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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2024/03/05 (2022-2024)Committee on Finance 3011 Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii March 5, 2024 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at ORDER: 3:05 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Matt Kaneah'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. Tenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms, Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Absent & Excused: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Paul Kuykendall: Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), in support. Kim Pierce: Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), comment. Hannah Hartmann: Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), in support. Debra Ward: Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), in support. Emily Naeole: Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), in support; Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), comment. Julie Hugo: Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), comment. R.J. Hampton: Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), comment. Mike Kaleikini: Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), in support. FC-30 Change Order of Business: ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS: Res. 443-24: Motion to Approve: Shayla Marie Mae: Kailey Lapenia: Shannon "Smiley„ Burrows: Laura Acasio: CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELD March 5, 2024 Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), in support. Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), in support. Res. 443-24 (Comm. 744), in support. Res. 436-24 (Comm. 726), comment. Thank you very much. Ms. Kierkiewicz requested that we go to Resolution 443. Can we go to that one, Mr. Clerk, thank you. As directed by the Chair and with no object from the Council Members, the the following item was taken out of order. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR A WATER QUALITY STUDY OF THE LOWER PUNA REGION Allocates $428,000 from the County Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund to conduct a study on the potential effects geothermal energy production may have on potable water sources and the near -ocean environment. Reference: Comm.744 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 443-24. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. In 2012, then Mayor Billy Kenoi organized a joint fact-finding study group to examine the health impacts of geothermal operations on Hawaii Island. The goal was three folds. One, identify public health questions. Two, create a reliable inventory of studies that addresses concerns and can serve as references for decision makers. And three, recommend priorities and methodologies for future scientific and monitoring studies. In 2013, the Geothermal Public Health Assessment was published. I often refer to this and so does the community as the Adler report, because the convenor of this group was Peter Adler; a very well respected and renown mediator here in the State of Hawaii. Page 2 FC-30 March 5, 2024 The findings of this group were that Puna's public health profile is unclear, health studies are needed, and Geothermal operations carry health risks, but to what extent remains unresolved. There were eight recommendations contained in this report, including the request to do a health study, the need for a more robust monitoring system, and to strengthen communications with the surrounding community. The resolution before us today, 443-24 addresses one of the recommendations in this report, and it's related to the evaluation of geothermal effects on drinking water in near ocean environment to determine if they're impacts related to this type of energy production. The report also suggests that USGS, that is the United States Geological Survey be commissioned to do this report. USGS collected water samples in 2015 and 2020. As far as we know, these are the only actions taken by the County of Hawaii to implement the Adler report. In response to ongoing public health and environmental concerns raised by my community, our office is initiating a comprehensive groundwater study by USGS. This study, which is funded by geothermal royalties, aims to build on previous assessments by sampling more sites in conducting more analysis over the course of the study. I want to also clarify, Auntie Emily wondered by money was being pulled out of the relocation fund. That is not what is funding this study. The name of the fund is the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefit Fund. There were two accounts. We are required by law to have at least $1 million in the relocation fund. But this study is being funded by the Community Benefits account. I just want to make sure that folks are clear on where the money is coming from. But it's all royalties from PGV (Puna Geothermal Venture). There arc a lot of factors that come into play with this analysis. We live on an active volcano. Lower Puna was impacted in the last decade by two volcanic eruptions. Layered on top of that, we have active geothermal energy production operations. Differentiating what is naturally occurring versus what is being catalyzed by Puna Geothermal is key. The goal with this study is to build upon and expand the record of publicly accessible scientific information and data. And here's the part that really excites me, community members are invited to accompany USGS in the field to be part of water sampling collection to build observational learning, capacity within scientific processes and the use of instrumentation, and to ensure credibility; transparency; and community trust in the process. We are creating indigenous data scientists through this project that can work with USGS in the long-term for ongoing monitoring. Page 3 FC-30 March 5, 2024 I want to take a moment to mahalo nui Paul Kuykendall and Auntie Annamarie Kon who are part of the Puna Watershed Coalition, for reaching out to our office so that we could dive into this work together. I also want to thank and acknowledge Mike Kaleikini from Puna Geothermal who has always been available to answer questions and recently hosted our office, Civil Defense, and like 15 community members at PGV last week to talk about, not just this study, but a more comprehensive air monitoring system. It's very important that we have open lines of communication and collaboration as we do this work together. So, this resolution not just supports community, but it involves community in the process, so they trust what is going on. This resolution is not about being pro -Geothermal or anti -Geothermal. Decisions impacting public health and safety should never be political. It's about the need for useful information and more definitive studies. I ask my colleagues for support. I also want to note that we have some members from the USGS joining us online. Stephen Zahniser, he is the Deputy Director for the Pacific Island Water Scientific Conference. Shaul Hurwitz, Research Hydrologist; and Daniel Sinclair, Hydraulic Technician. Thank you, gentlemen, for joining us; it has been a pleasure to work with you to design this study for our community. (Note: At this time, USGS-PIWSC Stephen Zahniser came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. ZAHNISER: Chair, this is Stephen Zahniser from the USGS Pacific Island Water Science Center. I do appreciate the opportunity to speak with you all today, and I appreciate all the work that Ashley's put into this and the conversation that we've had. We look forward to being involved here in part of these studies to produce some of these data that will be important for the decision makers, as well as working directly with the community and being able to communicate these results back and increasing that transparency. So, we look forward to any resolution that comes forward. And we're all kind of hanging tight. So, thanks Ashley for keeping us involved and keeping the conversation going. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, and please stay on in case there are technical questions that my colleagues have related to the study process. Thank you. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, going to the Council. Questions? Council Member Kagiwada, go ahead. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. This looks like a great project. Very supportive. I really like the part about, you know, growing those data scientists to and maybe Page 4 FC-30 March 5, 2024 some of them can come and work on the Hilo Bay Watershed Project as well. Yeah, it's really important to involve community like you said. And I think it's so important to answer some of these questions. A lot of people have these questions and seems like a very good use of these funds, particularly. So, I'll definitely be supporting. Thank you for doing this. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. Just want to clarify. Will the focus be on drinking water? The health of the water, as drinking water? The only reason I ask that is, would you be involving our State Department of Health, which is responsible for our drinking water? MR. ZAHNISER: It will be focused on drinking water, looking at those results. do not believe at this point in time, we have a direct involvement with the Department of Health, but we can certainly involve them. We can certainly have conversations or bring them into any sort of discussion. MS. EVANS: The reason I bring it up is because of Red Hill and the problem that we had on Oahu and how eventually the Drinking Water Division and the head with the Department of Health got very involved in that whole, kind of, look at things. And if it's something eventually that the State would want to look at and review. It might be nice to kind of know up front, kind of the stuff they would be looking for in your study, and some things they might want to zero in on to say, they'd love to at least have had that included in the study. So, just maybe a recommendation in hope. MR. ZAHNISER: Yeah, we can look to do a stakeholder outreach to see if there's anything we need to add into it based on the original proposal. But we do work very closely with Department of Health on a number of different studies, and we do work with them on Red Hill. It's a little bit of a different situation there, just because they have assets that are directly involved. But we're very familiar with working with them. So, I do appreciate you bringing the recommendation up, and we'll definitely take notice. MS. EVANS: Thank you. And the other question I had is, it says here, "Community members will be invited." You have any thoughts on how you will identify the community members? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I could answer that one, sorry. MR. ZAHNISER: Go ahead. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Go ahead. Page 5 FC-30 March S, 2024 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Council Member, we've already preidentified three members of our community that will be accompanying USGS to the field. One individual is Hannah Hartman, she is a master's graduate student at UH (University of Hawaii) Hilo, Paul Kuykendall, who you heard from earlier, he was one of the first testifiers, part of the Puna Watershed Coalition. As well as Auntie Annamarie Kon. She's actually the Executive Director of Na Maka Hdloa, which is the nonprofit that stewards the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation) parcel in the Ahupua`a in Pohoiki and has a cultural and lineal connection to that 'aina. So we have, I think, a very diverse group of folks that will be working with USGS. MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you. And lastly, it talks about, you know, you're going to have "X" amount of locations. So, just for clarity, will one of those be in the water? So, actually one of the collections will be water sampling in the ocean? I'm just kind of trying to figure the entire size, I mean, it's a huge area I'm sure, and it talks about an "X" amount of, and a number of locations and it talks about water quality and its impact on drinking water, but I'm wondering if it's also impact on local nearshore water. Is it going to go that far into the nearshore water quality? MR. ZAHNISER: Thanks for that question. I do appreciate it. It is part of the consideration. We are looking at the groundwater side of life. We do need to do an assessment to determine exactly how broad that scope can go. If there's accessible springs or anything else, we could potentially evaluate to look at that nearshore environment. So, as much as I'd like to give you a definitive answer, we'd be kind of stuck based on the assessment side of it to make sure that we actually have that available to our sampling needs. MS. EVANS: In the areas that you sample, will you have to get like, right-of-way entry permits? Will you go on private property or is it strictly going to be what you can, you know, get to accessible without going through the right -of -entry process? MR. ZAHNISER: The locations that we've identified so far we should have access through all of them when we work with the business owner and property owners to make sure we have that access. MS. EVANS: Okay, alright. Thank you. I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Thanks. Just a quick question about the scope, like the timeline. It say's six to eight months, but then also continuous. So, I'm just kind of wondering what the timeline envisioned for this project would be perhaps the best one, Council Member Kierkiewicz? Page 6 FC-30 March S, 2024 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair and you know, Stephen, feel free to weigh in. When we were developing this particular proposal, we wanted to make sure that there was more than one sampling event, So, there will be one sampling event of six to eight sites that we've identified with community. Six months from that point, we will do another sampling. I don't know how long it's going to take to be doing the analysis after the water collection. I also don't know if the subsequent sampling happens after the analysis is complete or after the field, the water samples are collected. So, Stephen if you want to provide some clarity? After the water samples are sent to the lab and analyzed, there will be a noninterpretive report that is published, and then community engagement meetings, so that USGS can present the findings from there research. Stephen, do you want to provide additional context? MR. ZAHNISER: Sure. As Ashley mentioned, we're looking at two phases on this to kind of capture the seasonality of the system. Once during the wet season; once during the dry season to see if there's any variability in the water results that come from that. In both cases, there's roughly two to four months of time between the collection of the samples and the time that the analyses come back. At which point in time, they need to be reviewed and quality checked. Then they can be put into a data release, and the data releases generally come somewhere between seven and nine months, post the sampling side of that. So, we'll be putting out a data release for each one of those phases and everything will wrap up into a scientific investigation report, which is a much deeper report with a little bit more interpretation, a bit more of a narrative, and it takes a longer process of going through our publications network. So, that is projected to be out roughly between 24 and 27 months after the study begins. But the goal throughout this whole process is to continue with community engagements having occasional check -ins with the community to talk about some of the interim results that we're coming across, and just kind of keep that corridor of communication wide open. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you so much for that further color on this. I'm very supportive. Thank you for the work that both of you have done on that, Council Member Kierkiewicz and Stephen, thanks. I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. Yeah, funding —I'm down. You know I would be. Collecting data, ooh. As you know, I had some specific questions about the experimental design, which I don't want to go into too deep now, but maybe if you have it in that documentation, share with me. Page 7 FC-30 March 5, 2024 But the two kind of high-level questions I had were, is the design based on some best practices that are either national or international with respect to potential geothermal impacts on wastewater. That's question number one. Question number two is, are you testing for specific indicators of impacts from geothermal or is it more general than that, or are you just doing a test for a variety of things? And then third is, what is the control here in the design that would point to impact or no impact, really clearly? Thank you. MR. ZAHNISER: Sure, no, I appreciate that. I see Dan Sinclair has turned his camera on as well. Dan is our Water Quality Specialist here in our center. To kind of tackle your second question first, it is, we are doing a general chemistry panel with focused and targeted analytes that would be geared towards geothermal as well. Dan please correct me if I'm wrong on that, but it is to get the general panel as well as some target specifics. (Note: At this time, USGS-PIWSC Water Quality Specialist Daniel Sinclair came forward to address the members of the Conunittee.) MR. SINCLAIR: Yeah, that is correct, Stephen. So, some of the target specifics would be the rare metals, mercury, pentane was another. For sure, the caustic soda, as I hear in the layman's terms over there is on that list. But yes, we are doing a broad screen. We're not looking to miss anything. We want to build upon the data since historically collected there from 15 and 2020, as well as be a little bit more targeted this time around. MR. ZAHNISER: Thanks, Dan. As for the first question, you know, the focus on the wastewater. We won't be testing the wastewater, you know, specifically. I apologize if I'm misunderstanding that question. But the impacts of any sort of wastewater that would be injected, if it is impacting the groundwater aquifer and it is showing up in those potable water sources, we should be able to capture that with the sampling. We would expect to see some of those coming in provided all the hydrology of the area lines up. And I'm not sure the third question was on controls. I'm not entirely sure what that question is intending. MS. KIMBALL: My questions were all kind of centered around, and I think this has been answered by the specific indicators is, are we going to have a bunch of data that indicates what is in the water that is going to be able to be interpreted to definitively say, this is from or this is not from geothermal activities, right? I'm just wanting to make sure I understand the experimental design is not going to say —it's going to be clear in its outcome because the design has some controls for testing. Perhaps the components of water in other areas to compare. MR. ZAHNISER: Okay, yeah, what I'm hearing is, are we going to be testing upgrading wells within the geothermal field, as well as potential downgradient wells? The answer is yes. Page 8 FC-30 March 5, 2024 MS. KIMBALL: Great. Okay. That's what I was asking. What are the controls and that covers it, so. Thank you. I yield, Chair. CHR. KANEALI`l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Any other discussion? Okay, not a lot to add. I think my only interest would be in given the amount of precipitation we have on the East side of the Hawaii Island and the recent eruption, I'm interested to see the results of your studies. And given the historical data too, that you'll be using to kind of look at as your baseline. It should be a very interesting study. But totally support it. Look forward to see what you folks come back with. MR. ZAHNISER: Yeah, we very much look forward to building upon the previous studies. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Awesome. Okay, thank you very much. Okay, Ms. Kierkiewicz, anything else? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I could just add one more thing? Thank you everybody for coming out to testify and support; for everyone's great questions and support here on the Council.. I just want to note that the agreement we are proposing to enter into with USGS is a joint funding agreement, a JFA. And why this is significant is because this is an opportunity for USGS to kick in some funding for subsequent studies. So, not everything has to be funded from our royalties' account. So, I think this is a very generous and smart offer by USGS. So, thank you, we'll take your money. Asking for everyone's support. Mahalo nui. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. One follow-up for you folks. I just thought of this, the resolution kind of calls out nearshore impacts from your study, but I'm thinking about that Supreme Court ruling that happened with Maui's injection wells, is there any tie-in? Is that a tie-in to this, because you guys study the groundwater and the nearshore ocean environment? MR. ZAHNISER: That's a good question. I don't have an answer on that only because I'm not a hundred percent familiar with it. I'd have to go back and review that in comparison to what we're talking about here. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I like that every time we ask a question, different members of your team would jump on your video. That's kind of cool. MR. ZAHNISER; Yeah, it looks like Shaul popped up. Shaul, if you've got something to add in, please go for it. (Note: At this time, USGS-PIWSC Research Hydrologist Shaul Hurwitz came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 9 FC-30 March 5, 2024 MR. HURWITZ: Okay, so, thank you again for inviting us to this meeting. In the 2015 report that was mentioned, there were quite a lot of springs that were nearshore springs that were sampled by the USGS. Most of these springs were covered by the 2018 eruption, so they're not there anymore. Anyway, the chemical composition of these springs were really dominated by seawater. So, looking at geothermal components is almost looking like a needle in a haystack. But still those springs are available. We will look and see if there's anything anomalous beyond our regular seawater composition. So, this is going to be covered. There's one main spring down Pohoiki Road that was sampled several times and again, always showed that it is dominated by seawater composition. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you for that. Thank you very much for your time, folks joining us today. Good job, Ms. Kierkiewicz. We do have the motion on the floor to forward Resolution 443-24 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Any opposed? Vote on Res. 443-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 443-24 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Please take us to the top of the order. 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. 12.26: REPORT OF FUND TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED: IANUARY 16 —31, 2024 From Controller Kay Oshiro, dated February 13, 2024. Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 12.26. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. KANEALI`l-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion, Council Members? Council Member Galimba, and just to note, we have Director Nakagawa and Deputy Brown here joining us today, Thank you. Go ahead. Page 10 FC-30 March 5, 2024 MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. Director, I just wanted to ask about the brush trucks basically, and the Hamakua Youth Community Center. So, I just was wondering, if I remember right, the brush trucks were part of the whole package. So, I thought they were coming, but then it seemed like they weren't, but now they are. So, could you explain? (Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. NAKAGAWA: Good afternoon, Council Members. Diana Nakagawa, Finance Department. So, it is my understanding that there were a number of brush trucks that were to be included in the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Funding, and due to this project that got cancelled, these are additional brush trucks. I'm not quite sure on the number of brush trucks that Fire requested, but I think this is to add to the number that they were going to get out of the CDBG Funding. And they're still looking for working with additional funding for other brush trucks, as well. But more than happy to get other information from the Fire Department or Housing as well. MS. GALIMBA: Okay, thank you so much. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Kagiwada. MS, KAGIWADA: Thank you. So, I'm looking at the Report of Transfers Authorized for the period January 16 to January 31, 2024. I don't see the —is there a different one that has this Hamakua Youth Community Center project? don't see that. MS. NAKAGAWA: That's where the money is coming from. MS. KAGIWADA: Oh, it's where it's coming from. So, not going to be doing that? MS. NAKAGAWA: Yes. The project was cancelled. MS. KAGIWADA: Oh, too bad. I had been hoping that that was going to happen. Okay, alright. Too bad, alright, thanks. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: It should be on the third page, back. There you go, in the description. Got them? Anyone else on the communication? Hearing and seeing none, the motion is on the floor to close file on Communication 12.26. All in favor? Any opposed? Page 11 FC-30 March 5, 2024 Vote on Comm. 12.26: The motion to close file on Comm. 12.26 was carried by Filed the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — S. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Last item of the day. Res. 436-24: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF A LATER FISCAL YEAR AND OF MORE THAN ONE FISCAL YEAR FOR A MULTI -YEAR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Authorizes the County to enter into a three-year employment contract for an Early Childhood Resource Associate to assist with expanding access to affordable and high -quality childcare and education. Reference: Comm.726 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Postponed: February 20, 2024 (Note: There is a motion by Ms. Lee Loy, seconded by Ms. Galimba to recommend adoption of Resolution 436-24.) CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Discussion on the measure? I'm going to say this. So, I went back, and I watched the video from two weeks ago. I wasn't here. But I do understand there's a lot of questions about the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, and I heard the testimony today and where we're at on that. On the 19'h, we have two items on the agenda to discuss ARPA funding in full. And then, very specifically, ARPA funding regarding ACC. So, today's discussion is about the specialist's position, as I understand. Sorry, Early Childhood Resource Associate in the Department of R&D (Department of Research and Development). Mr. Adams is joining us. I'm just reminding the Council Members that is what we're here to discuss, is this associate's position that's being created and the resolution to create. My thoughts are, looking back over the record, we'll be hearing more on this on the 19"'. We can postpone it again, but it makes more sense, if you're willing, hear it; pass it through Committee. And on the 19`h, after hearing Doug's presentation, we could actually take a final vote the day after in Council. Those were my general thoughts. I'm saying that just in light of everything I'm seeing and hearing. Page 12 FC-30 March 5, 2024 The total ARPA funding is interesting to everyone and very understandably so, and your presentation should be very enlightening on the 19"'. Today, the discussion should center around this associate position. Then we could get into a bigger deeper discussion on the 191h. That's my thoughts. That's where I'd like to see us go today. And think that gives Mr. Adams ample time to get everything ready to compile to hand us a nice pretty picture of where we stand on the 19`h. So, that's my thoughts for the Council. Opening it up to discussion. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. Director Adams I'm assuming you have something to share today. So, want to give you that opportunity now, and then , as you get settled, if you could share with us the amount of the contract position, because I don't see it in the B-52. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Director Douglass Adams came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. ADAMS: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the last part. MR. INABA: The amount of the contract per year, your total. MR. ADAMS: Thank you. Doug Adams, Director of Research and Development. Thank you for the opportunity to speak and thank you for laying that out, Chair, as well. The pay that we have right now is in the neighborhood of, with benefits, $8,000 per month. So, right now, we're a little over $16,000 for the two that we have. A third position would be about $8,000. That's salary plus the benefits piece of that. Having said that, if I may, I appreciate the idea of perhaps moving this forward and then having the opportunity to hear on the 19`h at the Committee level. I mean two different committees about both the early learning resource elements, as well as then the larger ARPA funding piece. And then perhaps being able to at Council, consider• this position. I would note, however, that one, I heard the Council two weeks ago; the idea that this seemed like a rush and not necessarily being able to provide the background and the context for this. So, we're in a way, in that same situation. So, I'd be more than willing to have this particular motion postponed once more, understanding that there is a need for information to be provided that is consistent with where we want to go. I would also note our gratitude for the community support for this area. This is something that we do want to see happen. We know that this has not been a Page 13 FC-30 March 5, 2024 County mission. And the idea of the County having this opportunity with this funding to support both our families, the primary caregivers that are often women, and the early learning elements that are important for our children. All of those are things that are really, really important. So, this opportunity is something that we don't want to, frankly mess up nor let go. So, we want to make sure we are providing the Council with the information it needs for this particular position. But a larger continuation of the information that we provided back in July completely, frankly, concurs with the community's testimony today, and it's our desire to see this move forward because we think this position will help us do that. But it's, frankly, more important that you are all comfortable with what the move is, what our intent is, and our execution is moving forward. So, we're happy to do that within two weeks as we move forward. Two weeks ago, I noted that we would have information that would be part of this in the development of that. We know that we're going to be providing something that is more detailed. So, the idea of having that available, you know, in two weeks is something that made more sense to provide that. We have been working on —we haven't waited to move forward on what we need to do when it comes to this funding. We're moving forward with alacrity. MR. INABA: Thank you, Director. For the position, are there qualifications you're going to be putting out, or do you have somebody already in mind? MR. ADAMS: I'm not sure if I can answer that. We have somebody already in mind. MR. INABA: Okay. And is it somebody who has expertise and background, not just in the preschool, but in how County process works? Because we're behind the ball. So, I want to make sure that whoever is getting this position is able to push these funds out. MR. ADAMS: This particular position is going to be working with community efforts, the team that we have right now. The two that have been with us, they're the ones that are going to be working on pushing the money out. MR. INABA: Okay. I don't have a problem moving this forward. I won't be supporting it with a position recommendation, because I don't know what I'm supporting, but I do think we can move it on to Council, so that on the 201h we can take action based on the information we get on the 191h, thank you. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Thank you, Director. I think you heard from a lot of folks. They really want to see details in this report coming up, and I think Page 14 FC-30 March 5, 2024 everybody here on the dais wants the same. So, I just really, really want to emphasize that. Because what I would hate for it to happen is that we come back in two weeks and we still don't feel like we have enough information to make decisions around this or just understanding what it is you have been doing; who you've been working with in the community; who you've reached out to, and what the plan is going forward; how that money is really going to be spent. And what are we going to get for that money. As the community said, you know, how many spots for children will be created through this process, as well as anything else you can share. So, I'm happy to support once again. But I just want to emphasize that so that in two weeks we really have all the information that we need and the community needs. MR. ADAMS: That's clear. I would note that there are activities that we're engaged in that we wouldn't necessarily talk about in open forum that have to do with potential facilities. But I think you all understand that. When it comes to and understanding of what —it's not just seats, although seats are really important, it's also professionals and how many of those that we can help certify or become more educated because there's the staffing piece here, it's not just the seats piece as well. But we got it. MS. KAGIWADA: Right. And you can relay this to Angela. If you are talking about education for teachers, I'm going to also really want to see not only the money going into their education, but how you're going to keep them in the field. What are the things that you have in place. If we invest County dollars in somebody in their training and education, we want to see that, you know, to pay off in the long run. So, I'm really hoping that you're also going to have something in place that helps those people stay working in the field once they get the training. Because that whole system of, you know, pouring those training dollars into a big bucket with a big hole in it and seeing that just go away because people enter the field, they get trained, and then they can't afford to stay. I think is a huge issue that, you know, I've talked about with Angela before too, and so I really hope there's something you guys have been thinking about to try to keep those people employed in the field once you've invested those dollars in them. So, thank you, and I will be supporting. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Director Adams, thank you for being here. You know, you came before the Council and provided a presentation in July of last year outlining priorities, especially as it related to childcare. And it sounded as if an RFP (Request for Proposal) was impending. So it's now March, and I think we're wondering, and the community is wondering why it's taken so long for an RFP to actually be published. What are we waiting for if the priorities have Page 15 FC-30 March 5, 2024 already been identified? And what were you doing if you weren't working on the RFP? MR. ADAMS: So, thank you, Council Member for the question. The identification of clearly the priorities on what we identified back in July noted the seven different areas that we were looking at as a part of that. The identification of we were looking at with the manpower that we have, with the staff that we have, opportunities that we were presenting themselves for large amounts of seats. So, taking a look at what those are. We also were already engaged in the process of developing a partnership so that we could have professionals certified and also educated. So, helping with the process that we were just talking about, and that has actually started and has been ongoing. The development of the request for proposal piece, as you heard, there was some question about whether or not we used the correct procurement method to move forward. That has been cleared up. If it's Federal funds, which these are, then we go through a request for proposal process. We can't use professional services process; we can't use a sole source process. Those are all things that are not part of what we can do. So, understanding what those are was also part of the things that we needed to learn. I would also say that the identification of what we needed to do is something that we wanted to make sure. And I know that we said this back in July as well. We wanted to make sure that we're not going to spend money that it's not done in a sustainable way. And making sure that's case takes some analysis. So, in the process of doing that analysis takes some time. Would I'd like to have moved faster, of course I would like to have moved faster. We are now at a position where we definitely have to make sure that we are moving as quickly as we can. We feel that we have the information that we need to do that and that we will be encumbering these funds well in time before the end of this year with the process of expending them before the end of 2026. (Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. STRANGE: I apologize, Director and Council. I just want to remind the Council that the matter before you is a resolution to approve a position. You folks are beginning to talk about something that is agendized for a future meeting, and I just want to caution you folks on the Sunshine Law, and to keep your discussion focused on the resolution before you, so that the public can be on notice about what's going to be discussed at a public meeting, I know there's a lot of interest in this, but I would just encourage you to remember Sunshine Laws. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Judge Strance, I apologize, Thank you, Chair, I really appreciate the latitude. We've got a lot of money on the line. Money that Page 16 FC-30 March 5, 2024 we haven't seen; aren't likely to see, and I just feel as if this money could have been spent a lot sooner so that other pots of money could have been leveraged. Just because we're given till the end of this year to encumber the funds, doesn't mean we should have waited this long. I know our County can do it. We did it with CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). We did it very quickly with CARES. So, I know it's possible. I can't support this resolution today because I need to see the presentation on March 19th. I really wish it could have happened today, because I really wanted to find a way to move it forward on this particular position because childcare is so important to our community. But I cannot in good conscience, support this measure. Thank you for understanding that. I also want to note that at the last Committee meeting, you know, I had asked for personal assurances of our Finance Director, Diane Nakagawa, to ensure that we don't lose this money. I've worked with Diane in a number of instances, and she is impeccable with follow-through. So, when I said I want your personal assurances, it's because like —and like no disrespect to Research and Development, but I just felt like we needed some fresh leadership on figuring out how we get ARPA dollars out the door. So, I don't want any of what I said last time to be misinterpreted. I appreciate your leadership, Director Adams. I appreciate yours, Director Nakagawa. I just feel that we need to really move with urgency on this one. We really do. Thank you, Chair. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER; Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Just drilling down on the associate. I'm trying to figure out kind of their job duties and why we're paying them the salary you're proposing. Are there going to be more project managers, grant writers? What do you see? MR. ADAMS: So, understand that the $8,000 is not salary. It's salary and benefits. MS. EVANS: Yeah, I do. MR. ADAMS: Right. So, it's not an extraordinary amount of money necessarily for what we'll be asking them to do. But the focus is going to be on —there's a lot of work that has to be done. The identification of that and understanding that we're coming up on not just the development of encumbering these funds, but also the expenditure of these funds. It became clear to us that identifying an additional individual to assist with that process, so that we can get these funds out and being used as quickly as possible. That's the purpose. Page 17 FC-30 March 5, 2024 So, this particular position will assist with getting the funds out into and also working with those other areas that we talked about, including the capacity building for existing childcare centers, as well as developing opportunities for family childcare centers. Those will be opportunities that this position will be helping with while our current folks are also helping with the development of the RFPs and the contracts that have to go out and then be executed. MS. EVANS: Okay. I just felt like listening to this that I feel like people really want to start seeing the results, like real tangible seats in the community. So, what I'm hoping is this associate will, you know, give a little bit of a relief for the two that have been in the trenches developing the program and developing the partnerships. But more importantly, how will they be able to actually get those seats. So, will they be, you know, we can talk about it more when we meet the next time. But I'm assuming they're working with the Lieutenant Governor, and with Kamehameha Schools, and everybody to figure out how we add additional seats, and that those discussions can lead into potentially written agreements or contract or whatever. So, you need to get the stuff out from the office? I mean you got to move it out, is that what this is, trying to get this stuff out and signed. Because I think people really want to see results, is what I'm hearing. MR. ADAMS: I agree. MS. EVANS: Yeah, to see the associate helping you get those seats. MR. ADAMS: That's right. MS. EVANS: Okay, alright. I yield. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Okay, just a quick question. The total amount for the Early Childhood Education that we're trying to get out? MR. ADAMS: The total amount is-1 think that we've worked it into the $12.5 to $13 million amount. MR. INABA: That we haven't spent yet, right? MR. ADAMS: No, we have spent a little over —about $1.5 million so far. believe that's where we're at. MR. INABA: Alright, thank you. Page 18 FC-30 March 5, 2024 CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, seeing no further discussion, Mr. Adams, I look forward to seeing the presentation on the 191h, and I also appreciate the testifiers today. I'm sure we'll see you again at the next hearing. I'll be supporting this today and for two reasons. One, given what we learned today and what I know and what I've heard. Regardless of whatever is going to be spent, I feel like this is going to pass, this position, and that we need the position, okay. So, that's one reason. Two, if it passes today, it moves to the next hearing. We get a full presentation at that time. If we see this as a total loss, we can kill it then. Or, if we say, hey this is great, we are now able to pass it and then it goes into effect five days later versus another two weeks of waiting. So, postponing it doesn't make sense to me at all, because if we're looking to get this done as soon as possible, then the last thing we should do is postpone the position that's going to run it. That's my thoughts. So, with that, motion is on the floor already from, Mr. Clerk, can you repeat the motion that's on the floor? MR. HENRICKS: Motion by Ms. Lee Loy. Second by Ms. Galimba, to forward Resolution 436 to Council with a favorable recommendation. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, motion is on the floor. All in favor, roll call, Sorry, you know what, I didn't even go to Ms. Villegas. Ms. Villegas, any thoughts or questions on the resolution? MS. VILLEGAS: I am okay with this moving forward and looking forward to a presentation to help clarify some of the questions and confusion, it feels like still exist around this whole measure. CHR. KANEALI`l-KLEINFELDER: Beautiful. I apologize for not coming back to you in Kona. Thank you, Ms. Villegas. Okay, Mr. Clerk, so do a roll -call vote, please. Vote on Res. 436-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 436-24 was A roved carried by the following roll call vote. Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 6. Noes: Committee Members Inaba and Kierkiewicz — 2. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused; None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Page 19 FC-30 March S, 2024 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 4:33p,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, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We are adjourned. It is 4:33 p.m. Thank you. Approved: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i�,Kleinfelder, Chair (Date) Finance Committee ►l�lin Page 20