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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 004 08/22/2006 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: August 22, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 1006/Res. No. 419-06 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 1:04 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Resolution No. 419-06 reports as follows: Resolution No. 419-06, transmitted by Council Member Pete Hoffmann, via Communication No. 1006, dated July 27, 2006, requests the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and its Economic Development Committee to prepare a Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan. Overall, the intent of Resolution 419-06 was well received by the members of the Committee. Members recognized the need for an Energy Sustainability Plan, many citing the fact that such a plan was long overdue and would have benefits reaching each and every member of the County of Hawaii. However, several issues were raised during the course of this committee meeting that require further analysis. First and foremost, concern arose over a clause within the resolution that would have each council member contribute $10,000 from their respective district's Contingency Relief Account to support the development of the Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan. Council Member Donald Ikeda proposed the language suggesting such a contribution be stricken from the resolution, whereas the following clause would be removed in its entirety: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there shall be appropriated from the Clerk Council Services' contingency relief account to the Department of Research and Development, $10,000 from each of the nine Council district contingency relief accounts, for a total allocation of $90,000 for fiscal year 2006-2007, to support the development of the Hawaii County Energy SustainabiliTy Plan." Council Members voted in favor of said amendment with six aye votes and three nay votes. During discussion, several council members expressed concern over utilizing district allotted monies for a project that may be better funded through the general fund. It was suggested that the Department of Reseazch and Development incorporate the expense of producing such a plan into their budget with a detailed account of how monies would be spent. The council could then decide whether or not to fund such a project via the general fund, rather than through the use of District Contingency Relief Account monies. Second, there was debate regarding the proposed deadlines within Resolution 419-06. The central question was whether or not the deadlines as delineated within Resolution 419-06 provided enough time for a proper and accurate study to be performed. This concern centered on the fact that the Economic Development Committee does not currently have a full and active board. It was also expressed that even if such a committee was completely viable and active, that the deadlines may still be too restricting. It was suggested that the language within the resolution regazding definitive deadlines be amended to provide a more practical and reasonable time frame. It was also suggested that meaningful and attainable goals be added to the resolution. Council Member Isbell and Council Member Hoffmann have stated they will work together to create such amendments. HSEDC Chair Holschuh stated that he would vote favorably on the resolution if, and only if, these changes were made and satisfied his concerns as well as the concerns of the rest of the members of the Human Services and Economic Development Committee. Other concems brought forwazd during the HSEDC meeting regazding Resolution 419-06 and its intent include: 1. The Economic Development Committee would only serve an advisory role, lacking any authority. 2. Belief that such a plan would require more than the $90,000 as proposed by Resolution 419-06. 3. That we seek local members of the community to be on the committee. 4. That this process is long overdue and we should expedite the creation of the committee and initiate the plan as soon as possible. 5. That the council approve the members of the committee as nominated by the mayor. 6. That council members have the opportunity to recommend potential committee members to the mayor. 7. That a comprehensive sustainability plan is produced, not only one that focused solely on energy. 8. That the committee in question should already have been up and running, and should not require funding from Contingency Relief Accounts due to a special circumstance to initiate said committee. 9. That an energy sustainability plan should be part of the General Plan. 10. That the community at large be incorporated into the process of creating such a plan. Jane Testa, Director of the Department of Research and Development, stated that even if Resolution 419-06 did not pass and funding from the council was not made available, that her department and the administration will pursuit the intent of Resolution 419-06 as it is imperative that the County of Hawaii create a bona fide plan to address energy sustainability. Overall, when including the amendments suggested for Resolution 419-06, Resolution 419-06 received positive feedback and support from your committee. Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 419-06, as amended to Draft 2 and recommends its adoption. jdh raves noes a&e ex Respectfully submitted ARAKAKI X HIGA x COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES xoFFmlArvrv x AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HOLSCHUH X _ / ISBELL X .?ACOSSOrv x FRED C. HOLSCHUH, M.D., CHAIR FILAGO X HSEDC REPORpT NO7. 4 SAFARIK X ADOPTED: SEf ~ I