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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0313.011 2014-2016 ; PHONE: (808)961-8396 DENNIS "FRESH"ONISHI ,\�i FAX: (808)961-8912 Council Member • ;i.,, •:�� r'+: EMAIL:donishi@hawaiicounty.gov District 3 -►s•r HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 MEMORANDUM DATE: January 13, 2016 TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair And Members of the Hawai`i County Council FROM: Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Council Member C 000 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties Executive Committee Meetings held on November 23 and December 7, 2015 Attached are the minutes of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties Executive Committee meetings held in Honolulu on November 23 and December 7, 2015. Please place these items on the agenda for the next available Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee meeting. DO/de Att. Comm. No. 3 ' 3. (I Ref. To: 6 R -U Ref. Dote JAN 14 1 fl IC Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. XI awaii State Association of __ ountlies Counties or Kauai, :\lnui. aii and C it% and C mint% or Honolulu MINUTES SPECIAL HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING November 23, 2015 Honolulu Hale, Committee Meeting Room 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 CALL TO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by HSAC President Alternate and County of Kauai Council Vice Chair Ross Kagawa at 10:20 a.m. The following members comprising a quorum were present: County of Kauai: President Alternate Ross Kagawa, County of Kauai Council Vice-Chair County of Hawaii: Vice President Dennis "Fresh"Onishi, County of Hawaii Councilmember City and County of Honolulu: Secretary Alternate Joey Manahan, City and County of Honolulu Councilmember County of Maui: Treasurer Michael Victorino, County of Maui Councilmember Others Present: Councilmember Mike White, County of Maui Council Chair Honolulu staff Doug Chun, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services; Honolulu staff Brandon Mitsuda, Council Liaison, Honolulu City Council Administrative Support Services; Honolulu staff Lisa-Ann Kimura, Staff Attorney, Office of Council Services; Honolulu staff Chico Figueiredo, Legislative Aide, Office of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson; Kauai staff Aida Okasaki, Legislative Assistant, Council Services Division; w vtrl OCS2015-1162/11125/2015 5:04 PM 0,, ,.�; III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 2 Maui staff Kit Zulueta, Communication Director, Office of Council Services II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Committee approved the agenda. lll. MINUTES The Committee approved the Minutes of the September 11, 2015 and September 30, 2015 Executive Committee meetings. IV. REPORTS A. Treasurer's Report Treasurer's Report for the month of September 2015 and October 2015, as submitted by the HSAC Treasurer. Treasurer Victorino reported that for the period ended October 30, 2015, net income from the 2015 WIR conference totaled $28,780.02, which combined with net income of$41,828.86 from the 2015 HSAC conference resulted in a total net income of over $70,000 from these two conferences. He further noted that the $5,000 seed money requested by the County of Hawaii has already been accounted for and does not need to be subtracted from the $41,828.86 net income listed in the report. Combined with $43,680.00 collected in membership dues and taking into account one major expense of$26,751 for NACo dues incurred in October 2015, the ending balance as of October 31, 2015 was $227,396.44, which Treasurer Victorino noted left HSAC in excellent financial shape moving forward. Vice President Onishi raised a question regarding an $8,000+ expense incurred as part of the Eventbrite participation in the 2015 HSAC conference did not appear to be accounted for in a previous expense report. In the interest of time, both Treasurer Victorino and CM White offered to discuss and clarify the matter in detail with Vice President Onishi after the Executive Meeting. III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 3 There being no further questions, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive and approve the Treasurer's Reports for the months of September 2015 and October 2015. B. County Reports 1. Maui County Report. Treasurer Victorino reported on the following items: 1)The Council has adopted its 2016 Legislative Package,which includes four State bills; 2)The Council will soon consider a Resolution to establish a committee to review the county manager form of governance; 3)The Mayor has called a meeting to discuss the Governor's emergency declaration on homelessness; 4) The Council approved a 186-unit affordable housing rental project in the Kihei area; 5)The Council has begun videoconferencing its meetings to district offices in liana, Lanai, and Molokai; 6)The Council and County are looking into the alleged misuse of P-Cards regarding a county kitchen facility that has been in the news recently; and 7) The Council is looking into the sugarcane-buming issue,with an eye on both the health ramifications, as well as the economic and employment impacts of any decision to continue or discontinue the burning of sugarcane. 2. Hawaii County Report. Vice President Onishi, noting that things on Hawaii Island have been quiet and fairly status quo, reported that there have been a couple of Resolutions introduced seeking to amend the medical marijuana dispensary law. Stating that one Resolution seeks to increase county revenues by increasing the GET on these activities to five percent and that the second Resolution seeks to give Hawaii County greater input regarding the location of any Hawaii Island dispensaries, he concluded by noting that because these efforts appear to be late in the game, the fate of these Resolutions is uncertain. 3. City and County of Honolulu Report. Secretary Alternate Manahan reported the following items: 1)The rail surcharge extension is being considered by the Council and remains a major issue, especially since the cost of the rail project has ballooned from$5.1 billion at the outset of the project to a substantially larger figure now; 2) Homelessness continues III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 4 to impact the City with the Council proposing numerous ways to address the problem, including the Housing First concept, hygiene centers, and other strategies; and 3) Regarding the TAT, the State is no longer in a deficit position and should be urged to fund the counties via the TAT to a greater extent, especially given the recent settlement with Orbitz that will result in additional TAT funds accruing to the State. 4. Kauai County Report. President Alternate Kagawa reported on the following: 1)The County Council has approved a beneficial tax rate for long-term affordable rentals to counter the decrease in government median income criteria. This measure was needed to allow renters currently benefiting from the tax rate criteria from having to seek a new rental unit at a lower rent level in order to receive the same tax benefits; and 2) President Alternate Kagawa introduced a Resolution that related to interisland airfares and the current Hawaiian Airlines monopoly, urging Hawaiian Airlines to accommodate interisland travelers by moderating their fares for interisland travel. (At this point, a wide-ranging discussion ensued that touched upon cuts in State and county budgets made during the 2007 recession, the need to restore mental health and other human service funding cuts, the critical lack of housing inventory and homelessness, and other issues. Secretary Alternate Manahan suggested inviting the governor's homeless coordinator to a future HSAC meeting to gauge the scope of the problem and discuss possible solutions.) A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the county reports. C. NACo Report Vice President Onishi reported that the next NACo board meeting would be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from December 3-5, 2015. (At this point, a discussion ensued regarding continuing the tradition of taking omiyage to present to certain board officers and staff. It was decided that county staff would be contacted regarding information on providing and sending omiyage to the NACo board III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 5 meeting on a voluntary basis,with each county deciding whether or not to participate in the giving of omfyage.) D. WIR Report It was noted that"Item J"under New Business on the agenda refers to the 2015 WIR Board Meeting held in Ada County, Idaho from October 7-9, 2015. Counciimember Mike White noted that WIR's focus is on PILT and SRS funds (PILI= Payment in Lieu of Taxes; SRS = Secure Rural Schools). Reflecting the language in Item J, CM White noted that the future focus of the WIR was discussed at the board meeting since many counties, including those in Hawaii, are not largely impacted by either PILT or SRS. As a result, WIR members are being asked what topics of relevance WIR should be focusing on. The HSAC Executive Committee is therefore requested to discuss this matter at a future meeting. 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, noting the imminent departure of Treasurer Victorino from the meeting, President Alternate Kagawa suggested jumping to "Item A" under Announcements in order to schedule the next meeting date. After discussion, it was agreed that the first option for the next meeting date would be Monday, December 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.,with the backup date option being Tuesday, December 8,2015 at 1:00 p.m. Members were instructed to contact the President's office to confirm their availability and final choice of dates.) VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Communication (September 2, 2015) from City Clerk Glen Takahashi, City and County of Honolulu, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-217, CD1, Relating To The Inclusion In The 2016 Hawai'i State Association of Counties Legislative Package Of A Proposal That Would Require Mopeds To Be Subject To The State's Safety Check Program, III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 6 which was adopted by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on September 2, 2015. Secretary Alternate Manahan noted that this proposal came out of the community due to complaints that certain mopeds were being illegally modified,which resulted in excessive noise. He noted that regular inspections would be one way to address this issue and prevent illegal modifications. (At this point, Treasurer Victorino distributed a document for informational purposes only, regarding an upcoming legislative proposal dealing with public purpose power or fuel purchase agreements, stating that he would submit the information for inclusion on the next HSAC Executive Committee Agenda. Once the document was distributed to members,Treasurer Victorino left the meeting and Councilmember Mike White took his place for quorum purposes.) There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. B. Communication (September 8,2015) from County Clerk Danny A. Mateo, County of Maui,transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-109, Urging Congress To Pass The industrial Hemp Farming Act Of 2015, which was adopted by the Maui County Council at its meeting on September 4, 2015. Councilmember White noted that this Resolution is needed since Maui County has the last remaining sugarcane plantation in the state, and options are needed if sugarcane is phased out, including the possibility of transitioning to industrial hemp. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. C. Communication (September 8, 2015)from County Clerk Danny A. Mateo, County of Maui, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-114, Approving For Inclusion In The 2016 Hawai'i State Association Of Counties Legislative Package A State Bill Providing The Counties Greater Flexibility In Financial Investments, which was adopted by the Maui County Council at its meeting on September 4, 2015. III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 7 Councilmember White noted that counties are currently limited in the ways they can invest funds. This proposal for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Package would provide for greater investment options than is currently allowed by state statute, effectively expanding the types of securities that counties could invest in. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. D. Communication (September 11, 2015) from County Clerk Stewart Maeda, County of Hawai'i, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information, Resolution 267-15,A Resolution Requesting The Hawai'i State Association Of Counties To Include In Its 2016 Legislative Package A Resolution Urging Hawai'i's Congressional Delegation To Propose And Pass An Amendment Clarifying That Corporations Are Not People With Constitutional Rights,And That Unlimited Campaign Spending Is Not Free Speech, which was adopted by the County of Hawai'i at its meeting on September 2, 2015. Vice President Onishi noted that other counties in the U.S. have passed similar Resolutions that urge Congress to pass legislation that would limit the ability of corporations to contribute unlimited campaign funds to candidates, essentially"buying"those candidates. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. E. Communication (September 14,2015)from HSAC President Mel Rapozo, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information the 2015 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference Report. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. F. Communication (September 21,2015) from County Clerk Danny A. Mateo, County of Maui, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-120,Approving For Inclusion In The 2016 Hawai'i State Association Of Counties Legislative Package A Bill To Enable Councilmembers To Freely Attend Community And III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 8 Educational Meetings, which was adopted by the Maui County Council at its meeting on September 18, 2015. Councilmember White noted that this proposal represents Maui County's ongoing attempt to have the same freedom to attend community meetings that the state Legislature enjoys. He noted that this was especially difficult for"at-large" members who have to equally represent all sections of the island. Currently, OIP requires a councilmember at a community meeting to keep Minutes during any portion of the community meeting in which the councilmember speaks and to videotape the proceedings,which are required to be made available at the next Council meeting. Vice President Onishi noted the importance of area legislators, especially those in leadership positions,to support these proposals. Otherwise, the proposals will not move. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. G. Communication (October 19, 2015) from County Clerk Danny A. Mateo, County of Maui, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-132, Approving The Hawaii State Association Of Counties Officers For Fiscal Year 2016,which was adopted by the Maui County Council at its meeting on October 6, 2015. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. H. Communication (October 19, 2015) from County Clerk Danny A. Mateo, County of Maui, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-134, Approving For Inclusion In The 2016 Hawaii' State Association Counties Legislative Package A State Bill To Allow Persons With Disabilities To Indicate On Their Identification Cards Their Disability, which was adopted by the Maui County Council at its meeting on October 6, 2015. Councilmember White stated that this proposal would allow a person with a disability to indicate on their identification cards the type of disability they have. He further noted that this would be voluntary, not mandatory, and would allow those with disabilities III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 9 that are not visibly evident to prove their status as a person with a disability. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. Communication (October 22, 2015)from County Clerk Jade K. Fountain-Tanigawa, County of Kaua'i, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 2015-60, Resolution Approving The Hewai'i State Association Of Counties (HSAC) Slate Of Officers For Fiscal Year 2016, which was adopted by the Kaua'i County Council on October 21, 2015. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. J. Communication (October 22, 2015)from Maui County Council Chair and WIR Board Member Mike White and Hawai'i County Councilmember and WIR Board Member Daniel K. Paleka, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information a report on the 2015 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors Meeting. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. K. Communication (October 29, 2015)from HSAC Vice President Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, requesting seed money in the amount of $5,000 for the Hawai'i County Council to begin planning the HSAC Conference scheduled for June 2016. Vice President Onishi noted the following regarding the 2016 HSAC Conference: 1)The conference will be held from June 22-24, 2016 at either the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel or the Sheraton Keauhou; 2) The Executive Committee meeting and the General meeting will be held on separate days to avoid rushing either meeting; 3) Hawaii County will work with the UH-Hilo Conference Center to manage logistics and act as the event coordinator;4) Conference workers will be government appointees rather than civil service workers to avoid any ethics conflicts; 5) The goal, in an election year that may impact participation, will be roughly$10,000 III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 10 in net income; and 6) Costs will be kept as low as possible through potential airline sponsorships, waiver of hotel fees, etc. Both Councilmember White and Brandon Mitsuda offered to help Hawaii County in dealing with planning and logistics questions. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. L. Communication (November 4, 2015)from Council Chair Mel Rapozo, Kaua'i County Council, transmitting for the Executive Committee's consideration, A Bill For An Act Relating To Tort Liability to be included in the 2016 HSAC Legislative Package, which was adopted by the Kaua'i County Council on November 4, 2015. Both Vice President Onishi and Councilmember White noted that it was amazing that the State would not want to permanently except county lifeguards for liability especially since state beaches are permanently excepted. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. M. Discussion about lobbying efforts for the 2016 State Legislature relating to transient accommodations tax. Councilmember Mike White distributed a packet of documents to members regarding a draft presentation on the allocation of Transient Accommodations Tax Revenue. He then presented a PowerPoint slide show arguing for the return of TAT revenues to the counties, which is summarized as follows: 1. Important points to remember: a)The State took the counties'TAT money when needed, but made no significant adjustments since; b) State revenues have significantly rebounded; c) County revenues are coming back slowly but we are ranked 149th out of 150 municipalities to receive taxes from lodging; and d) Splitting the TAT 50-50 between the state and counties will only move Hawaii up to 148th out of 150 municipalities. III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 11 2. Brief history: 2009, 2010—In response to falling state revenues, the legislature increased the TAT to generate more state funds; 2011, 2012—The TAT distribution to the counties was capped at$93 million, and; 2014—The TAT cap was nominally increased to $110 million. 3. Status today: a) By 2015, State revenues have rebounded by 34.4 percent, or nearly$1.8 billion over 2010; b)The State's net TAT revenue has increased from $8.3 million in 2007 to nearly$205 million today,while the counties are losing $85 million annually; c)While the State suggests increasing property taxes, the counties have already increased property taxes during the last five years; d) in response to a State suggestion to implement the GET surcharge provided to counties, the counties note that the GET is a regressive tax that applies to basic necessities such as food and medical services, and the GET surcharge is restricted to transportation and ADA compliance costs. 4. The State needs to give back TAT money—it is not a giveaway to the counties. Out of 150 municipalities, Hawaii ranks 149th in the receipt of taxes from lodging establishments. While 150 local municipalities receive an average of a 9.08 percent accommodations tax rate, counties in Hawaii on average receive a 2.26 percent accommodations tax rate. In addition, while the State of Hawaii provides a mere 17 percent of the overall taxes on lodging to the four counties, 32 municipalities receive 100 percent and another 101 municipalities receive 60 percent or more. At this point, a discussion among members ensued that touched upon many points, including the following: a) The Governor will be using the TAT to balance his budget and the HSAC executive committee should meet with the Govemor to state our case and attempt to garner his support; b)The fairness of the TAT over the GET must be emphasized, with an awareness that the TAT was raised years ago precisely so that the GET would not have to be raised; c)Although the fight for the TAT is an ongoing battle, the TAT reflects a clear nexus to the services that counties provide to visitors; and d)The counties should define concrete needs that any III. MINUTES A November 25, 2015 Page 12 additional TAT revenues will address by providing examples of deficiencies in current county services. Councilmember White concluded by noting that a future press conference will be scheduled, perhaps in December, to outline the counties' position and proposal. He stated that this would probably occur after any HSAC meeting with the Governor, the House Speaker and the Senate President. There being no further discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Schedule the next meeting: (This item was taken up earlier under Section V, New Business.) B. Other announcements. Vice President Onishi noted that Councilmember Paleka had just informed him via cell phone/text message that neither Vice President Onishi nor Councilmember Paleka would be available to attend the next HSAC Executive Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 7i''or 8th. President Alternate Kagawa stated that because of this, staff from Kauai, in conjunction with staff from the other counties,would work it out and determine a suitable date in December based on HSAC member availability. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, o\ 6,2;lik<fek.OR IKAIKA ANDERSON, Secretary Hawaii State Association of Counties III. MINUTES A Hawaii State Association of Countiesdrir Countic.of Kauai, Maui, Fitman and City and Count` of Honolulu MINUTES HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING December 7, 2015 Honolulu Hale, Committee Meeting Room 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 CALL TO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by HSAC President and County of Kauai Council Chair Mel Rapozo at 10:08 a.m. The following members comprising a quorum were present: County of Kauai: 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: Councilmember Mike White, County of Maui Council Chair Councilmember Dru Mamo Kanuha, County of Hawaii Council Chair Honolulu staff Doug Chun, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services; Honolulu staff Brandon Mitsuda, Council Liaison, Honolulu City Council Administrative Support Services; Kauai staff Aida Okasaki, Legislative Assistant, Council Services Division; Maui staff Kit Zulueta, Communication .,,4. �� -„�•,,, � Director, Office of Council Services ''rte OCS2015-1196/1219/2015 2:36 PM III. MINUTES A December 10, 2015 Page -2- II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Committee approved the agenda. III. MINUTES The Committee approved the Minutes of the November 23, 2015 Special HSAC Executive Committee meeting. IV. REPORTS A. Treasurer's Report Treasurer's Report for the month of November 2015, deferred as submitted by the HSAC Treasurer. Treasurer Victorino reported that because the bank statement for November 2015 has not been received yet, he was making a motion to defer the Treasurer's Report until the next scheduled meeting. There being no discussion or questions, the motion was seconded and approved to defer the item. B. County Reports 1. Maui County Report. Treasurer Victorino reported on the following items: 1)The Council passed a resolution that established a special committee to review the county manager form of governance. The committee has until June 1 to possibly recommend a county manager form of government, which would require a charter amendment proposal to be approved by the voters in November 2016, 2)The Council is considering the repeal or amendment of the"Show Me The Water" policy,which was enacted during the boom development years when the fear was that there was insufficient water to support increased development. Currently, however, the policy is restricting the needed development of subdivisions and work force housing, and 3)Treasurer Victorino, noting that$300+airfares between the neighbor islands is too high for working people, introduced a resolution urging competitive interisland airfares. III. MINUTES A December 10, 2015 Page-3 - 2. Hawaii County Report. Vice President Alternate Paleka reported that the major issue on the Big Island is the dengue fever outbreak, with the media reporting on the increasing number of cases, as well as the county's efforts to work with the State Department of Health to contain and resolve the outbreak. He also noted that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked into the county/State response to the outbreak and issued a favorable opinion of all efforts thus far. (At this point, both County of Hawaii Council Chair Dru Mamo Kanuha and County of Maui Council Chair Mike White were acknowledged and introduced.) 3. City and County of Honolulu Report. Secretary Anderson reported the following items: 1)The Council is expecting to receive future updates on all the community plans, as well as the General Plan. Noting that all the plans are long overdue, Secretary Anderson stated that the Department of Planning and Permitting is claiming that staffing issues are the reason for the delays, even though the Council has provided adequate funding for these staffing concerns, 2) Bill 8, dealing with commercial activities at certain parks, has been deferred to allow the parties to further discuss the issue and hopefully result in a workable compromise of the need to regulate commercial activities vis-a- vis the needs and desires of park users, 3)The Council passed Bill 73, authorizing the issuance of general obligation commercial paper related to the rail project,4) Bill 23, which will extend the general excise tax surcharge for another five years, is up for second reading. Secretary Anderson noted that the current projected shortfall for the rail project is $1.1 billion. Finally, on behalf of the City Council, he met with the acting administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, who stated clearly that failure to build the rail project according to the terms and conditions of the Full Funding Grant Agreement would result in serious consequences, including the demand to return all New Starts funding. 4. Kauai County Report. President Mel Rapozo reported on the following: 1)The County Council is looking into placing a cap on real property taxes due to changing economic circumstances, 2) The issue of barking dogs is before the Council again and will be considered, 3) The Council is continuing its consideration of the county manager system of governance, although it's too early to III. MINUTES A December 10, 2015 Page -4 - say what will happen,4) In the near future, the County will be discussing the Public Purpose Power agreement concept, which currently requires the county to petition the utility before a proposed project can go to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for approval. Under an alternate proposed scheme, the county would be able to submit the public purpose project proposal directly to the PUC, and 5)The Council is requesting that the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney General, and the Department of Justice investigate the current high interisland airfare situation and the apparent monopoly of Hawaiian Airlines. There being no discussion or questions, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the county reports. C. NACo Report Secretary Anderson reported that he just returned from the NACo board meeting held in Colorado Springs, Colorado from December 3-5, 2015, and that he would provide a detailed report on the meeting at the next HSAC Executive Committee meeting. Treasurer Victorino noted that a press release put out by NACo immediate past president Riki Hokama touted the passage of the U.S. Fast Act, which authorizes surface transportation funding and may result in $1.6 billion coming to Hawaii over the next five years for transportation infrastructure improvements. (At this point, committee members engaged in a brief discussion noting that Councilmember Hokama focused his presidency on transportation and infrastructure issues and that most U.S. counties have large infrastructure needs and funding deficits. President Rapozo suggested sending an HSAC letter of appreciation to Councilmember Hokama, with Treasurer Victorino agreeing to have his office draft the letter.) D. WIR Report There was no new WIR report since the report was made at the last Executive Committee meeting in November. A motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the NACo report. III. MINUTES A December 10, 2015 Page- 5 - V. NEW BUSINESS A. Communication(November 27,2015)from County Clerk Stewart Maeda, County of Hawaii,transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 325-15, A Resolution Approving The Hawaii State Association Of Counties' Slate Of Officers For Fiscal Year 2015 2016, which was adopted by the Council of the County of Hawai'i at its meeting on November 18, 2015. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. B. Communication (November 30, 2015) from City Clerk Glen Takahashi, City and County of Honolulu, transmitting for the Executive Committee's information Resolution No. 15-291,Approving The Officers Of The Hawaii State Association Of Counties For Fiscal Year 2015-2016, which was adopted by the Council of the City and Council of Honolulu at its meeting on November 4, 2015. There being no discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to receive the item. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Schedule the next meeting: (At this point, President Rapozo began a discussion on the outrageous airfares demanded by Hawaiian Airlines, noting that the highest interisland fare he has documented on his smartphone is $2,618.) Secretary Victorino suggested that the next Executive Committee meeting and General Membership meeting be held on the same day in January. If the meeting were held on January 19°', then the two meetings could be held that morning, followed by the HSAC luncheon at the Legislature, with the opening of the 2016 Legislature on January 20°'. After a brief discussion among members regarding HSAC legislative package finalization and timing, the dates of county council meetings in January, and the need to transmit the HSAC legislative package before the opening of the Legislative Session, it was agreed that the next HSAC Executive meeting would be held on January 19,2016, at 9:00 III. MINUTES A December 10, 2015 Page-6 - a.m., to be immediately followed by the General Membership meeting at 10:00 a.m. B. Other announcements. President Rapozo wished everyone a Merry Christmas. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 a.m. Respectfully submitted, 0 I 4 ti'lltr I IKA ANDERSON, Secretary Hawaii State Association of Counties III. MINUTES A