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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0313.010 2014-2016 .......•+ PHONE: (808)961 8396 DENNI S "FRESH"ONIS HI �I°'�� '': FAX: (808)961-8912 Council Member • `� �;fir. ▪ s_+r.� ••E EMAIL:donishi(a�hawaiicounty.gov District 3 HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL A r, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 �+ cn rr"1 --o _ y� MEMORANDUM o. = DATE: September 1, 2015 TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair And Members of the Hawai`i County Council FROM: Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Council Member SUBJECT: Minutes of the July 29, 2015 Hawai`i State Association of Counties, Executive Committee Meeting Attached are the minutes of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties Executive Committee meeting, held on July 29, 2015, in Honolulu. Please place this item on the agenda for the next available Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee meeting. DO/de Att. Comm. No. 3 • 10 Ref. To: (7/2e0 (... Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and EmployerRef. Hate SEP 0 2 2015 . Fi awaii State Association ofCounties ...s `' Counties of Kauai, Maui, HaMaii and Cit) and of Honolulu 19 • MINUTES HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING July 29, 2015 '15 AUG 20 P3 27 Honolulu Hale, Committee Meeting Room 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 CALL TO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by President Mel Rapozo at 10:05 a.m. The following members comprising a quorum were present: County of Kauai: HSAC President Mel Rapozo, County of Kauai Council Chair County of Hawaii: Vice President Alternate Daniel K. Paleka, County of Hawaii Councilmember City and County of Honolulu: Secretary Ikaika Anderson, City and County of Honolulu Council Vice-Chair County of Maui: Treasurer Michael Victorino, County of Maui Councilmember Others Present: Honolulu staff Doug Chun, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services, Honolulu staff Brandon Mitsuda, Council Liaison, Honolulu City Council Administrative Support Services; Maui staff Kit Zulueta, CommunicationDirector, Office of Council Services Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Hawaii Construction Alliance II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Committee approved the agenda. VP fit '1 Ile ft SI VP Page 1 of 7 •,� 0CS2015-0717/7/31/2015 10:03 AM III. MINUTES A. III. MINUTES The Committee approved the Minutes of the June 24, 2015 Executive Committee meetings. IV. REPORTS A. Treasurer's Report Treasurer's Report for the month of June 2015, as submitted by the HSAC Treasurer. Treasurer Victorino noted that for the period ended June 30, 2015, revenues totaled $182.37, while expenses totaled $883.55. Overall,the total balance after accounting for revenues and expenses was $143,115.67. There being no questions for Treasurer Victorino, the Treasurer's Report for the month of June 2015 was approved. B. County Reports 1. Maui County Report. Treasurer Victorino began by thanking all who attended the 2015 HSAC Conference, including delegates, officials, staff and visitors. All reports have been that the conference was a big success. Although a final compilation of total conference revenue has not yet been completed, Treasurer Victorino estimated that the revenue would come in at between $30,000 and $40,000. He then began his oral report by reporting the following items: 1)The Council has set aside an initial $3 million to purchase 267 acres of land in Kuiaha on Maui's north shore, adjacent to the monster surf spot"Jaws," for preservation purposes, 2)Treasurer Victorino has introduced a bill to ban smoking at bus stops and facilities in order to make the ban comprehensive in nature, 3)The County is working on the issue of short-term rentals and is seeking ways to increase enforcement, 4) The Council continues to research the issue of a county manager type of government, and 5)Treasurer Victorino noted that with respect to the 2016 HSAC legislative package, Maui County believes HSAC can be united regarding: a. Negotiations with the State regarding the provision of services like firefighting and police forces, b. Preserving and expanding the counties' share of the TAT (It was mentioned that a State/Counties Functions Working Group has been formed to deal with the issue of the TAT, with county finance directors and the Honolulu Mayor's Chief of Staff among the members.), and c. Proposing that the Legislature exempt the Page 2 of 7 III. MINUTES A. counties from restrictive meetings provisions in HRS Chapter 92 in order to provide less burdensome meeting provisions, on par with those that the Legislature currently enjoys. Finally, Treasurer Victorino distributed a "postcard"that the Council provides to constituents regarding the 2016 Budget Results,which highlights positive aspects of the recently completed budget process, including reducing property taxes and expenditures, and providing funding for specific infrastructure needs. (A discussion ensued with President Rapozo agreeing with Treasurer Victorino that HSAC should unite behind the issues of strengthening the counties' position in state/county negotiations for services, protecting the counties' share of the TAT, and working to eliminate the restrictive nature of the OIP open meeting requirements.) 2. Hawaii County Report. Vice President Alternate Daniel Paleka thanked Maui County for putting on a great HSAC conference last month. He then reported that Hawaii County now has $99 million in bond funds that will target numerous improvements, including the upgrading of island parks, funding for soil conservation districts, and the acquisition of property for conservation. Finally, he noted that a "pay as you throw" bill was introduced to set fees for solid waste disposal,which generated much discussion and opposition, and was subsequently withdrawn. (A discussion ensued on the "pay as you throw" issue, with the lack of recycling, waste-to- energy, and other processing facilities mentioned as potential roadblocks in any"pay as you throw" program.) 3. City and County of Honolulu Report. Secretary Anderson reported the following items: 1) The Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee deferred Bill 5 (2014),which would have added sparklers and fountains to the current consumer fireworks law as a permittable use, 2) The Zoning and Planning (Z&P) Committee reported out Bill 45, dealing with diaper changing accommodations; Bill 44, which prohibits persons from sitting or lying on public malls in the Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown areas (Secretary Anderson noted at this point that he would be looking into the possibility of reviving Bill 45 (2014), which would establish an island-wide sit/lie ban); and Bill 49, amending the city's laws relating to the use of public malls to provide for greater flexibility for the Department of Parks and Recreation's regulation of pedestrian malls in the Downtown/Chinatown area. The Z&P committee also deferred action on Bill 20, amending the Land Use Ordinance Page 3 of 7 III. MINUTES A. (LUO) to establish accessory dwelling units as a permitted use in all residential zoning districts. This was done in order for the committee to explore certain additional amendments, 3)The Council recently hosted the Mayor and other officials of Fukuoka, Japan at meetings to discuss potential economic and civic opportunities between the two cities, 4) the Council is currently working with the Nagaoka City Council of Japan on co-hosting the Peace Exchange Commemorative Project to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Japan. On October 14-15, 2015, the Youth Peace Exchange Summit will be held and Nagaoka fireworks will be launched at Pearl Harbor. The public is invited to attend, and 5) Work has already begun for the Annual Honolulu City Lights to be celebrated at both Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale. (At this point in the meeting, Treasurer Victorino asked whether it would be possible to hold the December HSAC Executive Committee meeting at Kapolei Hale. President Rapozo agreed that it would be a good idea and said he would look into scheduling the December meeting at that venue.) 4. Kauai County Report. President Rapozo began by noting that Kauai recently had a tragic landfill accident that killed a county employee. He further noted that OSHA was investigating the incident. President Rapozo thanked Maui County for hosting a great HSAC conference. He then reported on Kauai County's Charter Amendment proposals: 1)The County Council is looking at the pros and cons of a County Manager system, which would effectively do away with a mayor and the executive branch system. President Rapozo wants to honestly look into this once and for all in order to either pursue it on the ballot or put the issue to rest. (A discussion ensued that touched upon the various iterations of the county manager system, accountability resulting from continuity, civil service ramifications, and other issues.), and 2) The Council may also propose a Charter Amendment to remove term limits for Kauai elected officials. President Rapozo thanked Honolulu for tackling the homeless problem, noting that it was becoming a bigger issue on the neighbor islands. (A discussion ensued that touched upon homeless people from out of state, NIMBYism, different categories of homeless persons,sit/lie pros and cons, Housing First, and other issues.) Page 4 of 7 III. MINUTES A. A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the county reports. C. NACo Report Treasurer Victorino reported that the annual NACo conference held on July 9-13, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina was a good conference with solid panels, excellent speakers, and interesting activities. President Rapozo noted that HSAC is facing a changing of the guard, with new councilmembers taking on leadership roles on NACo committees. He further mentioned that it was incumbent on the old-timers on HSAC to pass on their institutional knowledge and connections to the younger councilmembers who are coming in. D. WIR Report Vice President Alternate Daniel Paleka noted that an upcoming conference is scheduled for October 7-9, 2015 in Ada County, Idaho. A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the NACo and WIR reports. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business listed on the agenda. (At this point, Treasurer Victorino asked about the Big Island acting on the HSAC slate of officers that was deferred at the 2015 HSAC conference due to Hawaii County's defeating the associated Big Island Resolution that would have approved the HSAC slate. President Rapozo noted that he was notified that the original HSAC Resolution cannot be brought back to the table for Hawaii County Council consideration unless there is at least one position change in the slate. Secretary Anderson offered to take on the position of Treasurer to ensure a change in the slate, with the new slate being as follows: Maui—President, Hawaii Island—Vice President, Honolulu Treasurer, and Kauai—Secretary. Secretary Anderson offered to take the lead in this matter to move it forward.) VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Communication (July 8, 2015)from City Clerk Glen Takahashi, City and County of Honolulu, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-152, Urging The Hawai'i State Association Of Counties To Support State Legislative Efforts To Allow Two Individuals Who Are Married Or In A Civil Union To Reside In The Same Community Care Foster Family Home Under Certain Conditions, that was adopted by Page 5 of 7 III. MINUTES A. the Council of the City and County of Honolulu at its meeting on July 8, 2015. President Rapozo noted that he was shocked that the State Legislature did not support and approve this humane and compassionate measure during the last Legislative Session. He asked Secretary Anderson if he wanted an HSAC Resolution or a letter of support for Resolution No. 15- 152. Secretary Anderson stated that a letter would suffice. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. B. Communication (July 15, 2015)from the Office of Council Chair Mike White, County of Maui, transmitting for the Executive Committee's consideration a nomination form for the NACo Transportation Committee. Treasurer Victorino noted that this communication was sent late (after the fact) and was Council Chair White's preferred corrective action in this matter,just in case a problem arose. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Schedule the next meeting: Thursday, August 27, 2015, Honolulu Hale Committee Room, 10:00 a.m. B. Other announcements. Treasurer Victorino announced that Maui County will host a "Budget System Review" regarding the way that Maui County handles and processes its annual budget. This came about because the Chair of the Hawaii County Council expressed a desire to visit and see how things are done on Maui. This Budget System Review meeting will occur on September 11 in the Maui County Council Chamber at 10:00 a.m. All members are welcome to attend. President Rapozo mentioned that a man named Walter Stazinsky called him and asked about being the keynote speaker at the next HSAC conference. Vice President Alternate Paleka offered to follow up with Mr. Stazinsky since the Hawaii Island County Council will host the HSAC annual conference in 2016. Page 6 of 7 III. MINUTES A. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m. Respectfully submitted, I z Cle 4 ' r +4:11 :R IKAIKA ANDERSON, Secretary Hawaii State Association of Counties Page 7 of 7 III. MINUTES A.