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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 127 08/19/1997 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: August 19, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 439/Res. No. 141 PLACE: Councilroom TIME: 10:55 A.M. Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. ] 41 reports as follows: Resolution No. 141, transmitted jointly with Bill No. 124 by Finance Director Harry Takahashi, via Communication No. 439, dated July 29, 1997, authorizes the County of Hawaii to participate in a demonstration Papaya Quazantine Program. The State Department of Agriculture (DOA), Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH), and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) are desirous of implementing a quazantine program in Kahuwai, Hawaii to demonstrate that papaya can be grown successfully by following strict disease management protocols. The quarantine program will also provide C"I'AHR researchers and the DOA a unique opportunity to study the epidemiology of the papaya ringspot virus and evaluate other disease management measures. Resolution No. 141 authorizes the County of Hawaii to enter into a five year lease agreement with Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate and sublet land to papaya growers (permittees) participating in the Papaya Quarantine Program. The county will issue permits to permittees to plant genetically resistant papaya pursuant to protocols developed by DOA and CTAHR. RCUH will act as the fiscal agent for the County of Hawaii and be responsible to the County for collection of rents, disbursement of project expenses and accountability of all project income and expenses. RCUH will also remit all lease payments to Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate under the terms of the lease agreement. Resolution No. 141 also authorizes the administration to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement describing the responsibilities to be undertaken by each agency in the implementation of the Papaya Quarantine Program. A draft of the Memorandum of Agreement was distributed to all committee members for their preliminary review. Members of Your Committee requested the Memorandum of Agreement be amended to include a provision which would require the DOA to seek State funding and substitute the County's role in the program. Currently, the County's participation in the Papaya Quarantine Program is necessary because time constraints prohibited the DOA from soliciting State funding during the 1997 State Legislative Session. FC REPORT NO. 127 Pursuant to Section 13-13 of the Hawaii County Charter, the County may enter into contracts with private parties, other counties, the state or the United States for the performance of any function or activity which the county is authorized to perform. A majority of Your Committee voted in favor of Resolution No. 141, with one opposing member who was in favor of the program but had concerns regarding potential liabilities. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 141 and recommends its adoption. Ayes Noes A&E F.X CHUNG X Respectfully submitted tre?THean-TOnn X CO ITTEE ON FINANCE ea.v x ~ SANTANGELO X ~ ~ SMITH X TvLex x AARON S. .CHUNG, HAIR vAGONG X FC REPORT N_ 127 ARAKAKI, E.o.M. X ADOPTED: $EP A-=3 taa~