Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2023/01/24 (2022-2024)Committee on Finance 2nd Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii January 24, 2023 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at 10:30 a.m., ORDER: in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. Matt K5neali`i- Kleinfelder, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Matt Kaneali `i- Kleinfelder, Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Vice Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, 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: (There were none.) CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mr. Clerk, please take us to the top of the order. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 12.2: REPORT OF FUND TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED: DECEMBER 1 —15, 2022 From Controller Kay Oshiro, dated December 20, 2022. Vote on Comm. 12.2: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 12.2. Filed Seconded by Ms. Kimball and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. FC-2 January 24, 2023 Comm. 13.2: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: DECEMBER 1 — 15, 2022 From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated December 19, 2022, transmitting the above report pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-12.3. Vote on Comm. 13.2: Filed Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 13.2. Seconded by Mr. Kimball and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Comm. 13.3: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: DECEMBER 16 — 31, 2022 From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated January 3, 2023, transmitting the above report pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-12.3. Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 13.3. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, any discussion? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair? CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes, Ms. Kierkiewicz? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Is Director Sako available in Hilo Chambers, do we know? MR. BROWN: She is. She is approaching now. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Awesome. Thank you, Deputy Clerk (Aaron Brown). (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SAKO: Good morning. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Good morning, Director. Great to see you. I just wanted some clarification. So I'm taking a look at the first line item, which is planning services for Pahoa Transit Hub. There was a change order, addition of the $215,000, just want to confirm that that's State funding? MS. SAKO: Yes, that's correct. Page 2 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. MS. SAKO: That's the State money that they gave to us to assist with that proj ect. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, perfect. Just wanted to make sure. Thank you so much. MS. SAKO: Thank you. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Sure. So Director, I just had one quick question on the Worker's Comp. Claims Management and Adjusting Services, can you give an update? What is that? MS. SAKO: Just a second, I'm trying to find it on my sheet here. MS. EVANS: It would be fourth from the bottom. MS. SAKO: Maybe I have mine backward. So that was on the December 1st through 15th report. So that is just us issuing our option year; so when we bid it out, we might do one year, plus two option years or three option years. And then in the subsequent years, we'll determine if we're satisfied with the service, then we'll exercise the option, so to speak. It looks like we're in like our third option year total. MS. EVANS: So these management adjusting services, can you explain what that is? MS. SAKO: Oh, I'm sorry. We're self -insured for worker's compensation. Our worker's comp. people actually do look at the claims, but then we also have a provider or a vendor that also looks at it and compares it to other hospital bills, and gets us the cheapest rate possible so that we're not overpaying. MS. EVANS: So you're actually —we're paying more money for the vendor on this? MS. SAKO: We pay for the vendor, and then what we theoretically what they save us, and the bills, is what basically pays their fee. MS. EVANS: Okay, so does this imply that we've had more workmen's comp. claims because—? Page 3 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MS. SAKO: No, not necessarily. There's, I think, a monthly fee plus a number of claims reviewed type of thing. So the claims themselves have been pretty consistent, I don't believe it's changed that much. The number of active claims, I think is what you're referring to. MS. EVANS: But good to know. Thank you. Thanks, Chair. I yield. CHR. KANF,AT,T`T-KI.FINFELDER• Than you Council Member Any further discussion? Okay, hearing none. Communication 13.3, all in favor? We have the motion on the floor to close file on Vote on Comm. 13.3: The motion to close file on Comm. 13.3 was carried Filed by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Comm. 60: SECOND QUARTER REPORT OF UNCAPITALIZED DONATIONS: OCTOBER — DECEMBER 2022 From Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, dated January 5, 2023, transmitting the above report pursuant to Resolution Number 408-22. Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 60. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion? Seeing none. I do —Mr. Inaba, go ahead. MR. INABA: Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to point out, there were some questions regarding funds the County received from the Ironman event. Director Sako, is this what was under Number 9 in the report that covered any other costs the County incurred beyond the 200 or so, $30,000 we previously accepted via resolution? MS. SAKO: Right. So because the original amount was already covered, we only put the amount over and above that on here, and it was mostly because the Police Department didn't need it appropriated. MR. INABA: Perfect. Thank you, Director Sako. I just wanted to put that one out for the record since we will be having an Ironman discussion coming up, and this was the remainder of the balance that we needed to be covered for what we provided. Page 4 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MS. SAKO: Yes. MR. INABA: Thank you, Director. MS. SAKO: Thank you. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. Anyone else? Seeing none. Ms. Sako, I have a question for you. MS. SAKO: Yes? CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: If you can help, you can help. But the Police Department, through Hill's Science Diet, received 720 pounds of cat and dog food for the Mauna Loa eruption; and given that the eruption has ceased for the time being, I was wondering where that cat and dog food will be given away. You may not be the right person to answer this question, but I'm just — MS. SAKO: I'm not sure. I remember they did get some donations, pet food is one of the things, and in short supply right now, so we're very grateful for that donation. I'm sure they've carried it out, whatever was in the agreement; so if it was for private consumption, they took care of that. But given the fact that it came through Police, I'm pretty sure it was used in our animal shelters, where we currently have the animals. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Overall, I must —needed. Thank you for that, Ms. Sako. And this is another note, I'd like to appreciate all the donors who gave to the County for different means and different ends. With that, we have the motion on the floor to close file on Communication 60, all in favor? Vote on Comm. 60: The motion to close file on Comm. 60 was carried Filed by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Page 5 FC-2 January 24, 2023 Bill 13: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO.22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 Increases revenues in the Fund Balance from Previous Year —account ($300,500); and appropriates the same to the Geothermal Fire Equipment account. Funds would be used to purchase essential fire equipment to be utilized in Pahoa and other sectors within the lower Puna area. Reference: Comm.56 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend passage of Bill 13 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members? Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Most of my colleagues are on the Council when we reviewed and approved a resolution last Council term, directing some of our Geothermal Community Benefit's fund to purchase an SCBA, that's Self -Contained Breathing Apparatus, compressor, and various masks that our firefighters use in order to keep themselves safe while they are responding to various structure fires and whatnot throughout the community. When Chief Okinaka was putting together the procurement package and RFP (Request for Proposals), the monies had already lapsed, so this is just a reappropriation of that funding and it would serve the Puna region, and it will be a mobile unit, so it could be deployed throughout Puna. So looking for everyone's support. Thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Well, I'm not sure if I should direct this to my colleague or to Ms. Sako. Real quick question about the fund, is that based on revenues, or how is that fund sort of funded? (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SAKO: So the Geothermal Community Benefit Fund is actually funded through royalties that we receive from Puna Geothermal. There is some fund balance remaining because obviously, you know, they were out of service for a little while, after the 2018 eruption. But there are sufficient funds to cover this appropriation. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. I yield. Page 6 FC-2 January 24, 2023 CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Galimba. Seeing no further discussion, the motion is on the floor to forward Bill 13 to Council with a favorable recommendation, all in favor? Vote on Bill 13: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 13 on (Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Bill 14: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO.22-64, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 Adds the Public Works Kilauea Avenue/Keawe Street Rehabilitation — County Department of Water Supply project ($1 million) to the Capital Budget. Funds for this project shall be provided from Capital Contributions — Department of Water Supply account, and would be used to construct water main improvements. Reference: Comm.57 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to recommend passage of Bill 14 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion? MS. KAGIWADA: Yes, thanks. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Ms. Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Yeah, I see we have Director Pause here. I wonder if he can come up? We had a good conversation with the director and his staff as well as some from the Planning Department about this project, and excited that they will be trying to incorporate some of the Complete Streets and the Multi -modal project. I guess their principles and some of the multi -modal projects that our community worked on for many —with a lot of hours put in. I'm just wondering, Director, if you can speak to some of those things that you think we'll be able to be included. Thank you. (Note: At this time, Public Works Director Stephen Pause came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 7 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MR. PAUSE: Yes, good morning, everyone. Steve Pause, Director of Public Works. Yeah, we've had conversations. Our current design —well, first of all, for this particular bill, this provides an avenue for the Department of Water Supply to fund the replacement of the water main in concert with this work. We're also doing something similar with DEM (Department of Environmental Management) to replace aging sewer lines, as well. Our current plans do incorporate Complete Streets. We're looking at adding bike lanes. There will be some work to do, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible ramps and sidewalks. I think we'll be narrowing the travel lanes a little bit to accommodate the bike lanes, but as we've had those discussions, we're doing our best given the amount of real estate there to incorporate those functions. I think you're also aware that we're in the process of getting the final signoff from the State to issue a Notice to Proceed, and we are intending to do a public meeting in February. The 23rd is the tentative date to engage the community and provide more details. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, Director; and yeah, I appreciate both the public meeting and your willingness to try to incorporate as many elements of the multi -modal plan as possible. The reason why I'm highlighting this is because we kind of got a little too late in the game with the Waianuenue Avenue project in District 2, and I want to make sure that we get in early enough to try to get these very important principles, to see realty on our streets and appreciate that willingness to cooperate on this. Whatever I can do to help with that, I'd like to further those principles if we can. MR. PAUSE: Yes, I appreciate your support. As you pointed out, we did get out of the gate a little slow on Waianuenue, but we learned some lessons there, and I think we finished pretty strongly there as well, again maybe a little bit late in the game getting the community input. I think, generally speaking, the feedback I've gotten from the community is they're very pleased with what we ended up doing there, with some of the traffic calming, the flashers, and the bike lanes. Thank you. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member. Anyone else? Council Member Galimba, go ahead. MS. GALIMBA: Aloha, Director Pause. I just wanted to ask what your —I'm sure you have an idea what the total amount of this project that this would be part of, but could you tell me what that might be? MR. PAUSE: I'm sorry, you're asking what the price is? The bid came in just over $12 million, and I know that we're looking at, as you see, the waterline work, about another $1 million, and I think the DEM sewer line work is about another $2 million. Page 8 FC-2 January 24, 2023 CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Director Pause, for being here. just wanted to lend my support to what Council Member Kagiwada was saying. We were talking earlier, Council Member Kierkiewicz mentioned the importance of adjusting climate change through Public Open Space, and I think another way to do that is to look at mechanisms to reduce vehicle travel and get people on bikes and walking, our Downtown Hilo is just such a lovely area. I appreciate you and the department tapping into those Complete Streets' design ideas, that have been worked on so hard for the community. So thank you again for addressing this project with that in mind. I yield, Chair. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Kimball. Anyone else? Okay, seeing none. Thank you, Mr. Pause, for being here today. appreciate it. With that, we have a motion on the floor to forward Bill 14 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Vote on Bill 14: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 14 on (Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Bill 15, please. Bill 15: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO.22-64, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 Adds the Mass Transit Bus Stop ADA (American With Disabilities Act) Compliance — SP&R (State Planning and Research) Federal project ($162,556) and the Kailua- Kona Maintenance Facility — SP&R Federal project ($295,200) to the Capital Budget. Funds for these projects shall be provided from the Federal Grants Receivable. Reference: Comm.58 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Page 9 FC-2 January 24, 2023 Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 15 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion, Council Members? Ms. Evans, go ahead. MS. EVANS: Thank you. I'm assuming, Director Sako, is it you because I don't see Mass Transit, unless they're in the Hilo chamber? CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I do believe Ms. Sako is in our Hilo chambers. MS. EVANS: So this is Ms. Sako. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SAKO: Hello. MS. EVANS: Hello. I'm seeing that this is a federal passthrough to the State. Is the federal money for ADA on any of our County facilities or is this specific to only Mass Transit facilities? MS. SAKO: I believe this one came through the Department of Transportation and was written specifically for Mass Transit facilities, specifically for the bus stop compliance, I believe was the ADA portion. MS. EVANS: Okay. It said there was matching amount, where does that money come from when you match it? MS. SAKO: Usually, a transfer from the General Excise Tax fund since that fund can be used for transportation purposes. MS. EVANS: Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Chair. CHR. KANEALI`1-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. First of all, I just really want to thank Mr. Andoh for really the hustle of capturing so many of our grants that really continue to fund this department. He does an excellent job at that. Deanna, I have a question, even if it's related, earlier on our agenda we had Communication 13.3, and some change order monies related to ADA compliance for the bus stops, and now we have this grant, and I was just wondering if these two things are working together because I noticed it's for ADA compliance for our bus stops and then the Kailua-Kona maintenance facility? Page 10 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MS. SAKO: There is, yes, a lot of work going on in these areas. We usually try to keep the projects and the Capital Project Fund separated, but it's very likely that the contract itself is just one contract. MS. LEE LOY: Great. Thanks, Deanna, thanks for that; and again, to Mr. Andoh, thank you for all of your hard work and hustle for these grant funds. Chair, I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Further discussion? Seeing none, Mr. Clerk. The motion is on the floor to forward Bill 15 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor, Council Members? Vote on Bill 15: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 15 on (Approved ) first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Bill 16, please. Bill 16: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO.22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUKE 30, 2023 Decreases revenues in the Fire Volunteer Other Current Expenses account (-$62,500); and appropriates the same to the Fire Volunteer Equipment account ($62,500). Funds would be used to supplement the purchase of a brush truck for a volunteer station. Reference: Comm.59 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 16 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, any discussion? Hearing none. Ms. Sako, are you still in chambers? This is more procedural. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 11 FC-2 January 24, 2023 MS. SAKO: Yes, I'm here. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. This was all kind of new to me when I started, but when we transfer from Operating Costs and Equipment to Volunteer Equipment, this can be done through the department, or has it to be done via ordinance? I'm seeing the ordinance in front of us, but I'm asking for is more of stating the obvious, yeah. MS. SAKO: Yeah. So normally, yes, the department could just transfer from Other Current Expenditures to Equipment; however, in this case, an equipment account was not created during the budget process, so since that account does not exist in this year's set of accounts, we did need to come to Council with an ordinance so that account could be officially created for this fiscal year. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Ms. Sako. Okay, Council Members, seeing no further discussion. Mr. Clerk, we have the motion on the floor to forward Bill 16 to Council with a favorable recommendation. Council Members, all in favor? Vote on Bill 16: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 16 on (Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That does bring us to the end our agenda today. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 10:56 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Inaba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Inaba, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 12 FC-2 January 24, 2023 CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We are adjourned at 10:56 a.m. Approved: Mr. Matt eali `i-Klein lder, Chair (Date) Finance C mmittee MK/na Page 13