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Home My WebLink AboutAGE HSEDC 03/16/1999 1998-2000 or Iy'~,{~ ~~C~- •'4 r.~p • Oi~N~+ HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA 3en Session COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Curtis Tyler, Chair Julie Jacobson, Vice Chair Aaron Chung, Member Leningrad Elarionoff, Member Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Member Nancy Pisicchio, Member Al Smith, Member Dominic Yagong, Member James Y. Arakaki, Ex-Officio Member DATE: March 16, 1999 (Tuesday) PLACE: Councilroom TIME: 1:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA REFERRALS: Comm. 130: BIG ISLAND FARM BUREAU'S SUPPORT FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S CURRENT EFFORTS TO ERADICATE THE BANANA BUNCHY TOP VIRUS IN KONA From Ellen Mehos, President, Big Island Farm Bureau, dated January 29,1999, stating their support for the State Deparhnent of Agriculture's (DOA) current efforts to eradicate the Banana Buchy Top virus from Kona. States this virus must be stopped in order to ensure the future of the Big Island's commercial banana industry. HS&EDC-3 Page 2 March 16, 1999 (Confd) Gives a brief history of the virus which hit Oahu in the late 1980's (Comm. 130) and was found on Kauai in 1997. States the Big Island's banana industry is at stake today. Centered in the Puna and Hilo districts, the areas produce some 9.8 million pounds or two-thirds of the State's total production, with an approximate farm-gate value of $3.4 million annually. Future production is expected to skyrocket with the recent federal approval of protocol for export of green bananas to the U.S. Mainland. States it is critical for the County Council to rally behind the DOA's efforts and work with the State, community and banana industry to put an end to the Banana Bunchy Top Virus in Kona. Comm.169: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 (Bill 43) (ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE 25 (APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS), OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (1995 EDITION), RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS From Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chair, Committee on Planning, dated February 22,1999, transmitting the above bill. This bill maintains the County's commitment to funding human service providers. At the same time, it serves two functions. First, it clearly ties this funding to the County's financial health, pegging the amount to be made available at one percent (1%) of real property tax revenues. She believes this upholds the spirit and strength of the Council's historical support for these agencies, but also recognizes the County's current fiscal situation. Second, the bill clarifies ambiguous language in the code. The intent of the existing law maybe to set a minimum amount of $900,000, but the following passage states, "In any event, the maximum amount to be made available for grants shall not exceed one percent of real property tax." If that passage is strictly interpreted, the existing law and the proposed bill make the same level of funding available-one percent (1%) of real property tax revenues. HS&EDC-3 Page 3 March 16, 1999 NEW BUSINESS/STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC/ADJOURNMENT The meeting place is accessible for persons with physical disabilities. Persons who need special accommodations to attend this meeting should call 961-8245 by March 12, 1999. Persons using TDDs may call 961-8521. (Copies of this agenda and the communications aze posted and filed at the County Clerk's Office, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo; the Office of the Mayor, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103, Kailua-Kona; and the Kona Councilmembers' Office, 77-6399 Nalani St., Suite 104, Kailua-Kona. For further information, please ca11961-8245. Those wishing to testify, please register with the County Clerk's staff prior to the convening of the meeting. If possible, submit fifteen (15) written copies of testimony to staff prior to the convening of the meeting.) GOVERNMENT ACCESS TELEVISION: Channel 9 (Hilo) and Channel 12 (Kona) The Public Works & Parks Committee and Finance Committee meetings can be seen on Thursday, Mazch 18, at 1:00 p.m.. The Human Services and Economic Development Committee and the Planning Committee meetings can be seen on Saturday, Mazch 20, at 9:00 a.m. All the above meetings will be aired on Sunday, March 28, at 9:00 a.m.