HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 028 2017/08/01 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: August 1, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 368/Res. No. 243-17
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:46 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 243-17, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 243-17, transmitted by Council Member Valerie Poindexter, via Communication
No. 368 dated July 14, 2017, changes the full time equivalent status of a Housing and Community
Development Specialist III position from a part-time hourly position to become a full-time salaried
position.
This resolution requests a change in the time element of the above position to accommodate the
increased number of housing projects in Kona,which requires close monitoring of management,
financial, and social services; also anticipates the position to provide oversight to upcoming
Community Development Block Grant projects such as the Certified Kitchen (The Friendly Place)
and Kona Abuse Center renovation projects.
Council Member Tim Richards asked for an explanation of the financial impact on the department
and balancing their budget. Housing Administrator Neil Gyotoku responded that it was budgeted
for fiscal year 2017-2018, and they plan to establish a full-time position in Kona to monitor
existing and upcoming new construction projects such as Kamakana Village, Kamakoa Nui and
Kaialulu '0 Waikoloa. He stated the position is needed to help monitor construction as well as
project management. He noted they also have the Friendly Place and Hale Kekaha, the emergency
shelter, and also Uluwini housing projects which will help them budget and monitor activities of
those projects as well.
In answer to Mr. Richards's question regarding the overall impact moving from a part-time to a
full-time position, Mr. Gyotoku stated that the increase would be approximately$47,000 part-time
to full-time including the benefits. The part-time position is currently at $25-30,000. He stated
the position has been vacant for the past couple of years and is stationed in Hilo. However, the
plan is to transfer the position over to the west side because that has been the focus of activities in
South Kohala and North Kona Districts.
Council Member Sue Lee Loy questioned which projects this position would monitor.
Mr. Gyotoku responded Uluwini, which is 92 units along Hina Lani; the Friendly Place, in the
industrial area; and Kamakana Villages, which they are almost finished with. He added that a new
project would be constructed within the next two years. They are also working on Waikoloa,
developing a multi-family unit in Kamakoa, and Kaialulu '0 Waikoloa which is an urban
FC Report No. 28
FC-28 Page 2 August 1, 2017
development project they plan to build within the next year. He noted there are approximately 250
multi-family units. This full-time person would also be assisting with applications for the Block
Grant projects on the west side, and overseeing the renovations of certified kitchens for the
emergency unit and the Kona Center.
Ms. Lee Loy questioned whether the full-time is needed once the units were built, to which
Mr. Gyotoku replied the position would work with property managers with overseeing County-
owned projects relating to financial budgets and the social services they provide. This full-time
person would also monitor Section 8 housing voucher contracts, and be the eyes, ears, and point of
contact for project management on the west side.
Mr. Gyotoku also pointed out that the Office of Housing and Community Development is funded,
of which 91 percent comes from the Federal Government and 9 percent is from the County and
project revenues. The bulk of the salaries are being paid by Federal funds.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 243-17,
and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANUHA X
LEE LOY X ,�
O'HARA X
POINDEXTER x MAILE DA•ID, CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 28
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: AUG 1 6 2017