HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2024/07/09 (2022-2024)Committee on Finance
39' Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
July 9, 2024
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at
ORDER: 1:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Matt Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder,
Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mr. Matt Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder, Chair
Ms. Cindy Evans, Vice Chair
Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member
Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (came in later)
STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.)
Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Committee Members, the
of Business: following items were taken out of order:
Res. 551-24: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS,
PURSUANT TO HAWAPI REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR A
GRANT TO THE HAWAPI POLICE DEPARTMENT
Allows for the receipt of $50,537 of federally -derived funds to fund travel and
training to increase the efficiency and readiness of the Police Department's
Special Response Team.
Reference: Comm. 923
Intr. by: Mr. K5neali'i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 551-24. Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
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July 9, 2024
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: We have members from our Police
Department here today. If you could, Mr. Carvalho, you want to come up if there
are any questions from the Council? I'm give you just a moment to go over
briefly what's in front of us and then we'll see if there's any questions. Go ahead,
Lieutenant. When you're ready.
(Note: At this time, Police Lieutenant Aaron Carvalho came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. CARVALHO: I'm ready. Good afternoon, Council Members.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Introduce yourself for the record.
MR. CARVALHO: My name is Lieutenant Aaron Carvalho. I'm the Lieutenant
of the Special Response Team representing the Hawaii Police Department.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Just give us a brief summary
and then we'll go to questions if there are any.
MR. CARVALHO: Okay. So, we recently applied for and was awarded
approximately $50,537 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance
Grant. This grant will be used as training resources or training money for the
Special Response Team, and with the use of this grant we'll be able to certify two
of our operators in tactical breeching, two of our operators as less lethal
instructors, two of our operators to attend a National Tactical Officers Association
Conference, as well as four of our marksman snipers to receive specialized
precision marksmanship courses.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Members, questions
for the lieutenant? Council Member Inaba.
MR. INABA: Thank you. Just one question. So, all of these trainings and travel
occur between now and next June?
MR. CARVALHO: Yes, that's correct.
MR. INABA: Okay. Perfect, thank you so much. Chair, I yield.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Yeah. Just curious. I see that there was a threat at our Hilo
Airport this morning. Is this something that you would be called out on, or do
you depend on the federal government when it comes to airports?
MR. CARVALHO: So, I was personally called out this morning and responded
to that call. The Hawaii Police Department does have a bomb squad. It's part of
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July 9, 2024
a Hawaii interisland bomb squad. I'm one of the members and we have another
bomb technician assigned on the Kona side. So, we were notified of this incident
and responded accordingly, and took control of the scene.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. Because you brought up tactic training, I was kind of
curious if this would fall in that.
MR. CARVALHO: This particular grant, the funds are not going to be used for
the hazardous devices section because we have other federal funding for that.
MS. EVANS: Okay. So, how would this get applied? This would be responding
to school shootings?
MR. CARVALHO: This would be any type of crisis that is beyond the efforts of
patrol or capabilities of patrol. So, this could be an active shooter at the school,
this could be a hostage situation or a barricaded subject, any of our criteria that
the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team is used to be called upon.
MS. EVANS: Okay. Alright. I'm all for training, so thank you. Tell everybody
thank you for what they do.
MR. CARVALHO: Thank you, Ma'am.
MS. EVANS: Thank you.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay. Let the record reflect
that Council Member Villegas has joined us. We are on Resolution 551-24.
Okay, seeing no further questions, appreciate you guys applying for the grant and
bringing the money home. And look forward to seeing what you do. You've
done a lot of work in the Puna Uka Community, and I appreciate that. I see you
folks in the black van, the black truck a lot. So, appreciate what you guys do.
Thanks for keeping us safe.
MR. CARVALHO: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Council Members.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, Council, we have the
motion on the floor to forward Resolution 551-24 to Council with a favorable
recommendation. All in favor?
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Vote on Res. 551-24
(Approved)
July 9, 2024
The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 551-24 was
carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Let's take up Resolution 550-24, please.
Res. 550-24: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI -YEAR
AGREEMENT WITH HAWAIIAN TELCOM, INC., REGARDING
COMMUNICATION SERVICES FOR A NEW EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN HILO
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a three-year agreement at an estimated cost of
$200,000 per year, for the Hawaii Fire and Police Departments' emergency
operations.
Reference: Comm.922
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 550-24. Seconded by Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion by the Council Members?
We do have our Fire Department here in the Chambers if we have any questions.
Council Member Evans, go ahead.
MS. EVANS: I was hoping someone from Hawaiian Telcom would be here, but
please come forward. Thank you. You know, I read this and they're claiming it's
reliable. We've been having some trouble with our telephones here in this
building calling out. So, I'm just kind of curious, you know, have they given you
any information how they make sure it's reliable? I know it's a question for
Hawaiian Telcom, but I do have concerns because we've had a lot of trouble in
this building, and I know it's a new center but it's in an old part of town and, you
know, you're tapping into older facilities. So, I'm just curious because they're
claiming it's reliable. I just want you to let them know that I have concerns, if
you would just pass that on to them that I really want to make sure it is, whatever
it is, sometimes it's redundancy, sometimes it's fiberoptics. Are they going to
attach 5G antennas outside on the building? Whatever they're going to do. This
is our emergency, our heartbeat, right? So, I just want to make sure. That's why
I'm asking the hard question.
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July 9, 2024
(Note: At this time, Fire Battalion Chief Stacy Domingo came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. DOMINGO: I agree. I think that is for Hawaiian Telcom to answer because
I don't know the ins and outs of the specifics. But I can tell you that for our
answering system within the dispatch center, we do have two systems. One that
goes through the internet and also a backup system. So, some of the concerns that
you're mentioning, as far as hardlines we call them, those will be for our offices
and such. But that's not for the 911 system. That's not the primary response that
we do for the 911 system.
MS. EVANS: Okay. Alrighty. Just please relay my concern.
MS. DOMINGO: I will definitely do that.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Battalion Chief (BC) Stacy
Domingo. Council Members, questions for Fire Department? Council Member
Kierkiewicz, go ahead.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Hi, BC Domingo. Great to see you.
540 Kupuna Place, the new emergency communication center, it's not built yet,
yeah?
MS. DOMINGO: It is built.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It is built. And you guys are actively operating out of
there?
MS. DOMINGO: No. Not yet. We're waiting to receive the building to be turned
over to the County from the contractors, and then once it is then we're going to be
installing everything. That'll take about six to eight weeks.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Got it. And then so, you folks will be operating out of
there. What's the timeframe for that?
MS. DOMINGO: We're not really sure right now. It could be maybe two to three
months that we would be operating out of there.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I'm going to be supporting this. I think it's really
important that we do have, I mean, emergency communication lines established.
But I think to Council Member Evans' point, there have been a lot of interruptions
in service, and so we just want to ensure that we are able to communicate to the
public but, you know, really more importantly that members of our County
agencies are able to have that interdepartmental communication so that you can
have really effective and coordinated responses.
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July 9, 2024
MS. DOMINGO: Right. I understand.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Awesome. Thanks for being here.
MS. DOMINGO: Sure.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, I yield.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Lee Loy, go
ahead.
MS. LEE LOY: Good afternoon. You know, like my colleagues, I am going to
lean in a little bit and maybe at Council, I think two questions that I have is, the
timing of that facility actually being turned over for it to be kind of occupied and
functional. And the other question I have is the timing of everybody moving into
that facility. I'm okay with executing the agreement. I do recognize that it is a
multi -year contract, but I also want to make sure the timing is correct, right? Like
I don't want to go ahead, execute this, and then the clock starts ticking on a multi-
year contract, and it's six or eight more months before it's actually fully
operational and functional. I just want to make sure that the lease and timing is all
very succinct with its actual lease.
MS. DOMINGO: That the contract is not executed until we actually move in.
MS. LEE LOY: Well, I think there's some nuances there because they've got to
install, right. And so, that the timing of the installation date coincides with
36 months, not 36 months from July 1, more of —and maybe that's something with
finance also. But happy to support now and I'll reach out to them. Here comes
Steve Pause. You're going to get saved right now. Alright Director Pause, what's
the status of that Chair?
(Note: At this time, Public Works Director Steve Pause came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. PAUSE: Good afternoon. Steve Pause. Director of Public Works. The
latest and greatest I have as far as the call center being complete is going to be late
August, and then another, as was mentioned, another six to eight weeks to finish
all the rest of the communication stuff. So, that would put us in a timeframe of late
probably mid -October, as far as what I would envision it being put functional with
comms.
MS. LEE LOY: Thanks, Director, for being here. Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, seeing no further
discussion, motion is on the floor. Thank you very much for being here today.
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MS. DOMINGO: Thank you, Council Members.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Motion is on the floor to
forward Resolution 550-24 to Council with a favorable recommendation, all in
favor?
Vote on Res. 550-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 550-24 was
(Approved) carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Let's take up Communication 12.34,
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. 12.34: REPORT OF FUND TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED: MAY 16 — 31, 2024
From Controller Kay Oshiro, dated June 17, 2024.
Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 12.34.
Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Discussion?
MS. KIMBALL: Chair?
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Council Member Kimball, go ahead.
MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, thank you. Since we have Director Pause here, I do want
to ask about this rather sizable transfer from the bridge inspection to the highway
engineering consulting services. And just curious what these specific consulting
services are and, you know, just the statement that bridge inspections are not
ready to execute. If you can maybe just elaborate on that a little bit so we don't
have any concern about that?
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July 9, 2024
(Note: At this time, Public Works Director Steve Pause and Business
Manager Kelsey Kalua-Lewis came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
MR. PAUSE: Yes. Aloha. Steve Pause, Director of Public Works. And with me
is Kelsey Kalua-Lewis, who is our Business Manager, and she is going to have all
the answers for you.
MS. KALUA-LEWIS: Alright. So we realize the fiscal year, well kind of not as
the fiscal year was coming to an end, but that we had some bridge projects that
weren't ready to go. And we did our usual, I think we do like 90 bridges, half of
like the County bridges every fiscal year, so we covered that. But some of the
other bridge inspection projects weren't ready. Engineering had a project that
was ready, Hilo Union Safe Routes to School, that required around the same
amount of money. So, we figured we get started on one project and we do have
the funds this fiscal year to continue with the bridge work.
MR. PAUSE: I guess, kind of just to add on to that. No bridge inspections were
not completed as a result of this. This happened to be additional funding that we
had completed the 90 or so bridges, that would be our normal cadence for
completing. And one of the things that engineering has done with, it's
particularly with safe routes, we've done it also with some of the multimodal
things that we've done with bike routes, is we like to take money into the frontend
loading. You've heard me talk about frontend engineering, so being able to start
in on the permitting, the design, so that we have projects that are, I hate to say
shovel -ready, but they're clearly further down the path to being able to execute
once funding becomes available. So, this is what that was here.
MS. KIMBALL: Okay, great. Thank you for clarifying that. And I am, I think
Mr. Thompson made me aware of that safe routes projects and I got the two
connected. Thank you. I yield, Chair.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Inaba.
MR. INABA: Yeah. Research and Development (R&D), please. Just wondering
if you can shed some light on $154,000 going in from OCE (Other Current
Expenses) to salary and wages, and where that money was supposed to have been
spent for contracts in that miscellaneous contact service section?
(Note: At this time, Research and Development Director Douglass Adams
came forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MR. ADAMS: Thank you, Council Member. Doug Adams. Research and
Development. Actually, the funding there was always intended to support
contract employees that were supporting our grant management section. So, the
transfer from the OCE contract management account into salary and wages was
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July 9, 2024
intended to be part of the amounts that were provided to us in the contract
management area, that 115 account.
MR. INABA: So, is that what, as part of the budget process this year we had
things in the wrong section where they should've been in salary and wage section.
MR. ADAMS: That would've been in 2023-2024. So, in 2023-2024 we
identified that the amount that came in that OCE 115 was going to be salary and
wages for those two positions. Those positions now, that the identification of
those positions are included in the salary and wages portion for 2024-2025. So,
we've made that correction.
MR. INABA: I made that clear, and identified as part of the budget process,
right?
MR. ADAMS: Yes.
MR. INABA: Okay. So, Director Nakagawa, just wanting to confirm then that
we're not overbudgeting or underbudgeting anymore since we've identified the
issue, and the current budget should be correct for these two sections.
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. NAKAGAWA: Yes. Good afternoon, Council Members. Diane Nakagawa,
Finance Department. Council Member Inaba, yes, you are correct. This is one of
the changes that we've made with R&D's budget during the budgeting process.
Originally, as I understand it, some of these employees we were looking to bring
on as employees, and then we went to contract employees and through working
with R&D, we determined that these would be contract employees and they
would be budgeted in the salaries and wages. And you'll see that in their budget
currently for fiscal year 2025.
MR. INABA: Okay. Thank you. Just wanting to make sure things are lining up
across fiscal years.
MS. NAKAGAWA: You're welcome.
MR. INABA: Thank you, Director Adams. Chair, I yield.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay. Thank you to our
administration for being here today. Seeing no further discussion on the motion,
motion is on the floor. All in favor?
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July 9, 2024
Vote on Comm. 12.34:
Filed
The motion to close file on Comm. 12.34 was carried by
the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Next order of business, please.
Comm. 16.3: REPORT OF DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM THE DANIEL R. SAYRE
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AS OF MAY 2024
From Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, dated June 12, 2024, transmitting the
about report pursuant to Resolution No. 468-20.
Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 1.6.3.
Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion, Council Members.
Mr. Inaba.
MR. INABA: Yeah. Just, we have folks from the Fire Department here.
Chief Okinaka, if you'd like to come forward and say anything on behalf of the
department?
(Note: At this time, Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. OKINAKA: Good afternoon, Council. Darwin Okinaka, Assistant Fire
Chief. Yeah. So, this is once again another round of donations from the Sayre
Foundation as you folks can see. Included in here is our brand new chopper,
airbus. And then there's four brush trucks, which we've recently received. The
second item is actually not an airbus trailer, it's actually an ABT (Adjustable Boat
Trailer) trailer that was purchased for our Waiakea Fire Station for the rescue boat
there. And everything after Hoku Marine is the brand new rescue boat for Kailua
Fire Station and the rest of the items is just associated equipment for that rescue
boat basically. So, the bulk of this list is items for the brand new 27-foot Hoku
Marine vessel rescue boat that we have at the Kailua Fire Station. I am open for
any questions.
MR. INABA: Thank you, Chief Okinaka. And with that, just wanted to share a
mahalo as always with the Sayre Foundation and all of their partners and
associates who make these donations possible. I was fortunate to be a part of the
blessing ceremony for our new chopper and for the rescue boat at Kailua Fire
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Station, and good new energy coming into the County to make sure that our
residents are safe. So, mahalo again to the Sayre Foundation. Chair, I yield.
MR. OKINAKA: Ditto.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. I know some of the equipment is out in South Kohala,
my district. The question I had is, you know, you accept this equipment, but you
also accept the responsibility of, you know, personnel that's going to use it and is
well trained to use it, as well as maintaining, especially a helicopter, high
maintenance. I know there was issues about not even having a place to store it
out of the elements. Can you kind of tell us what we're going to do to operate,
maintain, and protect this helicopter?
MR. OKINAKA: So, the helicopter itself, I mean, historically, our helicopter has
always been stored exactly where it is right now; in the elements, on the helipad at
Station 14. After the acquisition of this aircraft, there has been numerous
discussions between our fire chief, Chief Todd, and the Sayre Foundation,
specifically regarding installing or putting up a hanger for the aircraft, which is
basically a steel building that the aircraft can be stored in. I'm not sure exactly
where it's at, at this moment, but I know there were discussions between South
Kohala, Kailua, because we have property in the rear of the Kailua Fire Station.
And I'm not sure exactly where it's at, but there are discussions regarding, even
additional donations from the Sayre Foundation for this very reason, on the
hanger at least.
As far as the maintenance, we currently have a new director of maintenance for
this aircraft, which is our previous aircraft, which is the Bell 206, one of our pilots
had a dual role as the Director of Maintenance for that because he had experience
with, you know, the mechanical side of that aircraft. So, our pilot contractor,
which is Manuiwa Air, they provide the services for maintenance on both
aircrafts. So, our current Director of Maintenance that provides the maintenance
for the airbus, also provides the maintenance for our Chopper 1 in Hilo. So, it's a
dual role, and then they cover the maintenance side of that as far as to be able to
do the work.
As far as the costs related to it then, again, that's with our fiscal section between
our accountant, the fire chief, and the current pilot contractor and maintenance
director. Whatever needs that we have for this new aircraft that is different from
our previous aircraft, you know, they're been working on budgetary, and I'm sure
they're working with the Director of Finance on any additional needs for
budgeting for any equipment.
MS. EVANS: Yeah. I'm thinking we may see some budget accounts, whatever,
figuring out because that is clearly additional big responsibility.
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MR. OKINAKA: Definitely, the airbus, the cost to operate and maintain the
airbus is higher than the Bell, the older aircraft. I don't have that numbers and the
specific details, but I do know the operation, the operating costs, like just fuel
consumption has doubled. I can tell you that much. As the Operation Chief, that
was brought to my attention. But on the other budgetary and equipment needs,
that's usually handled at the chief's level with the pilot contractors.
MS. EVANS: Will this helicopter be used to fly people to the Medical Center?
MR. OKINAKA: It is. It's an air medical helicopter. It's set up for air medical
transport. So, we can use it from scene to hospitals and also interfacility, which is
hospital to hospital. And we've done both with this aircraft already, as we did
with our previous.
MS. EVANS: This could come to Honolulu then?
MR. OKINAKA: It doesn't go cross island because of the single -engine feature.
So, there is talks of another aircraft being donated with a dial engine that will
have that capabilities. So, that is also in the works. So, this aircraft is the one we
already have at Station 14.
MS. EVANS: Okay. Is this also used for fighting wildfires?
MR. OKINAKA: Wildfires, yes. Rescue. The same thing we did with our
previous aircraft, we do with this aircraft.
MS. EVANS: Right. This is great. This is great to have, especially in fire prone.
In Ka`u, you've got your fire prone down there too. But that's great to have it.
Thank you so much.
MR. OKINAKA: You're welcome. And if I may, just to touch on it since you
did mention about the brush truck being in the South Kohala district. I can say
that one brush truck is at the South Kohala Fire Station, which is at that same Fire
Station. The second is at North Kohala, and then the other two is still not in
service yet. We're finalizing the registration and paperwork for it, transfer of
ownership. But those two will go to Waikoloa and Waimea, so it'll be in that
general area for sure.
MS. EVANS: Good to know. Yay. And I believe the Sayre's are doing their
annual event. They're bringing it back August 31". Great. Thank you.
MR. OKINAKA: You're welcome.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much.
MR. OKINAKA: Thank you very much.
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CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Appreciate your time. Thanks for being
here. We do have a motion on the floor to close file on Communication 16.3. All
in favor?
Vote on Comm. 16.3: The motion to close file on Comm. 16.3 was carried by
(Filed) the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Resolution 552-24, please.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
(Note: Items in this category were taken up previously, out
of order.)
Res. 552-24: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF A LATER FISCAL YEAR
AND OF MORE THAN ONE FISCAL YEAR FOR A MULTI -YEAR LEASE
OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAPI OFFICE OF
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year lease agreement with Kaneshiro &
Sons Enterprise, Limited and Glenn Kaneshiro Partnership, with an approximate
monthly cost of $1,827, for office space located at 1990 Kino'ole Street.
Reference: Comm. 924
Intr. by: Mr. Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 552-24. Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: We do have Mr. Ventura being here today
to help us with any questions. Council Members, discussion on the measure? As
well as Ms. Nakagawa. Council Member Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Not for you, Hamana. More for our Finance
Director. We're in the start of a new fiscal, and I've asked this over time but this
would be the second multi -year contract or multi -year lease agreement. And so,
just checking, how are we going to be accounting for that? Give me the good
news please, Director.
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July 9, 2024
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. NAKAGAWA: Council Member Lee Loy, that is a great question. And as I
was reviewing for today's packet, I figured this would come up, so it's an
important point. We are well on track in looking at our leases, but this one may
have been one that I'll need to add on to the list to make sure we have in our
property leases as well, but like our equipment and other leases, departments have
been submitting all their leases and we will have a report shortly. But good point
to remember. This one will be added on there as well.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Thank you, Director. I yield.
CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Hamana, I was curious. What is the lease rate for office space in
Hilo?
(Note: At this time, Property Manager Hamana Ventura came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. VENTURA: Good afternoon. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager. So,
depending on location, so forth, it can range from $1.75 up to $2.00 a square foot.
We're starting to get some new builds coming in. so, that's where we are on this.
MS. EVANS: Does a contract like this have a Consumer Price Index (CPI)
adjustment every year?
MR. VENTURA: This one does not.
MS. EVANS: Okay.
MR. VENTURA: But we do have three percent annual increases.
MS. EVANS: A three percent annual. And then, also, do they do a passthrough
on all the common area cost in addition to that?
MR. VENTURA: Correct.
MS. EVANS: Okay. So, to the point, five years, so it's continuing to ratchet up
in terms of how it impacts the budget?
Iu1mnagaim
MS. EVANS: Okay. So, I'm not quite sure what you've put in place that reflects
all that. But I'm assuming that —
Page 1.4
FC-39
July 9, 2024
MR. VENTURA: So, when we go through our budgeting process, we're looking
at, like you said, taking in account CPI or adjustments. So, rule of thumb is three
to five percent. What we've learned from lockdown is that we had some jumps.
And so, when we future budget we look for —leaning towards more of five
percent increases.
MS. EVANS: Okay.
MR. VENTURA: So, it's part of our process going forward when we calculate
budget.
MS. EVANS: Yeah. To make sure you have it there?
MR. VENTURA: Correct.
MS. EVANS: Diane, did you want to comment on that?
MS. NAKAGAWA: Yeah. I was just going to add. You know, each year as we
go through the budget process, these items are identified when we work with the
departments. But I think what we've been talking about is the more
comprehensive look at those outer year commitments so that there is a document,
a report that gives you a clear idea of what those commitments are in comparison
with the whole budget. So, that is what we were just speaking about that we're
working on, which will have leases included in that as well.
MS. EVANS: I think the important thing is this is really the fix cost of
government. It's fixed if you make that commitment. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Inaba.
MR. INABA: Yeah. For this specific office, Administrator Kunz, who occupies
this office right now?
(Note: At this time, Housing Administrator Susan Kunz came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. KUNZ: Good afternoon. This is Susan Kunz, Housing Administrator. That
office is occupied by our community engagement group. So, there are six staff
members who are housed there.
MR. INABA: And how long have they been there?
MS. KUNZ: They've been there from last year. So, during that one year
period —I don't have a start date, not right off the top of my head.
Page 15
FC-39
Vote on Res. 552-24:
(Approved)
BILLS FOR
ORDINANCES
July 9, 2024
MR. INABA: Is there a current lease in place for this, Mr. Ventura?
MS. KUNZ: Yes.
MR. INABA: Okay. Thank you very much. Chair, I yield.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Okay, seeing no discussion.
Mr. Ventura, I'm sorry you said $1.50 to $1.75 per square foot? So, $1.75 for the
square feet of this suite would be $1,200. So, it would be $685 left, puts us —
that's just the fees to be in the building?
MR. VENTURA: Common area maintenance, GET (General Excise Tax),
bathroom.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you.
MR. VENTURA: Thank you.
CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Beautiful. Okay, we have the
motion on the floor. Thank you for your time today, by the way. Motion is on
the floor to forward Resolution 552-24 to Council with a favorable
recommendation. All in favor?
The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 552-24 was
carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes:
Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder — 9.
Noes:
None.
Absent:
None.
Excused:
None.
The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
Bills for Ordinances.
Page 16
FC-39
July 9, 2024
Bill 177: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 24-32, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAPI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30,2025
Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants — Justice Assistance Grant -Special
Response Team Capability Enhancement grant account ($50,537); and
appropriates the same to the Justice Assistance Grant -Special Response Team
Capability Enhancement grant account, to be used to fund travel and training to
increase the efficiency and readiness of the Police Department's Special Response
Team.
Reference: Comm. 923
Intr. by: Mr. Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Vote on Bill 177: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 177 on
(Approved) first reading. Seconded by Mr. Inaba and was carried by the
following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Evans — 1.
Excused: None.
ADJOURN- There being no further business on our agenda today, Acting Chair Inaba
MENT: adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m. Thank you very much.
Approved:
Mr. Matt Keali'i-Klei nfelder, Chair (Date)
Finance Corrui1ittee
MK/tk
Page 17