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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0552.000 2016-2018 Harry KimJN"`y�`"?�.'� Deanna S. Sako Mayor , ,• ., : Director • County of Hawaii Finance Department 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 I (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569 r p October 16, 2017 -- Valerie Poindexter, Council Chair and Members of the Hawai`i County Council Hawai`i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Agreement with University of Hawai`i Enclosed is a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Office of Research Services, University of Hawaii to provide $7,999.20 to fund their"Improving Sustainability of Sweet Potato through Virus-tested, Tissue-culture Technology" proposal. This proposal is to conduct farm trials to compare yields of Okinawan potatoes grown from a commercial source of cuttings with those of virus-tested, tissue-cultured planting materials and to graft plant material to multiply existing sweet potato viruses to reach detection levels. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call Lois Nishida, of the Department of Research and Development at 961-8584. Deanna S. Sako Director of Finance Enc. c: R&D <Res. 315 - tD Comm. No. S Sa, Ref. To: Ref. Date ' 1!! 2U17 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: October 10, 2017 STAFF CONTACT: Glenn Sako PHONE: 808 961-8811 A. REQUEST: Resolution authorizing County (via R & D) to enter into agreement with Office of Research Services, University of Hawaii, to provide funding for its "Improving Sustainability of Sweetpotato Production through Virus-tested, Tissue-culture Technology" proposal. 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. R & D is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R & D to enter into an agreement with Office of Research Services, University of Hawaii, a public body, for the purposes of funding its research proposal, "Improving Sustainability of Sweetpotato Production through Virus-tested, Tissue-culture Technology", pursuant to HCC 2-139(3)(c). Sweet potatoes are one of the major commercial field crops grown along the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii. Across the state of Hawaii, it is grown on 1100 acres with a total farm value of$7.3 million in 2011. Trials conducted on Maui using virus-tested, tissue-cultured 'Okinawan' sweetpotatoes had excellent yields. Hawaii growers could potentially double their marketable yield with clean planting materials, thus improving the economic viability of their industry. This research proposal is for$7,999.20 and will be used to: 1) conduct farm trials comparing yields of Okinawan' potatoes grown from a commercial source of cuttings with those of virus-tested, tissue-cultured planting materials and; 2) graft plant material to multiply existing sweetpotato viruses to reach detection levels. The term of the contract will end on December 31, 2018. Funds are from 2017-8 Fiscal Year Budget SIGNED: DATE: /61//O/ Vf 7 Department Head