Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2023/09/19 (2022-2024) Committee on Finance 19th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii September 19, 2023 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to ORDER: order at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. Matt Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder, Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Vice Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member (came in later) Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent& Excused: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Toby Hazel: Bill 70 (Comm. 448), comment. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, Mr. Clerk, we did request from the department to hear Bill 71 before we begin. Can we go to Bill 71,please? Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no object from the Council Members, the of Business: the following items were taken out of order. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. FC-19 September 19,2023 Bill 71: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 Increases revenues in the Block Grant Program Income account($150,000); and appropriates the same to the West Hawaii Emergency Shelter and Facility Energy Efficiency Improvements account, bringing the total appropriation to $300,000. These additional funds will be used to renovate the facility in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan. Reference: Comm. 449 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Ms. Galimba moved to recommend passage of Bill 71 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, we do have Mr. Shiroma joining us on Zoom. (Note: At this time, Office of Housing and Community Development Specialist Royce Shiroma came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. SHIROMA: Good morning, Royce Shiroma, Office of Housing and Community Development. This ordinance is to increase our appropriations because we've been collecting a lot of program income from various older projects under the Community Development Block Grant program, and we're needing to increase it to have acceptance of those additional funds. When those additional funds come in, we were appropriating those additional funding to this West Hawaii Emergency Shelter Energy Efficiency Improvement Program, which is one of our 2022 Community Development Block Grant projects that has been selected. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you. To the Council Members? Seeing none, okay, Mr. Shiroma where is this facility? MR. SHIROMA: In West Hawaii. It is the old County base yard. This is the existing homeless shelter there. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, and what are the energy efficiency improvements being made? Page 2 FC-19 September 19,2023 MR. SHIROMA: What they're doing is they're going to be putting photovoltaic panels on the roof of the facility along with a battery backup bank in order to save electricity costs there at the shelter. The prior project added additional cooling systems which are fans in there, and this is one of the project scopes that will actually reduce the cost due to the additional electricity that's being spent there. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Well done. You've brought a smile to my face by saying putting solar on one of our County structures. I like that. Okay, beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Shiroma. Seeing no discussion from the Council at this time, a motion is on the floor to approve Bill 71 and forward it to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Bill 71: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 71 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Kagiwada and Lee Loy —2. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Mr. Shiroma. We have R and D (Research and Development) here. Let's go to Bill 67 please. MR. HENRICKS: Would you prefer to do the resolution that is affixed to the communication that has been presented a power point? CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes. MR. HENRICKS: Okay, I think that would be either (Resolution) 255 or 256. We'll just go in order, is that okay? CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Page 3 FC-19 September 19,2023 Res. 255-23: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, PURSUANT TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR A GRANT TO THE HAWAII COUNTY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Allows for the receipt of$100,000 in federally-derived funds to assist in the development and implementation of a plan to achieve equitable internet access for all Hawaii residents. Reference: Comm. 445 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 255-23. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: We do have members from R and D Department here to give us some background on this. Why don't you go ahead and then we'll go with questions from the Council. Thank you for your time this morning. Whoever wants to start Shola or Riley? Introduce yourselves for the record, push the button. There you go. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Energy Specialists Riley Saito and Shola Kahiapo-Trevino and Riley Saito came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KAHIAPO-TREVINO: Aloha nui kakou. Sorry, I am losing my voice. I prepped for the presentation but not to lose my voice. I am the Digital Equity Specialist for the Department of Research and Development. I'm here to discuss our broadband initiative that we have and provide an overview of Resolutions 255-23 and 256-23. We will be delving into how do we plan to allocate the associated funds. Thank you. MR. SAITO: Riley Saito, Research and Development Energy Specialist and part-time broadband enthusiast mainly to advance digital equity across our community. Really supporting Shola in her efforts. She's carrying the torch forward. So, here we go. MS. KAHIAPO-TREVINO: Here, I'm going to be providing an overview of today's presentation. First, we're going to be talking about the network connectivity project that we have. That was kind of the key point that started all of the work that we are doing. Then I will be talking about the statewide programs and stakeholders that are involved. Then an overview of our County's initiatives that we have, and just really delving into the County's efforts that we've been doing. Page 4 FC-19 September 19,2023 Community outreach, we've been having grant opportunities, which is including Resolution 255-23 and 256-23; then our next steps which will be using the funds for all of that. Just for some background information, in 2021, the County of Hawaii has earmarked $6 million for internal broadband buildout and that included completing the County fibering that went around the entire island. Then it went into expanding broadband access to prioritize Fire Stations, Police Stations, and Parks and Recs evacuation sites. At these locations, they're also going to be providing public internet access for the community to use. These efforts were created in response to COVID-19 and the need for internet access to communicate and access resources by County employees and for the community. (Note: At this time, Ms. Kahiapo-Trevino and Mr. Saito provided PowerPoint presentations to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentations, see the DVD copy of the proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office, or online at http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com. Copies of the presentations are made part of the record, see Comm. 445.1 and Comm. 446.1.) CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mahalo Shola. Riley, you want to add anything? MR. SAITO: I think Shola did a comprehensive overview of the activity. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you. Okay, to the Council. Council Member Evans, go ahead. MS. EVANS: Just a little information. You have the Hawaii Island Digital Equity Coalition and you also have another group mentioned in here. So, we have community volunteers that sit on, and get help, advise? So, the coalition it says, comprised of compassionate community partners. So, is the coalition volunteers from the community? Who would be the coalition? MR. SAITO: All the coalition members are volunteers. But they may represent an organization like HCEOC (Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council) or Vibrant Hawaii, or Food Bank, or they might volunteer while they're primary job is with the State Health Department; might be with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), HI-EMA (Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency); and OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs). There's all different types of organizations which have primary core responsibilities but we share a common thread to solve the digital divide. MS. EVANS: Okay, so I noticed when I looked at the map there was a couple areas that weren't on there that don't have access. So, you said you were Page 5 FC-19 September 19,2023 challenging the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) map. I'm just noticing there's an area out North that's not appearing on your map. But I'm assuming that the coalition, given what you just said, who sits on it? They're telling you kind of in their world of influence, those people don't get it or we don't get it, or you know, how do they MR. SAITO: No, the objective is that everyone gets it. There's no one left behind. MS. EVANS: Okay. MR. SAITO: So, starting from that basis, that no one gets left behind, its focused on being very inclusionary and within the BEAD program. BEAD is Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment. The equity is very strong, and so it has to be everywhere. The order or priority is to look at the map; see what's not being served, see where you don't have signal, where you don't have access. And this is infrastructure access, so, it's where you have something that you can actually connect to that's 100-down, 20-up in speed. Okay, so that's access. So, it's the unserved, meaning they don't have access at all; underserved, meaning you have something there, but it's really slow, okay, it's really bad. The third, that's the priorities; unserved, underserved; it's where it's called community anchored institutions. It's where our community actually—how I interpret it is where a community lives and can actually advance the quality of life that they experience by having high-speed access to the internet. So, interesting within the households, the unserved and underserved; the goal is 100-megabits (Mb) down, 20-Mb up. With community anchor institutions, the funds should be spent, and we would then have to show proof of 1-gigabyte (GB) down, 1-GB up. So, the actual anchor institutions would have access to greater bandwidth for higher speeds in multiple sessions, and videos, and other things that demand higher band. MS. EVANS: Okay. So the coalition, does it help set the priorities? For example, Government offices, schools, libraries? Then it goes down to businesses and resort areas? I mean are they kind of helping the coalition help set out the roadmap for this? MS. SAITO: Yes, and we all have identified a lot of the facilities on the island, and we're going out and asking the community what other areas would you consider? Like, you know, we've been through some of the areas, and people are saying, "Hey, what about this location, and what about this location?" So, we're adding locations to be brought into the community anchor institution list. That list is being managed by the University of Hawaii (UH) which is responsible for Page 6 FC-19 September 19,2023 deploying, over a five-year period, $149 million to ensure that no one's left behind. MS. EVANS: So, I'd like to know what you did in District 9, your community outreach, and how you got input. So, that we get our institutions, businesses, whatever our areas are on the list. I just wanted to make sure we're on the list. MR. SAITO: You are on the list. What's interesting in the Waimea session is where what we had to work out is what do we actually call the place? Because there's a tax map key name of a place with an address, but then there's other names that are used by the community to refer to the place. As it turned out, as I started reading off addresses, two out of the three sites were on our list already. It's just that the community referred to it in a different way than what's on the actual record. So, we are recording the community outreach sessions that R and D is doing right now. So, within that recording, I'm taking down and adding to the list of community anchor institutions. MS. EVANS: If you have a list of all your outreach, and you know, all the places that you've outreached and the dates and whatever, I'd love to see what your outreach was. MR. SAITO: There's a posting, we have it online. MS. EVANS: Okay, I will look. Thank you. MR. SAITO: Just search for"listening." Because they're supposed to be listening to the community. So, actually, how I find it, is I key in "listen" in the County website search. MS. KAHIAPO-TREVINO: On September 9h, there was Fire Listen and See Hub event put on, and we were able to go to that event and share the broadband initiative that we have. We were also able to show the map that we had and get more deeper community input from that. When I go to these community sessions—we just really started going to these. Whatever outreach that there is, I want to go to it. When we go to it we share the map, we explain it, and then we ask the people. We're like, this is what you have in your community that we're going to be putting in internet access. Where else do you think is really important? So, they look at our map and they give us, they're like, "you know, this place isn't that important, maybe look at this place." So, I have all of those locations that they are telling me. I have those written down, and I plan to compile that altogether, so that we can give that to UH to be like, this is exactly from the mouths of our community. These are the places that you need to prioritize for us. So, yeah. Page 7 FC-19 September 19,2023 MR. SAITO: The other funny example is that we were in Haw! at the gym annex, that building behind. That's like about 300 feet from the gym. Well, we had lit up the gym, so now the Kohala Basketball Team was streaming their games from in the gym because they can do it now. MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you. Thank you, Members. That was a generous conversation. Just"yes or no" about Hawaii Island Broadband Action Team, are they part of the coalition? MS. KAHIAPO-TREVINO: That's like the general name for it. So, the Hawaii Broadband Action Team is just kind of the way that institutionally, that's what it's named as. But it is all the same thing. Yeah, that's just the national term for it. MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you. Thank you, Chair. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Members? Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Thank you for the really excellent presentation and your hard work and passion in this area. I'm curious about this $100,000 planning grant. What is the timeframe because it talked about, in the resolution, there being development and implantation? So,just trying to understand timeframe for both of those pieces. MR. SAITO: So, how the funding is working, the University of Hawaii, they have to develop a five-year plan for the BEAD funds. They were awarded $5 million to develop the plan. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Riley, how is that different from the BEAD five-year action plan? Is there a separate plan that they're working on? MR. SAITO: No, this is all part of it, and an important part of the plan is actually getting community input. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, so there's the BEAD plan published in July. It's a five-year plan. Now we're working on a County level plan that is inspired by the BEAD action plan. MR. SAITO: No, it's where the County is much more, I guess grassroots from bottom-up, so to speak. The BEAD is guided through requirements by the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), but fortunately, the NTIA is asking the University to be focused on the community level. They realize that they are not the best persons to participate at the community level. Page 8 FC-19 September 19,2023 So, they're providing what is the start. It's a multi-year contract with funding. The BEAD plan is planning and implementation is over a five-year period. So, they started off with $100,000, so that we could, actually at the County level, be the collaborator arranging community outreach; finding the trusted partners within each community, then invite UH in to actually listen and learn and to better plan the deployment of the $149 million. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: The $149 million. Okay,just so many plans, and at this point, people just want access and connectivity. No more planning. I think we all know if you get internet or not. Okay, that is extremely helpful. Tell me a little bit about the $175,000 that's available in affordable connectivity. How much of that is paying for staff, administrative, if at all? Then, how much is being made available to households? What is the timeframe for deployment? Where do they go to get a voucher? How is this program working? Point of Order: CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Sorry, point of order, that's Resolution 256 I believe. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Sorry, it was in their presentation. I can hold for that question later if you'd like. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes, let's do it with Resolution 256. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. You can keep in mind a response for that one. Then in terms of the community anchor institutions, I'm online, there is a website that is linked at the end of the BEAD five-year action plan. It lists County, community centers, schools, preschools, universities, medical facilities, public housing, public libraries. If we had a non-governmental location that we would like to suggest. Is it during your planning meetings that you're going to be convening under the $100,000 grant that we offer up those ideas? MR. SAITO: Right. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, I just want to make sure we actually have connectivity in places that folks frequent. They may not always be at a government site, so just want to make sure that places like Farmers Markets that people often go to have connectivity and access. MR. SAITO: Exactly. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, and the timeframe for kicking off the conversations? Page 9 FC-19 September 19,2023 MR. SAITO: It's probably a six-month timeframe. Maybe a little longer as far as finalizing the community anchor institutions, their locations. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, and if we have ideas forI know you mentioned Shola wanting to pop up at existing community events that residents frequent. Do we just email you to invite you? That way you can hold a table there. Okay,perfect. Thank you for the presentation. I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. MR. SAITO: Just quickly add, as far as being in the community. So, a little over a year ago, we had nobody in the County really focused on broadband. So, Shola was brought onboard as a Lead for America. We now have her as a contract employee. We filled her position in Lead for America with Rose Hattori. Rose is now in Maui, actually doing signups for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) households. They signed up like 30 households yesterday. We're also looking at bringing on board an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)to focus on broadband. So, we're going to dive into the community and be with the community in order to resolve things. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Just for the record, NTIA? MR. SAITO: National Telecommunications and Information Administration. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Staff will appreciate that. Okay, going back to Council. Ms. Evans? Okay, seeing no further discussion, I have one follow-up to the CAI's, the Community Anchor Institutions. When is the deadline for—in our previous discussions, I really like that fit with community, especially for having some funding availability to provide upgrades to community anchor institutions. From that conversation, I remember it being as simple as, can be someone's house, if they're being an institution or a center for the community. What is the deadline for them to apply? MR. SAITO: We're looking at about six or seven months, I believe. There's time to do a good job and getting a good list. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, and they need to apply with you folks, or we can put their name into you folks? How does that work? MR. SAITO: You can give it to us and/or to the University of Hawaii directly. Page 10 FC-19 September 19,2023 CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay. MR. SAITO: And they're rolling it up to one list. We've been sending them additional sites. But you can come through us or email, that'll be good. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay, beautiful. MR. SAITO: And you know, a full address and nicknames. If there is a nickname, you know, that would help. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Beautiful. Thank you very much. You did well Shola and we could hear you. Okay, seeing no further conversation from the Council, we have a motion on the floor to forward Resolution 255 to Council with a favorable recommendation, all in favor? Any oppose? Vote on Res. 255-23: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 255-23 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Kagiwada and Lee Loy —2. Excused: None. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Resolution 256, please. Res. 256-23: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, PURSUANT TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR A GRANT TO THE HAWAII COUNTY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Allows for the receipt of$175,000 in federally-derived funds to provide services and financial assistance for internet subscription fees for qualified households on Hawaii Island. Reference: Comm. 446 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 256-23. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. Page 11 FC-19 September 19,2023 CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We have members from the department joining us today. We had a presentation already, but I think Ms. Kierkiewicz did have a question about the relation of funding to (Resolution) 256. So, anything to present or we can just kind of roll with the same conversation. MS. KAHIAPO-TREVINO: It's the same thing. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, beautiful. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Could you provide a little more information around the $175,000 grants program. You know, I see in some of the documentation here that the grant award period is between July 2023 to June 2025. So, stretching the funding out for a couple years. What is an eligible household, who is going to be running the program, how much funding is available? You know, are there any limitations? Just looking for a little bit more information. That way we can ensure that our constituents know about this program and can access that if they qualify. MR. SAITO: So, the ACP, Affordable Connectivity Program, itself is run by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and it makes the affordable by the FCC actually paying people, service providers a monthly assistance. In most households, it's $30 a month paid by the FCC to say Spectrum or Hawaiian Tel. If in the case you're on Hawaiian Home Lands, it's $75 a month from the FCC to the service providers. The ACP Outreach Grant is to enable the recipients of those funds to actually sign up more people. It's specifically to help with signing up people. The actual funding for this financial assistance comes from the FCC. The State back in December of last year, we participated in an RFI(Request for Information) that DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism) held, and we actually had our own RFI. The County ran an RFI to the community saying, "If you had an opportunity to sign up houses to get financial assistance, how would you do it?" We had three responses, different programs of how they would do group outreaches; some were like individual door-knocking to get trusted people in the community to actually go to houses and sign people up for community meetings and different things. So, there's different events, different total outreach; and assumed success rate at 50 percent or whatever it was; and they come out with x amount of sign-ups. Page 12 FC-19 September 19,2023 So, we submitted a response to the DBEDT RFI kind of rolling things up, and DBEDT took that; they incorporated in their application to NTIA for outreach funding. The State won or was awarded $740,000 of which DBEDT has their administrative carve out. Then there's three or four other organizations along with the County. So, we're part of the self-awardee group of which, I think if we had what we wanted, it was like half a million dollars. We asked for half a million, and we were awarded, you know, $175,000. So, this $175,000, we are working with procurement to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for individuals and organizations to come through us with their program, similar to the RFI their program on how they would deliver the results, the successful sign-ups of households. Our target is to sign up 7,000 households with the $175,000. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thanks Riley. That's 7,000 over the two-year period of this grant? MR. SAITO: Right. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay,perfect. Thank you for that clarification. MR. SAITO: But we'd like to spend it faster, right? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah, absolutely. Because once folks sign up, is it you know, this internet sort of provider fee taken care of in perpetuity? Is there an end to this program? MR. SAITO: Well, we're working with the feds and lobbying date. The original funding of the ACP was $14 billion, of which based on current participation and forecasting, it'll probably last about a year-and-a-half. So already, you know, we're laying the message back up that, you know, internet for all is internet for all time. Not just for one year. So, we need to get more funding at the Federal level, and we just heard today, there's intent that the State would come up with something similar or like a backstop should the Feds, you know, decide to walk away. Because it's not only about accessibility, but it's affordability, and they're hand-in-hand in gaining true access. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Please let us know when procurement is over and a vendor has been selected, so that we know who to send our constituents to so they can access this program. Thank you, I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Galimba. Page 13 FC-19 September 19,2023 MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. So, yeah, I'm sure you remember our meeting in Oceanview where we kind of got into some of these issues, and it was really kind of frustrating. I think folks there were really frustrated because the only internet provider, or one of the only internet providers is on the list of folks that supposedly would be getting this funding, but they don't actually do it because the paperwork is too expensive, and that's what we heard. So, is there a"can" for that smaller internet provider to take part in the program? So, even though you know, on paper that community has access to the sort of subsidy program. In reality they don't. I was wondering if you had any sort of follow-up and thoughts on how to address that particular piece of equity. MR. SAITO: To restate what she just said, people are signed up; they're qualified, they get approved by the FCC. The service provider is refusing to actually provide the financial assistance to file with the FCC. So, I did follow-up: I checked with DBEDT, the NTIA, and right now, I got held up. It's with the FCC—is who we need to go to find out what recourse there is. I have the name and number of the person to contact. I haven't because of what popped up at the end of last week—was the disaster SNAP assistance, ACP sign-up efforts that are going on. The FCC actually flew in people to Maui to sign up people for ACP, and we're sending a total of five. Actually, this island is sending about ten people to also assist with that. So, that kind of side-tracked me on the FCC side, but I will in a day or two. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. So, I understand you're going to put out Requests for Proposals. So, that means for nonprofit groups or other entities that may go out, and then help people sign up for this program. Is it possible for the Elderly Activities Division or the Office of Aging and Resource Center to be one of those Requests for Proposals so that they go out and help our senior citizens? Because that's a targeted group, and there's a lot of them I know that are low-income seniors that really do need help with this. So, can the County be one of those that submit for proposal? MR. SAITO: I think I've heard where another County agency could respond to a County agency's RFP. It'll depend on, you know, what the program and what value it adds. But with all of our processes that need to be met, I'm not sure how efficient that would be. Page 14 FC-19 September 19,2023 MS. EVANS: Right, oh understand. I just have concerns because I know the low-income seniors really don't have internet. They can't afford it. So, I'm just trying to figure it out. So, maybe there is some nonprofit groups or some groups out there that can focus on our seniors. MR. SAITO: We are working with the housing complexes, the Broadband Technical Assistance Grant that we applied for is specifically targeting the housing. From the profile data analysis that we did, there's almost zero internet access to the household at our affordable housing complexes, our aging community. Because partly it's affordability; the other is literacy. They've never touched a computer in their life. But we are aware and approaching in different ways to resolve that. MS. EVANS: Alright, thank you. I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, seeing no further discussion, thank you again. I wanted to mention too, I really appreciated the amount of mapping and data you've provided. It really helped me in a lot of different lights. So, thank you for putting that together and for doing what you've done so far. Thank you. Given no more discussion, we have the motion on the floor to forward Resolution 256-23 to Council with a favorable recommendation. Council Members, all in favor? Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, let the record reflect, Ms. Lee Loy has joined us. Vote on Res. 256-23: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 256-23 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Then moving on to Bill 67, please. Page 15 FC-19 September 19,2023 Bill 67: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGETFOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants —Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Planning Funds-Federal account($100,000); and appropriates the same to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Planning Funds-Federal account($100,000). Funds would be used to assist in the development and implementation of a plan to achieve equitable internet access for all Hawaii residents. Reference: Comm. 445 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 67 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: We've had a great amount of discussion today on this subject. Any discussion? Okay, seeing none, the motion is on the floor. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Bill 67: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 67 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Bill 68,please. Bill 68: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants —Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program account($175,000); and appropriates the same to the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program account. Funds would be used to provide services and financial assistance for internet subscription fees for qualified households on Hawaii Island. Reference: Comm. 446 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Page 16 FC-19 September 19,2023 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 68 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, the motion is on the floor. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Bill 68: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 68 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Let's go to Communication 13.18,please. Return to Order The Chair directed the Committee to return to the order of business. of Business: COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 13.18: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: AUGUST 1 — 15, 2023 From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated August 17, 2023, transmitting the above report pursuant to Section 2-12.3 of the Hawaii County Code. Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 13.18. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion, Council Members? We do have Ms. Sako joining us today in our Chambers in Hilo. Ms. Galimba, go ahead. MS. GALIMBA: Thanks, yes, I would like to ask a question about one item. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thanks for being here today, Ms. Sako. Go ahead when you're ready, Ms. Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. Yes, I just wanted to ask about RFP 3298, Furnishing and Implementing an Organics Diversion Program for DEM—Solid Waste Division, which is a sizable increase, and it says, Certified Funding for 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, per terms of the agreement. Could you maybe talk about that a little bit? Page 17 FC-19 September 19,2023 (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SAKO: Sure. So, this is a contract that was—several years ago now, but we bid it out, a multi-year contract. But each year we only encumbered the funds that we expect to spend in the given year. So, even though we've gotten approval from the Council, we still go ahead and just encumber the next year's funds. So, each year you'll see this for roughly the same amount of money getting added into this contract. MS. GALIMBA: Okay, so even though it's over, it was sort of budgeted into this contract already? I mean, in the budget. MS. SAKO: Yes. So, even though the total contract amount would have included this,just as our way of adding money into it and certifying the funds, then we actually included it in the report. Sorry if that might be a little bit confusing. But anytime we use our change order routing forms, then we go ahead and include it in the report. MS. GALIMBA: Do we actually have an Organics Diversion Program? Mulch? MS. SAKO: Yeah, it's our composting program that you can get the compost at the Hilo landfill, and yes, mulch. I used the wrong word, yes, mulch. MS. GALIMBA: Okay, thank you very much. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, seeing no further discussion, motion is on the floor to close file on Communication 13.18. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Comm. 13.18: The motion to close file on Comm. 13.18 was carried Filed by following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Resolution 253-23, please. Page 18 FC-19 September 19,2023 Res. 253-23: CHANGES TIME ELEMENT OF A HALF-TIME ASSISTANT COUNTY PHYSICIAN TO FULL-TIME Requests adjustment to full-time to address an increase in employee examinations in West Hawaii. Reference: Comm. 443 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 253-23. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. Director Sako,just wondering how funding will work for this change to full-time and assuming, is this going to be a full-time position moving forward? MS. SAKO: We are working with the Mayor's Office to identify funding from vacant positions, or we do have a little bit in the provision for compensation adjustment that we would be able to utilize for this because the demand has just increased so much. MR. INABA: Okay, so we could potentially be seeing a bill amending the operating budget for this? MS. SAKO: If needed. Otherwise, internal transfer just for the amending department. MR. INABA: Okay, thank you so much. Chair, I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. Just a quick question. So, the County physician is for only employees? Then, it says here, "Employee examinations has grown significantly." Does that mean we have a lot more, I mean a lot of growth here in West Hawaii? MS. SAKO: Yes, it is for employee physicals as well as other incidents that might happen. You know, some of our employees are exposed to various elements, you know, during their work,job. So, there are other things that the physicians perform, as well. As well as the health and safety personnel have, like the respirator mask and other things. So, they also do the fit test and whatnot for those employees, as well. So, you have hopefully noticed that in West Hawaii, there are numerous employees there and the turnover has also been great. So, then you know, employee physicals have increased as well. Page 19 FC-19 September 19,2023 MS. EVANS: Okay. It'll be interesting to note at some time, I'd love to know how much our staffing has grown over here in West Hawaii this last year. MS. SAKO: We'll see if we can figure that out. MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you. I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Council Member Evans, for asking that question. Just in a quick response, I've just been communicating with Vice Police Officers, because of some of the challenges in our public spaces and parks. They are currently experiencing they only have 50 percent of the staff with only 30 percent in operating status. So, they have 16 spots available in Vice and they only have eight people. So, on any working day, they have four to five officers for all of Area 2, West Hawaii. So, while we're hearing stories of increased staff,we are also operatingI know Community Policing is supposed to have, I believe, at least eight officers, and I think they maybe have five. The same with our lifeguards. So, while you know, I recognize and honor we want to maintain this balance of not making too big of government; we as a County are operating at a really extreme deficit of enough staff. I also just kind of want to add in, and I want to thank Dr. Scott McMurry who's been communicating with me for a number of months. He actually works in one of these positions providing medical services for our County staff. Some of the issues he's shared with me along the way. Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder for bringing this forward; for Managing Director Lee Lord. Those that serve in this position, serving our County staff, they have had no wage increases in more than 10 years. The County continues to add personnel requiring physicians every year increasing the workload. In addition, several services including Police and Public Works have added to complexity of exams or additional exams, multiple-exam types per person; i.e., CDL (Commercial Driver's License), and annual physicals. Last year, the County discontinued County physicians from billing for Volunteer Fire physicals, and that caused about a $15,000 decrease in the annual income for those serving in these roles, and based on current market values, the County physician wage is reimbursing at about 40 percent of market value for the exams. So, operating in a time when we also have a severe shortage of medical providers and those capable of doing this work. I really appreciate the efforts being made to highlight the value and equitably compensate them for what is a more realistic reflection of the time they work at a full-time status, and that's the wages that Page 20 FC-19 September 19,2023 would connect with that. We'll continue to help us not lose the medical providers we do have which are very important. So, I'll be supporting this, and thank you for listening. Aloha. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Looking around the room, seeing no further lights on. Council, motion is on the floor to forward Resolution 253-23 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Res. 253-23: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 253-23 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for being on today and ready to answer questions, Mr. Lee Lord. Okay, to our next order of business, Bill 69. Bill 69: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 Increases revenues in the Federal Grants —National Criminal History Improvement Program account($580,000); and appropriates the same to the National Criminal History Improvement Program account. These additional funds would be used by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for a new case management system, increased internet bandwidth, licensing, and replacement of computers to improve the quality, timeliness, and accessibility of criminal history records. Reference: Comm. 447 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 69 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion? Okay, seeing none, the motion is on the floor. All in favor? Any opposed? Page 21 FC-19 September 19,2023 Vote on Bill 69: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 69 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Bill 70,please. Bill 70: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 Appropriates revenues in the Home Program —Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Fraud Recovery Income account($5,000); and appropriates the same to the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Fraud Recovery Income account to allow for the receipt of funds recovered from tenants who have committed fraud. Reference: Comm. 448 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage of Bill 70 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, the motion is on the floor. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Bill 70: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 70 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: That brings us to the end of our agenda. Page 22 FC-19 September 19,2023 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 11:09 a.m., Mr. Inaba moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We are adjourned. It is 11:09 a.m. Approved: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Chair (Date) Finance Committee MK/dt Page 23 FC-19 September 19,2023 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 11:09 a.m., Mr. Inaba moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada— 1. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We are adjourned. It is 11:09 a.m. Approved: / Th �D ) 2 Mr. Matt Kaneali`i- leinfelder, Ch.it (Dat Finance Committee MK/dt Page 23