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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2024/11/19 (2022-2024) DRAFT Committee on Finance 48th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii November 19, 2024 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at ORDER: 11:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. 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. Jenn Kagiwada, Member (videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz,,Member(came in later, videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceedto the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm, 12:42: REPORT OF FUND TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED: OCTOBER 1 — 15, 2024 From Controller Kay Oshiro, dated October 18, 2024. Vote on Comm.12.42: Mr-Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 12.42. Filed 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: None. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Moving on. FC-48 November 19,2024 Comm. 13.45: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: SEPTEMBER 1 — 15, 2024 From Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, dated October 30, 2024, 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. 13.45. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Any discussion? I have one for Mass Transit. I don't know if they're here? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Administrator Kandle is here and coming forward. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for being here today, Administrator. Please introduce yourself andthen I'll ask my question. (Note: At this time, Mass Transit Administrator Victor Kandle came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. KANDLE: Yes. Victor Kandle, Administrator for Mass Transit, Hawaii County. CHR KANEALI`I-KLENFELDER: Thank you. Can you talk to me a little bit about the, what is this, removal of mobile eye,shield plus system from each of the eight buses and then the cost of is a substantial percent of the original contract increase? MR. KANDLE: So, we had ordered two and we ended up needing more because we've had the severe issue with the transmissions in the paratransit vans. So, we had placed an order thrrrugh Soderholm for two and then realized we were going to need more. And in the few months that we had requested information for the costs,ithad gone up by the time it was actually proposed to us. And we did work with Diane to push back So ultimately, we ended up removing a little bit equipmentthat we had added to six out of the eight and that was an effort to kind of reduce that overall cost. And we definitely pushed into trying to understand what the increase was, and it was just simply still during a period of time when things were still going up pretty rapidly. And so, I believe that we ended up on a tectal of actually seven that we're going to order that we haven't got to yet. But that's where that's headed because we had to reduce the cost even further. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So,we went from two buses to eight buses to seven buses? MR. KANDLE: Yup. Page 2 FC-48 November 19,2024 CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And what is the removal of mobile eye shield plus system; what is that? MR. KANDLE: So, that's a system that's designed to help the visual ability of an operator to see around like the post, and I can't remember how they technically do that. But it's like part of a video camera that positioned in place of like the pilar that blocks the view, and it's got cameras that are designed to be able to see that. It's pretty high tech stuff that is nice to have but it's also a little bit frivolous in the face of the need of what we need for these buses. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So,we eliminated the high tech components and went for more buses over more high tech stuff on the buses, does that wrap it up? MR. KANDLE: Yes. It does. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: ,Okay. Beautiful. Thank you. Appreciate that. And I have one more for Environmental Management. This is for the contract regarding the Organics Diversion Program for Hawaiian Earth Recycling. I'm not sure who that is. Alright, cool. Thanks for being out with us today. Sorry. Introduce yourself,please. (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Business Manager Robin Bauman came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. BAUMAN: Yes. Good morning. I'm Robin Bauman, Business Manager for the Department of Environmental Management. CHR. IANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. I'm looking at the contract for Hawaiian Earth Recycling,,a pretty substantial increase but looks like this is for a new portion or programming for what they do already, or this is an increase in their cost for contracting? MS. BAUMAN: So, this supplemental contract is strictly to certify funds for the current fiscal year 2024-2025. So, it's just certifying our obligation to meet the minimum tonnage required under the contract and just to meet our existing obligations for the current year. It's no changes to the services or the contract. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Is it an increase from what we paid last year, or has it stayed the same? MS. BAUMAN: Each year, the contract has a provision for increase based on the consumer price index. So, I think there's maybe a, you know, three to four percent increase based on whatever the consumer price index was. Page 3 FC-48 November 19,2024 CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Okay. Council Member Evans, go ahead. MS. EVANS: Thank you. I think this is for Finance and maybe Environmental Management. So, we have the Finance Director here in Kona. I had a question in terms of writing of contract. On the first line item there's towing of vehicles by the Department of Environment Management and the Hawaii Police Department. Is it common for us to join different departments into an agreement or do we like, like of has that become more of a norm or is that unusual tocombine two different departments? (Note: At this time, Finance Director'Diane Nakagawa came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. NAKAGAWA: Sure. Good morning. Diane Nakagawa, Finance Department. Where we can, we'd like to combine these solicitations. It is much more efficient for our process if we are able to know our needs ahead of time. That is one of the areas we are definitely looking to improve on is the more we can get a handle of all the needs of the different departments and provide these solicitations in one, the less contracts we have to manage and more efficient and timesaving the process is.:So, where we know there's a,need for multiple departments, we do try to combine the solicitation, andwe do have the flexibility to adapt the specifications per the department if they're different. MS. EVANS: Is this predominantly for abandoned vehicles, because you have the Police Department, and you have Environmental Management and I'm wondering if it's MS. NAKAGAWA'; Sure For DEM (Department of Environmental Management), maybe Robin, if you could fill in on the purpose of this one? MS. BAUMAN: Yeah, I'm not sure I can answer that completely. For the Police Department, it's possible it could include tows of vehicles that have been involved in accidents. But I mean, we can look further into that and get back to you. MS. EVANS: Yeah, because I can see a lot of opportunities to be towing by you know,even the County. The County could have vehicles that break down on the road that need to be towed. But in addition to that, I'd noticed the way you wrote the contract says we're going to extend it or until the new agreement is in place. So, you kind of have an open ended—in some ways you have an open ended agreement. And I'm wondering what the requirement is for you to go out and rebid this so that other towing companies can participate, you know, because how many years before you'd have to go back out and have the towing services bid on this? Page 4 FC-48 November 19,2024 MS. NAKAGAWA: So, we can extend our contracts up to 180 days. Normally, when you see the language on the purpose for extension for a short period of time until a new contract is in place, it is because our participating team is working with the department to issue on the solicitation, and it is to get them through that period. MS. EVANS: So, that implies there is going to be a new solicitation, and maybe other towing companies can bid. MS. NAKAGAWA: Yeah. MS. EVANS: Okay. Good. Okay. Thank you. MS. NAKAGAWA: You're welcome. MS. EVANS: I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Checking with Hilo? Hearing none, motion is on the floor to close file on,Communication 13.45. All in favor? Vote on Comm. 13.45: The motion to close file on Comm. 13.45 was carried Filed by the following voice vette: Ayes: Committee Members Evans; Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Communication 13.46, please. Comm: 13.46: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: SEPTEMBER 16 —30, 2024 From Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, dated October 31, 2024, 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. 13.45. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion on the motion? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair? CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Member Kierkiewicz. Page 5 FC-48 November 19,2024 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I see our Director for Research and Development in chambers and just had questions about the nature of the contracts for statewide Farm Bill data analysis, and what we can expect from HACBED (Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development) regarding empowering Hawaii Island businesses? Hi, Director. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Director Douglas Adams came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. ADAMS: Thank you, Council Member. Doug Adams, Director of Research and Development. The first one that you referred to is,a completed action. It had to do with the efforts we were making with the other counties and with the State DOA (Department of Agriculture) and it"was a data development analysis work. And that information is actually available on our website. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Perfect. Thank you. MR. ADAMS: And then the second one,it has to do with the technical analysis of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship opportunities here on the island, and that carries through to the end of the fiscal year. So, that's a no cost extension to June 30, 2025. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: So;that projects that analysis, the engagement with Hawaii Island Entrepreneurs is still in progress? MR. ADAMS: That's correct. MS.'KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. And we can expect that report by the end of next fiscal year? MR. ADAMS: Well, the contract will be done. The report still has another 30 days to be provided to us beyond the end of the contract. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Got it. And Michelle is listed as the specialist in charge. MR. ADAMS: That's correct. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Perfect. Thank you for those details. I appreciate it. I yield. MR. ADAMS: Thank you. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Just a quick question on the stewardship grants. So, thank you. We have Deputy Director Aaron. Page 6 FC-48 November 19,2024 (Note: At this time, Finance Deputy Director Aaron Brown came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. BROWN: Good morning. MS. EVANS: Morning. MR. BROWN: Aaron Brown, Department of Finance. MS. EVANS: Okay. So, I noticed that the stewardship grant, you're extending it by a year. So, I just want to make sure. The Council approved the resolution to give the grant. I didn't realize that if that grant didn't get spent that you would have the authority to go ahead and work with them to extend-it. MR. BROWN: So, we'll talk a littlebit more about the entire PONC (Public Access, Open Space and Natural,Resources Preservation) stewardship grant process that we've been working on pretty extensively over the past year. But for this one, on the report, this was a previous contract that already was awarded. The Council at the time had passed that reso. And what happened was it took us a while to execute the contract. So, the applicantdidn't have enough time to run through their program. So, what we're doing is extending the timeline to give that applicant more time so that they can execute what was on their original application. So, that's actually from,a couple years ago, the 2023 contracts. So, this is a six-month extension, I'm sorry. But gain, it was because it took us a little while to execute the contract that the Council had approved. 1S: EVANS: Okay. That's good to know. I was just going back to the original resolution. Soy really, you do have the authority of not asking the Council. But you do`have the authority to go beyond the fiscal year into another fiscal year? MR—BROWN—Yes. Yes. As long as the original authorization by approved by Council to execute that program that was provided to us, which it was. MS. EVANS: Alright. Good to know. Thank you. I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Any further discussion? Hearing and seeing none, motion is on the floor to close file on Communication 13.46. All in favor? Page 7 FC-48 November 19,2024 Vote on Comm. 13.46: The motion to close file on Comm. 13.46 was carried Filed by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Next item,please. Comm. 13.47: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: OCTOBER 1 — 15, 2024 From Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, dated November 1,2024, 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'. 13.47. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion on the measure? Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Yes. Just disclosing that one of the change order items relates to a business that I own with my husband: I have no day to day involvement with the operations, but since we are just receiving this report there's no need to recuse. But I am disclosing. Thank you. CHR, KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Council Member Kimball. Anyone else on the communication? Council Members in Hilo? Okay. I have eine question,for Finance,, ell, actually this is more Public Works, but you probably could help me on this one. In review of the amount of times our air conditioning system has failed at the Hawai`i County Building, and looking over the continuing agreements for our maintenance of air conditioning systems in various locations of the County of Hawaii, I'm just thinking out loud, you know, who is servicing the Hilo Buildings, do you know? (Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to address the members of the Committee.) NfS. NAKAGAWA: Not off the top of my head. I'm not sure if it's Oahu Air, but I would confirm with DPW (Department of Public Works) if they're in Hilo. MS. KAGIWADA: We have the Deputy Director here. They're coming up. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for being here, Malia. Can you please introduce yourself for the record. Page 8 FC-48 November 19,2024 (Note: At this time, Public Works Deputy Director Malia Kekai came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KEKAL Yes. Malia Kekai, Deputy Director of Public Works. She's current. Currently, the contract is with Oahu Air. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Just putting it out there. We have had numerous occasions, perhaps maintenance, perhaps equipment, perhaps whatever, but we're had a lot of ups and downs in our A/C (air conditioning) system, some persisting for more than two weeks,which has caused great discomfort to the staff in the building. So, maybe a review of our contract; or just doing a once over on that contract to see what's being deme, who's doing what and for how much, might be a good visit into our abilities as a County. That's it. MS. KEKAL Okay. Thank you. Yeah. We're happy to do that. I think, you know, with our aging infrastructure,we're definitely trying to keep up with it. but there's been a number of chillers been replaced in the last couple years and we'll continue to look at those and, you know,try and get it done quicker because I don't have any windows in my office, so T know what it's like when the AC goes down. Thank you. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Director. I appreciate that. And everyone in the County Building appreciate you too. Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it: Any further discussion from the body? ;Seeing and hearing none, we do have the motion on the floor to close file on Communication 13.47. All in favor? Vote on Comm. 13.47: The motion to close file ori Comm. 13.47 was carried Filed by the following voice vete: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and'Chair Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder—8. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Next item,please. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Page 9 FC-48 November 19,2024 Res. 713-24: CHANGES TIME ELEMENT OF A HALF-TIME RECREATION TECHNICIAN 11 POSITION TO FULL-TIME Requests adjustment to full-time with the intent to reallocate the position to a position that would increase public safety and reduce the County's liability. Reference: Comm. 1159 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 713-24. Seconded by Ms. Villegas CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We do have Parks,and Recreation Director Maurice Messina in our Hilo Chambers,I do believe. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. You have Parks leadership here. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER ,Alright. Please introduce yourself for the record please. (Note: At this time, Recreation Division Administrator Lindsey Iyo came forward to address,the members of the Committee.) MS. IYO: Lindsey Iyo, Recreation,Division Administrator. CHR,KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for being here this morning, Lindsey. Give us a little background on the resolution for changing the time element of the position for the resolution. MS. II 0: Okay. So, currently the position is a half-time Recreation Technician. This position,the way that it stands right now, does not require any type of certification to run the track and skeet range facility. And as you can imagine that facility„holds a 16t of liability with, you know, the public walking around with guns. SO, we would like to elevate it to a full-time position as well as reallocate it to a Specialist I position, which is comparable to the gun ranges on Oahu. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Are we detracting from the facility position at all or are we taking away from that facility? MS:IYO: No. We are actually adding. So, it would become a full-time position, and we would then be able to offer more services to the public. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Beautiful. Thank you for the background. Council Members? Council Member Evans, go ahead. MS. EVANS: Just a technicality again in title. So, the title is changing the Recreation Tech II position to full-time, but later it's also you plan on changing Page 10 FC-48 November 19,2024 it to Recreation Specialist, so the Recreation Specialist does not have to be in the resolution that you can do that internally and you don't need it done by the Council? MS. IYO: From what I understand, the time element has to be changed first and then we will move for reallocation to the Specialist I. MS. EVANS: And the reallocation will be just internally in the Department of Human Resources? MS. IYO: I believe so. MS. EVANS: Okay. Alright. Thank you. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. MS. KAGIWADA: Chair? CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. Just wondering I think I heard you say that the current half-time position does not have certification maybe, so does that mean that the new full-time position,wll have some additional training or certification? MS. IYO: Yes. So, when we plan to reallocate to the Specialist I position, we'll be able to include a basic range safety officer certification and basic shot gun safety. MS. KAGIWADA: Okay". Great. Well, that is very good to hear and seems like it should be necessary. So, thank you. Happy to support. MS. IYO., Thank you.. MS. KAGIWADA: I yield. CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Seeing no further discussion. Thank you very much, Ms. Iyo, for being here this morning. Motion is on the floor to forward Resolution 713-24 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Page 11 FC-48 November 19,2024 Vote on Res. 713-24: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 713-24 was (Approved) 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: None. Excused: None. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the Next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Bill 218: AMENDS CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 19-2, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAXES Amends the definition of"Affordable rental rate"to mean a monthly rent not to exceed the most recent affordable rental guideline for 100 percent of the area median income as established by the Hawai`ihousing finance and development corporation. Reference: Comm. 1109 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba Postponed, October 15and November 7, 2024 (Note: There'is a motion by Mr. Inaba, seconded by Ms. Villegas, to recommend passage of Bill 218 on first reading.) and Comm. 1109,1: From Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, dated October 29, 2024, transmitting RentComparison Tables. MR. INABA: Thank you, Chair. I just want to mahalo everyone for the conservation, Mr. Takai, for his input in our last meeting. So, I'm going to withdraw this bill and bring us a nice clean version that allows us to set our affordable rental rates by resolution and provide that flexibility on a year-to-year basis. So, with that, I will withdraw the motion. Thank you. Withdraw Bill 218: Mr. Inaba announced the withdrawal of Bill 218. CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, any further action needed? MR. HENRICKS: I'm just assuming there are no objections from the rest of the body, then the bill would be withdrawn from further consideration. Page 12 FC-48 November 19,2024 CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Next item,please. Bill 226: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 24-32, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 Increases revenues in the Federal Grants —National Instant Criminal Background Check Act Record Improvement Program account($15,579); and appropriates the same to the National Instant Criminal Background Check Act Record Improvement Program account for a total appropriation of$561,339. Funds would be used to enhance firearms registration, record keeping, and data accessibility. Reference: Comm. 1158 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Vote on Bill 226: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend passage,of Bill 226 on (Approved) first reading. Seconded by Ms. Kimball and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans,Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwadd, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneah'i-Kleinfelder-=8. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER: That brings us to the end of our agenda. ADJOURN- There being no further business on our agenda today, Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder MENT: adaourned,the meeting at'11:58 a.m. Approved: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Chair (Date) Finance Committee MK/tk Page 13