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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0391.000 2016-2018 Harry Kim •oo+11 o`"!!,� Collins Tomei Mayor • �" �yLi�:; Director _ Y ••tIC Deanna S. Sako -_=— Deputy Director County of Hawaii Finance Department --<... 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 CO p- . (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569 ''fli r July 28, 2017 Valerie Poindexter, Council Chair and Members of the Hawai`i County Council Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Re: Agreement with University of Hawaii Enclosed is a resolution to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawai`i to provide $25,000 to fund their Building Private Sector Capacity to Control Little Fire Ants in Hawai`i County project. This project seeks to increase the private-sector capacity to offer commercial Little Fire Ant control services to residents of Hawai`i County by offering a simple, targeted training and certification program for landscapers and yard service providers. If there are any questions,please do not hesitate to call Beth Dykstra of the Department of Research and Development at 961-8035. Collins Tomei Director of Finance • Enc. c: R&D Fxs• ate,'-t1> Comm. ■V'11• Ref. To; _ Ref. Dot O 0 2 2011 `" Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider Form #: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development. DATE: 7/19/17 STAFF CONTACT: Beth Dykstra PHONE: 961-8035 A. REQUEST: Resolution authorizing County (via The Department of Research and Development) to enter into an agreement with University of Hawaii to provide funding in the amount of$25,000.00 for its "Building Private Sector Capacity to Control Little Fire Ants in Hawaii County' project. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §46-7, the County may enter into agreements with "any public body" with the consent of Council. The Department of Research and Development (R&D) is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R&D to enter into an agreement with University of Hawaii, a public body, for the purposes of funding its Building Private Sector Capacity to Control Little Fire Ants in Hawaii County project pursuant to R&D's Solicitation for Proposals for Economic Development Grants for Fiscal Year 2017- 18. This project seeks to increase the private-sector capacity to offer commercial Little Fire Ant (LFA) control services to residents of Hawaii County, by offering a simple, targeted training and certification program for landscapers and yard-service providers. Big Island Invasive Species Committee technicians will develop curriculum, in cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, to address specific barriers to entry identified by the landscape industry; these include regulatory hurdles, effective treatment methods, and understanding costs and pricing for their new services. For high-volume landscapers, training will emphasize identification and their key role in prevention. This existing business sector is particularly well-positioned to be successful due to established client relationships, routine schedules, and owning a well-equipped related business. Increasing the number of commercial services offering LFA control will make it easier for residents to take responsibility to prevent, detect, and control LFA, while relieving demand on publicly-funded institutions. County funding will pay for: staff salary and fringe to conduct at least ten training sessions throughout Hawaii Island, develop curriculum, and consult with HDOA; three radio advertisements; and website enhancements. SIGNED: DATE: 7/'9/ t7 Department H d