REP FC 092 2018/03/13 (2016-2018)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: March 13, 2018 Re: Comm. No. 786/Bill No. 115 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 9:03 a.m. Council Chair and Members - Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 115, reports as follows: Bill No. 115, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 786 dated February 23, 2018, amends Ordinance No. 17-39, as amended, the operating budget for the County of Hawai`i for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. This decreases the appropriation in the Geothermal Other Current Expenses account ($30,000); and appropriates the same to the Geothermal Parks and Recreation account. Funds would be used by the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide access to computers and wireless internet connection (Wi-Fi) at the Pahoa Community Center. Council Member Eileen O'Hara stated she had discovered some issues with the wording in this bill. In 2008, there was a Geothermal Community Benefit funding for a conversion of the old fire station in Pahoa to a senior center. Ms. O'Hara commented that $180,000 had been allocated for that conversion and,not all of the funds were used. The $71,000, referred to by a constituent, is in a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) account with Parks and Recreation. Ms. O'Hara has been working on this project to get the senior center equipped with computers and access to Wi-Fi, which would allow senior citizens the opportunity to start taking computer classes. She noted that Council Member Jennifer Ruggles has allocated some contingency funds towards fixing the Wi-Fi at the community center. Ms. O'Hara clarified that these are two separate facilities, which are separated by a parking lot. Ms. O'Hara stated that after meetings with constituents and the Parks and Recreation department, it was clear that the $71,000 could not be moved from the CIP account to an operations account because the work is operational and not CIP. She also stated that the Finance Director spoke with Planning Director Michael Yee to see if he would be willing to release $30,000 from the Geothermal Community Benefit Fund for this project, to which Mr. Yee agreed. This was done by the administration; but in preparation of this bill, the language about the senior center seems to have been left out. Shepointed out that this money is not intended for the Pahoa Community Center. She articulated that the correct name for the Pahoa Community Center is the Neighborhood Facility, and the funds are intended for the senior center. Daryn Arai, Deputy Planning Director, stated that Bill No. 115 was structured around the communication received by the Parks and Recreation department, which misidentified Pahoa Community Center as the recipient of the funds and for the Wi-Fi service. It has been confirmed FC Report. No. 92