HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 183 2024/08/21 (2022-2024)REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: August 21, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:02 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 977/Res. No. 583-24
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 583-24, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 583-24, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via Communication
No. 977, dated August 1, 2024, authorizes the Mayor to enter into a multi -year agreement with
Sustainability Partners Subsidiary Hawaii Island EV, LLC, to replace and install additional electric
vehicle charging stations.
This resolution authorizes the Mayor to enter into a ten-year lease agreement with an approximate
monthly cost of $5,717, to replace inoperable and aging vehicle charging stations and install four
additional charging stations at the West Hawaii Civic Center, the Aupuni Center, and the County
Building.
Research and Development Economic Development Specialist Riley Saito introduced a presentation
on the Public Charging Station Project. Infrastructure Partner at Sustainability Partners (SP) Noel Morin
provided a brief overview of the project, including timeline, locations, challenges, proposed solutions,
services, and payments.
Per Committee Member Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder's request, Mr. Morin explained that arrangements
for maintenance will be collaborated on, such as if the County would like to provide services or if SP
would bring vendors. Mr. Morin also elaborated on a possible charge fee to the public to recuperate
costs. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder voiced support for a fee system as the charge service is costly.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder also voiced a critical need for a charging station between Hilo and Kona.
Mr. Saito agreed with Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and stated that Research and Development is looking
at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area for a possible location, especially since the State Department of
Transportation Highways Division recently was awarded a grant that would apply to the project.
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada asked how the County and SP could monitor DC fast chargers to
prevent people from parking at charging stations for an excessive amount of time. Mr. Morin stated that
while people typically sit in their cars for the charge duration, mechanisms may be put in place, such as
a phone notification and climbing fee each minute over charge, to prevent this from occurring.
FC Report No. 183
FC-183 Page 2 August 21, 2024
Ms. Kagiwada also inquired about a program at the Hawaii Community College that experimented with
solar power chargers. Mr. Morin stated that while the cost for a solar charger is high, solar chargers may
be ideal in areas where energy is not readily available and are transportable for emergency instances.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba then asked about the process to select SP and Hawaii Island EV,
LLC. Mr. Saito provided background on the Request for Proposals through the State Procurement Office
as well as clarified SP's role in the project.
Committee Member Heather Kimball questioned if the word "Hawai`i" in the corporation's name is
supposed to have the `okina. Mr. Morin confirmed that there is no `okina. Ms. Kimball then proposed
to amend the resolution by removing the `okina from "Hawai`i Island EV, LLC" in alignment with the
corporation's name. Resolution 583-24 was amended.
Ms. Kimball also recommended exploring the idea of having the public provide their own charger
handles as that seems to be the most commonly broken component of charging stations.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba then asked whether Research and Development would receive
the fees from the charging stations. Mr. Saito stated that the current policy is no fees being charged,
and suggested data be collected first to gauge the public's activity in order to create a data -backed rate
structure. Mr. Saito also stated that Research and Development would work with Finance and Public
Works to present a rate structure to the Council.
Ms. Galimba then emphasized the importance of security, especially in remote sites.
Per Committee Member Susan Lee Loy's request, Mr. Morin provided an overview of the connectivity
and software that would come with the equipment.
Pursuant to Section 10-11 of the Hawaii County Charter, any contract, lease, or other obligation
requiring the payment of funds from the appropriations of a later fiscal year shall be made or approved
by resolution by the County Council.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 583-24, as
amended to Draft 2, and recommends its adoption.
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
X
GALIMBA
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
LEE LOY
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTE ON FINANCE
MATT INNEAL ` -KLEINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 183
ADOPTED: SEP 0 4 2024