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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2023-03-08 2022-2024 Hawaii County Council 71h Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii March 8, 2023 INVOCATION: Pastor Chris Czarnecki of First United Protestant Church gave the morning's invocation. CALL TO The regular meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at ORDER: 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Vice Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Member Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of ALLEGIANCE: Allegiance. (At this time, County Clerk Jon Henricks led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.) PETITIONS, The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Petitions, MEMORIALS, Memorials, Certificates of Merit, and Expressions of Condolence. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND (Note: At this time, Mr. Inaba presented the March 2023 Haweo Award to Water EXPRESSIONS OF Safety Officers Jonah Kaye and Pulama Downing of the Hawaii Fire CONDOLENCE: Department.) Recess: At 9:18 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:26 a.m. Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council 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 and came forward when called by the Chair: Kristie Duarte: Res. 57-23 (Comm. 104), in support. (representing Homebirth Task (See Comm. 104.22) Force of Act 32 2019) Tara Compehos: Res. 57-23 (Comm. 104), in support. (See Comm. 104.20) Rodrigo Romo: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (See Comm. 138.9) Wesley Takai: Bill 17 (Comm. 68), comment. (See Comm. 68.1) Rodney McGee: Res. 65-23 (Comm. 127), in support. (representing Lions Club of Kona and Lions Club of Kona Community Foundation) Josephine Keliipio: Bill 22, Draft 2 (Comm. 91.38), in support. Aliza Gebin and Mona Trenae: Res. 66-23 (Comm. 128), in support. (representing Root and Rise Hawaii) Melinda Hughes: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (See Comm. 138.6) Indy Singh: Res. 57-23 (Comm. 104), comment; and Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Kristine Kubat: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in opposition. (representing Recycle Hawaii) John Grapperhaus: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Chris Cogswell: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (See Comm. 138.1) Bill Brooks: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Page 2 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Connie Ichinose: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (representing Rotary Club of Hilo) (See Comm. 138.7) Rex Donahey: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (representing American Concrete Institute) Bill Coney: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (representing Legacy Reef (See Comm. 138.2) Foundation) Jeremiah Leonard: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (representing Rotary Club of Hilo) Kawilani Almeida: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. (representing Pana`ewa Hawaiian Homelands Community Association) Rachel Curnel-Struempf: Res. 57-23 (Comm. 104), in support. (See Comm. 104.21) John Webster: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Wallace Patterson: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Kevin MacDonald: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. Kelii Ioane: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. April Bullis: Res. 73-23 (Comm. 138), in support. APPROVAL The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Approval OF MINUTES: of Minutes. Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve the Minutes of February 8, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KIMBALL: Any comments? MS. LEE LOY: Chair, if I could? Just again thanking the staff. I mean, here we are in March and this is already the approval of the minutes from the first meeting in February. So thank you so much to our staff for putting in the good work. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any other comments, discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the minutes from February 8h, please say "aye." Page 3 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Vote on Approval The motion to approve the Minutes of February 8, 2023, of Minutes: was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions. Res. 57-23: URGES THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND CHAPTER 457J, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, RELATING TO MIDWIVES, TO PERMANENTLY EXEMPT BIRTH ATTENDANTS FROM STATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND TO EXPAND THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR MIDWIFERY LICENSURE Supports the passage of Senate Bill No. 1047 and House Bill No. 955. Reference: Comm. 104 Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada and Ms. Kierkiewicz Approve: GOEAC-20 Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to adopt Res. 57-23 and Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee Report No. 20. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, Chair. Just to summarize, this resolution really is about keeping what we have and allowing our traditional birth attendants and midwives to have an alternate path for licensure and certification. We do not have enough healthcare on our island. We do not have enough midwives. We do not have enough birth attendants. By not passing one of these bills at the State level, we will lose all that by the end of June of this year. So it's really important that we pass this today so that we can at least send our resolution and our support from the County on to the State, and ask that they please at least hear the bill at the State level so that they can decide if this is something that is good, which I hope we all agree is. So I want to turn it over to my co-author if that's okay, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Council Member Kierkiewicz. Page 4 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair, and thanks to all of our colleagues for their support in Committee, and for all of our community partners for showing up at Committee and today, and just putting the kahea out statewide to hear this particular bill. There's still time. And all this boils down to just making sure that our women have choices to deliver their baby with whom they want and where they want. And when you take a look at the 4,028 miles that comprise Hawaii Island, our island is massive, and maternity care is something that women need access to in their communities but it's out of reach. And so this is something that definitely supports many women in rural communities. So I'm just looking for everyone's continued support. Thank you, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Any other discussion? Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Chair. I'll be supporting this resolution today, and I wanted to support this for two reasons. One, your timing is impeccable because you're coming up on the final hearing at the State. And also, some of my children, we utilized the services of a midwife and that's an incredible opportunity. I mean, not everyone's going to do that, but some people, including ourselves, used those services and it was a wonderful experience. And both my brother, I think my sisterno, my sister no—my brother and then my children were delivered with the help of a midwife. And the knowledge that comes with a midwife, being at home if you choose to do so wherever you choose to have your baby, I mean, it's a good experience. So I'll be supporting this today. Thank you for bringing it forward. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. I didn't get a chance to say my mahalos at the Committee hearing, but did want to point out my own great-grandmother was a midwife and birthed over 120 babies in Holualoa in the early 1900s, until such time that these licensure requirements barred her from doing so. So thank you for bringing this forward for everybody who does help to bring life into this world. Mahalo. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. Any other discussion? Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: To both authors, really thank you so much for advancing this. I think healthcare at a time when I know was growing up was very institutionalized. You went to the hospital. You went to the doctor. But over time, we recognized that some of those institutional practices really kind of doesn't lend that self to the bonding that we need to do as new mothers. So really appreciate you advancing this because it gives everybody an opportunity for choice. That is the most precious thing that we can protect is the ability to choose. So thank you. I will wholeheartedly support this resolution. Thank you. Page 5 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. MS. VILLEGAS: Chair? CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Villegas. Go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. I want to send out my heartfelt gratitude to all the midwives and birthing practitioners that came and testified or Zoomed in today. I, myself, had a home birth with my daughter just a little over 23 years ago, and there were circumstances around my pregnancy that were challenging, being a single mom. And having the opportunity and the autonomy to choose to give birth in the safety and sanctity of my own home, surrounded by close girlfriends and my own mother,provided a really sacred experience for my daughter to enter the world and for me to feel very safe and supported. It doesn't escape me that today being International Women's Day, the synchronicity in this opportunity to support this resolution. Thank you for bringing it forward, Council Members Kagiwada and Kierkiewicz. Really honored to get to be in this role and vote "yes" in supporting this. And I firmly hope that those in our State Legislature are listening and will take into consideration the message we're sending from the Big Island and the support we are providing to our birth providers: midwives and natural birthing practitioners. So thank you again and I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Any further discussion? All right, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 57-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 57-23: The motion to adopt Res. 57-23 and Governmental (Adopted) Operations and External Affairs Committee Report No. 20 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 57-23 is adopted. Page 6 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Res. 58-23: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Allows for the receipt of$1,765,000, which would be used to purchase battery electric buses. Reference: Comm. 105 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Approve: FC-23 Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to adopt Res. 58-23 and Finance Committee Report No. 23. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I think I'll let Director Andoh take it from here. Director, thank you for joining us this morning. Your timing is impeccable as usual. Can you give us a little bit of information on this? (Note: At this time, Mass Transit Administrator John Andoh came forward to address the members of the Council.) MR. ANDOH: Yes. Thank you, Council Member. John Andoh, Mass Transit Administrator, Mass Transit Agency. The purpose of this grant is to provide local match funding from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to match against our Federal Transit Administration funds for the purposes of buying battery electric buses. We're in the process of going through the procurement now for those buses, and we seek Council's approval to accept this grant. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Director. So this is for $1.76 million? MR. ANDOH: Yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Just for everyone's information, what is the average price of an electric bus, standard? MR. ANDOH: It's starting to come down in price, but we're looking at about $850,000-$900,000. We do have enough funding right now to buy 5, and we're continuing to seek additional funding to purchase more (inaudible) options up to 20. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. How many do we currently utilize in our fleet? Page 7 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MR. ANDOH: We have one demonstrator through our contractor, and we're in the process of buying a used one. That would replace that demonstrator until we get the new ones coming through from this Request for Proposals that we have out on the street right now. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Wonderful. Is that the one with the blue LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) on it? MR. ANDOH: That is correct. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I love seeing that bus. Thank you. MR. ANDOH: We actually run that right now on Route 40 between Hilo and Pahoa every day. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah, every time I see it in the evening and I see the blue lights go by, I just have the reminder that we did something amazing for our community. I really appreciate your efforts, Mr. Andoh. MR. ANDOH: Thank you. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I'll be supporting today. I look for everyone's support. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Absolutely in support. I really just wanted to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Andoh. Recently, this body received the first iteration of the budget. And right on the very top sheet was a notation that this department—Mr. Andoh, specifically—has captured $5.5 million to help this department and transition this entirely. Thank you so much, Mr. Andoh, and I'm now adding another 1.7. So we're up to $7.2 million of grant-in-aid for this department. It's really because of your leadership. Thank you so much for everything you do for Mass Transit, which just is an equalizer for so many people in our community. Chair, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. MR. ANDOH: Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. Good morning. I have a question about you mentioned that it's matching dollars. And so you had money in the budget to actually pursue some alternative energy buses. When you took that money for the electrical, was it replacing another thing you might have been pursuing? Page 8 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MR. ANDOH: Yeah. It basically replaces general excise tax that would have covered that match. So we can now redirect that general excise tax funds for something else that benefits either Mass Transit or countywide transportation in general. MS. EVANS: Okay. I think it was a few weeks ago we talked about hydrogen bus and expenditures for hydrogen bus. So,putting this towards electrical, does that have any influence on the hydrogen bus initiative you're trying? MR. ANDOH: We were awarded last fiscal year a grant of$11 million to purchase six hydrogen buses and hydrogen infrastructure. Once that grant is finalized by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, we'll be before Council asking for acceptance of that as well. So we're moving on parallel paths towards a zero-emissions fleet by 2035 at this point, 100 percent. MS. EVANS: Okay. All right. Good to know. Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Council Member Villegas, anything from you? MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah,just really quickly. Aloha, Mr. Andoh. It's interesting you've been at the top of my mind the last couple of days driving here to the Civic Center as the Hele-On Bus pulls up right in front, and I see a number of high school students get out and walk over to Kealakehe High School. And I know there had been an issue in the past with them catching the buses. Mind you, I'm assuming they are coming from Waikoloa or somewhere a little further out north but with plenty of time to get to class. And the transition to our transportation department, your execution, your strategic alignment with finding funding just once again a huge mahalo. So, deeply grateful. So impressed. Can we clone you? So don't go anywhere. We really appreciate you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. MR. ANDOH: Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 58-23, please say "aye." Page 9 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Vote on Res. 58-23: The motion to adopt Res. 58-23 and Finance Committee (Adopted) Report No. 23 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 58-23 is adopted. Thank you, Administrator Andoh, for being here. MR. ANDOH: Thank you. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public. PUBLIC ON RES. 64-23 The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by (COMM. 126): the Chair: Antu Harvey: In support. (representing Pulama Ia Kona Heritage (See Comm. 126.3) Preservation Council) Res. 64-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO PULAMA IA KONA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COUNCIL TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR ITS 1925 MONUMENT PROJECT Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 7); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 126 Intr. by: Ms. Villegas Motion to Approve: Ms. Villegas moved to adopt Res. 64-23. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: I just want to thank Antu and the passionate and dedicated group of people in H61ualoa. And the recognition of this incredible piece of history and art, it's really been wonderful to see the refurbishment of it and the detail and all of the specifics they have taken into account to make sure that its Page 10 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 renovation is in alignment with its authentic origins. So, really grateful to have an opportunity to support this project, and just ask for my colleagues' support. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Any additional discussion? Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. And thank you, Council Member Villegas, for supporting this important project. I just wanted to state that, on a personal note, Executive Order 9066 did a lot of damage to lots of people in this country, and my family was one of those. My father was interned when he was ten years old through this Executive Order. So trying to capture it and keep anything that might have been lost because of that Executive Order I think is extremely important. Thank you so much for putting this forward. I will be supporting. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. All those in favor of adopting Resolutioin 64-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 64-23: The motion to adopt Res. 64-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 64-23 is adopted. Res. 65-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE LIONS CLUB OF KONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC., FOR EXPENSES RELATING TO ITS MAINTENANCE PROJECT AT THE HAROLD H. HIGASHIHARA PARK Transfers $10,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 7); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 127 Intr. by: Ms. Villegas Motion to Approve: Ms. Villegas moved to adopt Res. 65-23. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. Page 11 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: I just ask for my colleagues' support and allocation of funds to continue the important renovation work and rehabilitation, and also just continued care of a park that is so prized and cherished here on the west side. We don't have as many parks as I wish we had, so it's that much more important that we take care of the ones that we do. I'm really excited to see what this funding will allow as far as the regeneration of some of the play structures and facilities in this area. Boy, the sweat equity that's being put in is just a pleasure and an honor to get to be there with a paintbrush and to prime all that beautiful wood in that park for hours. And just the conversations and the bonding and the community spirit that gathers there. So I just ask for continued support. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 65-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 65-23: The motion to adopt Res. 65-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 65-23 is adopted. Res. 66-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE SOCIETY FOR KONA'S EDUCATION AND ART FOR EXPENSES RELATING TO THE NATURE AND ART AS THERAPY WORKSHOPS BY ROOT AND RISE HAWAII Transfers $4,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 6); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 128 Intr. by: Ms. Galimba Motion to Approve: Ms. Galimba moved to adopt Res. 66-23. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Galimba. Page 12 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. GALIMBA: We heard from Aliza earlier. Her organization is doing something I think is quite unique. I've seen her in action working with children and adults, and I just want to support what she's doing. I ask for all of your support as well. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I just wanted to lend my support to this particular resolution. I got to meet Aliza and her team actually during the pandemic when Vibrant Hawaii had activated its network of resilience hubs, and was trying to support community partners in identifying what resilience programs and healing programs looked like for them. And so it's been amazing to watch Aliza grow her program. And there is just something so beautiful about healing and being in nature and using art to address mental health issues and just underlying trauma. So we'll be supporting this resolution. Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Chair, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 66-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 66-23: The motion to adopt Res. 66-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 66-23 is adopted. Res. 67-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP TO ASSIST WITH THE `OLA`A SKATE PARK, PHASE 2 Transfers $2,500 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 6); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 129 Intr. by: Ms. Galimba Page 13 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Motion to Approve: Ms. Galimba moved to adopt Res. 67-23. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Again,just asking for my colleagues' support. Although this is in Council Member Kaneali`i-KI einfelder's district, I've heard just such great things about this organization and what they've done at this `Ola`a Skate Park to use it for the community. Thanks. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Any additional discussion? Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I just want to mahalo Ms. Galimba for putting this forward. Truly kind of an exceptional organization and very dedicated to the community, and they live about maybe a mile away from the skate park. It is outside of your district, but I do believe because you and I share such a close boundary, everyone coming from Hilo to Volcano or the other way around is going to pass through one of our districts to get to and from Kona or Hilo. So I think you and I share a boundary, but we also share a lot of community members who utilize both spaces in Volcano and Kea`au. So I will be supporting things as well, like your Volcano Skate Park, which is in process. I've been working with them. I like the mutual kind of attack on doing better facilities in our community with good nonprofits leading the way. So thank you for your support on this. I'll be supporting you in turn. Thank you. I yield, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 67-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 67-23: The motion to adopt Res. 67-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 67-23 is adopted. Page 14 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Res. 68-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO KONA ALOHA SINGERS TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR ITS REHEARSALS AND CONCERT PERFORMANCES IN KONA Transfers $1,500 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 8); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 130 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to adopt Res. 68-23. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. I just ask for my colleagues' support. A small amount just to support an upcoming concert for this nonprofit. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye." Vote on Res. 68-23: The motion to adopt Res. 68-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 68-23 is adopted. Res. 69-23: AWARDS A PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION MAINTENANCE FUND STEWARDSHIP GRANT TO POHAHA I KA LANI Approves a grant of$61,056 to P6h5h5 I Ka Lani, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to protect,preserve, and restore the Waipi`o Valley Lookout in Hamakua(Tax Map Key: 4-8-004:006), pursuant to Section 10-16(h) of the Hawaii County Charter. Reference: Comm. 131 Intr. by: Ms. Kimball Waived: LAAC Page 15 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to adopt Res. 69-23. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Members, with your allowance, I'll just note that this is you may have seen a notice of PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission) stewardship grant to these folks pretty recently. This was one of the ones that was in the transition between Parks and Finance and it kind of got lost in the shuffle because it had to go back and be reworked and things like that. Really anxious to get these folks these funds. This is from like 2019. So we want to make sure that we support this project. So I just ask for your support today on this piece of legislation. I think everybody knows what great work they do up there so thank you. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 69-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 69-23: The motion to adopt Res. 69-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 69-23 is adopted. Res. 72-23: CREATES FORTY-FIVE NEW POSITIONS FOR THE NEW ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION AGENCY Provides approval to create positions in preparation for the establishment of a new County agency. Reference: Comm. 137 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Waived: FC Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to adopt Res. 72-23. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. We do have joining us today Managing Director Lee Lord, Finance Director Deanna Sako, and our Police Department representative as well. Thank you for being here this morning. I'm going to let you folks go ahead with this one. I brought her in and I think Page 16 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 there's probably going to be questions about this. So if you could give us some background and some understanding of it so we can lead the discussion and go with the questions. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako and Police Major Aimee Wana came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. SAKO: So I think during the various discussions on animal control, it's come up that when we had to bring it in-house, we did it kind of last minute when we did what we had to do. So we've been hiring employees by contract, and that really hasn't been working because they're limited terms. The job market is you can get whatever job you want right now, so why are you going to take a temporary job if you can have a permanent job somewhere else? So we feel strongly that these need to be converted to civil service positions, and we have had the conversation during the bill to create the agency. But whether the agency is created or not, we believe we need to make them civil service positions. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Sorry, is it Major? MS. WANA: Major. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Major Wana, go ahead. MS. WANA: These positions will basically provide managerial positions as well as the much-needed actual service positions at the lower levels: the animal control officers as well as the lead kennel technicians and the kennel technicians the people who actually do the feeding and cleaning and the retrieval of animals and so forth. These are already accounted for within our budgetary figures that we have. So it's not like it's beyond what we're already thinking is necessary. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And then these positions will exist in perpetuity going forward? These are temporary? MS. SAKO: They are permanent positions so that we can recruit. The concept is that the County doing animal control is still under our pilot project. We do want to create the agency. We want to keep going down that road because we don't believe there's enough vendors out there to do it in the community. But we need to get our facilities in order and do a bunch of other things probably before we were to try to determine if we need to put it out to bid again. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you, Chair. I yield for now to the other Council Members. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Council Member Lee Loy. Page 17 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Deanna. I'll ask these questions, right. So 45 new positions totaling about— MS. boutMS. SAKO: Just roughly $2 million. MS. LEE LOY: Yesterday, we had a discussion on a piece of legislation related to real property tax and kind of providing some relief to our taxpayers. And if I noted correctly, the 2,300 parcels would account for $2.8 million. Give me some assurances that your magic brain of yours, you've evened it all out. And just trying to look around the corner, completely support this. Understand the need for the program. I just want to make sure that we're tipping the scales to a nice balance. MS. SAKO: So when we were talking about that bill yesterday, that was also effective for January 1", 2024, or fiscal year '25. And so it is a little bit down the road and the crystal ball isn't quite that clear in terms of what the economy might be doing at that point. So, right now, if it was to happen today, yes, it wouldn't be an issue, but down the road it's hard to say. But the impact would probably be smaller if something did happen to the land values. MS. LEE LOY: Share with me a little bit, Deanna, because I heard you say "convert to civil service," and we know that once we add these to the rolls, and I'm sure you thought this through, and then this becomes kind of a service provided. How do we get around that five-letter word the Konno decision—and kind of making this work, getting the talent that we need to do this work, but also kind of still having the flexibility in the future? MS. SAKO: Well, right now, it's still kind of under our pilot project for bringing it in. And that's the conversations we've had with Corporation Counsel, not to put words in their mouth, but it's kind of part of the pilot project. And like I said, it's going to take us a little bit of time to get the facilities up to standard. What we have talked about is that the County needs to be the one to own the facilities. Even if we were to put it out to bid, it's too difficult to put that on a provider to suddenly have to go find animal shelters on all areas of the island. So we've talked about the three main ones and also doing something down in Ka`u. So we need to get those up and operating before we were to turn it over anyway. So I don't think this is something that's going to happen overnight. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah. Thanks, Deanna. Major Wana, thanks for being here. Going to support this for sure. I think this was kind of a continuation of the work that I know our fellow colleague Council Member Richards put in in sitting with the Administration, being a major stakeholder in this. And so, yeah, I'm going to be supporting this resolution today. Thanks. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Council Member Evans. Page 18 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. EVANS: Thank you. Good morning. Just a logistics question: I was looking at the position titles, and you have two shelter managers and then you have—so that tells me we're going to have one in Kona and one in Hilo. MS. SAKO: We currently have one in east, one in west. We're working on acquisition of a Waimea shelter. MS. EVANS: So, at some point in the future, will you be back asking for two more positions ? MS. SAKO: We would probably have to come back. MS. EVANS: Come back for more positions? MS. SAKO: Probably just one more and it depends on how it goes. We have not had the opportunity of having adequate staffing to know an exact number. So it's possible one of these could be reallocated as well if it was available. MS. EVANS: And would the administrator and secretary and accountant, would they be in this building? Where would they be? MS. SAKO: Right now, the plan is to put them at the Puna facility. MS. EVANS: Okay, right. Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Any other discussion? Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Just following up on the point. This is included in the budget for '22-'23 or this is in the new budget coming forward? MS. SAKO: Both. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: In both? So there won't be an increase to next fiscal year? MS. SAKO: There was a slight increase when we get to the bill, and I think it was because we did add—it was the administrator position. That, basically Police is covering. Major Wana has been gracious enough or voluntold to do it, I guess; I'm not sure how that works. But she's been gracious enough to do it. And so that would be the new position that is included in the budget for next year. But, otherwise, that's really the only change. Page 19 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I wanted to touch, too, on the there's one position in here which is the dispatcher. I think that is incredibly important because that helps relieve the burden on our current dispatch from fielding calls regarding those dogs. MS. SAKO: Yeah, and I think the clerk III's are the ones we're also going to try to make clerk dispatchers as well. What we created was the original recommendation, but as we've been working through things, we will work with HR (Human Resources) to make sure they all have the correct classification and titles based on their duties. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. This is one of the big community asks, is to get this program rolling. There's concern about the fiscal impact, but at the same time, this is such a huge issue in our community on all sides. So, thank you for taking this step. It's big. It's a lot to chew on, but I think it's going to do a lot for our community. MS. SAKO: Yeah. And so we have been budgeting the money in salaries and wages already. It's just that because they're contract, they've been difficult to fill. So we're very hopeful having permanent positions will help us with that situation. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much for being here today. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Resolution 72-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 72-23: The motion to adopt Res. 72-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 72-23 is adopted. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public. PUBLIC ON RES. 73-23 The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by (COMM. 138): the Chair: Henry Hu: In support. (representing Yummet) Page 20 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Lana Howard: In support. (See Comm. 138.5) Richard Ha: In support. (representing DaRubbahSlippahGroup.com) Ronald Kodani: In support. (representing Piihonua Hawaiian Homestead Community Association) Brittany Zimmerman: In support. (representing Yummet) Res. 73-23: REAFFIRMS THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERT ON-ISLAND WASTE TO SUSTAINABLY PROCESS CARBON-NEGATIVE CEMENT, BIOCHAR, GREEN HYDROGEN, AND RECLAIMS WATER TO HELP ACHIEVE ITS GOALS RELATED TO CLIMATE RESILIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, AND ZERO WASTE Reference: Comm. 138 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder Waived: PCCRRA Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to adopt Res. 73-23. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mahalo, Chair. First off, I want to really appreciate everyone who came in today to testify on behalf of this resolution. I think the breadth of people that I saw providing testimony, written and in-person and on Zoom, and the knowledge base that comes with those folks was absolutely impressive. This is not something that's specific to our island. This is a global concern. You can see the people weighing in kind of showing you that, yeah, very clearly. Secondly, I ask for you to excuse my absence during the public testimony. The award we gave today was quite emotional for me. So please excuse my absence. I will go back and look over that video to see what was presented. I wasn't there and I do apologize for that. Regarding the resolution, I think it's very important to note this is not specific to one organization, but more so reaffirms our commitment here in Hawaii County to move towards a net zero carbon-negative approach towards our waste stream. Coming from the solar industry, I had sold solar for ten years. Actually, I'm Page 21 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 recognizing you, sir. You used to work for ProVision a long time ago. You may still. I don't think you do. Coming from that industry, it's very near and dear to my heart in moving our people and our community towards being sustainable and resilient, and we are so far from that right now. We have so many initiatives that have been brought in to get us there; 2050 we're going to do this by 2045. The more that I have watched globally what is happening, we don't have that much time. Everything that I have read and I have understood from our leading scientists is that what we expected climate change to be is not even close to what it actually is. We're pressed for time. We have a very finite amount of space in Hawaii. We are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We are completely dependent on every country around us to provide us what we need. In the event that something does happen, we're screwed unless we take some strides to really make our waste stream work for us. Occasionally, and some of the Council Members may know this, occasionally, I get very excited when things come in to the Council. One of them was hydrogen. That one, it just seemed like space-age technology when it came to the Council to discuss hydrogen buses. And then there's a hydrogen hui that was working. It popped my bubble because I'm coming from solar. Solar can help in the creation of hydrogen. This is my limited knowledge of what I saw. But, to me, this is an amazing step we can do at a level of humanity, not just here on Hawaii Island. I was amazed to have the opportunity to sit down with Brittany. In that discussion, she opened my mind to things that I didn't think were possible as far as the processes that we can use to divert and convert our waste into other products that we can use here on the island, which helps with our waste issues. It helps with our land issues. And it was way more advanced than I thought we were at this point. So my excitement led me to put this resolution forward. Because when we have the opportunity to change our lifestyles, to change our waste stream, to change our impact on our `aina and make good decisions for our keiki and for every generation of keiki coming after them, then we need to do it. This resolution is pretty straightforward. It touches on everything that we've done at the State and County levels in the past. The beginning is something that was passed in 2007. That's 16 years ago. And I would really ask where are we now, 16 years later, in diverting our waste streams? I'll tell you what: We haven't done practically anything. In fact, we've actually removed recycling from our County landfills. We've removed options because we couldn't seem to get it together to handle it. That's depressing. So my hope is that I would have everyone's support on this resolution going forward. I think the testimony itself lent well to the positive support from the community island-wide, not district-specific. I look forward to hearing comments from the Council Members present today. Just, again, wanted to mahalo all of the testifiers who came out to support, and even those who were opposed too. We had a good Page 22 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 conversation. Thank you, Kristine. But just everyone who came out to be here for this resolution, I really do feel like this is a huge step in the right direction and for mankind as a whole. So mahalo for being here today. Thank you. I yield, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. All right, any additional discussion? Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, for putting this forward. Very good discussion. I see in the very back there Director Ramzi Mansour. I'm wondering if you can come up so I could ask a question. (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you for being here, Director. So I'm just wondering your thoughts on this resolution and especially, obviously, the first`BE IT RESOLVED" clause. If you could give us a little feedback based on your knowledge and experience, I'd appreciate it. Thank you. MR. MANSOUR: Definitely. Thank you. I just want to read our mission statement just to kind of give you a reminder where the department is the direction of the department: To maintain a clean, healthy island environment and promote stewardship and sustainability by managing wastewater and solid waste services, waste reduction, and resource recovery in a comprehensive, responsive, safe, and efficient manner. In the resolution before you, it does meet our mission. So, definitely, it brings in new technologies. New technologies evolve rapidly. It's a dynamic event that's taking place due to climate change: waste to energy, waste reduction, diversions, trying to minimize usage. But it captured that resource. And if you could capture it, put it to assist the community and electrical to their homes or gas to their cars or hydrogen to their new vehicles, it's all very encouraging. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you for that feedback. Specifically around this `BE IT RESOLVED" clause and one of the issues that was brought up by one of the testifiers,just wondering your thoughts around diverting our green waste. This is, as written here, by 2026. Just wondering if that's something that you feel is doable and desirable. MR. MANSOUR: It's definitely desirable. Biochar. You could make biochar from green waste. Biochar could be used to filter our wastewater, for example. That's one usage. And it could benefit the community. So, definitely, it is very desirable. Page 23 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. KAGIWADA: All right. Thank you so much. I'll yield for now. Thank you, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Since you're up here, I'll continue to ask you a few questions. Maybe just one question. So, again, on that`BE IT RESOLVED." So, specifically saying, ". . . will work to divert, as appropriate, all municipal solid waste, including but not limited to, green waste, metals, plastics, paper, paperboard, and glass by 2026 to an on-island site . . . ." Climate change, waste diversion, all that is obviously like everyone says: It's a no-brainer. But the devil is always in the details. So what do you see in that sort of operationally for your department, sort of to move those products to a site by 2026? Do you have any comments on that? MR. MANSOUR: Logistically, probably it's going to be definitely a lot of coordination from contractual obligations that currently we have versus staffing versus the type of agreement that we're going to enter through an RFP (Request for Proposals)process to be able to capture the resource that could generate what's specified here in the resolution. So to what level of cleanliness that product needs to be, how it's going to be sorted. So there's a lot of logistics that comes with it. MS. GALIMBA: Okay. Thank you. I guess my next question would be to Corporation Counsel. (Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. STRANCE: Good morning, Council. Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you so much. Newbie here. So I have some questions about generally what is the commitment around a resolution, especially around language. I was just discussing with Director Mansour. And that language in there, to what degree does that commit us to do something or anything? MS. STRANCE: So resolutions are not legally binding, but they do state a policy preference of the direction that the Council would like to see the work of the County go. And I see a resolution like this as a partnership between the legislative and executive branches where, in your budget review process, are you seeing these types of goals met. In the executive's budgeting process, looking at these goals and seeing that they're met. So these are really statements, and the effectiveness of them really depends upon the commitment across government. Page 24 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 And so I think, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, you noted a statement being made back in 2007 and where are we on our progress. The level of commitment in following through on these goals, if there are other ordinances, those carry the effect of law. But I think what you're talking about is really transforming the way that the County is doing business in terms of what should be considered across the board. And so a resolution like this is really a statement of policy direction that the Council would like to see the County go. I don't think I have anything more, really, to add to that except just to reiterate that it's really a statement of policy direction and then a commitment across government to see it through. MS. GALIMBA: Okay. Thanks. I guess I just—that's very helpful. I just want to be careful about what we get into. And specific words in any document can be very important. It's not wanting to get us into something where we would be required to do contract I mean, these words look fairly innocuous, but if read from another direction, it could lead us into potentially having to have a relationship with one entity that only that's the only entity that would sort of fulfill the description here. So that's kind of the worry that I have, but it sounds like I don't necessarily need to worry about that too much. Would that be accurate since it is a resolution and it is not very specific? MS. STRANCE: That's correct. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder was clear in his statements that this isn't a directive to any one company. It's more of a statement of a commitment in a direction. And all of the laws related to procurement or everything else would need to apply as this policy becomes implemented. It might not be implemented exactly in the words that are used. That's okay. I think what I'm hearing the Council say with this resolution is, "This is the direction we would like to go." And then you're right on the cusp of budget. You have the ability to ask questions about implementation of these types of policies as you review the budget with the various departments and with the Administration. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. First of all, I like the direction of showing that we're embracing the new technology, but as written, I'm really having trouble. Corporation Counsel Strance,please stay. So I kind of have to disagree a little bit. The way I read it, if I was someone working at Environmental Management and looking at the direction of the Council, it's saying here that we will work to divert to an on-island site—one site that will do the following: It will process waste into carbon-negative cement, biochar, green energy, and reclaimed water. So it's really specific. It's not pie in the sky. It's basically saying this is what you're going to do. Page 25 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 I'm very uncomfortable with the language as written. I would prefer an amendment or postponement till after we have some budget hearings to really see where the Department of Environmental Management is going—if they're embracing this or not. I think there's alternative ways to looking at it, and this is direction to the department. Am I missing something, Corporation Counsel? MS. STRANCE: I hear what you're saying. I guess what I am looking at is in the first`BE IT RESOLVED"paragraph: ". . . that the County will work to divert, as appropriate . . . "then it goes on to list. And so the discussion around what's doable and appropriate is sort of where "the devil is in the details"part of it. But there would be nothing wrong with if you're more comfortable with an amendment that makes it more aspirational. That would be a policy decision on the part of this body. MS. EVANS: Right. Thank you. And then, Director Mansour, I'm used to Administration submitting testimony on resolutions that impact them. Is it kind of your practice that you don't submit testimony on resolutions that would impact you? Because, to me, this looks like an impact to your Administration. MR. MANSOUR: We usually submit testimony for bills that go before State. Since it's a County, I'm always available in person. So what you see today is kind of my testimony but a longer version because I'm the Director. So I come here and you ask me a question. I answer. And that is testimony in itself. MS. EVANS: Okay. So what I understand—kind of what I'm leading to is we already have contracts, I understand, for mulch. We have contracts with people who pick up waste and deliver it to our landfills. And my understanding is when they pick up the waste and put it in their truck, that they can pretty much they own their own waste at that point. They could do what they want with the waste. That's been implied to me over the years. So I'm a little confused because it looks like we already have a lot of commitments, and yet this is asking you to divert by 2026, which is not very far away. So are there ways to get out of contracts? Are there contracts that are coming up that are expiring? The only reason I'm asking this is because I read this as implying that all this needs to go to one site to achieve four deliverables, which means for them to deliver four things they have to have a steady committed stream of waste or it's not going to happen. So where are we at on our contracts? Are you able to give them the diverted waste stream to meet these goals? MR. MANSOUR: Yeah, I think that was my earlier answer, which the logistics and contractual obligations. In the solid waste industries, there's a lot of different programs in the (inaudible) area, and usually based on regulatory requirements from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)to Department of Health. That Page 26 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 evolves because technology evolves. The need and demand changes and that's very dynamic. So definitely things that we need to look into and work with Corporation Counsel and navigate us through that. MS. EVANS: So, again, do we have contracts that are expiring or contracts that we could get out of to achieve, by 2026, getting a stream of waste to go to a site the way this is written? Can we do that? MR. MANSOUR: It could be possible. There is a possibility. MS. EVANS: Okay. I think the idea has merit, but as written, I can't support it. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. Mahalo to everybody who testified today, bringing in various perspectives, whether it's trying to limit the production of waste to begin with or what we do on the back end. I think this is just for us to either you want things diverted or you don't by 2026, and whether it's completely achievable or not for the department is another situation. And for me, I can support the intention to get what we can out of our waste stream that we can reuse. So, with that, I'll be supporting it. And thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, for bringing it forward. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. MS. VILLEGAS: Chair? CHR. KIMBALL: Yes, Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Great. Thank you. I just, first off, want to thank Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder for bringing this resolution forward. I've had the honor and privilege of meeting with Brittany myself and having extensive conversations about the technology that she's bringing to the Big Island. I am incredibly excited to hear that Doug Adams will be visiting the facility shortly and being able to see what's being created there in Minnesota I believe they said. I've also had lots of conversations with Ramzi Mansour about the opportunity for us to not only divert waste from the landfill, but create a whole other product, a slew of products, that would greatly benefit our communities, our farmers, our roadways. We've talked for years about the Big Island being basically our opportunity to be a model for the rest of the world because we are a microcosm. We have so many resources that come here and end up being wasted when the science and the technology is now available to take those resources, break them down, and recreate things that become a commodity and an asset. I'm really excited for this Page 27 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 technology. I'm hearing loud and clear that the Department of Environmental Management is open to continuing to explore this opportunity and negotiate. Whatever language your contracts would be coming down the pipe, that is not what this resolution does. This resolution is a statement from the County Council saying that we are in support of our County's Administration continuing to pursue opportunities like what's being brought to us here today through Brittany Zimmerman and her project and organization. The testimonies from scientists around the world, the eloquence of the terminology, and the synchronicity of the opportunity for the Big Island. I get afraid that we might miss out if we don't have the courage and the political will to step forward. Of course, in anything there's going to be a risk, but the greater risk is not doing anything. We've been talking recycling. We've been talking all different kinds of things for decades, and we're still in the same position. I am really excited to support this resolution today and continue to encourage our Administration to explore this opportunity. We are at a tipping point. And there's potential in this project and this science and this technology to take us into a next round of opportunity to authentically create a circular economy when it comes to transitioning our waste into resources that can be reused and repurposed right here on-island. So thank you again, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. I will be supporting this today, and with that, I'll yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Anyone else before I go to Council Member Galimba? Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: So, yeah. I mean, again, this sounds really great. But there's also a part of me that's if something's too good to be true, that kind of makes me want to find out more for sure. So I think I will be supporting this, but it's with a certain amount of reservation because I don't feel like Ino, it's pretty—it's a resolution. So we can work with that. But there's a certain amount of Yummet around it, which—so I don't want to there's a lot of testimony around this one specific company. So I feel like where, on the one hand, it seems very innocuous. On the other hand, I feel like there's more due diligence that needs to be done. So I just want to put that on the record because I don't feel like I have enough knowledge to really support something that I don't know what the details are. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Thanks for this discussion. Thank you for putting this resolution forward. As Council Members, we have a number of tools in our tool belts. We can craft ordinances. We can also make very strong policy statements through resolutions, and that's what we're doing here. Page 28 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 I'm going through the time line that was put together in the resolution of how the County has kind of elevated climate-change issues. So that stems back to the early 2000's. It's 2023. I'm 37, mother of two: 10 1/2-year-old, my son just turned six. And I lie awake every single night afraid, anxious, stressed out about the state of affairs of our environment, of our global community, about this incredible weight, the challenges that we are facing. They're so massive and I get a bit emotional because it's about human survival at this point. So we can debate about the merits and minutia of an on-site facility in 2026 and diverting this and that, but you know what this resolution is for me? It's a reminder to act with urgency because we are running out of time. It's not endorsing any particular company or solution. I agree with my colleagues that we have to do every single thing to turn over every stone and invest in technologies that work, that are proven. But at the same time,what do we have to lose? What have we been doing? Clearly, not enough. And so I'm supporting this resolution because it's a strong policy statement of the kind of future that we want to see. I'll be keeping this and all the other mandates we have in mind as we go into this budget cycle, evaluating every single line item with our climate crisis in mind. Taking a look at our CIP (Capital Improvement Project) list and making sure that every infrastructure investment we make is about resilient infrastructure and takes into consideration the natural disasters we know we are going to be hit with. Just scroll through the media every single day. It is crazy out there. It's like a sci-fi movie. I cannot even believe that this is the real world. But I'm here and so are my colleagues, doing what we can every single day so that when I go home at night and I look at my kids in the eye, I can say, "You know what? Mommy tried. Did everything I can to make sure that I am creating a future that you cannot just survive in, but you have a chance to thrive." So thank you, Council Member, for putting this forward. Hundred percent supporting this. And I hope that it is just a further reminder to the Administration that we've got to act, but we've got to act together and in collaboration. These issues are too big to solve on our own, so we have to embrace collective action. Thank you, Chair, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Any additional discussion? Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I really appreciate Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder advancing this because sometimes maybe the messenger has to shift. And my district has carried the waste of East Hawaii for far too long. So I really appreciate the testimony from our homestead community that has sacrificed. The trust itself is a hundred-plus years old. We have a homestead community that's going to be a hundred. Thank you, Mr. Kodani, for reminding us of that. And so Page 29 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 to the point Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder is asking is how long is it going to take? And we have the support of six homestead communities that are a hundred years old wanting action. And I know some of my colleagues, we were up at NACo (National Association of Counties), and I think it was Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President, who said his new middle name is "Hurry the Hell Up." We have infrastructure dollars. We have $600 million from the State. It's time to act. What this resolution does is actually sets pace for everyone who's sitting in these black chairs come budget cycle about where we're going to invest our resources, and hurry the hell up. I'm going to be supporting this because I know my homestead community is sick and tired of waiting,whether it's the wastewater facility, whether it's the solid waste. At one time, it was composting facility. We have carried the burdens. So let's just hurry the hell up. Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. I'll be supporting this resolution. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Any other discussion? All right, thank you. I'll take a few moments to say a few words because I want to leave us on the right note here. I actually got to speak at the FishTank competition this weekend. It's put on by NexTech Hawaii. Brittany was there, as was Kristine Kubat. The event was about sustainability. The students had to come up with projects and do proposals for business plans around sustainability things. And when I was thinking about what I was going to say to them, I didn't want to be all doom and gloom because it really does feel like that. It feels like we are just up a creek without a paddle and there's no hope. But the fact is that there's actually a tremendous amount of hope, and we should be so grateful, so lucky to be alive right now. A line from Hamilton, which was running through my head as I was readying for the speech, how lucky we are to be alive right now because there are so many incredible innovative things going on. One of the things that I wanted to highlight to the students is where we need to go is over here. Where we are is over here. But at least the trajectory is this way now. We are moving towards that. (Year) 2022 was the first year where investment in renewable energy outpaced investment in fossil fuels, and we're on target to have more energy be produced by renewable sources than by fossil fuels by 2025. With the new presidency in Brazil, we have somebody committed to protecting the lungs of the planet in the Amazon rainforest. India planted 1.5 million trees. So we have the developing nations doing a tremendous amount of things. United Nations has passed a number of plastics-related legislation to reduce plastic waste. California passed Bill 54 or 58I don't remember the exact number54, thank you—which changes the recycling model there to actually put more emphasis from the producers of the waste to actually pay for and support managing the waste. Page 30 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Those are just a few examples of things, including the incredible investment by the administration of this country in climate-pollution reduction, carbon-pollution reduction, waste management, solid waste management. So I don't want people to leave with a fully, you know, crisis view. We actually are making incredible progress, and we have to keep that momentum going. And I think a lot of what has changed is this understanding that when we talk about climate change, we have to talk about social justice also. Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy, for bringing up the situation that all this stuff has been in Keaukaha for all this time. It is the prime example of environmental injustice in this community. There's a heightened awareness that traditional knowledge and indigenous practices around sustainability, circular economy, that's good wisdom. That's important wisdom. It's as valuable, if not more so, than traditional western science. I want to thank Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder for putting this resolution forward. In all due respect, I would say if we had more time, there's a little wordsmithing I would do. But the idea is here. The concept's here. The ability that it gave us today to have this really important discussion I think are all super important. And just to wrap this up around the points that Council Member Galimba brought up and reiterating what Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said at the beginning of this discussion. It's very clear that this resolution is a policy mindset. It's something that we have as a vision going forward. It is not about any particular organization or entity conducting this stuff, and that's very important if we go to an RFP process later. In all of that, there has to be there's a procurement process for all of that. So I'm really grateful that you put this forward so we could have this discussion. Happy to support the concept and look forward to working with our Department of Environmental Management and all the folks out here in the community that are in alignment I think with all of us that the time is now. There are opportunities in front of us, and we are moving in the right direction and we want to keep moving that way. So thank you. MR. MANSOUR: Thank you. I want to thank every one of you in support of our mission. This is what's going to lead us to accomplish the mission. Even within our Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, we had stated that waste reduction diversion is a goal, and having a policy to implement that is very important. And I want to thank the people that visited the Hilo facility. I was laughing when my staff told me. I said we could give them all the crap they want to turn it to energy, literally, because why dump it in the ocean if we could capture it, use it, extract hydrogen gases out of it,put it back into the community? We're not losing anything. If any company's willing to come in with the capital and take it over, it's a win-win. It's a no-brainer. So thank you. Page 31 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Director. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, a quick comment because I do want to move us on on the agenda today. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I'm just appreciating everyone's comments today. From Ms. Kierkiewicz' very heartfelt response to Ms. Lee Loy's more her area screaming for attention and need, for Council Members' questions on what is this actually doing, and having the department and Corporation Counsel being supportive and understanding this is not specific but it's a guiding light for us to follow. The testimony today, you guys were amazing. Thank you. Thank you very much. I wanted to touch back on my excitement. I think my excitement really was borne of occasionally you are given something that opens your mind because it steps outside of your knowledge base and it allows you to see something you never saw before—and that's what excites me. When I talked to Brittany, the excitement for me was I come from this industry, but the younger generation's knowledge base is so beyond what I even could imagine. And when I realized how far behind I was in my knowledge and where we could be and what issues we faced on-island and where we could be as a County and as a people, I was blown away. And so I really appreciate my fellow Council Members' support today because I do believe there is no more pressing issue than our waste. So thank you, everyone, for being here today. Thank you for your support today, Council Members. That means a lot. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: All right. Thank you. With that, we'll go to the vote. All those in favor of adopting Resolution 73-23, please say "aye." Vote on Res. 73-23: The motion to adopt Res. 73-23 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball–9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Resolution 73-23 is adopted. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for ORDINANCES Ordinances (First Reading). (FIRST READING): Page 32 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Bill 230: PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII (Draft 2) DOWNTOWN HILO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 2, AS (2020-2022) AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER 35 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS Proposes the formation of a Business Improvement District to finance certain supplemental public safety, sanitation, landscaping, and maintenance services and infrastructure improvements in Downtown Hilo, to be funded by assessments on 313 commercial properties within the district boundaries at an assessed rate of $1.50 for every $1,000 of"Total Net Taxable Value" of each parcel of land, for a total estimated budget of$367,000 for the first operating year of the proposed Business Improvement District. Reference: Comm. 1060.11 Intr. by: Ms. Kimball Approve: FC-228 Postponed: November 16 and December 21, 2022 Public Hearing: February 7, 2023 (recessed to February 24, 2023) (Note: There is a motion by Mr. Chung, seconded by Mr. Inaba, to pass Bill 230, as amended, on first reading.) Motion to Postpone: Ms. Kagiwada moved to postpone Bill 230, Draft 2, to April 5, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. MS. KAGIWADA: I'm asking the Clerk of the Council to please explain or just give us a little bit on why we need to postpone. We're not quite ready. MR. HENRICKS: The Code is—it's challenging, a little bit, to make sure that we get this process correct. We've made a lot of progress thus far, as far as the protest procedures. But we want to make sure that when we present a report to the Council, we accurately present the amount of protests; who was eligible to protest; the formation; and then, more importantly, if those protests cross that threshold to where other mechanisms kick in. We also need to explore further what those things mean too. So, if we hit that point, Ms. Kagiwada will have a good understanding of what options are available and can present it to the Council. In fact, we intend to meet today after this meeting adjourns with Real Property Tax Administrator, Corporation Counsel, Ms. Kagiwada, and myself so that we can make greater progress on presenting a valid, complete report to the Council to know where to proceed hopefully on April 5h. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Clerk. So, with that, yeah, I'm just making the motion to postpone,please. Page 33 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Any further discussion on the postponement? Seeing none, all those in favor of postponing Bill 230, Draft 2, to April 5h, please say "aye." Vote on Motion to The motion to postpone Bill 230, Draft 2, to April 5, 2023, Postpone: was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 230, Draft 2, is postponed. Bill 24: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-33 (CITY OF HILO ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING) OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL—THREE ACRES (A-3a) TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL— 15,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-15) AT HILO, SOUTH HILO, HAWAII, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-003:035 (Applicant: Matthew C. Wung and Eric J. Wung) (Area: 3.1285 Acres) The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this change of zone request, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into five lots ranging in size from 20,080 to 45,363 square feet. The property is located at 862 West Kawailani Street, approximately 1,000 feet west of its intersection with Komohana Street, Waiakea, South Hilo. Reference: Comm. 97 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba(B/R) Approve: LAAC-11 (Note: Comm. 97.3, from Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy dated March 3, 2023, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 24, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to pass Bill 24 on first reading and adopt Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee Report No. 11. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you, Chair. We had discussion and I believe Council Member Lee Loy has an amendment for this bill. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Lee Loy. Page 34 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. During Committee, there was a discussion with the applicant. Motion to Amend: Ms. Lee Loy moved to amend Bill 24 with the contents of Comm. 97.3. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. This particular amendment actually speaks to what we discussed at Committee. It keeps it consistent with a previous land use change of zone application that we did in a previous term. It's just keeping everything nice and consistent, reserving that 10-foot set aside for future improvements. I ask for my colleagues' support. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Any additional discussion on the amendment? Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. Just for the maker of the amendment, for the change of language, is the Department of Public Works comfortable with the language? MS. LEE LOY: Yes. And I think you weren't at Committee. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I was not. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah. Thank you for that question. Yes. Actually, it's consistent. It's the exact same language that we used in a previous change of zone in a different term, and so they're supportive of this amendment, along with the Planning Department. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Beautiful. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Any additional discussion on the amendment? All right, seeing none, all those in favor of amending Bill 24 with the contents of Communication 97.3,please say "aye." Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 24 with the contents of Amend: Comm. 97.3 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 35 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 24 is amended. Onto the main motion. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Thank you for that support. We now have a complete bill with the amendment. But I just shared with my colleagues a quick map. I think during our Committee discussion, there were some questions about connection to sewer. And the question was asked where is the kind of closest connection, and I just wanted to share that with my colleagues. I think that discussion around individual wastewater systems was also of concern, but I think this map is real clear as to how far away that sewer system is. And just for contextual purposes, this property is located off of Kawailani Street by Life Care Center, for those of you here in Hilo. And the closest sewer connection is Mohouli Street, which I would put at about 1.5 miles away. But I ask for your support. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all of those in favor of adopting Bill 24, as amended at first reading, please say "aye." Vote on Bill 24: The motion to pass Bill 24, as amended to Draft 2 on first Draft 2 reading and adopt Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions (Approved) Committee Report No. 11 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 24, as amended, is adopted at first reading. Bill 25: 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 State Grants —Volkswagen Settlement—Hawai`i Zero Emission Bus account($1,765,000); and appropriates the same to the Volkswagen Settlement—Hawai`i Zero Emission Bus account for the purchase of battery electric buses. Reference: Comm. 105 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Approve: FC-24 Page 36 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 25 on first reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 24. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. (Note: At this time, Mass Transit Administrator John Andoh came forward to address the members of the Council.) CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair Kimball. This bill is the companion measure to Resolution 58-23, and Director Andoh's availability and discussion earlier I think lends itself to supporting this bill as it is. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Just real quick, in support of. But during our discussion during the resolution, Mr. Andoh mentioned another $11 million, and so I quickly calculated we're up to $18.2 million that Mr. Andoh has captured at his time at Mass Transit. Thank you so much for everything you do. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Bill 25 at first reading,please say Ic aye. Vote on Bill 25: The motion to pass Bill 25 on first reading and adopt (Approved) Finance Committee Report No. 24 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 25 is approved at first reading. Thank you, Administrator Andoh, for being available for questions. MR. ANDOH: No problem. Page 37 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Bill 26: 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 State Grants —Kua Bay account($100,000) and the West Hawaii Ocean Safety account($76,402); and appropriates the same to the Kua Bay —State Equipment account($100,000), bringing the total appropriation to $580,000; and the Hapuna Beach—State Equipment account($76,402), bringing the total appropriation to $995,505. Reference: Comm. 106 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Approve: FC-25 Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 26 on first reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 25. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member. MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: There was good discussion at Committees. And barring any further questions, I look forward to everyone's further support. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye." Vote on Bill 26: The motion to pass Bill 26 on first reading and adopt (Approved) Finance Committee Report No. 25 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 26 is approved at first reading. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of THE DAY the Day (Second or Final Reading). (SECOND OR FINAL READING): Page 38 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Bill 194: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 2, DIVISION 4, SECTION 25-2-44, OF THE (Draft 3) HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATED (2020-2022) TO CONDITIONS ON CHANGE OF ZONE Provides the County Council exclusive authority to grant an initial time extension for the performance of conditions within a change of zone ordinance and increases the filing fee from $250 to $500 for any request for a time extension, change, or alteration of conditions within a change of zone ordinance. Reference: Comm. 898.25 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba First Reading: February 22, 2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to pass Bill 194, Draft 3, on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion, Council Member Inaba? MR. INABA: No. Just we had a lot of discussion, and everyone stands where they stand. I just ask for my colleagues' support in seeing this through. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. Any additional comments or discussion? Seeing none, Mr. Clerk, can we do a roll call on this one, please? Vote on Bill 194: The motion to pass Bill 194, Draft 3, on second and final Draft 3 reading was carried by the following roll call vote: (Adopted) Ayes: Council Members Evans, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Villegas, and Chair Kimball —6. Noes: Council Members Galimba, Kierkiewicz, and Lee Loy —3. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Page 39 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Bill 17: AMENDS CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 12, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAX APPEALS Amends Section 19-100 and repeals Section 19-101 to make the $50 deposit required for each appeal by a taxpayer to the County of Hawaii Tax Board of Review nonrefundable. Reference: Comm. 68 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba First Reading: February 22, 2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to pass Bill 17 on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. We haven't had any real discussion on this one, but there was a piece of testimony submitted for this bill. We have our Real Property Tax folks here. The intention stands that even—well, I think it's an opportunity for the public to know right now that if there is a problem with your assessment or there's some type of error, it doesn't require you to file an appeal. You can simply contact our Real Property Tax Division, and they can make corrections. If you should choose, however, to file an appeal, then you will pay the $50. And no matter the outcome of the appeal, the $50 will not be refunded. So there's no we're actually providing an easier option than an appeal by simply calling and getting in contact with our Real Property Tax Division. But if anyone has questions, our folks are here to answer them as well. So I ask for your continued support here. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. Any additional discussion? Okay. I actually did have just a quick question regarding that comment from Council Member Inaba, and just to make sure that we don't have any unintended consequences. When folks are submitting appeals, if they happen to submit an appeal that is due to a clerical error, do you just call them up and say, "You don't need to do this. We'll fix this"? I mean, is there that kind of gatekeeping where there wouldn't be an appeal that was based on clerical error coming through officially? (Note: At this time, Assistant Real Property Tax Administrator Keita Jo came forward to address the members of the Council.) MR. JO: Keita Jo, Assistant Real Property Tax Administrator. As Mr. Inaba indicated, there is an informal process where you can appeal and call us. Once an appeal is filed and it's receipted by the board of review clerk, it's "hands off' from a departmental standpoint. So we would have to go through a settlement Page 40 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 process if we found that the error was because of something that we had done, maybe a typographical error, something similar. But at that point, the appeal's been filed; the $50 has been paid. CHR. KIMBALL: Okay. If I'm hearing you correctly, there's still an opportunity to get that filing fee back if it was based on a departmental error. MR. JO: Currently, there is. But as the legislation is written, there wouldn't be. CHR. KIMBALL: So this was eliminated entirely. Okay. MR. JO: So I think that's why there's the encouragement that individuals contact our office. We're more than willing to work with individuals if we find that there's an error to our records, to rectify that before a formal appeal process. CHR. KIMBALL: Okay. Are there any plans to do outreach about that to make sure that people are aware that they don't have to go directly to the appeals process, that there's not the risk of this filing fee not being returned? MR. JO: So, currently, outside of assessment notices, there's an information sheet with general information where individuals are provided telephone numbers to our office to contact us. We do run advertisements in the newspaper to educate, as best we can, individuals to contact our office prior to filing an appeal for this very reason. There's an opportunity for us to correct the records. CHR. KIMBALL: Okay, all right. I'll be—I thought the testimony was legitimate and it did make me think a little bit. I think I'm still okay moving forward, understanding that there is this opportunity. I hope the tax office will continue to do that public outreach to make sure that the community knows they have those options. Yeah, go ahead. MR. JO: If I could make a comment. I just wanted to just clarify that the Real Property Tax Division is independent of the board of review. So we're not taking any position on this legislation. I just want to make that absolutely clear just to put it out there. CHR. KIMBALL: Thanks. I appreciate that. All right, any additional discussion? Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: I just wanted to ask a follow-up question and to something you said. Once they do file an appeal, you said then it goes to the board of review and there's a settlement process. So,potentially they could get their $50 back through that settlement? No? Not at all? Okay. If you could explain that a little bit. MR. JO: So the way that the appeal process works is individuals that they feel are grieved by our assessment even after they have contacted our office, they can file Page 41 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 an appeal by April 9h. Once the appeal is submitted, it goes through the board of review process. Our staff will contact the taxpayer, work with them, provide information in order to either support our assessment, or if the taxpayer provides us information that maybe we erred in terms of the quality of the home, the age, condition of a home. At that point, the division will execute a settlement agreement by essentially the division itself saying, "Hey, we erred. We support a reduction in the assessed value." And at that point, it's considered "not agreed." And so we'll reduce the assessment, provide the appropriate adjustment to taxes, and it doesn't go through the appeal process per se. If an individual doesn't agree with that settlement or we just can't find common ground, then it will go through an appeals process. At that point, the board of review is providing notifications via certified mail, scheduling. The Real Property Tax Division is spending quite a bit of time to prepare for these appeals. MS. GALIMBA: I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Any additional discussion? All right, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Bill 17 at second and final reading, please say "aye." Vote on Bill 17: The motion to pass Bill 17 on second and final reading was (Adopted) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 17 is adopted. Bill 19: REPEALS CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 2, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO DANCE HALLS Reference: Comm. 78 Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada First Reading: February 22, 2023 Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to pass Bill 19 on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion? Page 42 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MS. KAGIWADA: Just looking for my colleagues' support on this. Cleaning up language that's outdated. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: I just wanted to mention I was watching social media. I just think it's good that we go back and look at our Code and see when things need to be adjusted. It's small but important. So thank you for doing this. I appreciate it. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Bill 19 at second and final reading,please say "aye." Vote on Bill 19: The motion to pass Bill 19 on second and final reading was (Adopted) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 19 is adopted. Bill 20: 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 —Clean Water Act 604(b) account ($49,600), and appropriates the same to the Clean Water Act 604(b) account. Funds would be used to complete a Wastewater Service Area Expansion Feasibility Study. Reference: Comm. 82 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) First Reading: February 22, 2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 20 on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member. Page 43 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I look for everyone's support on this. Given our discussion earlier on previous resolutions, there's a lot of tying in to be done between the different entities that are floating around out there. So I look for everyone's support. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any additional discussion? Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Yes. Can we have Mr. Mansour? (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. EVANS: The reason I had you come up is the last time we had a discussion here in Council, you weren't here and your deputy was here. So I had a question at the time, and it had to do with the service area expansion feasibility study and that you would be looking at income and the impact that it would have on different households. So median income was part of—was it part of the feasibility study? Just a question for clarification since you weren't here. MR. MANSOUR: Yeah, I'm trying to understand the exact question. But when you say "feasibility expansion study" MS. EVANS: Right. When you came in front of us, in front of the Committee, we had a discussion about the feasibility study and what it would be used for. And so then when it came later and we were talking about it, since you weren't here, we were asking questions and you weren't here to answer. She didn't know what you had mentioned at the Committee hearing, but it's what the feasibility study is actually for. MR. MANSOUR: Yes. The intention for that$49,000 to have our in-house staff kind of look at the maps that we have where there are cesspools, and kind of understand what are the possibilities for these individuals to either connect to sewer or convert to septic tank. And also, currently, the Department of Health has allocated $5 million to assist homeowners. The County of Hawaii has 1.8 million out of that 5 million. So we are working with the housing department to be able to capture that money and encourage people that could meet the criteria to apply for that money. So we are working diligently with the housing department. Hopefully, that money will become available soon so people could take advantage of it. MS. EVANS: But part of it will be to look at the ability for people to actually be able to possibly connect to sewage treatment if you're low income and you don't have the kind of money to connect to sewage treatment. So would this feasibility study kind of show how maybe to fund—are you going to make recommendations to us or the State Legislature on how to support possible funding for them? Page 44 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 MR. MANSOUR: No. That 49,000 just kind of gives us an idea, but we currently are working on a different proposal to look at the entire Hilo area as part of a Phase 1, Phase 2 design-construction project that's been before you. We already completed Phase 1 and it's out for bid. So the idea is they're going to look at the entire service area boundary for Hilo and determine the capacity of each sewer collection system within that area, and determine how many people we could be able to connect to the system without expanding that infrastructure. In addition to that, the financial plan will be part of that. That, we have not started. We intended to do it. In addition to that,when we came before you for the cesspool conversion plan, if you recall, February 21st, we submitted where the State is going when this is full. As a County, we need to put our hand around the issue as well. So the intent is also to do a master cesspool conversion plan for the County, to be able to give our constituents the options. So we bring it before you to become you could adopt it. And once you adopt it, become the guidelines for developers, for homeowners so they can look at areas and say, "Okay, this area is within my service area, and this is how I could go about doing the conversion. Should I connect? Should I convert to septic?" Because certain areas, if you don't have sewer, you just have to get a septic tank and install. But they'd look at it from different— The ifferentThe Department of Health is going to be the lead on that as well because if you have an area that's very dense in homes, they're going to ask you to either put a cluster system or a treatment plant if you're not around a facility. So it's going to be in measured cooperation with Department of Health and developers and homeowners and the like. So hopefully that answers your question. MS. EVANS: Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Any additional discussion or questions? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Bill 20 at second and final reading,please say "aye." Vote on Bill 20: The motion to pass Bill 20 on second and final reading was (Adopted) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball–9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 20 is adopted. Thank you, Director, for being available for questions. Page 45 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Bill 21: AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; FIXES THE FORM, DENOMINATIONS, AND CERTAIN OTHER DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDES FOR THEIR SALE TO THE PUBLIC; AND AUTHORIZES THE TAKING OF OTHER ACTIONS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE BONDS Authorizes the issuance of up to $127,500,000 in General Obligation Bonds to fund certain Capital Improvement Projects including: Construction of Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant and other facilities; Public Works Repairs and Maintenance (Aupuni Center Roof and Emergency Communication Center); Parks and Recreation Repairs and Maintenance (ADA Compliance and Papa`aloa State Match); Sewer Pipe Replacement(Kilauea/Keawe Street); and Animal Control infrastructure. Reference: Comm. 83 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) First Reading: February 22, 2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 21 on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Chair. We do have members of Administration here ready to answer questions if there are any. I'll be supporting this today. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting Bill 21 at second and final reading,please say "aye." Vote on Bill 21: The motion to pass Bill 21 on second and final reading was (Adopted) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 21 is adopted. Page 46 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public. PUBLIC ON BILL 22 The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by (DRAFT 2) the Chair: (COMM. 91.38): Sylvia Dolena: Comment. (See Comm. 91.64) Bill 22: AMENDS CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE 2;ADDS A NEW ARTICLE TO CHAPTER 2; (Draft 2) AND AMENDS CHAPTER 4,ARTICLES 2, 3,4,AND 9, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), TO CREATE AN ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION AGENCY Establishes an independent agency to provide for the care and maintenance of impounded animals and to fulfill the functions and requirements of Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapters 143 and 711 relating to the protection of animals. Reference: Comm. 91.38 Intr. by: Ms. Kimball and Ms. Evans First Reading: February 22, 2023 ; and Comm. 91.39: From Council Member Jenn Kagiwada, dated February 28, 2023, transmitting a proposed amendment to Bill 22, Draft 2. (Note: Comm. 91.62, from Finance Director Deanna Sako dated March 7, 2023, transmitting a fiscal impact statement, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to pass Bill 22, Draft 2, on second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion? Council Member Kagiwada. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kagiwada moved to amend Bill 22, Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 91.39. Seconded by Ms. Evans. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to follow through on what I said I was going to do, which was to ask that the new department please report out to the County Council, and I just put in "biannual"reports. Of course, we can ask for more if we need more, but I wanted a minimum of twice a year mainly because I wanted the chance for us to hear directly what was going on, but also Page 47 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 the public to have input and to hear what was going on as well. So I tried to keep it not too burdensome by saying twice a year but still allow us to have this minimum input. I'm looking for your support. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Chair. I'll be supporting the amendment today because in the past we had issues with getting good information back from the nonprofits. And it became an interesting parallel between a legislative body making good decisions, fiscal decisions, as well as understanding what was happening outside of our lens, which is the nonprofit sector. I like this. I'll be supporting this today. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. I just had a question around the mechanics of it and to Mr. Kaneali`i-KI einfelder's point. Back to the mechanics, right, all the different nonprofit programs that work with us, and then the budget cycle. Because when the budget comes out, we already have a program review which already provides a lot of the information. And so just curious as to the mechanics of it and maybe even when this would be anticipated acknowledging that some reporting actually already happens specifically once already with the budget. MS. KAGIWADA: Yes with the budget, but this would specifically allow us to hear it in Council and allow the public to know it's agendized and that they can listen in, hear what's going on. Whereas, I feel like in the budget process, we will give information for sure but that can kind of get lost to the public. So making sure that the people are able to queue in. It also gives the opportunity for press, media to pick it up if there are any issues that are important to the public. I think it's just really important to have that public check-in. And I don't have a specific item. I'm happy to work with everybody in figuring out when is the appropriate times of year to hear those two input sessions. Thank you. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Council Member Kierkiewicz, on the amendment. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Thank you for putting this amendment forward. I'll be supporting it. I appreciate the cadence. I think two updates a year outside of our budget discussions is appropriate, and I appreciate that it's being institutionalized, becoming the practice of the agency going forward. Just one comment: Our budget hearings are available to members of the public, but I Page 48 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 hear you when you say it just could get lost in the myriad of updates that happen. So a very focused conversation about updates from the animal control agency is appropriate. So I'll be supporting it. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Any other discussion? Council Member Villegas, anything from you? Hearing nothing, I think we'll go ahead on the amendment. All those in favor, please say "aye." Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 22, Draft 2, with the contents of Amend: Comm. 91.39 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Vote on Motion to Ms. Kagiwada moved to suspend Council Rule 24 to waive Suspend Council the holdover for the substantive amendment of Bill 22, Rules: Draft 2. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the (Approved) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: We'll go back to the discussion on Bill 22. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: I had a question and thank you, Deanna. I want to point out to my colleagues Communication 91.62, which is the fiscal impact statement for Bill 22. Thank you so much for this, Deanna. But now I'm trying to put it all together because the previous bill we just provided yeah, we had the bond for the animal control, the $2.2 million, right, on the bond float. And then in this impact statement, we have the 3.4, which completely supports. Again, it's in the budget. Just trying to find how the two things intersect. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. SAKO: We've gotten some public communications on that as well. I think it's a little confusing because the bond and capital projects are in the capital Page 49 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 project budget, not in the operating budget. So that's kind of I think where the confusion is. So we do have that bond money set aside. I believe they have an appropriation. If not, we'll be creating one in the coming year's budget. But they do have a current appropriation. It may not be quite enough, so we may need to amend for that. But that's in the capital project budget. DPW (Department of Public Works) as well as the Police Department and, hopefully soon, the new agency will be working on the repairs of the Puna facility, and they are working on design of a new Kona facility because that facility is in rough shape. MS. LEE LOY: Great. I think my colleagues will ask because we had the other resolution about the positions. I'll let them ask but I'm just trying to get my arms around all of it. So we had the $2 million in the bond float for facilities. MS. SAKO: Yes. MS. LEE LOY: Then we have the fiscal impact statement and the positions. MS. SAKO: Yes. So the positions are in they have been included in the current year's budget even when it's under Police. And so we basically converted them from contracts to actual civil service positions now. MS. LEE LOY: Great. Thanks. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Any other discussion or comments? Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I think if there was question in the community about the Administration or the Council's commitment to our animal community, I mean, I think this is a strong testament that we absolutely support caring for our furry creature friends. MS. SAKO: Yes, we do. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Setting up the builds and human infrastructure within the County with facilities, with a whole new agency,with the investment of these positions. When I first saw the resolution for positions, like, oh, four to five positions—not 45! So it's kind of a shock, but again, that just goes to show the commitment. And I also want to acknowledge that we still hear from members of the community about just concerns they have with the agency, about there needing to be a review of Chapter 4. Don't disagree with any of that. And I think it's all happening in parallel. And so I just want to thank the Administration for making this a priority, but also acknowledging that I think there is still room for improvement on everyone's side. And it's just great to see members of the community stepping up and offering their mana`o and expertise and wanting to be part of the process. Thank you, Chair. I yield. Page 50 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Anything else? Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: I just wanted to mahalo the community and also the Administration. I mean, there's an awful lot of discussion on this. And I do believeI look forward to the task force or the working group that will work together to really hone in on the community concerns, and appreciate the willingness to form a group. Have you any idea when that would happen? (Note: At this time, Managing Director Lee Lord, Office of the Mayor, came forward to address the members of the Council.) MR. LORD: As you know, with our processes here today with the bill and the resolution, we need to get our administrator onboard. We need to get the facility up and running. We have a set of policies basically from our Code and from HRS (Hawai`i Revised Statutes) at this point in time. So we need to get up and going first. We're running 24 hours a day just to do that. I just, fortunately, left a meeting in time to be here where once again we're talking about the facilities; the infrastructure that we need from DIT (Department of Information Technology); the Human Resources steps that have to happen, which is a lot. So my guess is within the first quarter, once we're up and running between July and August, we will have something started for a task force to get people involved on the ground floor. I wish we could do it sooner,but everybody's kind of very stretched at this point in time. And we really need to get places for people to work at because the facility isn't even really ready for somebody to move in and start working, although we have contract workers working there. But some of the floors are still just plywood, and we need to make a place where we can hire full- time employees, that it's comfortable enough. And at the same time, they're still continuing to take care of the animals that need taking care of. So it's a body in motion, and we totally want to have that task force up and running so that we can share information and gain information also. MS. EVANS: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Any more discussion? Thank you. I just wanted to mahalo everybody here on the Council for all your comments and support of this bill. Everybody that worked tirelessly to put this together would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge former Council Member, now Senator, Richards and his initiatives that really kicked us all off. So a very important first step. It's great to see it finally getting over this last hurdle. So I just want to acknowledge everybody for their support and everybody that helped put this together, and all the folks in the community who we will continue to work with going forward. So all those in favor of adopting Bill 22 at second and final reading, please say "aye." Page 51 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 Vote on Bill 22: The motion to pass Bill 22, Draft 2, as amended to Draft 3 Draft 3 on second and final reading was carried by the following (Adopted) voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 22, Draft 2, is adopted as amended. MS. LEE LOY: Thanks, Deanna. Bye. Bill 27: 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 Parks and Recreation Hilo Bayfront Trails Phase IIA —Federal project ($1,250,000) to the Capital Budget. Funds for this project shall be provided from Federal Grants Receivable and would be used to complete the remaining scope of Phase II, including construction of Americans with Disabilities Act compliant parking stalls and a connecting walkway for access to the path that runs from Kumu Street to Pauahi Street. Reference: Comm. 107 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) First Reading: February 22, 2023 Note: Requires 2/3 vote of the entire membership to amend,pursuant to Section 10-6(e), Hawai`i County Charter Vote on Bill 27: Ms. Kagiwada moved to pass Bill 27 on second and final (Adopted) reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Bill 27 is adopted. Page 52 Hawaii County Council-7 March 8,2023 OTHER The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other BUSINESS: Business. (There were none.) ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, MENTS: Announcements. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Chair, before we adjourn? CHR. KIMBALL: Yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Can I make a motion to waive the five-day hold on ? CHR. KIMBALL: Not necessary. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Oh, yeah. CHR. KIMBALL: We changed our rules: Anything that is unanimously supported by the members present in the room, there's no hold. There's only a hold if it's not unanimous. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, I think they're all, three of them. CHR. KIMBALL: Yup. Do you want to confirm that they were all unanimous before we move on? MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah. Mr. Henricks, could you confirm that—? MR. HENRICKS: They were not all unanimous: Bill 194, Draft 3. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: No, this is just for the resolutions. MR. HENRICKS: Those were all unanimous votes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, sir. Thank you very much, Chair. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Always about efficiency. Page 53 Hawai`i County Council-7 March 8,2023 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 12:57 p.m., Mr. Inaba moved to adjourn the MENT: meeting. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: We are now adjourned at 12:57 p.m. Thank you, everyone. Have a great day. Council Approval: APR 5 2023 CO RK JH/dg Page 54