The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0046.009 2016-2018 DRU MAMO KANUHA se9; 'lfgr, PHONE: (808)323-4267 `•'�`: �a,6r;; `, FAX: (808)323-4786 Council Member �i�,"�`�•••' , •' � ....� +1; EMAIL:dru.kanuha@hawaiicounly.gov District 7, Central Kona :-:-=� os'N�•'' HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL West Hawai`i Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway,Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 1.41 CID Cf) c o Q:c) MEMORANDUM 2:= Date: May 9, 2018 .ca-< To: Valerie T. Poindexter, Council Chair a'm And Members of the Hawai`i County Council •- y:�e From: Dru Mamo Kanuha District 7 Council Member Re: Minutes of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties Executive Committee Meeting held on February 26, 2018 and March 19, 2018. Attached are the minutes of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties Executive Committee meeting held in February 26, 2018 and March 19, 2018. Please place this item on the agenda for the next available Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee meeting. DK/lw Att. Comm. No. Lib• -I Ref. To: 6 It -D(-- Ref. Date MAY 1 4 2018 Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. .. '.INTEAssl' Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) ;'* ��.,; ; Counties of Kauai,Maui, Hawaii and City & County of Honolulu i Op 0 MINUTES • '' HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, February 26, 2018 Honolulu Hale, Committee Meeting Room 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 CALL TO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by HSAC President Dru Kanuha at 10:00 a.m. The following members comprising a quorum were present: County of Hawaii: President Dru Kanuha Councilmember, Hawaii County Council County of Kauai: Vice President Ross Kagawa (Alternate) Councilmember, Kauai County Council County of Maui: Secretary Stacy Crivello Presiding Officer Pro Tempore, Maui County Council City and County of Honolulu: Treasurer Ikaika Anderson Councilmember, Honolulu City Council Others Present: Francisco Figueiredo, Office of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, Honolulu City Council Kamakana Watanabe, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services, Honolulu City Council Alan Texeira, Office of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, Honolulu City Council Nelisa Asato, Special Assistant, Office of the Mayor, City and County of Honolulu Carla Nakata, Legislative Attorney, Office of Council Services, Maui County Council Scott Ishikawa, Senior Account Executive, Becker Communications, Inc. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the January 16, 2018 HSAC Executive Committee Meeting. It was moved by Treasurer Anderson and seconded by Vice President Kagawa to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2018, HSAC Executive Committee meeting. The motion was unanimously carried. ASsol • s� �+• Page I2 , SAS) III. REPORTS A. Treasurer's Report 1. Treasurer's Reports for December 2017 and January 2018. Treasurer Anderson reported that HSAC started the month of December with a balance of$115,677.96, had expenses of$32,291.73, and a deposit of $101,373.96, leaving an ending balance of $184,760.19. See attached worksheet for additional information. Treasurer Anderson reported that HSAC started the month of January with a balance of$184,760.19, had expenses of$4,4561.34, and a deposit of $44,006.09, leaving an ending balance of $224,114.94. See attached worksheet for additional information. Vice President Kagawa moved to file the Treasurer's Reports. The motion was seconded by Secretary Crivello and unanimously carried. B. County Reports. 1. City and County of Honolulu Report. Treasurer Anderson deferred the City and County of Honolulu's report. 2. County of Hawaii Report. Recently, Hawaii County debated on whether or not to accept the one-half percent General Excise Tax (GET) surcharge offered by the State. The Mayor submitted the proposal to the Hawaii County Council for consideration. The Council received a negative recommendation from the committee to which this matter was referred, which prompted a decision by the Council to postpone action on the proposal. President Kanuha reported that support for the proposal is split. He stated there is no real drive from anyone on the Council to accept the proposal. The Mayor has also shown no leadership on the matter, and has refrained from stating whether he wants the proposal passed or not. Hawaii County is the only county that does not regulate vacation rentals. Many people are worried about the impacts vacation rentals are having on the economy. A bill was recently drafted to regulate vacation rentals. 3. County of Kauai Report. Since the last HSAC Executive Committee meeting, Kauai County has accepted the GET surcharge. Vice President Kagawa said Kauai County accepted the GET surcharge due to recent cuts in TAT revenue. Cuts have amounted to $13 million a year for the past five years or so. He said Kauai County anticipates generating about $25 million a year from the GET surcharge. 4,01 Ash,. I) t ti I 3 •I1. I �H S S ' Vice President Kagawa noted over 15,000 invasive parakeets have caused problems for agriculture businesses on the island. Treasurer Anderson stated Honolulu had the same problem in Waikiki. He said one solution that was successful in Honolulu was giving parakeets medication to stop reproduction. He said studies are ongoing to find other solutions to this problem. II Vice President Kagawa also noted the Kauai County Council recently adopted a North Korea peace treaty resolution. 4. County of Maui Report. Secretary Crivello stated the Council's Land Use Committee recently recommended approval of a modification to the plans and a time extension for an affordable housing project located in South Maui. The project proposes to create 120 residential workforce housing units that would be rented to households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. The project will use a combination of private capital, State grants, and HOME funds to develop the affordable rentals. The Council's Policy, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee heard a presentation from Maui County's Emergency Management Agency in light of the false nuclear missile attack warning on January 13. The agency provided an update regarding emergency shelter procedures. The agency is working on specific plans to better prepare for future events and anticipates plans will be completed in the next few months. Secretary Crivello reported that last week, the Council approved a resolution that will allow a performance audit of the Maui County Department of Liquor Control. The audit is intended to recommend ways to streamline the Department's processes, which have become more difficult due to additional procedures implemented over the past several years. Secretary Crivello also reported that the Council passed on first reading, a bill to add $500,000 to the County's Emergency Fund that will allow the emergency removal of 60 eucalyptus trees in the County-owned right- of-way in Upcountry Maui. Recent windy and stormy conditions, along with damage from invasive insect species such as the eucalyptus snout weevil, caused trees to fall onto a roadway in Upcountry Maui and created hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians in the area. The Land Use Committee recently considered amendments to the Maui County Code relating to durational requirements for short-term rental sof E Ass' Ple14 ,1 M1 oocoue r. permits, along with enforcement procedures for both bed-and breakfast and short-term rental homes. Treasurer Anderson made a motion to receive the reports. Secretary Crivello seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. C. Former Councilmember Mike Victorino's report requesting reimbursement for $2,500 he expended for trips to lobby State lawmakers on behalf of HSAC in 2017 for the months of April and May. Treasurer Anderson moved to approve Mike Victorino's Legislative report and to reimburse him for $2,500. Secretary Crivello seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of 2018 Legislative Package Update. Nelisa Asato reported there are a few TAT bills that are still alive, including House Bill 1665, which was changed by the House Tourism Committee Chair. She said the new bill contains additional provisions that must be met in order for the counties to receive money from the TAT. Senate Bill 2922, championed by Senator Kidani, is another bill that has implications for the counties. The bill proposes a surcharge on real property tax to support education. Legislators think this bill will help with creating quality educational opportunities. The House Judiciary Committee Chair gutted the tort liability bill. B. HSAC nomination to WIR. President Kanuha noted he would be unable to attend the WIR Conference this year. Vice President Kagawa nominated Kauai County Councilmember Mason Chock to replace President Kanuha as a WIR representative. Secretary Crivello moved to nominate Councilmember Chock as WIR representative. The motion was seconded by Treasurer Anderson and was unanimously carried. C. Treasurer Anderson requested $5,000 in seed money for the 2018 annual HSAC conference, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and theRoyal Hawaiian Hotel. Vice President Kagawa moved to grant the seed money for the 2018 annual HSAC Conference. The motion was seconded by Secretary Crivello and was unanimously carried. Treasurer Anderson and Brandon Mitsuda requested to be signatories for the HSAC checks. Secretary Crivello made a motion to approve Treasurer Anderson and Brandon Mitsuda as signatories for the HSAC checks. The motion was seconded by Vice President Kagawa and was unanimously carried. •_``�t'fa Aft p. P a (, 15 •°RcouNf`O D. NCAAE negotiations. Secretary Crivello reported that Maui County Councilmember Riki Hokama was working with the executive directors of NACO. President Kanuha stated this item would be placed on a future agenda. E. NACO 2018 Legislative Conference. President Kanuha said he and Councilmember Richards would be attending the Conference from the Hawaii County Council; Vice President Kagawa stated he and Councilmembers Kaneshiro and Chock would be attending from the Kaua'i County Council; Treasurer Anderson stated he and Councilmembers Menor and Elefante, along with staff Brandon Mitsuda and Alan Texeira would be attending from the Honolulu City Council; and Secretary Crivello noted Councilmembers Hokama and Sugimura, along with Executive Assistant Troy Hashimoto would represent the Maui County Council at the Conference. President Kanuha noted Congressional visits were being set up to visit Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa on March 6, 2018. F. The 2018 WIR Conference is on May 23-24, 2018, in Blaine County, Idaho. Treasurer Anderson noted Councilmember Chock's nomination to the WIR Board of Directors would need to be approved by all county councils in March. G. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. B. There were no other announcements. H. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. 40.TE Ass Hawai`i State Association of Counties (HSAC) P` °c>.�' 3 SAi Counties of Kaua`i,Maui, Hawai`i and City & County of Honolulu % _ _ MINUTES •,•• HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, March 19, 2018 Honolulu Hale, Committee Meeting Room 530 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 CALL TO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by HSAC President Dru Kanuha at 10:40 a.m. The following members, comprising a quorum were present: County of Hawaii: President Dru Kanuha Councilmember, Hawaii County Council County of Kauai: Vice President Ross Kagawa (alternate) Councilmember, Kauai County Council County of Maui: Secretary Stacy Crivello Presiding Officer Pro Tempore, Maui County Council City and County of Honolulu: Treasurer Ikaika Anderson Councilmember, Honolulu City Council Others Present: Leinani Wessel, Council Aide to Councilmember Dru Kanuha, Hawaii County Council Aida Kawamura, Legislative Assistant, Office of Council Services, Kauai County Council Saumalu Mataafa, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services, Maui County Council Brandon Mitsuda, Administrative Support Services, Honolulu City Council Francisco Figueiredo, Office of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, Honolulu City Council Kamakana Watanabe, Legislative Analyst, Office of Council Services, Honolulu City Council Alan Texeira, Office of Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, Honolulu City Council Nelisa Asato, Special Assistant, Office of the Mayor, City and County of Honolulu II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There being no objections, the agenda was approved as circulated. Secretary Crivello moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Vice President Kagawa and was unanimously carried. 01E A• S Page 1 2 � SAI III. REPORTS A. Treasurer's Report 1. Treasurer's Report for February 2018. Treasurer Anderson reported that HSAC started the month of June with a balance of $224,114.94 and expenses of $5,546.55, leaving an ending balance of$218,571.82. Secretary Crivello made a motion to approve and file the report. Vice President Kagawa seconded the motion and it was unanimously carried. B. County Reports 1. City and County of Honolulu Report. Treasurer Anderson reported the City and County of Honolulu's Budget Session will begin soon. The Council will be analyzing the budget sent by Mayor Caldwell. The Council will be paying close attention to the money collected from real property taxes (RPT) for Honolulu's rail project. Up to this point, the rail project has been paid for by the General Excise Tax (GET) surcharge and Federal funding. Using RPT represents a significant change to the City and County of Honolulu's policy. 2: County of Hawaii Report. President Kanuha reported the Council recently received a budget that is about $24.9 million more than last fiscal year. The budget includes $515 million in revenues and appropriations, which is 5.1 percent more than last year and reflects $12.7 million in additional salaries, wages, and employee benefits. The Mayor maximized the contingency funds, which is about $700,000. $1.5 million was appropriated for grant-in aid-programs. Nonprofit agencies have asked for $7 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Vacation rental legislation has not been submitted to the Council yet. The Council received presentations from individuals who provided solutions for sifting through data to provide information on both legal and illegal vacation rentals. Legislation is really needed. The Council received a presentation from the Mayor on his homeless plan. The plan needs to be reworked to allow for reachable goals and logistics must also be considered. The Council dealt with legislation relating to rooster farms. A bill was submitted to establish the allowable distance that must separate agricultural properties with rooster farms. This buffer would have excluded a lot of people from owning rooster farms. The County recently paid a consultant to create a mass transit plan. .,y<�ta ossa. 3r�� c4 . Page I 3 azi .00cous,' Vice President Kagawa inquired about Hawai'i County's Safe Zone initiative and Assessment Intake Center.President Kanuha noted a parcel in Kona will be the site of the pilot project, which is on State land, and located about a quarter of a mile away from Hawaiian Homes. President Kanuha noted the community still needs to buy-in to the idea of having this safe zone in Kona. The State is also planning affordable housing projects in Kona near this safe zone area. 3. County of Kauai Report. Vice President Kagawa reported the Council recently received the County budget that will be considered for first reading tomorrow. The budget is approximately $200 million. The operating budget increased by 13.2 million due to fire, police, and other union increases and retirement contributions. The one-half percent GET surcharge was recently approved and will be factored into this year's budget, which is expected to add $25 million a year. However, the surcharge will not go into effect until January 2019 and is expected to add about $12.5 million to this upcoming fiscal year's budget. Of the $12.5 million generated, about $4.5 million will be used to fund the bus system, and $8 million will be used for roads and bridges. This year, the General Fund contributions to those programs were cut by $4 million and the money from the GET surcharge will be used to supplant and increase the funding. 4. County of Maui Report. Secretary Crivello reported the Council's Policy, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee is close to completing its establishment of additional qualifications for County administrative heads appointed by the Mayor. The intent is to codify the qualifications and have them added to the Maui County Code. Recently, the Committee passed extra qualifications for the Director of Water Supply, the Director of Finance and the Planning Director. This action by the Committee stems from a Charter amendment that was approved in the 2016 election. The amendment came about from a big push to change the County's form of government from a mayoral system to a County manager system. Secretary Crivello also reported the Budget and Finance Committee passed a bill that will authorize the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to grant HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds in the amount of almost $2.9 million for two housing projects. $2.25 million will be going to a project in South Maui that will produce 120 residential workforce-housing units, and about $484,000 will be used for a project in West Maui. `St tEAssosA e‘r r I4 •.OR �ES� COUNt• Vice President Kagawa stated the County manager governance issue came up two years ago on Kauai. The Kauai County Council voted it down because the Council was not convinced the County manager system was a better system. Charter amendments can be dangerous. Treasurer Anderson noted the Council would have more power under the County manager governance system. The system is akin to the organizational structure of most nonprofits. The County manager would act as an employee of the Council. The Honolulu City Council was skeptical that a County manager system would work in Hawaii's counties. Treasurer Anderson made a motion to receive the reports. Secretary Crivello seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. IV. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of 2018 Legislative Package. President Kanuha said there was no new business to discuss. V. OLD BUSINESS A. 2019 NCCAE discussion. Secretary Crivello noted that in collaboration with Maui County Councilmember Riki Hokama, three sites were chosen for consideration for the 2019 NCCAE conference. Secretary Crivello made a motion to send the site recommendations to the NCCAE national committee, along with a decision matrix for further consideration. Treasurer Anderson seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. B. HSAC Nomination to WIR 1. Secretary Crivello noted the Maui County Council adopted a resolution approving the nomination of Mason Chock to serve as a WIR Director. 2. President Kanuha noted the Hawaii County Council adopted a similar resolution and the matter will be considered at the next HSAC Committee meeting. C. 2018 HSAC Legislative Package update discussion 1. Staff Saumalu Mataafa noted there are five HSAC measures that are currently alive at the State Legislature. He said House Bill 1665 was still alive and was potentially dangerous for the counties because it would restrict the use of TAT revenues. s.sotEASS.;c I' (' I 5 ;( �_ s '�RfOVNt�E 2. It was noted by staff Aida Kawamura that House Bill 468 is a better bill that would give the counties additional money from the TAT. 3. Staff Nelisa Asato noted Senate Bill 2922 is another dangerous bill that proposes to add a surcharge on real property taxes to fund education. The bill was still moving through the House of Representatives. D. 2018 HSAC Annual Conference update 1. Treasurer Anderson noted the HSAC Annual Conference will be held on June 21-23 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The conference will be hosted by the City and Council of Honolulu. They are working on organizing a panel discussion. Councilmember Riki Hokama was a good resource because he helped with reaching out to the necessary contacts. 2. Treasurer Anderson recommended that Councilmember Joey Manahan be authorized to sign checks for HSAC. Secretary Crivello made the motion to authorize Councilmember Manahan to sign checks for HSAC. The motion was seconded by Vice President Kagawa, and unanimously carried. 3. President Kanuha urged the HSAC Executive Committee to encourage their colleagues to attend the Conference. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. The next meeting was scheduled for April 23, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. B. There were no other announcements. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 a.m. ors:proj:HS.1(':F12018:91iiru1 s:1;)0,11.9