HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 014 2023/02/07 2022-2024 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: February 7, 2023 Re: Comm.No. 82/Res.No. 44-23
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance,to which was referred Resolution No. 44-23, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 44-23,transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, via Communication No. 82
dated January 20, 2023, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State of Hawai`i,
Department of Health pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes Section 46-7, for a grant to the Department
of Environmental Management.
This resolution allows for the receipt of$49,600 in federally derived funds, which would be used to
complete a Wastewater Service Area Expansion Feasibility Study.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball asked Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour to
confirm whether funds could be combined with the Integrated Wastewater Management Plan Study.
Mr. Mansour stated that this grant cannot be used for research purposes.
Per Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz's request, Mr. Mansour confirmed that the programmatic
environmental impact study for Puna already identifies cesspool conversions and solutions; therefore,
there is no need to overlap with the information from this study.
Environmental Management Planner Kelly Hartman then elaborated on project details, including the
scope,roles of department members,timeline,tools to be developed, and analysis.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas provided comments in support of the measure.
Per Committee Member Cindy Evans' request, Ms. Hartman clarified that the study will look at how
existing wastewater plants can be expanded.
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder then provided comments emphasizing the importance of
servicing disadvantaged communities as outlined in the fund's B-52 report. Mr. Mansour clarified the
economic metrics the department used to determine what is a"disadvantaged community."
Pursuant to Section 46-7, Hawai`i Revised Statutes,the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i is authorized to
execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents with the State of Hawai`i
Department of Health for the purpose as described above.
FC Report No. 14
FC-14 Page 2 February 7,2023
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 44-23,
and recommends its adoption.
1k
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
INABA X
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X MATT KANE A `I- INFELDER,
KIMBALL X CHAIR
LEE LOY X FC REPORT NO.: 14
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: EEg 2 2 2023