a little
bit more advanced in what these applicants want to do. In particular, we've
picked up some parcels that have some really significant archaeological sites; and
what we inherited are burial tribunal plants, preservation plants, that were
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FC-46 November 1,2022
developed prior to the year 2000. So what we've figured out as we go through the
process is that what we need to do is take a step back, work with State Historic
Preservation Division, get back onto our projects, and update our burial tribunal
plants or preservation plants to reflect our current situation. As us being owners,
we have a chance to craft it more in line with what our stewards, our lineal
descendants, what we want to see these projects envelope. So the timing in that
particular case just wasn't right. It wasn't that we didn't want to move forward,
we thought that—we figured out that we as an owner have to do our homework
before we can move forward.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Thanks for the explanation, Hamana. I just want to
make sure that all of our nonprofit partners are getting the funding they need to
steward; but in this particular situation, there's kuleana on the County side that we
need to get done first before we can responsibly engage a nonprofit partner to
maintain the parcel.
MR. VENTURA: Yeah. Yeah, I mean we appreciate all of the steps that they
underwent to get there, but going through the process, we figured out some key
elements that we're going to go back to square one and do it the right way.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Director, I hate to put you on the spot with this one,
but I get plenty of calls and messages about this particular question, and it's
related to—when applicants apply for stewardship and maintenance funds, they
ask about administrative funding. Oftentimes, they're working with a fiscal
nonprofit sponsor to kind of manage the funding. So looking through the Charter,
it's not explicitly stated that yes, you can in fact use some of that money for
administrative costs. Can you confirm that? If that's the case, in order to make
that happen, would we have to put in another Charter amendment?
MS. SAKO: Pretty much, yes. So one of the thingsI mean, we all said to not
make the Charter so detailed, but that still is what resulted, so it's not included.
So, anywhere where they can, if they have an employee who is doing work or
something like that, they may be able to allocate it to the project, but it's going to
have to be part of the project. It cannot just have,you know, like a 10 percent
administration fee on top of it. That's not allowed.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Correct. I just wanted to make sure that we're saying it on
the record because some folks are of the mind that it doesn't say you can't,
therefore it can be funded. No, no, that's not what our legal team is saying here.
MS. SAKO: Unfortunately, there's not like a catch-all phrase at the end. It says,
"And other costs that may"you know, "other related costs" or something like
that. So because each line item is so specific, it doesn't fit within any of those.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you for taking the time to kind of just share that out
with the community. But again,just going back to mahaloing Maxine and
Hamana for really working with the nonprofit partners to really make sure that
they find a way forward and fund those costs. Okay, right on. Thank you,
Director. I appreciate it. I'll be supporting the applications that are for today.
I'm just really grateful to our community partners for stepping up and taking on
this kuleana. Thank you, Chair.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Seeing no
Ms. Kimball, go ahead.
MS. KIMBALL: Yeah. Actually, Director Sako, I just had a clarifying question,
as well. And again, thank you, and your team for taking this on and expediting it.
I know that folks are pleased to see us caught up. What was, if you can remind
me, the total amount that ended up going into the PONC's Stewardship Funds for
this fiscal year?
MS. SAKO: Oh, for the year—I can do the math. The math—and all we can
have in the fund is $3 million.
MR. VENTURA: Yeah.
MS. KIMBALL: The cap. But how much time went in ?
MS. SAKO: Just a second, I've got to do the math. It's a quarter percent, yes.
So I think about$1 million if I did the math quickly and fast enough.
MS. KIMBALL: Okay, yeah. So we're still on an annual basis, not actually
hitting the annual income, because this is close to about$400,000 in expenditures.
MS. SAKO: Oh right, the amount that we're giving? Correct.
MS. KIMBALL: For this. Right, right, right. So when we cross that$3 million
mark, it goes into the General Fund?
MS. SAKO: We just don't transfer anymore.
MS. KIMBALL: We just don't—okay. Okay, great. I just wanted some
clarifying questions around that, yeah.
MS. SAKO: And just to clarify, this may not be a good year to judge off of,
because we got backed up. So we treated—each grantee kind of applied and
worked it out separately, and so some didn't apply for this year because they
knew they had gotten last year, which they're actually spending this year. Some
had actually spent, and we reimbursed them for the things from last year, so they
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FC-46 November 1,2022
did apply this year. So hopefully, by next year, everyone will be caught up and it
would be almost a more normal amount.
MS. KIMBALL: Okay, great. What do you think the more normal amount is?
Does it look like ?
MS. SAKO: I'm not sure yet.
MS. KIMBALL: Okay, well we'll wait to see.
MS. SAKO: Because we keep adding parcels, so we'll see.
MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, yeah. I mean, I think, kind of leaning off of Council
Member Inaba's questions, about getting this out there. Maybe another useful bit
of information for you to provide for us, Hamana, is, do we have parcels out there
that need stewards, that are, you know, in a condition where we want to make sure
we're recruiting some nonprofit to start doing work on those, then we can work
on those
MS. SAKO: Like parcels where no one's applied?
MS. KIMBALL: Right, yeah. Yeah, so I think that might be a useful bit of
information for us to have. Thank you, I yield, Chair.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Okay, seeing no
further discussion. Mr. McGuire, I do see your hand up. Did you want to add
anything to the conversation?
MR. MCGUIRE: No, I just wanted to say that if any of your constituents reach
out to you about the program and they have questions, feel free to send them my
way, and I can share them about my experience from the grantee's side. So yeah,
I just wanted to throw that out there. I'm willing to help any of your constituents
with any questions about the program that—in addition to what they can get from
the program itself.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Very, very nice of you, thank you very
much. Appreciate it.
MR. MCGUIRE: Okay, thank you guys.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you. Okay, with that, I see no
further discussion. Thank you, Ms. Sako. Thank you, Mr. Ventura. We have the
motion on the floor to close file on Communication 1077. Council Members, all
in favor?
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Vote on Comm. 1077: The motion to close file on Comm. 1077 was carried
Filed by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder–8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy – 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Let's go to Resolution 595-22, please.
Res. 595-22: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF A LATER FISCAL YEAR
AND OF MORE THAN ONE FISCAL YEAR FOR A MULTI-YEAR LEASE
OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year lease agreement with an option to
extend for two additional five-year terms, with New Kaiko`o Building, Inc.,
located at 120 Pauahi Street, Hilo, for approximately 12,571 square feet of office
space for the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division and other County
departments.
Reference: Comm. 1073
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 595-22. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion on the lease
agreement? We do have Mr. Ventura here as well to answer questions if there are
any. Okay, seeing none. Mr. Ventura, could you just give us a real high-level
summary? I didn't see any costs associated with the lease. I don't know if
you've gotten there so far with this agreement, this resolution.
(Note: At this time, Real Property Manager Hamana Ventura came
forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MR. VENTURA: Yeah, so what we worked out to is $1.15 a square foot,
base-rent plus CAM (Common Area Maintenance), which is $1.27. This is a
Bank of Hawaii, they built a stand-alone building; this became available. It gives
us the opportunity and looked—and combine services like we've done in
Waimea, Puna, and Kona. It's close to County services, so it puts us right in the
central location where we're next to our County Building and Aupuni Center.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, so $1.15 per square foot plus $1.27
per square foot CAM?
MR. VENTURA: Yep.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, $2.42?
MR. VENTURA: So it comes up to—correct. So it comes out to $30,692 per
month.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Is that fair right now for a market value for
the going rate in Hilo?
MR. VENTURA: Yeah. I mean, $1.15 a square foot, that's a decent price.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And the CAM?
MR. VENTURA: The CAM is a little bit up there, but when you're dealing with
central area and so forth, I mean, that's just how it goes.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Yeah, that seems high for CAM,
but if they're including a/c (Air Conditioning) and electric.
MR. VENTURA: Yep.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Mr. Inaba, go ahead.
MR. INABA: Yeah,just a quick question. I mean, I know oftentimes we do see
the amounts put in. Will we see an amendment to this resolution since you have
the amounts now?
MR. VENTURA: We can include it next time around.
MR. INABA: Okay, thank you.
MR. VENTURA: Sure, no problem.
MR. INABA: I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Inaba, good
recommendation. If you could, Mr. Ventura.
MR. VENTURA: Will do.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, seeing no further discussion on this
end. We have the motion on the floor, all in favor?
Vote on Res. 595-22: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 595-22
(Approved) was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, and
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Lee Loy and Villegas —2.
Excused: None.
MR. BROWN: Chair, do you mind just repeating the motion real quick,just for
the record,please?
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: That was a motion to forward
Resolution 595-22, and the vote was seven members in favor, two being excused,
Ms. Lee Loy and Ms. Villegas.
MR. BROWN: Thank you, Chair.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Let's go to—we have
Mr. Andoh joining us now. Let's go to Bill 237, Mr. Clerk.
Bill 237: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Decreases revenues in the Federal Transit Administration Fiscal Year 2021-2022
(-$2,422,928) and the Section 5339 Capital Grant Fiscal Year 2021-2022
(-$1,861,345) accounts; and appropriates the same to the Federal Transit
Administration Fiscal Year 2022-2023 ($2,422,928) and the Section 5339 Capital
Grant Fiscal Year 2022-2023 account($1,861,345).
Reference: Comm. 1072
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 237
on first reading. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Andoh,joining us today. Do you want
to summarize for us? Looks pretty straightforward. Thank you for being here
today, Director.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
(Note: At this time, Mass Transit Agency Administrator John Andoh
came forward to address the members of the Committee.
MR. ANDOH: Good afternoon, Chair and Council, John Andoh, Mass Transit
Administrator. Purpose of this bill is to appropriate additional funds that we've
received from the Hawaii Department of Transportation through the Federal
Transit Administration to support our rural transit operations as well as the
purchase of additional buses to support the Hele-On system, in addition to the
funds to support operations, which will pay our operation's contractor. It will
also fund four positions with the Mass Transit Agency to expand our capacity to
manage the overall multi-modal transportation system. Happy to answer any
questions if there are any.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Director. Okay, seeing no
questions. Oh, Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Not a question. John, you've been knocking it all out of the
ballpark, I'll tell you. With all the grants that you've brought for Mass Transit, I
just want to say thank you because what you've done is, and we've discussed this
about our transportation. Transportation is the economic generator—economic
driver for our County and having this in such good hands with a bright direction, a
lot of it, you deserve the credit because you've brought all this funding to us to
get us where we need to be, so that's just a thank you.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Seeing no
further discussion. Motion is on the floor to forward Bill 237 to Council with a
favorable recommendation, all in favor?
Vote on Bill 237: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 237 on
(Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, and
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Lee Loy and Villegas —2.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Director. Let's
circle back to Communication 1074, Mr. Clerk.
Statements The Chair called Sharon Gilbert, who registered to comment on Comm. 1074,
from the and came forward when called by the Chair.
Public on
Comm. 1074:
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FC-46 November 1,2022
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Clerk?
Comm. 1074: NOTIFICATION OF FUND BALANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2022
From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated October 14, 2022, transmitting the
above pursuant to Section 2-12.4, Hawaii County Code, indicating a total
budgetary fund balance of$70,373,890.
Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file Comm. 1074. Seconded by
Ms. David.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We do have Ms. Sako joining us today.
Council Members, discussion?
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Richards, go ahead.
MR. RICHARDS: Ms. Sako, couple quick questions.
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. SAKO: Good afternoon.
MR. RICHARDS: Hi Deanna, thanks. Quickly, concerning you say a good
portion was as a result of the TAT (Transient Accommodations Tax) collections?
MS. SAKO: Um-hum.
MR. RICHARDS: So, and again, you and I discussed this, that helps us measure
our economy here. TAT collections, what was the total? So what would that
reflect, as far as the tourism side?
MS. SAKO: It was $12.8 (million) for the six months, and I would have to go
back to look, that may actually be only 5 months of collections, because like—it
was effective January 1st, 2022, but it was you know, for your January revenues,
you pay in February, so it may have only been February through June.
MR. RICHARDS: So that would be a five-month revenue of$12.2 million?
MS. SAKO: $12.8 (million).
MR. RICHARDS: $12.8 million, okay.
MS. SAKO: They may have accrued the June revenue, so it—very likely a six-
month, but I forgot to check before I came down here.
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FC-46 November 1,2022
MR. RICHARDS: Okay, and then part of that, our Fund Balance, the GET
(General Excise Tax) are half-percent, is that reflected in our overall collections?
Where I'm going with that, is again, measuring the total economy.
MS. SAKO: So GET, why it was strong, is it's not part of this Fund Balance
calculation because it does have its own fund.
MR. RICHARDS: Uh-huh.
MS. SAKO: It was strong. I would have to go look what the final number was.
MR. RICHARDS: Okay, I'd be curious on that one because that will help us
measure the total economy. Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Seeing no questions, no lights. Ms. Sako,
what is the amount of Fund Balance to make sure we have a good bond rating and
such and such. Is there a certain percentage? I think you said this before, and I
you know, thank you.
MS. SAKO: With the Budget Stabilization Fund and the Fund Balance, we want
to have between five and fifteen percent of our General Fund expenditures.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We need to have five to ten percent
between Budget Stabilization and Fund Balance?
MS. SAKO: Uh-hum. But I would look at the excess Fund Balance at the top
line because the bottom line, the $27.9 million, is committed in the current year's
budget.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, what is the—what would be the
amount then?
MS. SAKO: I can look and get back to you. I have the total budget number in
my head, not the General Fund, only.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay.
MS. SAKO: But we're probably right at about 10 percent right now.
CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you. That's all I had. Thank
you, Ms. Sako. Anyone else? Seeing none. Okay, motion is on the floor to close
file on Communication 1074, all in favor?
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Vote on Comm. 1074: The motion to close file on Comm. 1074 was carried
Filed by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Let's go up to the top,
Communication 30.39
Comm. 30.39: REPORT OF FUND TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED: SEPTEMBER 16—30, 2022
From Controller Kay Oshiro, dated October 10, 2022.
Vote on Comm. 30.39: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 30.39.
Filed Seconded by Ms. David and was carried by the
following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Moving on to Bill No. 232.
Bill 232: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Increases revenues in the Block Grant Program Income account($250,000); and
appropriates the same to the West Hawaii Emergency Shelter and Facility
Energy Efficiency Improvements account, bringing the total appropriation to
$400,000. These additional funds will be used to renovate the facility in
accordance with the Fiscal Year 2021 Community Development Block Grant
Annual Action Plan.
Reference: Comm. 1067
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder(B/R)
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Vote on Bill 232: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 232
(Approved) on first reading. Seconded by Ms. David and carried
by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: And I did miss a communication. We'll
circle back to Communication 460.5.
Comm. 460.5: FIRST QUARTER REPORT OF UNCAPITALIZED DONATIONS:
JULY—SEPTEMBER 2022
From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated October 14, 2022, transmitting the
above report pursuant to Resolution 408-22.
Vote on Comm. 460.5: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 460.5.
Filed Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following
voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Going back to our bills, we are on Bill 233,
and excuse my jumping around today.
Bill 233: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Appropriates revenues in the Home Program —Tenant Based Rental Assistance
Fraud Recovery Income account($5,000); and appropriates the same to the
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Fraud Recovery Income account.
Allows for the receipt of funds recovered from tenants who have committed
fraud.
Reference: Comm. 1068
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder(B/R)
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FC-46 November 1,2022
Vote on Bill 233: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 233
(Approved) on first reading. Seconded by Ms. David and carried
by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Moving on to Bill 234, please.
Bill 234: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants —Fiscal Year 2021 Assistance to
Firefighters Grant account($494,900); and appropriates the same to the Fiscal
Year 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant account. Funds would be used
towards the department's purchase and installation of washer/extractor/dryers
for personal protective equipment, and for grant writer fees.
Reference: Comm. 1069
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 234.
Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, any discussion? Seeing
none. This is relative to Resolution 594, which we discussed earlier. Look for
everyone's support on this. All in favor of forwarding Bill 234 to Council with a
favorable recommendation?
Vote on Bill 234: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 234 on
(Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas,
and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1.
Excused: None.
CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: That does bring us to the end of our
agenda.
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