HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 207 2024/10/01 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: October 1, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:36 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 1082/Bill No. 214
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 214, reports as follows:
Bill No. 214, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via Communication No. 1082, dated
September 19, 2024, amends Ordinance No. 24-33, as amended, relating to Public Improvements and
Financing thereof for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
This bill increases the Environmental Management Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation
and Replacement project by $1.16 million, bringing the total appropriation to $226 million. Funds for
this project shall be provided from the General Obligation Bonds, Capital Projects Fund — Fund
Balance and/or other Sources and would be used to renovate the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Environmental Management Director Ramzi Mansour and Business Manager Robin Bauman provided
an overview with a presentation on the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation and
Replacement Project.
Committee Member Cindy Evans asked why the department did not have value engineering performed
to have a sense of the costs. Mr. Mansour said the evaluation was difficult, as the value is based on
who would bid, and there was only one bidder the first time. Ms. Evans then asked about the project
timeline and whether the Council should fund the third phase now. Mr. Mansour said that the funding
for the third phase would have to happen soon, since the deadline to start is August 2025.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked if the project would increase capacity. Mr. Mansour
elaborated on the capacity and said that the project would allow for more efficiency and would replace
any broken or dysfunctional parts. Mr. Mansour then said that when the rehab project is finished, there
would be more capacity, and the department would also ask the Council to amend the Code as it is
very conservative currently.
Committee Member Heather Kimball moved to enter into executive session to discuss duties and
liabilities with Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance and Mr. Mansour.
After the Committee was brought out of executive session, Ms. Kimball provided a brief overview of
what was discussed.
Ms. Evans then stated that her area of concern with the project is change orders and regular monitoring
of the project.
FC Report No. 207
FC-207 Page 2 October 1, 2024
Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz stated her reluctant support for the project, emphasizing a
lack of transparency of costs to the County. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that she wants the County to avoid
an environmental disaster, but highlighted a need for a balance to the many needs of the County.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas voiced support for the measure, stating that any further delays
may lead to additional costs. Ms. Villegas also emphasized that the health of reef ecosystems is
dependent on wastewater efficiency.
Mr. Mansour stated the project manager is currently Environmental Management Project Coordinator
Mark Grant and the project consultant is Carollo Engineering. Mr. Mansour also stated that there is a
staffing shortage, which is an urgent priority.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 214, and recommends
its passage on first reading.
1kh
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
x
GALINIBA
x
INABA
x
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI'l-KLEIN FELDER
x
KIERKIEWICZ
x
KIMBALL
x
LEE LOY
x
VILLEGAS
x
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MAT lt-KANLE�AL 'I-KLEINFELDER,
CHAIR