Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN CRCOC 2026/02/03 (2024-2026) DRAFT Committee on Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight 16th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii February 3, 2025 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on,Communications,Reports, and ORDER: Council Oversight was called to order at 11:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Chair Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Vice Chair Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L'.'Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member(came in later) Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Member Absent& Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleiufeldery Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Alan Fukamizu: Comm. 712; comment. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 712: REQUESTS A PRESENTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REGARDING THE WASTEWATER PROJECTS MANDATED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY From Council Member Michelle Galimba, dated January 16, 2026. Motion to Close File: Ms. Kagiwada moved to close file on Comm. 712. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 CHR. GALIMBA: Could D.E.M. (Department of Environmental Management) please come forward and provide the presentation. Please introduce yourselves for the record. Thank you. (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Director Daniel Girvan came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. GIRVAN: I believe I'm on air, is that correct? CHR. GALIMBA: Yes. MR. GIRVAN: Well good morning to all of you. I haven't seen you since December 17t', I think it was the date when I hactmy final confirmation here so, nice to visit with you again. We welcome the opportunity to present where we are on:these AOC (Administrative Order on Consent)related, mandated projects. We've been working really hard on them. We've made nice progress in the fast couple weeks and months. We'll be very pleased to tell you about where we are on them. We have brought the project administrators for each of the projects because they will be able to tell you about what they're doing, and'they will also be good sources if you have specific questions. We also have legal staff, and we also have financial people that can answer your questions too. So, we'll give you a broad general descr ption'to begin,with and then"if you have detailed questions, I think we've got the people here thatcan answer those questions. So our very first project is the Hilo Stage One project or Phase One project, and I'll let Mark Grant take that over and talk to you about it. CHR. GALIMBA: Thanks, Director Girvan. MR. GRANT: Hi Council. Mark Grant, Project Coordinator for Wastewater Division. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) MR. GRANT: I'll stop right there if anybody wants to ask any questions. Page 2 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 CHR. GALIMBA: Perhaps you can go to the next, the Phase Two, and then we can see if there's any questions. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member, Iagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. So you said`that that's 100 percent designed completed. When will we have the cost? When will we know what the cost is going to be since the design is now completed. MR. GRANT: So we do have an,estimated cost. It is kind of an,outdated cost because it's from 2024. So wetaven'tlooked at it to where it would stand under the current dollar value at this pint. MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. So when will we have'the updated costs? MR. GRANT: I canI would have to talk with our consultant and get back with that. MR. GIRVA : The estimated cost, which is a little outdated at this point, is plus or minus $100 million dollars. MS. KAGIWADA:` Okay. And you'll be getting back to us with the updated costs as soon as you have them? MR. GIRVAN: I'm not aware of a current effort to update that cost. Are you? MR. GRANT: No. MR.INABA: Chair. Point of order. CHR. GALIMBA: Go ahead. MR. INABA: I just want to make sure that any of the projects that are ongoing procurement are discussed. I want to make sure we don't divulge any kind of information with that. Thank you. MS. KAGIWADA: Yeah. Sorry. You don't need to tell me any numbers. I'm just wanting to know when we will get a better—when the county doesn't even Page 3 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 have to be council, but when will they know,you said it's kind of out of date and all this stuff. When will they know better? When will Finance know better numbers? MR. GRANT: So right now I don't have answer for that because I haven't been given any directive to our consultant to relook at that effort under today's value. MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. MR. GRANT: I guess I would have to have that discussion and get a better idea from that point. MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. Just cause we're in our budget season now and trying to figure all that out and, you know, as we look at,you know, coming near budget we also like to look at what else is coming down the road. So it would be really helpful if we can have a sense of what's going to be needed. I yield. MR. GRANT: Okay. CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member, Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thanks, Chair. Just one question on some of the newer components in Phase One that,you know, we're upgrading to and moving forward towards. What is;that transition,between the demolish and removal of some of the facility pieces to then activate these newer opportunities there? MR. GRANT: Yeah. So it is a sequencing effort that we would have to coordinate with Nan because obviously we would have to get the new facility up and running. Which,there is a sequencing of precheck list, functional test, operational readiness testy;acceptance testing, before we turn on the new components. Get that operated once we're comfortable and that's fully operated, we cango ahead,and,demolish the existing components that's there. MR. HUSTACE:, So removal will just be kind of a secondary phase then, of that. You know, you're talking about this is all as one whole thing but it's the build out of these new components, testing of those new pieces, and then Nan will be removing the outdated components. Correct? MR. GRANT: Yes. So the components is being demolished. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy Page 4 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) MR. HUSTACE: And when do you expect that transition time to test activate those new pieces and then say, "Okay. We're good to go." We can begin demolishing these MR. GRANT: Yeah it's hard to say because then some of the aspects like, we have a pre-startup and checklist right, so depending,how that, at that phase of the project, how it goes, if there's times it has to be corrected before we move on to the next component of the testing and commissioning process, will kind of play a role, but in general we do have some timelines on certain aspects of the testing and commissioning, such as a functional test has to be at least seven days and then we have an operating readiness testing component which is a 30-day long period. So, the testing and commissioning„of the new facility, there's a process and sequencing that has to take place before we switch over to the new"system and demolish the existing. MR. HUSTACE: Just quickly on'the removal of the current components. Do you foresee any challenges or issues in removing some"of those older components and facility pieces? MR. GRANT: Well the project is dealing with an existing facility as it is. MR. HUSTACE: Right. MR. GRANT: That's always a challenge to begin with, with this project. You know, this disturbance of existing structures that are to remain or utilities that's always a potential risk, when,you're doing demolition work. But that is the things that we got to watch for. MR. HUSTACE: Thank you. Thank you, Chair. CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member, Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Hi there. I had a following up on Council Member Hustace's question, questions about the sequencing between Phase One and Phase Two. How much dependency is there on Phase Two starting, on Phase One being completed? Can we (11:47:18) from design to get the permits to the bid and all of that with Phase Two or do we have to wait for the successful completion of Phase One? MR. GRANT: No. I think they're independent of each other. Page 5 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MS. KIMBALL: Okay. And so with respect to the permitting process for Phase Two once the design, since the design is completed. Are there any, is there any anticipation of any hold up with that permitting process? Is there anything that might cause an unexpected delay? MR. GRANT: So right now the main permit we don't have is a Building Permit. MS. KIMBALL: Oh. Okay. MR. GRANT: We completed all the Departmentof Health's approval to construct. We completed our environmental assessment component for that project. Soon the main permit we don't,have, it is the Building Permit. MS. KIMBALL: Has it been submitted for— MR. GRANT: No, we haven't submitted. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. When'do you anticipate that'll be happening? MR. GRANT: I don't have an answer for that right now because, again it's been kind of a little bit on the back burner, at the moment,because it's still subject to our final,review and acceptance oftheJ00 percent. 'So once MS. KIMBALL: So you're still in the review phase of design from the consultant. MR. GRANT: Yes. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. MR. GRANT: I don't think Director even had a chance to sit down and meet with the team about the Phase Two components. A lot of our attention has been Phase One afthe moment and trying to get caught up on all the other projects as well. MS..KIMBALL: Yeah, certainly understandable. I just want to make sure that the timeline is very (11:49:03) I mean nine years sounds like a lot of time but it's really not;"especially when we have to go through permitting and we have to do the bid`process and all of that. So just wanted to make sure that there was no real dependency on two, for two on one, in case one starts lagging behind the timeline. How are we doing on that, with one? Are we meeting benchmarks? MR. GRANT: So right now we are making progress and we're monitoring as we go. The submit of procurement process it is one of those challenges of getting through. Especially with the lead time of materials. Page 6 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MS. KIMBALL: Right. MR. GRANT: That's the one wild card, I guess, I can say for lack of better words. But that's one thing we are monitoring as we go along on that progress. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. I'll leave it there for now. But it sounds like the two can kind of operate by themselves and the 2035, in terms of the department's perspective seems like a reasonable target to hit with,your scheduling out right now. MR. GRANT: So as far as with the construction duration'for Phase Two being three years, it seems that there is time to complete that on time. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. Thank you. CHR. GALIMBA: Thanks. I'll go to Council Member Onishi. But I think we can, probably after this, move on to that other projects and'we can always come back and talk some more about the overall picture. But go ahead Council. MR. ONISHL Okay. Thank you,Madam Chair. So in your Phase One constructionrigh ,now, was there any underground'or above tanks removed from this area? MR. GRANT: Yeah, so there was some underground tanks that was removed. We did remove it: They were improperly installed to begin with so one of the first things we slid is, when the contractor was establishing his staging area, I had them remove those tanks that were improperly installed and stuff. MR. ONISHL And what happened to those tanks? MR. GRANT: We disposed of it. MR. ONISHL Okay.' To the landfill? MR GRANT: Yes. MR. ONISHL Okay. After the completion of Phase One, what is your plans on having your staffing because I know you folks are understaffed, right, and there are going to be certain requirements that's going to be needed for this new facility, right. What is the plan moving forward? MR. GRANT: Okay so there's couple things we're trying to move on. First one's staffing. So currently we are completing a staffing analysis. That will determine the appropriate number of staffing for the new facility. The facility with these improvements. So that's currently being looked at. Director has Page 7 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 instructed me to kind of start looking at being proactive on getting training for our staff for the new equipment. So as new equipment is installed, even prior to us even doing the typical O&M (Operation and Maintenance) training trying to see what kind of avenues we have for training unexpected equipment. Trying to be ahead of the learning curve on that component for our guys. And then, in the end, we will be given an updated O&M manual for the facility as a whole with all these new improvements. MR. ONISHL Which is Federal and State regulations? MR. GRANT: I don't know exactly which code sections,but it is required for us to get the O&M manuals. Yeah. MR. ONISHL Okay. MR. GRANT: I believe. I don't want to misquote. But I believe it is 11-62 for the O&M manuals. MR. ONISHL Okay. Because I guess there is like Federal guidelines, State guidelines, that you folks need to follow., MR. GRANT: Yes. MR. OXISHL Okay. And so, with this new facility coming up, you folks going be, I guess, under,or doing those requirements. Correct? MR. GRANT: Yeah. So the O&M manual, yeah. To fulfill our requirements for that, we are. MR. OISHL Okay. Okay., And then so, do you know that right now, R&D (Research and Development) has some federal funds, right. That is going to be working,with"community college, for providing wastewater, I guess workers. MR. GRANT: I'm unaware of that. We can look into that. MR. ONISHL So about maybe a month ago, they came in front of us and I told, I think I told, R&D to contact you guys because, Director we had discussed about this and I did send you another email and I haven't gotten any responses yet, for that about working with the community college. MR. GIRVAN: Yes, we have talked about it, and I talked to with our HR (Human Resources) section about it. And my understanding was that they already did contact the college. So we've opened that line of communication. What I've asked our internal HR to do is to anticipate the needs of the new plant. And rather Page 8 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 than wait and just hire these people,just in time to start working the new plant, I want to hire them earlier than that. MR. ONISHI: Good. MR. GIRVAN: And have them be part of the start-up process. MR. ONISHL Okay. MR. GIRVAN: Rather than showing up on the very first day that we own and operate the plant. I would like to have all those new operations people be part of the start-up process, be onsite with the contractor and the vendors of the equipment. You can get a lot of learning during that period of time. MR. ONISHL No. That's true. MR. GIRVAN: If nothing else, the operators would then understand how difficult it is to start up a new facility. MR. ONISHL Okay. MR. GIRVAN: But they will also learn a lot if they see the things that need to be done to make it all work. So they will actually have some hands-on experience before their first day being responsible for running the plant. MR. ONISHI- Great. MR. GIRVAN: So we intend to lead the completion of the plant with our hiring and training efforts.' MR. ONISHL Okay. Great. And then if you can have your HR contact me because then there is, Alu Like does have a program that can help those that are going through courses, to maybe get reimbursed for, you know, for their work that they're doing. MR. GIRVAN: I will certainly do that. Yes. MR. ONISHL Please. Thank you. I yield. CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. Could we move on in the presentation. Thanks. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy Page 9 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. I think you can move on to the next one. Yeah. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigoun_ly;gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. Do you have a timeline for completing your procurement with the apparent low bidder? MR. GRANT: I think we're in the process of awarding and then once the award is issued out, we go through the normal contract execution process, which can vary in time, by a month or two. Fromthere then we'll (11:58:36) we'll be starting construction. CHR. GALIMBA; Thank you. Council Member, Onish . MR. OIISHL Thank you. So earlier last year I was in discussion with Deputy and the Director at the time about finding a location for the wastewater facility. So you folks always had a,property that you folks had already, I guess, designated for this facility? MR. GRANT: Yeah. So the Pahala facility, the county was actually in the process of a(11:59:10) combination process for quite sometime. And that was just recently finalized in 2025: MR. OISHI: Okay. Because back then it seemed like the Director and Deputy didWt know aboutthat process. Because we were looking at other options of different locations. Yeah, because I guess the original plan was on this certain residential property, they were going to use about two or three acres of that property off of the main highway. MR. GRANT: Oh I'm not too sure. Maybe it's the Na`alehu. MR. ONISHL Oh I'm sorry. MR. GRANT: This is Pahala. MR. ONISHI: Oh. Okay. Page 10 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MR. GRANT: Yeah. MR. ONISHL So they're two separate? MR. GRANT: Yes. MR. ONISHL Okay. Got it, my mistake. MR. GRANT: No problem. CHR. GALIMBA: Next one. Go ahead Mark. I believe we can move on to Na`alehu. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see th6 bVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at:bgp://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation"is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Thanks for that: I'm going to ask fora brief recess at this time. We need to consult with our staff. Thank you. Recess: At 12:01p.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 1206 p.m. CHR. GALIMBA: Alright. Calling us back out of recess. We can move on, I believe, to the next project. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. You can move on to the next. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) Page 11 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member, Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Yeah. So I'm just making sure that I'm clear on whats being presented here. In terms of the end date, of 2030 for Kulaimano, 2031 for Papaikou, that is all the way through construction,right. MR. GRANT: Yes. That's the completion. MS. KIMBALL: Okay that is the intention there. Okay. In terms of both of these, okay, I see you got the Papaikou one is out to bid,for design, or is still Kulaimano MR. GRANT: No. That's to be determined. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. So MR. GRANT: So the Papaikou, we're still in the design phase. MS. KIMBALL: Yeah. MR. GRANT:, e don't have a consultant yet, on board for that project. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. Okay so are you doing the design in house? MR. GRANT: No. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. So you still have to put up the design contract to bid? MR. GRANT: Yes. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. Where as the other one has the design contract, already? MR. GRANT: Yes. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. Great. Do you, be careful because the previous, the cost for Kulaimano seems low. Does the department feel pretty comfortable with that? MR. GRANT: Oh. That's design. MS. KIMBALL: That is just design. Okay. MR. GRANT: That is design cost. MS. KIMBALL: Okay. Page 12 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MR. GRANT: Sorry for not being clear about that. MS. KIMBALL: That's kind of important. I was going to say this is a bargain. Wow! Did you like get a discount on aerators or something. Okay. I will leave it at there. But thank you on these two particularly, Kulaimano has had, in my time here, I think at least two or three outlays into the ocean, due to various failures. So I'm definitely glad to see these guys moving forward and I feel like the timeline is ambitious. But, I'm going to put my faith in you guys getting it done. Thanks. (Note: At this time, Mr. Grant came'forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at http://hawaiigoggU.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member; Onishi, MR. ONISHL Thank you, Madam Chair: Have you folks completed all your requirements to get all the necessary permits and approvals for moving this project forward? MR. GRANT: No. Not at the moment. We're still in the environmental aspect. We're still compteting they environmental component for this project. So we are looking to trying to keep the project eligible for our funding so we still have to do our Section 106, Section 7 consultation process as well as the completion of environmental. Mk. ONISHL So if any 6fthose requirements gets rejected, this project could be, could stop.- Correct. R. GRANT: Itcould come as a roadblock. MR ONISHL Yes. MR. GRANT: Until that matter is resolved. MR. ONISHL That money that we're spending already, we could maybe lose it or we might, well I mean, the county, we've paid for something that we can not move forward on. MR. GRANT: With that settle,yeah. If there is a big red flag, that really killed the project, then yes. That will be the truth. Yeah. Page 13 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MR. ONISHL Okay. MR. GRANT: But right now we are currently pursuing that EA (Extended Aeration) exemption. Just because the alignment we're following it's within the existing area that it was intended for. For this second force main and we're following the existing alignment that's within that previous disturbed areas. MR. ONISHL Madam Chair, I have some issues with, I don't know if I should bring it among all the members,you know, on,my questions to them. So I don't know if I could request for an Executive Session just to talk about these certain issues. CHR. GALIMBA: I think if we wanted to do that,perhaps we would do it a different session so that everyone could be prepared: So if you have any doubts about it, I think maybe don't ask today and then we can—,- MR. ONISHL Because if not I going just work with them directly. But then if, but then I wanted to include the members, so you guys understand what is going on. And that's why an Executive Session would be great so you guys can hear what my concerns are, right. And.so. Carl I move us into an Executive Session? To consultwith the council attorney and also with D'.E.M. (Department of Environmental Management). Is that okay? Vote on Motion to Mr. Onishi moved to enter into Executive Session in order Enter into to hold attorney-clientpr vilege discussion regarding Executive Session: Comm: 712; as authorized,by Section 92-5(a)(4) of the (Approved) Hawaii Revised Statutes. Seconded by Ms. Kimball and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Galimba-8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder- 1. Excused: None. CHR, GALIMBA: We will be going into Executive Session. Recess: At 12:22 p.m., the Chair called for a recess in order to clear the room. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m. Page 14 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 CHR. GALIMBA: Welcome back to our regular session of this committee. I'm turning it over to Council Member, Kimball to make a report on the Executive Session. MS. KIMBALL: Yes so the body used the Executive Session to discuss with our Corporation Counsel our duties, responsibilities, and liabilities with respect to the timing and potential legal interventions for some of the projects being presented to the council today. As well as to provide some explanation and guidance regarding testimony that the council received;with respect to the matter on the agenda. CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you very much Council Member, Kimball. Could we continue with the last item on the presentation. (Note: At this time,Mr. Grant came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. F"or viewing of the subject presentation, see the D copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online at hitp-//hawaiigounty.gov.granicus.com. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 712.) CHR. GALIMBA:' Thank you. I don't see anyone have any specific questions on this item so anyone—Council Member, Kierkiewicz. MS. KIEAIKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I just have some overarching comments and questions. Thank you for the presentation Mr. Grant. This is a lot. It's very complex. You know I had to create a little list here of all the projects and then the status of the projects because we've got some things in land acquisition, designs, some construction, and dates that are very near and then further out, and it seems like'a lot of time, but whe 'you look at it this way,there's a lot to do, in a very short amount of time and I'm wondering, I'm not doubting you, I'm not doubting the team, but'I'm wondering if this is actually sufficient amount of time to get all of this work done. And what if we don't? Is there any fee that's associated? Is there retribution from the Federal Government for us not getting this done, according to the agreement that we signed? I don't know if there's any like legal ramifications on there. I'm just trying to understand that. MR. GRANT: Yeah. So as of right now, so like the Pahala, Na`alehu which is the (1:02:56)projects. We have actually put them on notice of potential delay. On those two projects. So basically the normal process, when the county identifies any potential delay in a project, we do have to do a written notification out to them. We put them on notice and then eventually when we have more sound evidence and then a more refined schedule, we'll assume that a time Page 15 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 extension request based off our submitted schedule on that. So the Pahala Wastewater Treatment Plant is one example of where we already put them on notice of potential delay. And then once we get more sound evidence of what that projected schedule is, we can go on with a time extension request. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay and it sounds like, so long as we're making ample efforts, to be in alignment with this consent decree, that they're seeing effort on our part, right. That we would be granted the time extension. I see Corporation Counsel approaching. Thanks Diane. I'm always just worried about risk and liability on the county side and wanting to manage all of that. (Note: At this time, Deputy Corporation Counsel Diane Melon-Lacey came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. MELON-LACEY: Yes we scan request an extension if,circumstances have changed that are causing a delay. Butithas to be,you know, reasonable and we have to have a mitigation plan. And it's ultimately up to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) whether they agree with, you know, our request and the reason why we think we should be granted an extension. If they don't agree, there is a fine schedule that kicks in that would startthe first day that we missed a deadline. And I think the two AOC's that we have are constructed rather differently. I would say that our Pahala and Nd'dlehu AOC has us on a very tight leash. I believe that's because we've been,asked to close those large capacity cesspools since 2005. And so we have many deadlines and we have to monitor it very carefully and we have to request°in advance if you just blow the deadline, it's too late. So we're monitoring,it very carefully. You can also ask under the guise of a force majeure,but that's much more difficult to establish. MS.,KIERKIEWICZ:' My preference is we don't ask for time extensions. My preference is that we get it done. And so the question I have is, do we have the sufficient staffing and resources within the county and even within the, you know you're contracting consultants out to support this work. Is there enough of that capacity available to ensure that we're able to meet the deadlines. It already sounds like, for Pahala and N5'51ehu we don't, which is why you're asking for time extensions. But how do we ensure that with everything that you've presented today, Mr. Grant, Director, that we're staying on deadline. MS. MELON-LACEY: Well just, I'll let Mark address more of this, but just quickly, I mean many, many things are,you know, outside of our control. If there's some kind of delay, in being able to get parts, or equipment, that affects a contractor, you know, may be possible to forsee that, looking at certain things. Page 16 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 But it may not be. And so I don't think it's necessarily to be viewed that it's, we're a failure if we have to ask for an extension because there are good reasons and I think the EPA recognizes that. But staying on top of it and monitoring it is something that is crucial and I think the department between,you know, Mark and Kelly and other people there, are doing a very good job of monitoring those deadlines and regularly meet to talk about these things. And we let EPA know in advance if we even think it's going to happen. And you know, I understand that you don't want it, we don't want it either. But realistically in the present world, hard to completely, rule it out. And I'll let Mark address any other aspects of this.. Thank you. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I just don't like legally committing'ourselves to something that we know we can't meet. That's all. And so for,if we know down the road that we can anticipate delays and problems, we should start thinking about how to solve for that. Mark is there any way to get like a, a spreadsheet of all of these projects, the status, and then the anticipated end date for construction because with what was presented today, it was kind of all over the place, like a lot,of different stages for each of these'projects. And when you look at that,'as well as the cost,you know we were looking at that one slide thathad that$1.3 million dollars and we thought,is that all it's going to cost. And so I think it would be good to get a sense of what everything is going to cost us, how long everything is going to take, and where exactly we are inthe development, construction process. MR. GRANT: So, Kelly Hartman does have,you know, I think she can speak on that. MS'KIERKIEWICZ: I lone me a spreadsheet. Thank you. (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Planner Kelly Hartman came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. HARTMAN: So I do tracks spreadsheets for every compliance milestone and every project milestone and we do meet,you know, almost weekly to share that information between D.E.M., Corporation Counsel, and the Finance Department. Additionally for the public information side, we do have semi- annual reports that we submit to EPA, January and August for the Pahala Na`alehu AOC, and March and September for the county wide AOC. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Are these posted online, on your website? MS. HARTMAN: They are and they can be provided. Page 17 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. It would be great, when you have some time to compile the spreadsheet that I'm requesting and to send that over to the council. I think as we walk into budget, it's good to know, like what we're on the hook for because we have some tough decisions to be making this year. Lot of fiscal constraints. Thanks for your hard work and being here. I yield. MS. HARTMAN: Thank you. CHR. GALIMBA: Anyone else? Council Member,Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Just,a'quick,for the Director. Director,just for that, the public, can you just reassure us that concerns thatwere brought up that your department is working on addressing those concerns and will be taking care of that. MR. GIRVAN: You do have my assurance. MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. Thank you; I really do appreciate that, and I'll check in with you. Okay. Thanks so much. I yield., CHR. GALINMBA; Council Member, Hustace. MR. AUSTACE: Just want to thank you Chair for bringing this item forward for this discussion. Especially it'll lead ug to the budget season with a discussion with a lot ofrojects that are affecting the county. From our budgetary standpoint and finances to, you know, safety of our,employees, those concerns there, that we just mentioned. But there's a lot here for sure. So appreciate the opportunity. I want to mahalo the department for coming forward and sharing this information with us as we kind of go through this together. So thank you, Chair. CHR. GALIMBA: So thank you so much council members and for engaging in this conversation,and thank you so much for D.E.M. for coming. I know it's a lot of work and coordination to get a presentation together and come here and be ripen and prepared for just about any kind of question that could possibly be thought of coming at you. So I really do appreciate that, and I will be asking again so I'm not sure if you folks have a timeframe that you think would be good. Please let'me know. You know, I know this takes time out of actually doing the things; but I think it's also important that we, in the council, and the public, have the opportunity to be updated periodically. A learning experience for everyone, I think. As far as, I just wanted to follow on Council Member Kierkiewicz thoughts, as far as wanting a spreadsheet and with more of that sort of timeline and finances associated with each projects. What I would actually really like to see is more on the finances of the project going forward, because this is all taking decades, you know, years and decades. And I Page 18 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 know because we have to procure them you won't know exactly how much money you'll be needing but, probably have some idea and hundreds and millions, what kinds of money we're going to need as we go forward over the years to be successful on these projects. So, it would be great, next time you come in, to have that kind of information, for us and the council to have a look at. And I see Director Nakagawa coming forward, so I'll allow her to engage. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. NAKAGAWA: Good Afternoon-again, Diane Nakagawa, Finance Department. I just, I wanted, I will come back to that. So absolutely. But I do want to make a comment, regarding Council Member Kierkiewicz, question about resources, both in terms of manage—staff management and personnel of the projects as well as financial. We are making significant strides to push these contracts and projects forward. But I don't want to underscore the challenge this is. You canlobk at the time frame that we're talking about, it is less than 10 years with many projects of significant value and resource attention needed. Sothis is something that we've been actively"talking about but I want to put it out there, that it is a challenge. We are understaffed. And th6'management of these projects should be, something that is a high priority and strategically Ihought,through so that we can be successful in the completion and not just jumping to the project,. Right,'on the other hand we are carefully evaluating the timing of these projects and our financial plan to do so. And that is also monitoring our cash flow and when these projects are going to, kind of overlap, and that is my concern,,as delays in projects naturally happen. Really the ability to forecast percisely, all of these projects is kind of my concern and where I'm,16ok ng at is, in terms of you're seeing how these contracts are starting to overlap,andas Hilo moves forward, now Hilo has won that, we just need to watch even more carefully because it's $337 million dollars. So it really kind of dictates a lot of our decision making but I do, I just wanted to reiterate that there are challenges with our resources. We're looking to address them. We will definitely speak to that issue with the EPA as well as our financial concerns on the timing, right, so we want to make sure that we can carefully have a good financial plan for this. And they don't all hit at once. So the significance of the timing is really critical. But yes, we can start to develop maybe a better product to show how these projects are overlapping and the funding source and how we plan to move forward and what we're getting at is also the spent as well. Page 19 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 So we are carefully monitoring that but also really working with the contractors to get a more precise (1:16:30)then we probably have before. Because we didn't, you know. We didn't need to monitor that as closely as we do now. Just with the significance of almost a billion dollars of projects. So hopefully that answers your question. CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you so much. Okay. Council Member, Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Director for sharing that. I think we're going to have to make a lot of sacrifices as a county in order to solve, this very significant issue. I don't want the department to feel shy about asking for support, if you really absolutely need it. Having said that though, I also want to make sure that the essential services, that are dictated within the charter are still getting support: We can not only focus on solving wastewater. There are other critical needs and services within the county and so that's going to be our job, is'to work with administration to come up with that balance budget so that we're not impacting, negatively impacting other areas within our community. But, you know, thank you everyone for the really great j ob, I know that you folks are very calm today, but I know that it's probably very chaotic behind the scenes, managing this very intense project. Thank you. CHR. GALIMBA: Great; I mean, this is just wastewater, there's also solid waste. But thank you.' 'You folks have really critical work that you do for our county, so I can't thank you enough and with that, all in favor of closing file on Communication 712. Thank you, Please say "aye". Vote on Comm. 712: The motion to close file on Comm. 712 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. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:18 p.m. Chair Galimba adjourned the MENT: meeting. Page 20 CRCOC-16 February 3,2026 Approved: Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Chair (Date) Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee MG/mp Page 21