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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN CRCOC 2025/03/06 (2024-2026)Committee on Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight 411 Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii March 6, 2025 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Communications, Reports, and ORDER: Council Oversight was called to order at 1:05 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Chair. ROT T C AT.T.- Present: Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Chair Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Vice Chair (via videoconference from Kona) Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member (came in later) Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: CnTx4T\ItT WT- CATIONS : The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Pat Kahawaiolaa: Comm. 156, comment. The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Communications. Comm. 156: REQUESTS AN UPDATE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING THE PUNA ALTERNATE ROUTE STUDY From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated February 14, 2025. Motion to Close File: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to close file on Comm. 156. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Thank you, Chair, for that. You know, I really appreciate you indulging me in having this public conversation about the Puna Alternate Route study. I was going through my notes to see when we started this conversation. This started in November of 2023, when a bill was brought forward to provide matching funding, $500,000, from the County to take advantage of funding from the state to do a study, a plan, to identify alternate routes in and out of Puna, but specifically within the lower Puna region, makai of Highway 130. And there was so much time spent, you know, through testifiers about the importance that we consider routes mauka of the highway and certainly not even entertaining a route that would cross any Hawaiian Homestead communities because our homestead communities have carried the burden of so much of our public infrastructure. It's absolutely not fair to ask them to sacrifice anymore. And so a lot of dialogue, that original bill for a Puna-Makai alternate route study died; wanting to make sure that we could take advantage of state funds, I introduced a new bill removing the makai element and spoke with, you know, State Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Ed Sniffen about can we expand the scope, and let's increase a bit of the money that the County is given. Let's do a million dollars; let's match their million and put more funding behind this and think about regional solutions. Puna is represented now by three Council Members. It's massive. It's the size of Oahu. We've only got a couple of main entryways in and out of the region and when we have experienced natural disasters, when we have experienced car accidents, it is carmageddon. Everything shuts down and it is an absolute nightmare to get in and out of the Puna community. And so I wanted to bring this conversation forward to the Council because once I introduced that new bill to expand the scope of this study, it was adopted by the Council, and it was attached to a resolution that this body also adopted last term. You weren't here yet, Council Member Hustace and Mr. Onishi, welcome back. But it was important that even though resolutions are symbolic, that it be referenced in the bill that no routes through Hawaiian Homesteads be considered, and that the community be engaged every step of the way. That was adopted in January 2024. That resolution, the bill to appropriate County funding was approved in February 2024. I made sure to ask, then Director Steve Pause, for updates on how things were moving along. Last April during budget hearings, I have email communications from him, and this one's really, really important, in June and August of last year. In August, he shared with me that he met with Representative Greggor Ragan about this project. And at that point, Representative Ilagan did not hint to any lapse funding. And I think that's important to get on the record and that everyone is clear because we all know about the press release that went out later this year where Representative Ilagan thrust blame solely at the County when we talked Page 2 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 about this study being a collaborative process between County and State. So, I take great umbrage that he would blame this body for trying to solve a problem that he created because when he was on the Council, he rejected funding from the State to do the exact study that now he is asking us to do. So I just want to make sure that all of the facts surrounding this situation are clear and on the record. I understand we have new administration, so Director Ono, I am so sorry. (Note: At this time, Public Works Director Hugh Ono came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. ONO: No, don't be. I comes with the job. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I'm sorry to have to put this frustration out there, but my community is so frustrated. You know, this has been lingering for many, many years and today we just need answers, right. We're going to turn the page; we're going to look forward. And so I just want to understand, to the best of your knowledge, if you could just explain to us what happened? As I mentioned earlier, there were so many moving pieces last year, and we as a Council and the community were led to believe that progress was being made to contract a vendor, to plan community meetings. The last communications that we got from Director Pause was a contract was immanent; we'll do community meetings by the end of the year. That was last year. Now it's March 2025. Hi, Director. Thanks for being here to help us shed light on the situation. MR. ONO: Absolutely. First of all, Council Members. Unforgivable to let funds lapse. You know, in my entire career both in State and County, I don't recall us ever lapsing funds. That's irresponsible because when they're there, you've got to expend them. Let me bring you up to the Puna Alternate Route. We have a consultant in place. We are going to fast track that consultant contract. You know, it's already delayed so we're going to fast track; we're going to press this consultant to meet the earliest dates possible in the delivery of the product, which is basically a study of the different routes and a determination of which is the preferred route. We believe, just by our engineering knowledge and my knowledge in transportation background, that the mauka route would be the preferred route. I experienced trying to put a route through Hawaiian Home Lands. That was a Waimea bypass more than 30 years ago, and that doesn't work. All you need is one person to object to it and then, you know, what happens is the commission will be very uncomfortable granting any license. You can't buy right of way through a Hawaiian Home Lands; you need a license to go through. So, that's the status and we're going to push it. Keoni is our Engineering Division Head and he's already hopping on it, and we'll move as fast as we can. Page 3 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I was hoping we were hopping on it last year, but we're here now. So, I just want to make super clear. We have a consultant that's been contracted, they've already started? Mr. Thompson, do you want to just elaborate? Sorry. And Mr. Thompson, are you going to be the lead point of contact for this project? I just want to make sure that I'm following up with the right person going forward. (Note: At this time, Engineering Division Chief Keoni Thompson came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. THOMPSON: Hi. Keoni Thompson, Engineering Division Chief, Public Works. So we have been working with a consultant. We have a proposal. We have not executed the contract just yet. The lead person with be Melanie DeMello, my Deputy Division Chief. She's been working with them diligently, trying to get that contract in place. So she's very up to date on that and get it going. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. So, it's just a matter of inking the signatures? MR. THOMPSON: Pretty much. And getting the funding though, still. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. And perhaps, Kelsey, do you want to talk a little bit about the funding? Because we appropriated as a Council, funding last fiscal year. Is it encumbered beyond last fiscal year, or do we need to do another appropriation? And the reason why I ask is, Council Members, in Communication 156.1, I asked Director Sniffen to just give us an overview of what's happening on the state side. There's been talk of Representative Jeanne Kapela and Representative Greggor Hagan both giving money for a study, a pretty substantial amount. But there's a matching fund element to this. And so, I believe we're in a position to match this funds up to a million dollars, but Kelsey, if you could just elaborate. Do we need to reappropriate or are we good to go? (Note: At this time, Business Manager Kelsey Kalua-Lewis came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KALUA-LEWIS: Hi. Kelsey Kalua-Lewis, Business Manager, Public Works. So, the one million dollars is ready to go. So that was based off of the original ordinance. Depending on how much the proposal and the contract is for, if it comes over a million, we would probably need another appropriation because our appropriation was just for the one million dollars. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I understand. And I cannot recall the number off the top of my head, but there's a resolution that we passed, I want to say my first term, where the County of Hawaii Department of Public Works specifically and Page 4 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 HDOT (Hawai`i Department of Transportation) can do work for each other up to $2 million. So, I'm going to find that; I'm going to send it to you because I think it's really important for us to leverage those kinds of tools so that we're not in any way further delaying getting this contract out the door. Okay. Thank you. MR. ONO: Allow me to add something. Keoni, with the funding we have we can start already right? We don't have to wait for the state's appropriation to come through. Am I correct? MR. THOMPSON: No. The proposal was asking more than the million dollars. MR. ONO: Right. But what I think we intend to do is start and then we'll amend the contract through a change, so that will at least allow us to start. MS. KALUA-LEWIS: So by starting it, it would just be primarily with the one million dollars and how ever much may be needed with County funds. And then if we want, as to not delay the project, work everything out with the state and then do an amendment, then we can do that as well, according to the Director. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Perfect. I mean, considering we're late, I would really be in such, you know, indebted to you if we could consider that. Chair, just a little more leniency, I just have a couple more questions. Thank you. We are in a new administration, and I don't always know how the transitions go of information, different projects, right. Different administrations, different priorities, but plenty community meetings. How do we ensure that going forward, if there are appropriations for special projects like this, because we get money from state federal government all the time, but how do we track funding from state and federal partners for special projects like this, and ensure that we're processing the paperwork to take advantage of the funds and that the project is moving? What are the internal procedures for that, right? Like I think about, get plenty lessons to learn from this situation. You folks were new in your roles at that time, now you have been more firmly kind of cemented. And so I just, what is your opinion, Kelsey, on how you think we, as a County, can be taking better track of these appropriations, but on the same side, and maybe Mr. Thompson wants to weigh in here. How do we make sure that the project is managed and moves forward? MS. KALUA-LEWIS: So I think that's one of the first things that I looked at when we found out about the lapsing of funds. To me, it's like, okay, this started back with a new administration; there were different directors, different, you know, I would say like key personnel involves, and it involves multiple agencies, state, of course, this body, Mayor's Office, DPW (Department of Public Works). I think going forward we really need to come up with a process and it's working with state, working with the Mayor's Office, and ensuring that no matter through the different transitions, because these projects can go on a long time, that we Page 5 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 come up with a process that will last throughout. So addressing the transitions, just having like a standard operating procedures for this type of work. I think that would be a big help and have all the key players involved in developing that plan. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Do you think our new financial management system that we have secured as a County could potentially help with that, the tracking of that? MS. KALUA-LEWIS: I am not an expert in that new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, so I'm not sure. I know I've seen it from once a project is in there we can track it, but as far as the kind of pieces that happen before, I can't answer. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: But within the system, you just talked about project management. So, we'll be able to know the status of a project once it's entered into this new ERP system? MR. ONO: Yes. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Perfect. And you and I have had a wonderful conversation about this, Director Ono, tracking projects so they don't get forgotten about. Do you want to elaborate a little bit on how we can do better in the future? MR. ONO: Certainly, certainly. I personally really enjoy management listings. So we already have project status report that we've developed, and next month the information on the status report will come from the Building Division for their projects and from the Engineering Division for theirs and from our Traffic Division for our traffic projects. But primarily, what this saves us from doing is recreating the information in different formats coming from all over the place. So, this one report will be standing, it will be updated regularly, monthly, and we can use that to disseminate. So, everybody get the same information. Also, for the funding, we need to develop a management tool to list all these funds that are coming in. So I'll be working with Kelsey on that to develop that. For example, I just developed one yesterday and guess what that's for? Complaints. MR. ONISHL• For my bridge. MR. ONO: Your bridge; what about your bridge? No, you're bridge will go. And we're trying to get up, well, this is a sidetrack, but we're trying to get an exemption from doing that study, Fresh. MR. ONISHI: Thank you. Page 6 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: So, project status report will ensure that we have real time information, accurate information regarding the status of various Public Works projects. MR. ONO: Yeah, I won't say real time, but it will be a month at a time. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. You know, that's great because sometimes it took like several months, if at all, for me to get a response from prior leadership. And it is what it is. I know folks are busy. But I think it's really important that when we say we're going to do something, that we follow through. And if there are any changes to the timeline or the project or whatever, that is communicated as well. MR. ONO: Well we have such a tool, which we do, this is the first report that we're putting together. Anybody requests it, we can just furnish is, we have it. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Excellent. Thank you, Director. So, going forward, myself, Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, who's not here, but also Council Member Onishi, we all represent an aspect of the Puna region. So once this contract has been inked, I think we would appreciate an update. And then if the consultant can provide us with a timeline for action, that way we know when the community can plug in and provide mana`o on all the different options that are being explored. Let us help you get that message out and engage our communities. This is very much a collaborative effort. MR. ONO: Thank you. We're all on the same page. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Awesome. Go, team. Thank you, Chair, for the latitude. I yield. CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Anyone else on this? Council Member Onishi. MR. ONISHI: Thank you, Madam Chair. So when we move forward using our County funds and then the state brings theirs one in, let's charge some interest on them, okay, so we can make little bit more extra money on that. Thank you. MR. ONO: Okay. CHR. GALIMBA: Seeing no other lights on for comments, I would entertain a vote on closing file on this Communication 156. All in favor, please say "aye." Page 7 CRCOC-4 March 6, 2025 Vote on Comm. 156: The motion to close file on Comm. 156 was carried by the Filed following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Galimba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 1. Excused: None. CHR. GALIMBA: And that brings us to the end of our agenda for this Committee. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:27 p.m. Chair Galimba adjourned the MENT: meeting. Approved: v4qc� Ms. Mic M. Galimba, Chair Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee MG/tk � fMIlI (Date) Page 8