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Home My WebLink AboutAGE COUNCIL 2025-07-23 2024-2026 ACTIONS HOLEKA GORO INABA t.,OF p MICHELLE M. GALIMBA Chair&Presiding Officer ?�N �k+,, JAMES E. HUSTACE JENN KAGIWADA DENNIS"FRESH"ONISHI MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER Vice Chair — ASHLEY L.KIERKIEWICZ o=— �!,�� of�� HEATHER L.KIMBALL REBECCA VILLEGAS COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i Hawai`i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 19th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii July 23, 2025 9:00 a.m. Notice is hereby given that the Hawaii County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive conference technology (ICT)pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-3.5. Council Members will be participating via ICT at the: • Hilo Council Chambers, Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401 Members of the public may also attend from this location. Public attendance via Courtesy is available at the following locations: • Ocean View Community Association, 92-8924 Leilani Circle; • Pahoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road; and • Waimea Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109. If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted,the scheduled meeting will continue. Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting,written testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 22, 2025,by: (1) email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8912; or(3) mail to the County Clerk's Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720. All written testimony,regardless of time of receipt,will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item. Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 INVOCATION Pastor Heather Moore of Hope Chapel Kona ORDER OF BUSINESS CALL TO ORDER 9:05 a.m. ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 7, 2025 —APPROVED REPORTS GOEAC-49 NOMINATION OF WAYNE T. NISHIJIMA TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY (Comm. 363): COMMITTEE CONFIRMED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Page 2 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 GOEAC-50 NOMINATION OF ALAN OKAMOTO TO THE LIQUOR COMMISSION (Comm. 364): Requires Council Confirmation by: August 2, 2025 (Section 134(k), Hawaii County Charter) CONFIRMED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. GOEAC-51 NOMINATION OF BERNADETTE C. K. URBAN-SMITH TO THE POLICE (Comm. 365): COMMISSION Requires Council Confirmation by: August 2, 2025 (Section 134(k), Hawaii County Charter) CONFIRMED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS Res. 227-25: ADOPTS THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I 2025 MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Reference: Comm. 361 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi (B/R) Approve: PCHSW-2 (Vote on Res. 227-25 is on the next page.) Page 3 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Res. 232-25: ACCEPTS THE DONATION OF A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR MAGNET GRAYKEY FORENSIC ACCESS TOOL FROM OUR RESCUE The donation to the Hawaii Police Department, with an estimated value of $24,102.50, would be used to advance law enforcement efforts in combatting human trafficking and child exploitation. Reference: Comm. 370 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-71 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Res. 233-25: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT HILO TO SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUED COOPERATION WITH THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FURTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTY OF HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Authorizes the University of Hawaii and the Hawaii Police Department to enter into an updated Memorandum of Understanding for police officers to enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice Program. Reference: Comm. 371 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada(B/R) Approve: GOEAC-52 (Vote on Res. 233-25 is on the next page.) Page 4 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Res. 236-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO PURCHASE A 3D PRINTER FOR SIGNAGE Transfers $3,050 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 3); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Parks Maintenance Equipment account. Reference: Comm. 380 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Res. 237-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO LYDIA8 TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR THE KONA TOWN NIGHT MARKET 2025: BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION Transfers $6,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 8); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 381 Intr. by: Council Member Inaba (Vote on Res. 237-25 is on the next page.) Page 5 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Res. 238-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HILO DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT FOUNDATION FOR ITS 4TH OF DULY BLOCK PARTY Transfers $1,100 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 3); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 382 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Acting Chair Onishi —6. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Villegas —3. Excused: None. Res. 239-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE LIONS CLUB OF KONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC., TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR THE 39TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I KUPUNA HULA FESTIVAL Transfers $2,200 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 9); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 383 Intr. by: Council Member Hustace (Vote on Res. 239-25 is on the next page.) Page 6 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Acting Chair Onishi —6. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Villegas —3. Excused: None. Res. 243-25: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF LATER FISCAL YEARS FOR AN EXTENSION OF A MULTI-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT FOR REAL PROPERTY TO BE USED BY THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year lease agreement, with an option to extend for an additional five years, with Geo Investment Company, Inc., with an estimated monthly cost of$8,520 for the first year, with a 7 percent increase per year for years two through five, for commercial warehouse space located at Kea`au. Reference: Comm. 387 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Waived: FC AMENDED TO DRAFT 2 (see Communication No. 387.1) AND ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Acting Chair Onishi —6. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Villegas —3. Excused: None. Res. 245-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO USA VOLLEYBALL INC. FOR ITS 2025 HAWAI`I ISLAND LABOR DAY CLASSIC VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT Transfers $3,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 395 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada (Vote on Res. 245-25 is on the next page.) Page 7 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Acting Chair Onishi —6. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Villegas —3. Excused: None. BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING) Bill 51: AMENDS CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 3, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (Draft 2) (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO ANIMALS Prohibits the feeding of feral or stray animals on property owned, leased, rented, managed, or operated by the County. Reference: Comm. 283.3 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder Approve: PCHSW-3 AMENDED TO DRAFT 3 (see Communication Nos. 283.4 and 283.5) AND PASSED lsT READING: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Villegas —6. Noes: Acting Council Chair Onishi — 1. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Page 8 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 Bill 64: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 6-2.2, OF THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS Replaces the requirement that the Director of Public Works must be a registered professional engineer with the requirement that the Director have a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, public administration or a related discipline, or a degree in law. Adds the requirement that at least two of the five years of required administrative or managerial experience must be in public works or construction, or a related field. Reference: Comm. 334 Intr. by: Council Member Inaba Negative: GOEAC-53 (Due to a vote of 3-ayes, 5-noes, 1-absent) 2/3 Vote: First of three required readings, Section 15-1(a), Hawaii County Charter FAILED: Ayes: Council Members Kierkiewicz and Villegas —2. Noes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kimball, and Acting Chair Onishi—5. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Bill 69: PROVIDES FOR THE COST OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS IN"IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 21 —IKI PLACE WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS,"FIXES THE PORTION OF THE COST TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST BENEFITED ASSESSMENT UNITS,ADOPTS A FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL, IMPOSES AN ASSESSMENT LIEN AGAINST EACH ASSESSMENT UNIT ASSESSED ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSMENT, PROVIDES FOR PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENTS IN INSTALLMENTS, AND AUTHORIZES FURTHER ACTIONS BY THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Creates a special fund to be known as "Improvement District No. 21 —Iki Place Water System Improvements Fund," into which the funds for the Net Project Cost and all money collected by the Director of Finance for assessments levied by this ordinance shall be placed (the total estimated cost of the Net Project Cost in the Improvement District is $275,000). Reference: Comm. 388 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Waived: FC (Vote on Bill 69 is on the next page) Page 9 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 PASSED lsT READING: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Bill 70: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 25-45, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026 Increases revenues in the Fund Balance from Previous Year account($59,000,000); and appropriates the same to the Provision for Compensation Adjustment-General account. Funds would be used to pay for Temporary Hazard Pay for all covered employees for work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022. Reference: Comm. 390 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Waived: FC PASSED lsT READING: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. ORDER OF THE DAY(SECOND OR FINAL READING) Bill 58: AMENDS THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY RENAMING KAUMANA LANI PARK AS "YET SUNG CHANG PARK" IN HONOR OF YET SUNG CHANG Reference: Comm. 302 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada Postponed: June 18, 2025 First Reading: July 9, 2025 (Vote on Bill 58 is on the next page) Page 10 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 PASSED 2ND AND FINAL READING: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. REFERRALS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION Comm. 373: GLEN SHIROMA VS. COUNTY OF HAWAI`I; CIVIL NO. 25-CV-00181-JAO-WRP From Deputy Corporation Counsel Steven K. Idemoto dated June 18, 2025, requesting an attorney-client confidential discussion to consult with the Council regarding the above-entitled matter filed by Kevin G. O'Grady and Alan A. Beck, Esquires, on behalf of their client Glen Shiroma. CONCURRED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF CORP. COUNSEL: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. Comm. 374: KIM N. ROSARIO, ET AL. VS. COUNTY OF HAWAI`I, ET AL.; CIVIL NO. 3CCV-20-0000404 From Deputy Corporation Counsel Mark D. Disher dated July 1, 2025, requesting an attorney-client confidential discussion to consult with the Council regarding the above-entitled matter filed by Stanley Roehrig and Nathan Roehrig, Esquires, on behalf of their client Kim N. Rosario. CONCURRED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF CORP. COUNSEL: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi —7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Inaba and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. The Council anticipates convening an executive meeting regarding the above matters,pursuant to Section 92-5(a)(4), for the purpose of consulting with Council's attorney on questions and issues Page 11 Hawaii County Council-19 July 23,2025 pertaining to the Council's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. A 2/3 vote pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 92-4, and Rule Nos. 2 and 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the County Council is necessary to hold an executive meeting. OTHER BUSINESS (Including but not limited to reconsideration of vetoed items, if any, or reconsideration of actions on agenda items.) ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT: 2:30 p.m. Note: B/R, when listed next to the name of an Introducer, signifies that the Council Member has agreed to introduce legislation `By Request" on behalf of the requesting party. It does not necessarily signify support of or opposition to the proposal. Live Stream of County Council Meetings: To view the live stream of this meeting, at the scheduled meeting start time, type the following into the address bar of the browser: http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1. Please call (808) 961-8255 if the Council's streaming location is not functioning. If the Council's stream is deemed inoperable, the following address will be provided for the live stream and should be typed into the browser: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJNalwg40oK7a-7nGnEtGPA. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, call (808) 961-8255 as soon as possible, preferably by July 21, 2025. If a response is received after this date, every effort will be made to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but there is no guarantee the request can be filled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. Agenda items are available on the County website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Records to navigate to current agendas. For any questions, please contact Council Services at (808) 961-8255. Page 12