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Home My WebLink AboutREP GREDC 004 2017/05/16 (2016-2018) Hawai`i County Council-15 June 7, 2017 ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS Res. 192-17: AWARDS A PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION MAINTENANCE STEWARDSHIP GRANT TO HAWAII WILDLIFE FUND Approves a grant of$13,200 to Hawaii Wildlife Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and restoring the Kawa properties (Tax Map Keys: 9-5-016:006 & 025; and 9-5-017:005 & 007), pursuant to Section 10-16(a) of the Hawai`i County Charter. Reference: Comm. 261 Intr. by: Ms. David Approve: FC-18 ADOPTED: Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair Poindexter—8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member O'Hara— 1. Excused: None. Res. 205-17: ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HAWAI`I COUNTY AND THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAVE HISTORICALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST LOW INCOME AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE PUNA AND KA`U DISTRICTS, AS ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS' SEPTEMBER 28, 2000, RULING, AND PLEDGES THE COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING DISPARITY AND PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS States that limited police services, substandard roads, and a lack of medical facilities, water, and sanitation in the Puna and Ka`u districts have been recognized by the Federal government, and commits the Council to addressing this disparity. Reference: Comm. 281 Intr. by: Ms. Ruggles Negative: GREDC-4 (Due to a vote of 1-aye, 8-noes) POSTPONED INDEFINITELY: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Richards, and Chair Poindexter— 7. Noes: Council Members Chung and Ruggles—2. Absent: None. Excused: None. (Note: Ms. O'Hara and Chair Poindexter voted"kanalua"then"aye." Mr. Chung voted"kanalua"then"no.") Page 3 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: May 16, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 281/Res. No. 205-17 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 1:17 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred Resolution No. 205-17, reports as follows: Resolution No. 205-17, transmitted by Council Member Jennifer Ruggles, via Communication No. 281, dated April 28, 2017, acknowledges that Hawai`i County and the Hawaii Department of Transportation have historically discriminated against low income and native Hawaiian communities of the Puna and Ka`u districts, as established by the Office of Civil Rights' September 28, 2000 ruling, and pledges the Council's commitment to addressing disparity and preventing discrimination against disadvantaged populations. Ms. Ruggles shared that according to the 2015 General Plan data, the district of Puna comprises a quarter of the island's population and cited a DOH report identifying 30% of the population in the district as being below federal poverty level making it the most socio-economically disadvantaged in the State. She argued that despite these statistics, both State and County government still have not done enough to address the disparities that exist in her district. Councilmember Poindexter, referring to testimony heard from Puna resident Mr. John Olson, expressed concern about the possible liability risks that the County will face if the Council passed the resolution. Mr. Olson clarified that there is no lawsuit against the county and he wasn't alluding that one will be filed against the county if the resolution is not passed. Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela opined that the resolution is aspirational and something for the Council to consider. He added that the resolution is acknowledging the existence of the complaint but does not create any liability for the county. Councilmembers David, Richards, Eoff, Lee Loy and O'Hara stated that they understand and support the intent of the resolution but do not agree with the language of the resolution, most notably the inference to the Hawaiian community. Councilmembers Chung, O'Hara and Richards emphasized the importance of relationship building in government and encouraged Councilmember Ruggles to continue to reach out to the different departments and agencies when advocating for projects in her district. GREDC Report No. 4 GREDC-4 Page 2 May 16, 2017 Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 205-17, and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation. jc AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID X COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL EOFF x RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KANUHA X LEE LOY X O'HARA X , POINDEXTER X D AMO 1 NUH A , CHAIR RICHARDS X GREDC REPORT NO.: 4 RUGGLES X ADOPTED: