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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0150.005 1998-2000 J,~YY Oi ~,,K J. CURTIS TYLER, 11I ~ ~y['` Tel: (808) 961-8273 Councflmembri Pax: (808) 969-3291 F Of ~Mr- _---r w COUNTY COUNCIL ~~VED County of Hawaii Hawaii Counl y building 25AupuniStreet County Counetl P-HSEpC Hilo, Ha~w~ii 96720 April 7, 1999 MEMORANDUM TO: James Y. Arakaki and Councilmembers ~ FROM: J. Curtis Tyler, III, Chair \ Human Services and Economic Development Committee/ ~~J RE: Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial. Inc. Grant Application This year, our committee again considered the application submitted by Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial seeking support for amulti-use veterans services facility in Hilo. The proposed project stems from along-felt need by our island veterans to consolidate existing services administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs in a more suitable, long-term facility. This is a commendable goal. For more than a few years, many have voiced concerns about the VA's outstationed facilities on Keawe Street. However, it is the responsibility of this committee to recommend expenditures wisely and productively. That is why our enabling ordinance for non-profit organizations specifies that recipients must have at least "one year's experience with the service or activity for which the appropriation is sought." In this instance, the project is essentially a capital improvements initiative to erect a veterans multi-use facility. The actual services delivered are those already mandated and administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accordingly, it is incumbent for this Council to consider the merits of providing capital funding, even for project planning activities, for what is essentially a federal government facility. Moreover, it is our responsibility to assure that, if we did so, our County appropriation would indeed accomplish the objective sought by our local veterans. O ' O O t Comm. No. 7 Stile No. g V D Ref. Toi C'OU1JC ~r` Ref. Date APR, 9 198„ 77-6399 Nalani St., Suite 1-A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Kona Telephone: (808) 326-5684 Fax: (808) 326-5697 That is why I sent a letter of inquiry to the VA's Honolulu director, Mr. David Burge, on Mazch 25. I asked him if the VA is presently attempting to relocate its Hilo facilities. Moreover, in light of VA contracting policies, I asked him if it is the intent of the VA to let out a public bid if and when the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial builds a facility. Mr. Burge provided a timely reply, Communication 150.004, which has been circulated to all members of the Council. He acknowledged that the proposed project has much merit, but confirmed that the VA "cannot commit to leasing any facility at a future time because of federal procurement regulations, which require a competitive selection process." While noting that he would welcome a bid from the Veterans Memorial group `Svhen a solicitation is offered publicly," he noted that the Honolulu VA Regional Office has jurisdiction only over the outpatient clinic, not the Vet Center, which is separately administered by the VA's Readjustment Counseling Service in Washington. In light of these findings, our committee has not recommended funding this year. Our recommendation, however, in no way constitutes opposition to the goal of a multi-use veterans center. As a veteran myself, I applaud the initiative of the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial boazd. But, I think they should take the time to re-think their strategy to get this project on track. For quite a few years, the VA has expanded its services throughout the islands and its medical component at Tripler Army Medical Center. Outpatient clinics and Vet Centers came to the Neighbor Islands in 1987, with much support from our two U.S. senators, one of whom, Senator Daniel Akaka, sits on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. I am confident that facility improvements for VA services in Hilo can garner the support of our congressional delegation. They have demonstrated consistent and reliable support over many years. First, I recommend that our local veterans initiate a real dialogue with our senators and the VA in Honolulu to set a timetable for the relocation of the VA's facilities in East Hawaii. The participation of the Readjustment Counseling Service will also be needed. All this discussion needs to factor in the legislated federal mandates for these services and the `~+isioning" reorganization now underway throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs. Secondly, I suggest that upon resolution of these matters, and the subsequent issuance of a public solicitation by the VA, the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial may wish to work with private developers to collaboratively submit a competitive bid. If that bid and intended facility site can involve County land, favorably leased, we should support it. I am deeply committed to supporting the goal of this project. But it is very cleaz that a facility, for which the VA is critically the anchor tenant, must result from lawful and long-established federal contracting procedures. I stand ready to assist all the veterans who support this project to work constructively with the Department of Veterans Affairs.