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Home My WebLink AboutMIN COUNCIL 2026-05-21 2024-2026 Special Draft Hawaii County Council 401b Session Special Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii May 21, 2026 INVOCATION: Pastor John Endriss of Engage Church Hilo gave the mornings invocation. CALL TO The special meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at ORDER: 9:05 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair. ROLL CALL: . Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member (came in later) Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Rebecca Vill gas, Member (via videoconference from Kona; came in later) N 7 "G/�/� Absent& Excu,, Ms. �� Heather L. Kimball, Member PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of ALLEbIANCE: Allegiance. Nim, (At this time, County Clerk Jon Henricks led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.) PETITIONS, The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Petitions, MEMORIALS, Memorials, Certificates of Merit, and Expressions of Condolence. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND (There were none.) EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE: STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Kandi Riedel-Makuakane: Bill 135, Draft 2 (Comm. 754.7), comment. Dwight Vicente: Bill 135, Draft 2 (Comm. 754.7), comment. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions. Res. 574-26: DETERMINES THE REAL PROPERTY TAX RATES FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Proposes the following tax rate changes per $1,000 of net valuation for buildings and land: lowers the rate from $5.95 to $5.75 in the Affordable Rental Housing classification and the Homeowner classification, increases the rate from $13.60 to $14.50 in the Residential Tier Two classification, and sets the rate for the Residential Tier Three classification at $17 the Long-Term Rental classification at $7.75. /// O�///O // 110/p/l/l/Reference: omm. 905 Intr. by: Council Member Inaba Waived: FC Public Hearing: May 19, 2026 (Note: Co 05.1, from Mayor C. Kimo Alameda dated May 20, 2026, transmitting to ony in support of Res. 574-26,was circulated.) Relinquish Chaim At this time, Chair Inaba relinquished the chair to Acting Chair Onishi. Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to adopt Res. 574-26. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. ACTING CHR. ONISHL Any other discussion? At this members of the Council.) Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to address theem ) (Note: At this time, Real Property Tax Administrator Lisa Miura, Finance Department, came forward to address the members of the Council.) Motion to Table: Ms. Kagiwada moved to table Res. 574-26. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Page 2 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Vote on Motion to The motion to table Res. 574-26 failed by the following roll Table: call vote: Failed Ayes: Council Members Galimba and Kagiwada—2. Noes: Council Members Hustace, Inaba, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi—6. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Motion to Call for Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to ca e question. the Question: Seconded by Mr. Inaba. ACTING CHR. ONISHL Okay. Aft/k Vote on Motion to The motion to call for the question failed by the follo Call for the Question roll call vote: Failed Ayes: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi—5. Council Members Galima Hustac and Kagiwada— 3. %%//////// ��. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. cT G CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kagiwada moved to amend Res. 574-26 with the contents of Comm. 905.3. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. ACTING CHR. ONISHL Okay. Vote on Amend Motion to /�/// ComThe m 905 3 failed btion to amend lies. 574-26 the followingsth the roll call vote:contents of /// Y (Failed) s: Council Members Galimba and Kagiwada—2. Noes: Council Members Hustace, Inaba, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi—6. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Page 3 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Vote on Res. 574-26: The motion to adopt Res. 574-26 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi—8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. ` Relinquish Chair: At this time, Acting Chair Oruhi relinquished the chair to Chair Inaba. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for ORDINANCES Ordinances (First Reading). ; (FIRST READING): STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public. PUBLIC ON BILL 135 The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by (COMM. 754): the Chair: v� Jaylyn Brendlen: In support. (representing Hawaiian Acres Road Corporation) Bill 135: ESTABLISHES AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR DULY 1, 2026, TO JUNE 30, 2027 From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated February 27, 2026, transmitting for consideration the proposed Operating Budget for the County of Hawaii for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This balanced budget includes estimated revenues and appropriations of$966,891,661, which represents a proposed 1.4 percentcrease compared to the fiscal year 2025-26 Operating Budget. Reference: Comm. 754 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-143 Public Hearing: May 19, 2026 and Comm. 754.7: From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated May 5, 2026, transmitting Bill 135, Draft 2. Draft 2 reflects an increase in estimated revenues of$9,516,959 over the first draft, reflects higher than expected real property tax collections, and proposes corresponding funding adjustments. and Page 4 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Bill 135: ESTABLISHES AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I (Draft 2) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2026, TO JUNE 30, 2027 Draft 2 includes estimated revenues of$976,408,620 and appropriations of $975,980,388. Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) (Note: Comm. 754.8, from Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi dated May 19, 2026, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 135, Draft 2, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 135 on first reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 143. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. CHR. INABA: Thank you. (Note: At this time, Human Resources Director Sommer Tokihiro came forward to address the members of the Council.) (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Deputy Director Craig Kawaguchi came forward to address the members of the Council.) (Note: At this time, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa came forward to address the members of the Council.) e% (Note: At this time, Deputy e Chief Sherry Bird came forward to address the members of the Council.) �0,, (Note: At this time, Assistant Mass Transit Administrator Jennifer Martin came forward to address the members of the Council.) (No s time, Business Manager Robin an, Environmental Manta. eme tl Department, came forward o address the members of the Council. g p � ) (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Division Chief Michael Rivera came forward to address the members of the Council.) ��% (Note: At this time, Deputy Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto came forward to address the members of the Council.) (Note: At this time, Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe came forward to address the members of the Council.) (Note: At this time, Public Works Deputy Director Neil Azevedo came forward to address the members of the Council.) Page 5 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 (Note: At this time, Environmental Management Director Daniel Girvan came forward to address the members of the Council.) Motion to Amend: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to amend Bill 135 with the contents of Comm. 754.7. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 135 with the contents of Amend: Comm. 754.7 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, and Chair Inaba—7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Me Kimba d Villegas Excused: None. F CHR. INABA: Thank you. Motion to Amend: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to amend Bill 135, t 2, with the contents of Comm. 754.8. Seconded by r tace. N CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to j The motion to amend Bill 135, Draft 2, with the contents of Amend: %�� Comm. 754.8 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) �/ Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. CHR. A: Okay. Vote on Bill 135: The motion to pass Bill 135, as amended to Draft 3, on first Draft 3 reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 143 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba—7. Page 6 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Noes: None. Absent: Council Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Kimball—2. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Okay. Bill 136: RELATES TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2026, TO JUNE 30, 2027 From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated February 27, 2026, transmitting the proposed Capital Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 and the Capital Improvements Program for the next six years from fiscal year 2026-2027 to 2031-2032, which includes 45 projects requiring a total appropriation of$358.74 million of which $42 million are intended to be funded by Federal Grants, $23 million to be funded by State Grants, $285.24 million to be funded in whole or part by bonds, and $8.5 million to be funded by private funds. ///o,. Reference: Comm. 755 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-144 Public Hearing: May 19, 2026 and Comm. 755.3: From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated May 5, 2026, transmitting Bill 136, Draft 2, which included 44 projects and an increase of$16,959,000 in appropriations over the first draft. arzd . Bill 136: RELATES TOPUB LIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR 0 (Draft THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2026, TO JUNE 30, 2027 Draft 2 requires a total appropriation of$375,700,000, of which $55,700,000 are inten$2885 0,000 ted to be o unded by in whole or Grants,art by 0bonds0, and $8,500,000 t State he Grants, na d P by private funds. Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) an Comm. 755.4: From Council Member James E. Hustace, dated May 13, 2026, transmitting a (Memo No. 1) proposed amendment to reappropriate the Parks and Recreation Department's Waik6loa Gymnasium project in the amount of$2 million. ; and Comm. 755.5: From Council Member James E. Hustace, dated May 13, 2026, transmitting a (Memo No. 2) proposed amendment to add the Lindsey Road Extension project in the amount of $1 million. Page 7 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 (Note: Comms. 755.6 and 755.7, from Council Member James E. Hustace, dated May 20 and 21, respectively, transmitting proposed amenndments to Bill 136, Draft 2, were circulated.) Motion to Approve: Mr. Hustace moved to pass Bill 136 on first reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 144. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Motion to Amend: Mr. Hustace moved to amend Bill 136 with the contents of Comm. 755.3. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 136 with the contents o Amend: Comm. 755..3 was carried by the following voice vot rm,. (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Chair Inaba—6. Noes: None. lit. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, %%. and Onishi — 3. EXCUSed: None. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Motion to � Mr. Hustace moved to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the A, contents of Comm. 755.4. Seconded by Mr. Onishi. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of A Amend: //�/ Comm. 755.4 was carried by the following voice vote: 1111111114 Ayes: Council Members Kaneali`K e nfelderliK erk ewicz Hustace, wada, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Page 8 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Motion to Amend: Mr. Hustace moved to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 755.5. Seconded by Mr. Onishi. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of Amend: Comm. 755.5 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kimball — 1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Motion to Amend: Mr. Hustace moved to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with contents of Comm. 755.6. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder. NO CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of Amend: Comm. 755.6 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Villegas, and Chair Inaba—7. Noes. None. Absent: Council Members Kimball and Onishi —2. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Motion to Amend: %� Mr. Hustace moved to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 755.7. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i- infelder. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 136, Draft 2, with the contents of Amend: Comm. 755.7 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Page 9 Hawaii County Council-40 May 21,2026 Villegas, and Chair Inaba— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kimball— 1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Okay. Vote on Bill 136: The motion to pass Bill 136, as amended to Draft 3, on first Draft 3 reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 144 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba— 8. ��// Noes: None. Absent: Council er Kimball— 1. Excused: None. // CHR. INABA: Okay. j OTHER The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other BUSINESS: Business. (There were none.) ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, MENTS: Announceme (There were none.) ADJOURN- There being no further business, Chair Inaba adjourned the meeting at 11:22 a.m. MENT: Council Approval: COUNTY CLERK JH/dg Page 10