Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0313.004 2014-2016DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI Council Member District 3 MEMORANDUM HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 DATE: May 12, 2015 TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair And Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: r0oDennis "Fresh" Onishi, Council Member AW PHONE: (808) 961-8396 FAX: (808) 961-8912 EMAIL: domshi@co.hawaii.hi.us SUBJECT: Minutes of the January 20, 2015, Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee Meeting. Attached are the minutes of the Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee meeting, held on January 20, 2015, in Honolulu. Please place this item on the agenda for the next available Government Relations and Economic Development Committee meeting. DO:ma Att Comm. No. 3 � 3 • y Nawai `i Count} is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. To. Ref. dare MAY 12 2015 Hawaii Stat' Association of Counties ' t tomtti" of Kmwi. Rhmi. llawnii mid (it% and C:uutth of 1lunnlultt MINUTES HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING January 20, 2015 '15 JAN 27 P 3 :26 Honolulu Hale, Mission Memorial Conference Room Honolulu, Hawaii I. CALL TO ORDER THE ui 'F!'� ''LERK The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by President Mel Rapozo at 9:21 a.m. The following members comprising a quorum were present County of Kauai: President Mei Rapozo County of Hawaii: Vice President Dennis "Fresh" Onishf City and County of Honolulu: Secretary ikaika Anderson County of Maul: Treasurer Michael Victorino Others Present: Hawaii Councilmember Dru Kanuhn Hawaii Councilmember Greggor Ilagan Hawaii Councilmernber Danny Paleka Maui Councilmember Donald Couch, Jr. Kauai Councilmember Ktpukai Kualil Honolulu staff Doug Chun Honolulu staff Brandon Mitsuda Kauai staff Ashley Bunda Maui staff Km Willenbrink Maui staff Kit Zulueta Hawaii Island staff Peter Sur 11. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Committee approved the agenda. III. MINUTES The Committee approved the minutes of the November 13, 2014 Executive Committee meeting. .0 OCS2015-001111/23/201511-34 AM Page 1 of 7 !�� IV. REPORTS A. Treasurers Report 1&2. Amended Treasurer's Report for August 2014 and September 2014, as submitted by the HSAC Treasurer. Treasurer Victorino stated that on August 25, 2014, the Executive Committee voted to amend the Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget to increase the "NACo Board Travel—,Air and Ground" expense by $4,500, from $13,500 to $18,000 to cover travel expenses for an additional NACo board member from Hawaii. The August and September treasurers reports did not reflect the budget amendment Treasurer Victorino submitted revised reports for August 2014 and September 2014 (see communication dated December 8, 2014; Exhibit A), which the Committee approved. 3. Treasurer Victorino stated that the Treasurer's Report for October 2014 reflected various expenses in the amount of $2,563.07 Wong with a return of 2014 HSAC Conference seed money in the amount of $5,000.00, resulting In an ending balance of $155,740.71 for the monthly period ended October 31, 2014. The Treasurers Report was approved. 4. Treasurer Victorino stated that the Treasurer's Report for November 2014 reflected various expenses in the amount of $1,264.10 along with interest income of $2.56, resulting in an ending balance of $154,479.17 for the monthly period ended November 30, 2014, The Treasurers Report was approved. B. County Reports 1. Maul County Report. Treasurer Victorino reported on Maui County Council organization results, with Counclimember Mike White Installed as Chair and Councilmember Don Guzman installed as Vice Chair. Treasurer Victorino also noted County work on the Lanai Community Plan, workforce housing, and the GMO issue. 2. Hawaii County Report. Vice President Onishi introduced Councilmembers Dru Kanuha, Greggor liagan, and Daniel Paleka. At the request of Vice President Onishi, Councilmembers Ilagan and Paleka reported on the lava flow status by noting that the County Council approved $20 million in bonds to address lava preparations and possible damage, including the construction of various roads and funds to repair/reconstruct facilities that may be Page 2 of 7 impacted by the lava (e.g., Police Station, Fire Station, Transfer Station, etc.). They concluded by noting that FEMA would be footing 75% of the expenses, while the County would be responsible for 25%. Vice President Onishi announced a donation of $5,000 from the Laborer's Union for the HSAC Conference, and also noted that the County is addressing the e -cigarette issue, as well as the concern that minors are not currently penalized for smoking on Hawaii Island. 3. City and County of Honolulu Report Secretary Anderson reported that he had the flu during the last scheduled Executive Committee meeting in December on Kauai, and apologized for his absence. Legislatively, Secretary Anderson noted that the City Council deferred action on Resolution 1473, dealing with enforcement actions on land use violations, but passed Bills 81 and 82 out of the Zoning and Planning Committee, which would authorize beach replenishment special improvement districts and specifically authorize the establishment of a Waikiki Special Improvement District focused on Waikiki Beach. Secretary Anderson also noted that the Honolulu Council is organized with Counciimember Ernest Martin as Chair, Secretary Anderson as Vice Chair, and Councilmember Ron Menor as Floor Leader. Kauai County Report. President Rapozo introduced Councilmember Kipukai Kualil and noted that he (President Rapozo) is the Council Chair and Councilmember Ross Kagawa is the Vice Chair. President Rapozo reported that the Council is working on the South Shore and Uhue Community Plans, and has passed a Sunshine Law resolution that seeks to allow more communications among Councilmembers than currently exists. (All four officers then engaged In a lengthy discussion about Sunshine Law issues, including restrictions at community meetings, lobbying challenges to changing the law, permitted interaction gawps versus providing reports, practical challenges at NACo conferences, and attendance without discussions or asking questions.) The Committee received the county reports. C. NACo Report Secretary Victorino reported that the NACo Legislative Conference is coming up in February in Washington, D.C. Secretary Victorino also encouraged any Councilmembers who are members of various NACo Page 3 of 7 committees to participate In the various conference online meetings and calls that NACo often holds. D. WIR Report President Rapozo thanked Vice President Onishi regarding the receipt of a $25,000 First Hawaiian Bank donation to the 2015 WIR conference in Kauai, noting that the conference only needs another $5,000 or so to meet its budget goal. (Ah four officers then engaged In a discussion on the challenge of soliciting the same sponsors for the May WIR conference and the June annual HSAC conference, noting that there Is crossover sponsorship happening.) The Committee received the NACo and WIR reports. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Communication (November 12, 2014) from the Honolulu Office of the City Clerk transmitting Resolutions adopted by the Honolulu City Council. The communication transmitted ten Resolutions which were adopted by the Honolulu City Council, inching two Resolutions that made appointments to the HSAC Executive Committee and nominations to the NACo Board of Directors, seven Resolutions relating to HSAC legislative package proposals, and one Resolution approving the HSAC priorities for the 2015 State Legislative Session. The item was received. B. Communication (November 17, 2014) from HSAC Treasurer Michael Victorino transmitting the HSAC Audited Financial Statements (With Independent Auditors' Report) for the years ended June 30, 2013 and 2014. Treasurer Victorino noted that the Independent Auditor's Report was a very positive opinion that reflected well on the bookkeeping and actions of HSAC. Treasurer Victorino also noted that the accounting firm that performed the audit will be responsible in the future to submit the IRS Form 990 for HSAC to ensure that the form is properly and timely submitted on a regular basis. This form, which deals with non-profit status, is essential to HSAC maintaining non-profit status and avoiding stiff Page 4 of 7 penalties, and could be overlooked given continuously changing membership. Treasurer Victodno concluded that the charge of 52004300 for this service is money well -spent when compared with the substantial financial consequences that may accrue for failure to appropriately and timely submit Form 990. The Audited Financial Statements and independent Auditor's Report were approved. C. Discussion regarding the proposed strategy for the 2015 Hawaii State Legislative Session, the 2015 HSAC Legislative Package, and the proposals/priorities supported by the Hawaii Council of Mayors. President Rapozo opened a discussion regarding the proposed strategy for presenting the 2015 HSAC Legislative Package at the HSAC Legislative Luncheon following the Executive Committee Meeting by stating that each HSAC County member will be responsible for presenting the Resolutions that their County proposed and endorsed. President Rapozo reminded members to be familiar with their Resolutions and to be prepared for questions from the Legislators and the media. All four HSAC officers discussed the legislators who may be attending, where they might be positioned on the Resolutions, and the fact that the Hawaii Council of Mayors would be recommending that the GET funding for the counties be made permanent, with Honolulu receiving the funds for its rail project and the neighbor island counties receiving the funds for broader discretionary purposes. A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. Discussion regarding the rotation of officers and setting terms of office. President Rapozo opened the discussion by noting that the bylaws dictate that the term of all officers begins on July 1 following the HSAC Annual Conference and ends on June 30 of the following year. Thus, by April 15, each County must pass a Resolution appointing a member to serve as an officer on HSAC. Following this, the four HSAC officers must decide on duties for each officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer). Treasurer Victorino, noting that Maui County has set up and institutionalized the duties of the treasurer so that any other County can take over the duties, suggested a rotation of duties every two years. President Rapozo noted that the proposal for two-year rotations would require a change in the bylaws that limited the officer duties to no more than two years. Vice President dnishl proposed that Instead of fiscal year HSAC terms, the terms should begin with election terms, which is closer to Page 5of7 a calendar year basis. Treasurer Victorino noted that the entire bylaws are based on a fiscal year basis, which would have to be considered for change if the proposal to move to a calendar year term is considered for officer duties. President Rapozo stated that the officers should start a new rotation on July 1, 2015 and that any proposals for new language to the bylaws should be received for placement on the March agenda. A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. E. Discussion and consideration of nominations to the Board of Advisors of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution. President Rapozo reported that the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution has recommended Counciimember Brandon Elefante to serve on the Board of Advisors as one of two board members to serve from the HSAC membership. Treasurer Victorino asked for clarification of the duties of the Board of Advisors and Maui staffer Kit Zulueta read a description from the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution website. President Rapozo then read from Section 613-3, HRS, regarding a description of the tasks and duties of the Board of Advisors. This matter was deferred to the next Executive Board Meeting. F. Discussion and consideration of nominations to the NACo Board of Directors. President Rapozo requested a motion to replace Honolulu Council Chair Ernest Martin on the NACo Board with the nomination of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, as well as a motion to replace President Rapozo on the NACo Board with the nomination of Councilmember Kipukai Kualii. Both nominations are subject to NACo approval. Both nomination motions were seconded and approved. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Schedule the next meeting: Monday, February 2, 2015, Honolulu City Council Committee Room, 9:00 a.m. B. Other announcements. No other announcements. Page 6 of 7 VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m. Respectful) su4mitted, ow k+e� IKAIKA ANDERSON, Secretary Hawaii State Association of Counties Page 7 of 7