Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN FC 2018/04/10 2016-2018Committee on Finance 31st Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii April 10, 2018 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Finance was called to order at ORDER: 10:49 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair Ms. Karen Eoff, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member (came in later) Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Eileen O'Hara, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Jennifer Ruggles, Member (came in late r) STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 14.32: REPORT OF CHANGE ORDERS AUTHORIZED: FEBRUARY 16 — 28, 2018 From Finance Director Deanna Sako, dated March 16, 2018, transmitting the above report pursuant to Hawaii County Code Section 2-12.3. Vote on Comm. 14.32: Ms. Eoff moved to close file on Comm. 14.32. Seconded Filed by Ms. Poindexter and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Chung — 1. Excused: None. FC -31 April 10, 2018 Comm. 836: NOMINATION OF NELSON H. HARANO TO THE TAX BOARD OF REVIEW From Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 21, 2018, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Requires Council Confirmation by: May 4, 2018 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Comm. 836: Mr. Kanuha moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Mr. Nelson H. Harano to the Tax Board of Review. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. Chair David informed Mr. Harano that he does not need to appear before full Council for final confirmation. Comm. 837: REAPPOINTMENT OF WAYNE A. FRANK TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 21, 2018, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Vote on Comm. 837 (Approved) Requires Council Confirmation by: May 4, 2018 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Mr. Kanuha moved to recommend confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Wayne A. Frank to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Seconded by Ms. O'Hara and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 2 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Comm. 838: NOMINATION OF SHELLIE BEE NAUNGAYAN TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 21, 2018, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Requires Council Confirmation by: May 4, 2018 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Comm. 838: Mr. Richards moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Ms. Shellie Bee Naungayan to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Comm. 839: NOMINATION OF E. KOOHAN PAIK TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated March 21, 2018, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Requires Council Confirmation by: May 4, 2018 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Comm. 839: Ms. Poindexter moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Ms. E. Koohan Paik to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Seconded by Ms. Eoff and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 3 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointments. Chair David informed each nominee that they do not need to appear before full Council for final confirmation. CHR. DAVID: Thank you very much. So, I'm going to take a short recess. I would like all the nominees to start at that end and we'll congratulate all of you, okay? We're in recess, thank you. Reconvene: At 11:18 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Recess: The meeting reconvened at 11:11 a.m. CHR. DAVID: Alright, Council Members, I'm calling the Finance Committee out of recess. Right now we're going to start with, if it's okay with Council Members, I would like to take the first two resolutions and Bill 127 out of order because the remaining items on the agenda have to deal with Housing. And so we can take them all together, if that's okay? ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. CHR. DAVID: Alright, Mr. Clerk, can you please read in Resolution 544-18? Res. 544-18: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF A LATER FISCAL YEAR AND OF MORE THAN ONE FISCAL YEAR FOR A MULTI-YEAR LEASE FOR A POSTAGE MACHINE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, ELECTIONS DIVISION Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a three-year lease agreement for a postage machine with an approximate monthly cost of $35. Reference: Comm. 817 Intr. by: Ms. Poindexter Motion to Approve: Ms. Poindexter moved to recommend adoption of Res. 544-18. Seconded by Mr. Kanuha. CHR. DAVID: Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, this by request, actually. I'm so sorry, I didn't put "By Request" (B/R) there. I just ask for your support, thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you. Council Members, no discussion? All those in favor of approving Resolution 544-18 please say "aye." Page 4 FC -31 Vote on 544-18 (Approved) April 10, 2018 The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 544-18 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, Resolution 556-18. Res. 556-18: AUTHORIZES THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, PURSUANT TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO SHARE COSTS FOR A WAIAKEA- PALAI FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY Authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement that would replace the existing study with a new study to be funded under the Continuing Authorities Program with no additional funding required for the current fiscal year. Reference: Comm. 843 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Richards moved to recommend adoption of Res. 556-18. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter. (Note: At this time, Public Works Director Allan Simeon came forward to address the members of the Committee.) CHR. DAVID: And I believe we have Public Works here for any questions. Council Members, do we have questions regarding this resolution? Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Allan, are you here for this? Good morning. CHR. DAVID: Good morning. MR. CHUNG: You know, I'm certainly in favor of this because that is a problem area for those of us who live in Hilo. I've rarely come across a resolution, an open-ended resolution which says that we're going to share costs. What is the cost for this? CHR. DAVID: Identify yourself. MR. SIMEON: My name is Allan Simeon. I'm the Director of Public Works. Yes, this agreement that we have the Army Corps is a feasibility phase study, Page 5 FC -31 April 10, 2018 comparable to an environmental and planning stage, when we do CIP projects (Capital Improvement Projects). So the Army Corps and the County had agreed for the Army Corps to do this study to find out alternatives and ways to reduce risks and increase life safety within the watersheds. MR. CHUNG: So what's the cost? MR. SIMEON: The cost for this, going back to—up to 2002, for both the Palai Stream study and the Waiakea study, the total cost is about $3 million total, of which 50 percent is paid by the County, so it's a 50150 split; so basically, $1.5 million. MR. CHUNG: So do we have to come up with $1.5 million or we've already paid for it? MR. SIMEON: We've already paid for it. MR. CHUNG: We already paid for it? MR. SIMEON: Yeah. MR. CHUNG: Okay. MR. SIMEON: So this resolution is technically—so both the Palai and the Waiakea studies started as a continuing authorities program. They signed four projects, less than $10 million or up to $10 million and somehow when they did the amendment in 2012 for the two projects, to deal with it collectively instead of separately, they converted it to a GI, which is General Investigation program. However, with that process, you have to get Congress approval for implementation. Implementation is basically construction phase for the project. So converting it back to CIP will preclude that authority from the Congress, so it would be a lot faster to get through. MR. CHUNG: Okay, just so that I understand than, by approving this resolution, we're giving authority to the Mayor to enter into this cost-sharing arrangement with the Army Corps of Engineers, but the money has already been paid out from the County already? We don't have to pay any more money? MR. SIMEON: That's what is expected. No, we don't have to. Technically, it's to continue the work and we don't have to pay any more money. MR. CHUNG: Zero money? MR. SIMEON: That's what we understand from the Army Corps, yes. MR. CHUNG: Okay. Page 6 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MR. SIMEON: Unless there's something that is really—as far as maybe there's a mistake in the estimate. BasicallyI just got in touch, yesterday, withoh, last week with our colleague from the Army Corps, and basically, we already have the money, and they are not expecting any more additional money from us for this phase of the project. MR. CHUNG: Okay, alright. Thank you, Allan. MR. SIMEON: So what happens after this phase is completed, then it becomes a design and implementation stage; so during the design stage, it will require again another resolution or another agreement to get into the design stage phase. MR. CHUNG: Yeah. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Mr. Richards, go ahead. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. No, that's what I was looking for as well. So thank you, Director. CHR. DAVID: Alright. Thank you, Director. Anyone else? No? Alright, all those in favor of approving Resolution 556-18 please say "aye." Vote on Res. 556-18: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 556-18 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David – 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Change Order of As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members, the Business: following item was taken out of order: CHR. DAVID: Okay, Council Members, we're going to jump to Bills for Ordinances. Bill 127, please. Page 7 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Bill 127: ADOPTS A PAY PLAN FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED BY THE COUNTY OTHER THAN THOSE WHOSE PAY IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, DESIGNATES PAYROLL PERIODS, PAY DAYS, PRESCRIBES REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO OFFICIAL FIDELITY BONDS, AND REPEALS ORDINANCE NO. 17-36 AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, SAID ORDINANCE TO BE KNOWN AS THE SALARY ORDINANCE OF 2018 Establishes rates of compensation for appointed employees in the Legislative Branch and the Office of Housing and Community Development, the County Physician, and Student Helpers and Senior Community Services Aids for various County agencies. Reference: Comm. 840 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) (Note: Comm. 840. 1, from Council Member Eileen O'Hara dated April 5, 2018, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 127, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Ms. Eoff moved to recommend passage of Bill 127 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter. CHR. DAVID: I believe we have Director Bill Brilhante in the room. (Note: At this time, Human Resources Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., came forward to address the members of the Committee.) CHR. DAVID: Aloha, Director. And will we go to questions first. Who's first, Ms. Eoff? Ms. O'Hara, go ahead. MS. O'HARA: Thank you, Chair. I have a communication that you should have in your pinkie file, or if not, on your board, which is Communication No. 840.1. Motion to Amend: Ms. O'Hara moved to amend Bill 127 with the contents of Comm. 840.1. Seconded by Ms. Ruggles. CHR. DAVID: Discussion? Ms. O'Hara, on the amendment. MS. O'HARA: Okay, on the amendment. We have the ability to establish the pay scale for a very limited number of employees that are not covered by any of the bargaining units and not covered under the Salary Commission. Very recently we saw that all of the bargaining units had raises. The Salary Commission commissioned raises for many of the elected and appointed officials. Whether or not we agreed with their results is not relevant because we don't have any ability to override that. Page 8 FC -31 April 10, 2018 But the short of it is, we have a number of talented, competent, and experienced individuals working within staff here, who at this point have no step up. The way we have structured it right now, a lot of people are at the top level in their grade, and this would allow for future step-ups, by adding a step to each of the categories which represent the Council Aide and the Legislative Assistant positions. Currently, internal policy is hiring in at Step E, and after eight years, could potentially reach Step H. After eight years of acquiring the experience and expertise needed to serve in that capacity, the individual still isn't making $40,000 a year. I think that's something that needs to be corrected, which is why I added or am recommending we add another step, Step L I know most of our Legislative Assistants have considerable experience, and have been working eight years or more and have reached the top of their pay grade, so also recommending adding step E to that category, as well. So that's, in summary, what Communication 840.1 does. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. O'Hara. Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: First of all, I'm just going say straight up, "I'm not supporting this." We were at A, B, C, and D, and I don't know what term it was, if it was my last term or the term before that, we put in E, F, G, H. That was four more steps already. You know, we term out eight years. Every two years, it was set up A, B, C, D. So every two years, when you have your staff come in, you start at A. The next two years you get in again, then goes to B, C, and D. They had that. Now if a Council Member changes and decides to keep that person, you know, they may be able to keep that step that they're at. But we already gave them additional steps. This is not a time—you know, unfortunately, we got raises that we weren't in control of. This is not the time. When we talk about the bargaining units and civil service, our civil service people don't make this kind of money. A lot of them do a lot of good work, and if you look at what they make, compared to this. And yes, they're appointed, but my appointed staff knows what they're coming into. These are the salary ranges. They can choose to take it or leave it or not work here. But these, to me, these comparables, I mean, these are high -paying positions, if you look at what my Council Aide does versus Legislative Assistant. We don't have job descriptions, but we have, in general, what they do. But bottom-line is, it's not the time. They've gotten raises. I think they're doing well in these positions. And like I said, civil service staff don't make this kind of money either and they work just as hard or sometimes—well, I just should say just as hard. And again, timing, when we are in a time of money crunch. So, I'm not supporting this. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Mr. Kanuha. Page 9 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MR. KANUHA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Just kind of looking back, whatI'm just trying to see what Ms. Ohara is doing. And this doesn't guarantee that the individuals are going to get a pay increase, this just adds another level of what could. The only person that is going to give or to authorize that is the Chair person. So this doesn't automatically give anybody anything. I'll vote however the Council wants to vote, but I just wanted to kind of clarify what we're voting on. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Kanuha. Anyone else? Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I agree with everything Dru just said. You know, I'll probably support this thing today but I need some time to really digest this matter because I justI mean, I know it's dated the fifth, but I just received it today. I want to see what the effects of this is. You know, I don't see any other changes here. I need a little bit more time to think. But I'll support it. As Dru pointed out, it still needs to be approved, so it's not an automatic raise. It just gives people the opportunity to aspire to a higher pay scale later on. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. Eoff MS. EOFF: Thank you. Mr. Brilhante, if we add these potential step increases, does it change our overall budget for the, in this case, I guess it would be for the Clerk's office? I know it's all on paper, but MR. BRILHANTE: Good morning, Council Member Eoff William Brilhante, Director of Human Resources. You know, the past practice with this ordinance is that our office is tasked with providing this document to the Council on an annual basis, as Council Woman O'Hara stated, to effectuate and to address the salaries of employees who are not, you know, who don't fall under a Collective Bargaining Agreement or the Salary Commission, or something to that effect. So what we do, is we just take the numbers from last year, historically, and we produce them and present them to you on an annual basis. It's incumbent on the Council to make a determination. You know, as Council Member Kanuha stated, that the Chair is actually the primary authority to set the pay for these individuals. What this ordinance does is it just sets the parameters as to which the individual can—the employee can fall in. So to answer you question, Council Woman Eoff, historically when they do budget projections, it's my understanding that the submitting entity will set a projection as to what they recently expect the salaries within their jurisdiction will fall under. So if you raise the final step for a position, say we go—let's look at the Council Legislative Assistant, going from a D -step to an E -step, a reasonable assumption would be that the submission for budget would the potential for an employee, you know, attaining that level. So I guess kind of in a convoluted way, I would Page 10 FC -31 April 10, 2018 assume. And I think Ms. Sako, Finance Department Head, is here, and she could confirm that. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SAKO: Deanna Sako, Director of Finance. It depends what the department gives to us. So even if the steps added, if no one in the department is placed on that step, then the budget won't change. So it really depends what's done internally and what the department submits to us to include in the budget. But nobody will automatically move, your steps aren't set up that way. So yeah, it would take the department to change that. MS. EOFF: Yeah, I understand that process. I just recollect, looking at the when we get the confidential salary schedule, I think I remember seeing the top number listed in the column that budget for, even though people aren't really receiving that. MS. SAKO: No, it should be MS. EOFF: Or is it just to reflect the anticipated MS. SAKO: It should be reflecting whatever their current pay is at the current step they're receiving. Because I don't think the amounts at each level change, I think it's just adding—the amendment, at least, it's to add an additional step. But whatever their current salary is, I believe, it's what was submitted to us to budget. MS. EOFF: And so how would we budget if there are potentially, people who would get raised? MS. SAKO: So if there's people who you feel are, you know, would be moved to that next step, then you would talk to the Chair and, you know, amend the budget. MS. EOFF: Amend the budget. Okay, thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Eoff Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. I come in the same vote with Council Men Kanuha and Chung. I understand the concept, I understand the direction, but I need a little time to digest it. I think the direction is the right direction, and it won't directly affect our budget per se. But by the same token, we have people coming in to our portion of the government that whatever level may or may not qualify or fall into that established category. Like I said, I appreciate the intent but I need a little bit more time to digest this. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Ms. Poindexter, go ahead. Page 11 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. POINDEXTER: I think I want to ask our Finance Director to come up again. (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. POINDEXTER: I just want to respectfully disagree with you. Because we're starting a new budget year. MS. SAKO: Right. MS. POINDEXTER: And Council Members will either stay or change in December, right? MS. SAKO: Right. MS. POINDEXTER: So if a Chair changes, you don't know if going to have the increase or not. So how do you budget for that? MS. SAKO: I guess what I meant was whatever the department submitted before March is in the March budget, and if we were to make any changes for the May budget, it would take them, consulting with the Chair, to make those changes. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, but—okay, go ahead. MS. SAKO: The department picks up, you know, whatever the current step everyone's on, and they're associating that pay amount with that person. My understanding is, like for your Legislative Branch, they need to get Chair approval to move a step. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. Okay, so that's up until December. As what I'm saying, 2018, December, we may have new Council Members, we may have a new Chair. So you're saying that our Clerk's office has to make sure that we've got to budget in for that, so we've got to take the high. Because we don't know if the new Chair will say, "Okay, I'm going give all those people who may have gotten re-elected again," and their staff, they come in for the higher grade, and they all give them that. I mean, we had one Chair one year gave everybody the highest when they came in, to start off with, so that could happen again. MS. SAKO: Okay, I'm not exactly sure how you guys submitted it. But if for anything to change, between March and May, which is what I thought was the question, it would take a Chair approval. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. MS. SAKO: And so we're not just automatically going to change it if this amendment were to pass. Page 12 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. POINDEXTER: So what I'm still saying is that I'm still not quite understanding, is December changes, right? MS. SAKO: Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: I don't know what kind of changes will be at Council. MS. SAKO: So let me—can I just ask the Deputy County Clerk a quick question? Do you know if you budgeted at the highest step or just at the current steps? MR. HENRICKS: For the Legislative Assistants, the highest because that's where we're at. MS. SAKO: Because of election year? MR. HENRICKS: No, because that's the real salaries. MS. SAKO: Yes. MR. HENRICKS: The actuals. For the others, no. But when we're looking forward, because of so many—it's different when we're going into an election year. It's not uncommon that we would budget at the highest levels in anticipation that decisions may be made that we can't account for. It's very difficult. MS. SAKO: So, you can't. Okay, that's fine. MR. HENRICKS: If this amendment passes, then we will need to—or any amendment to the Salary Ordinance passes, regardless if this one or other ones, we will need to sit with our accountant, our chair, the clerk, consult with you, and come up with a budget plan that is realistic but also at the same time, as somewhat—accounting for the accountable, if you will. MS. SAKO: Yes, right. MR. HENRICKS: The unknown. The future we're headed towards. MS. SAKO: Okay, so given that it was election year and you guys—sounds like put everybody at the highest step, then yes, it would still be up, though, to the current Chair to decide what you guys want to do. MS. POINDEXTER: Right, I know that it's up to the current Chair to do what's in the current time, but what I was talking about and what Council Member Eoff brought up is how will we budget? Our budget is going to have to increase. That's why I'm not supporting this, because we cannot at this time look at fattening, you know, having it fat. We're already trying to slim it down, and now here we're starting to put some fat onto it. And so that's what I wanted to get at Page 13 FC -31 April 10, 2018 with Council Member Eoffs question, does it raise the budget, and yes it does. So, thank you very much. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Ms. Eoff. MS. EOFF: I just wanted to clarify that. I believe our internal policy—if one of our staff—or at the point when a new term starts, that's when we may ask the Chair if one of our staff can move up a step. I don't think we usually can do it in the interim, during the year, we wait until a new term. And then, if staff has been there that duration, they may be eligible for a step. MS. SAKO: Got it. That term change. MS. EOFF: Yeah, term change. CHR. DAVID: Are you done, Ms. Eoff? Okay, Mr. Chung, go ahead. MR. CHUNG: Maybe someone can answer me, or even the Deputy County Clerk. How many people are in these positions that we're talking about, more or less? MR. HENRICKS: Eighteen. MR. CHUNG: Eighteen. MR. HENRICKS: Between the two. MR. CHUNG: And not all of them are at the top level, right? MR. HENRICKS: Legislative Assistants. MR. CHUNG: Are they all now? MR. HENRICKS: Is it okay to talk about these things? MR. CHUNG: Well, we're not talking about a specific person. MR. HENRICKS: Yes, for Legislative Assistants, all of them are at the highest level. They are—that's my understanding. I'm getting conflicting information. But for the Council Aides, that is not the case. They're not all at the current E level. MR. CHUNG: Okay, so we're looking at the possibility of—it's about $2,000, right? Going up 18 to about 40 grand a year. Just a little bit less than double the amount one Council Member got for their raise. You know, I don't this as being unreasonable, quite frankly. I have a question, though, because I'm really unfamiliar with these positions and what their benefits are. I know our Page 14 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Council Chair talked about our civil service employees. But do these guys get overtime? MR. HENRICKS: No, they do not. MR. CHUNG: They don't, right? MR. HENRICKS: They receive time, like CTO (Compensatorty Time Off), if you will. MR. CHUNG: Maybe compensation time. MR. HENRICKS: It's a one-for-one. Not a one -and -a -half, but a one-time rate. MR. CHUNG: Yeah. MR. HENRICKS: And I just want to clarify because I was incorrect, two of the Legislative Assistants are not at the top level. MR. CHUNG: Okay. So, you know, therein lies, to me, a big difference between our civil service employees and these guys. I could be wrong but weren't their salaries supposed to be kind of going along with Bargaining Unit 13 all of these years? MR. BRILHANTE: There's no official requirement that is to take place. MR. CHUNG: Was there some of informal, maybe idea? MR. BRILHANTE: Well, I can't really speak to what, you know, preceded me. MR. CHUNG: Is there some similarity between what they do and Bargaining Unit 13? MR. BRILHANTE: In my experience, they haven't been tied together, you know, within the recent or the near future, well, the new year passed. But again, the salaries are set by you, and you're able to use whatever rationale or justification that you want to have as your basis for the salaries. MR. CHUNG: Of course. Just off the top of your head then. Because I don't know exactly what Bargaining Unit 13 people make or do. But let's say there is some similarities between what these people here, CA and CLA one's do and Bargaining Unit 13, how much does a Bargaining Unit 13 person make on the top level, more or less? MR. BRILHANTE: You know, off the top of our head, we don't have that specific number. But when you look at a it's somewhat hard to compare. Page 15 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Bargaining Unit 13 members, someone with a higher level HGEA (Hawai`i Government Employees Association) employee, where—and I'm not sure how similar the duties and responsibilities are as it reflects to these, you know, say like a Legislative Assistant or something to that effect. MR. CHUNG: Right, okay. MR. BRILHANTE: I mean, that's numbers I can provide to you, you know, going forward. Again, we would have that opportunity. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, again, I still want to have time to digest this because I want to see how all of this plays into our overall fiscal policy. But just the potential to get $2,000 more a year for our employees, to me, it's not unreasonable. I know this is a belt -tightening time, but on whose backs, really? You have to ask yourselves that. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Anyone else, Council Members? Ms. O'Hara. MS. EOFF: I just wanted to thank Mr. Chung for bringing this down to actual numbers. You know, his estimates are kind of right on, about $30,000 for the year. And then what Ms. Poindexter's saying is, this change, if there were any changes at all, would only take place in the half fiscal year because it generally occurs when the Council is inaugurated in December. The impact on the next fiscal year might be, if there are any changes, and everybody either changed up and moved up, would be in the neighborhood of $20,000 impact on the total budget, so that's not a huge impact. But I understand the request for additional time. I know this has been in Laserfiche for a few days. It's kind of a complex issue. I had to sit down with Mr. Brilhante to really get my head around it because—we do this differently than we do other salary setting. I am happy to defer it. Or we're simply at the Committee level, it needs a bill, it would require two more reads. Just getting a feel for what the rest of the Council would like to do with this at this point. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. O'Hara. Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: I just want to point out, too, that our staff may not have—be paid overtime but they have benefits, or vacation, sick, and they have what they call flextime; so should they work extra hours, they get their time off, which time is money. If you look at the overall cost of their benefits, they have a really good benefit package as well. So you've got to take into consideration their flex, even if they don't get paid time -and -a -half, but they do get flex, which is still considered a large amount of money. But anyway, again, I just wanted to make that point. Thank you. Page 16 FC -31 April 10, 2018 CHR. DAVID: Okay, Ms. Ruggles, you haven't spoken yet, so let's go to you. MS. RUGGLES: Thank you. I just want to thank Ms. O'Hara for bringing this discussion forward. I think this is an important one. Personally, I actually lost a really good Council Aide because she was not making enough. She was after all those really good benefits. She was making less than $10 an hour, and she's actually making more driving Uber, which is really sad because she—our Council—our staff are the ones that really are the face of our office in a lot of ways. They're the ones that answer a majority of the phones, and they go down and they meet people when we're not available, and they do really good work for the public. They're sort of the nuts and bolts of our office. I think they should be compensated as much as their work is valued. As far as—this is of concernI see what everyone's saying, and I would appreciate the extra time as well. I also hear the concerns of Ms. Poindexter, as far as the timing of this and the appropriateness happening now with the increased budget and all of these tax increases. So I'm just going to just say that, for my two cents. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Ruggles. Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I just wanted to reiterate, I mean, since it was brought up by Chair, about the flextime. But again, as brought up by Human Resources Director, it's one -and -a -half It's one for one for one; it's a big difference in benefits. So there in lies the big difference between civil service and our Legislative Assistants. I'm not trying to put the Chair on the spot because I certainly understand where she's coming from, but I would think that the better of handling this instead of casting a "no" vote against this, is saying, "Look, I'm the Chairman, the buck stops here. Ultimately, I make the decision. Letting all of you guys know that this is not going to be a raise as a matter of course. Everybody's put on notice." Simple as that. Because I want to send a positive message to our employees, the ones that, as Ms. Ruggles said, "Really are the face of each of the Council Members." As all I have to say about it. I'm starting to really formulate my position on this as the discussion goes. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. Eoff, go ahead. MS. EOFF: Is there any harm in postponing it, if that's the will of the Council? Is there a time -sensitive nature to this, besides tight budget? MR. BRILHANTE: There isn't a really hard and fast deadline. I think you have some room to explore any opportunities. MS. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Page 17 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MR. HENRICKS: I think this does need to be prior to the fiscal year. Just need to be an ordinance before July 1. MR. BRILHANTE: Correct, July 1st MR. HENRICKS: At least a week before, hopefully. And it's not just for us, by the way. It's for Housing, it's for Public Works, some other departments as well. MS. SAKAMOTO: This is our authority to pay all the positions that are listed on that ordinance; so if you folks don't approve something, we won't have the ability to pay all of those other employees that are affected by this. So, we need you folks to take some kind of action by then. CHR. DAVID: Could you identify yourself for the record? MS. SAKAMOTO: I'm sorry. Jennifer Sakamoto. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Jennifer. Go ahead, Mr. Brilhante. MR. BRILHANTE: I'm sorry. But just to confirm that, if you look at Section 8 of the proposed ordinance language, it will explain the time references as to where the deadlines are, and that's July 1, 2018. CHR. DAVID: Okay. MR. BRILHANTE: Page six. CHR. DAVID: Got it. Thank you. Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, so I'm going to ask the question—thank you, Chair—the Clerk, for the timeline, working backwards, so we have to have—moving forward, by when? We get choke time, right? MR. HENRICKS: No, hardly with anything is there. For safety sake, June 6, second and final reading, would be best to allow for reconsideration, you know, the unlikely veto by the Mayor, and the unlikely need to override the Mayor's veto, but June 6, second and final reading. So, this year. MR. RICHARDS: So the question is when do we have to put this out of Committee? When, next meeting? MR. HENRICKS: Well, on a barebone schedule, you could hold in Committee through May 8th, it looks like. Since we have Committees and Council on May 21st for first reading; and then, second reading, June 6, assuming all goes well at those readings. Page 18 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MR. RICHARDS: Okay, thank you. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Council Members, I think the request was a postponement, and I think our Clerk explained the timeframe that we have to work with this. Was there a motion? MR. KANUHA: No. CHR. DAVID: No? Before the motion, Ms. Lee Loy, go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. And I just want to clarify what we're doing. If it's Bill 127, as amended, by Communication 840.1orI'm not—not yet. CHR. DAVID: No, not yet. Yeah, we never amended it yet. MS. LEE LOY: Okay yeah, I just want some clarity on that. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: So then the question is, if a motion to postpone is made, we will just leave off where we're currently at, discussing the motion to amend, right? MR. HENRICKS: That's correct. When you reopen the meeting, you will be on this motion to amend with this communication. CHR. DAVID: Right, on this motion to amend. Okay, is that okay? Alright, Ms. O'Hara, did you make that motion? MS. O'HARA: I haven't yet. So it sounds like if we postpone until the next Committee meeting, which isI don't know. CHR. DAVID: Twenty-fourth in Kona. MS. O'HARA: April 24th, that would give us sufficient time to process this all through. So, I'm happy to move to postpone it until April 24th. Motion to Postpone: Ms. O'Hara moved to postpone Bill 127 to April 24, 2018. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. DAVID: It's been moved by Ms. O'Hara, seconded by Mr. Richards, to postpone Bill 127 to the April 24th meeting in Kona. Any discussion? Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I just wanted to say that I'm speaking against the motion to postpone because I'm ready to go. Based on all of the conversations and the discussions that's been made here, I'm ready to go. But, you know, of course if it gets postponed, we'd have to take it up the next time. But I'm ready to vote today, and it's going to be a "yes" vote. Page 19 FC -31 Vote on Motion to Postpone: (Approved) Return to Order ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS: April 10, 2018 MS. O'HARA: Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Ms. O'Hara, go ahead. MS. O'HARA: Thank you, Chair. Thank you for that, Mr. Chung. But since we've already made the motion and others are still feeling they need some time to get up to speed on this, I'm okay with the postponement. It's not going to make a difference, really. So, let's just go ahead and vote on the postponement. CHR. DAVID: Anyone else has any comments? If not, I'm going to take the vote on the postponement. Alright, all those in favor of postponing Bill 127 to April 24 please say "aye." The motion to postpone Bill 127 to April 24, 2018, was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 8. Noes: Committee Member Chung —1. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Director. Mahalo. The Chair directed the Committee to return to the order of business. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. (Note: Items in this category were taken up previously, out of order.) CHR. DAVID: Okay, Mr. Clerk, can we go back to Resolution 562-18 and then the rest of the agenda? Page 20 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Res. 562-18: APPROVES AND AMENDS THE 2015-2019 COUNTY OF HAWAII CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2018 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG), HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME), AND NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND (HTF) AND AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THE AMENDED CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND ALL OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) The County's Office of Housing and Community Development anticipates the following HUD allocations for Program Year 2018: a CDBG allocation of $2,428,055 and program income of $100,000, for a total of $2,528,055 of CDBG funds; an HTF allocation of $1,425,000; and a HOME allocation of $2,425,000. Funds would be used towards projects that benefit persons of extremely -low, low, and moderate income throughout Hawaii Island. Reference: Comm. 851 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Richards moved to recommend adoption of Res. 562-19. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter. (Note: At this time, Housing and Community Development Administrator Neil Gyotoku and Housing Specialist Alison Mukai came forward to address the members of the Committee.) CHR. DAVID: Council Members, we have Mr. Gyotoku here. Mr. Gyotoku, could you please give us a brief description of the resolution? MR. GYOTOKU: Neil Gyotoku, Housing Administrator. The resolution basically allows the County of Hawaii to accept CDBG funds for a block grant for HOME and Housing trust funds. The plan will be given to the Mayor for execution and submitted to HUD. I have here Alison Mukai, my Grants Manager Division Head, and she can explain any detailed questions regarding the plan. CHR. DAVID: Thank you. Council Members, do we have questions on this matter? Go ahead, Ms. O'Hara. MS. O'HARA: This is a mammoth amount of information to provide in hardcopy. It grieves me to see to all the trees that we killed putting this together. For decision makers, it's really essential that the most important information is gelled down to presentation in just a couple pages. Years ago, when Andy Levin was the Senator and Head of the Ways and Means Committee, I travelled on the same flights that he did because I was commuting to Page 21 FC -31 April 10, 2018 graduate school at Manoa. I would never forget one of his directives was, "If you want me to consider something, please give it to me on a single white sheet, lots of bullets and lots of white, because otherwise it's too much information to drill down on." I appreciate having it, in terms of—you know, if I have the short summary and I need to get into it and dig deeper, it's okay to have it, I wish it would have been provided electronically. It's the presentation of the information and how it's presented. I think you guys could do a better job of presenting it and gelling it down to the most important points. That's all I wanted to say. But thank you for providing all that information. Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. O'Hara. Ms. Lee Loy, go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I did start to read this. There's a couple of questions I have here regarding—and it's found in the Executive Summary, that there were some action items that needed to be completed. Develop a video to increase awareness of fair housing violations, you know, those three points. Where are they, where are they residing, you know, how do we make this available to the public? Why don't we start there? You guys had some clear goals and objectives to meet, have they been met? Where is all that? MR. GYOTOKU: I'd like to answer that. There is a process that we have to follow with Housing and Urban Development and part of it is public input, where we host public hearings at various sites, to have public input into this plan. It's very detailed. I'm sorry we had to kill some trees, but a lot of it is because HUD requires us to do this in order for us, the County, to receive those funds. It's a very complicated application process. But we do have public input at every point of the way and it's made available. We do make public notices, put in the newspaper, announcing those meetings and stuff like that. If they wish to comment, there's a 30 -day comment period, which I believe ends—yeah, it ended March 19. MS. LEE LOY: I'm sorry, Mr. Gyotoku, I think you missed the question. There is a "Develop a video to increase awareness of fair housing violation," was that done? MR. GYOTOKU: I believe Alan Rudo of my office addresses those Fair Housing questions. He's our Fair Housing officer, and I believe he did answer those questions in that video. He does provide video and training on those Fair Housing issues. He's been going to Kona, and I know he does some in Hilo also. MS. LEE LOY: I guess I'm just trying to glean out the outcomes. There's a lot of pages here, and weI think that's what the rest of my colleagues want. We understand the process, you know, taking it to the public. Did we accomplish the goals and objectives to meet the grant funding, and where is that outcome? Not the output, the outcome. The deliverable? CHR. DAVID: Yes, just proceed. And please identify yourself. Page 22 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. MUKAL Alison Mukai, with the Office of Housing. We receive proposals for these federal funds that Hawaii County receives, and we review, rank, and rate proposals that are submitted to the office by County agencies and nonprofits. We take into consideration the goals and objectives in the Consolidated Plan when we're selecting these projects. That's one of the criteria that we consider; that it's meeting the goals and objectives of the Hawaii County's Consolidated Plan. MS. LEE LOY: The other questions I had, is there's this HUD logic motto, it's in quotes, but I saw no definition of what a logic motto was. What is a logic motto? MS. MUKAL It's the part of the plan guideline chart, so to speak, that is included in the Consolidated Plan, in meeting the goals and objectives, that the community has spoken to. MS. LEE LOY: So, like an evaluation system on the specific MS. MUKAL Like a checklist. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah. MS. MUKAL A chart. MS. LEE LOY: A chart. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. LEE LOY: Because there's also some scoring that went along with the various proposals, and they were scored and ranked. MS. MUKAL Correct. MS. LEE LOY: Was the logic motto the framework for the scoring? MS. MUKAL It's part of it. MS. LEE LOY: Okay. MS. MUKAL Yes, considering the County's priorities and goals. MS. LEE LOY: Okay, I'm going to have to agree with Ms. O'Hara. There was an opportunity for you folks here to provide us a snapshot on how you guys marched through all off this. I read, but you can see by the questions, you know MS. MUKAL Yes. Page 23 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. LEE LOY: And it would have been a huge opportunity for you guys to share what you folks do, how other programs get involved, and how we can synergize between some of the stuff are approving. Because when I'm looking at these monies, it's a lot of money, you know. And how do we partner or share with other constituents or other nonprofits out there to accelerate this money? MS. MUKAL Yes, we do public hearings, community outreach, consultation, that's all part of the processes. That's in accordance with the Federal rules and regulations for the use of this funding. Part of the process says, "Includes sending out surveys to nonprofits." We welcome, you know, meetings with them, for the use of these monies for the interest of their groups, for the low and moderate and extremely low persons in areas in Hawaii County. MS. LEE LOY: I'm looking at this one, Exhibit D, you know, not funded $5.6 million, one of which would have been a senior housing project. You know, I think if we could communicate better. There's monies on the table all over the place, and if we collectively get those buckets of money together, I think we could start moving the needle on some of the other projects, especially the ones that are not being funded. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. LEE LOY: You know, my door's wide open. Come talk to us. Especially, this Nani O Puna. We constantly hear about how underserved Puna is. Maybe a conversation with the Council Members from that district. They travel in all types of circles. There might have been an opportunity to meet with them and figure out another way to get it funded. MS. MUKAL There were good projects. These were all good projects. Part of the consideration includes how ready and feasible the project is, at that point and time that we received the application. Prior to us requesting proposals, we do send a memo to the Mayor that includes all the Council people, that we have these monies, that we expect to receive, and whom it would be used to serve. We didn't have a very good turnout at our public hearings, and we received less applications than we expected. But for these good projects that we didn't fund, they were weak in many areas. The applicants, they didn't have site control; that's huge. Nani O Puna, that is an excellent project, the renovation project; however, it's limited to the residents, or the tenants are limited to farmers versus helping lower and moderate income families, in bigger, larger areas. That was one of the considerations. MR. GYOTOKU: One of the key issues with Nani O Puna is that they did not have their financing for the project secured. Page 24 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. MUKAL Secured. MR. GYOTOKU: It was only like letters, saying that the banks were interested in financing, whereas the other projects already had commitments from the financial institutions to build it. That's part of a big key as far as approving those other projects like that. The design and application was very good, but when it came down to financing, they rated very low on that and that's why we went the other project like that. There were other projects. For example, in Mr. Richards' district in Waikoloa, they wanted to have this HOME funds and Housing Trust funds, but because of the unexploded ordnance, HUD would not allow us to give us the monies to build, I mean, to fund that projects like that, so we disqualified MS. MUKAL It's not eligible. MR GYOTOKU: Not disqualify but declare them ineligible. It's very complicated. We do open—in the past, we used to go through the Housing Agency, and we send—what is the program for the Office of Housing. We bring in $30.2 million a year in Housing, Federal funds. I will be in the next Housing Agency, presenting an overview of the projects that we are involved with, the programs that we're involved with. I want to do this again, bring it to the Housing Agency. Like Ms. Mukai said, we did invite all of the County departments, all of the Council people to apply for those. And if you do have any nonprofits, we work with them. We work with Hope Services. And back here, Boys and Girls Club, we've dealt with them, and we've had applications. I tried to reach out to several other nonprofits this year because we knew we were in trouble, as far ask getting applications like that. But it's a very, very complicated application process. We're willing to work with everybody that comes to our door. There is a very tight kind of schedule. We have to open up applications in November, then we have to rate it. We have to have so many days to open, 30 days, I believe. Then in January, my staff had to review whatever applications came in. Then we had to sit down with Mayor and rank those, and give him a proposal as far as what projects we thought would be funded. Now, we put it into the Consolidated Plan and approval and we're going to have to submit it to HUD by May 2nd, I believe. MS. MUKAL May 15. MR. GYOTOKU: Oh, May 15, it has to be at HUD to be approved so that we can get the funds for this coming year. That's why we come before you today, is to set up the appropriations so that we can receive those funds next year. Page 25 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. I know three of my other colleagues sat through days of nonprofit applications. Kind of this moment, I'm feeling like—you know, we were busy working in our own silos. You had this one opportunity, too; and if there was some way to kind of match people better, maybe some of these great programs could have gotten ready in a different way with their ask at the nonprofit end so that they would be ready for the HUD monies. You know what I mean? I'm just trying to look at what we see as Council Members on the nonprofit grant-in-aid committee, and matching them better. You mentioned some of them were ineligible because they weren't ready or they weren't feasibly ready. So what are we going to do next year to help them get ready, so they can go get this money? You know, that's the next piece. The Comprehensive Plan, you know, that's the kind of stuffI mean, that's how we're going to be able to help. We saw the Mayor take away $500,000 from that grant-in-aid program, and it was tough for us. It was a challenging decision. But now I look at this, and like I'm thinking I think we had a missed opportunity here, and maybe we just need to communicate better and look at our timelines as we go through the nonprofit grant-in-aid and, you know, these HUD monies, and how maybe we can dovetail them together better. That's just what I want to leave on the table, and we can pick up for next time. MS. MUKAL We've had consultation meetings with the applicants on how they can submit better applications or further discuss the weaknesses in their applications. Based on the responses, we expect that they will submit applications in the future. MS. LEE LOY: That's really good to know. We just want to keep helping MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. LEE LOY: And if they just fell a little short this year, maybe next year. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. LEE LOY: So, thank you. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. Ms. Poindexter, go ahead. MS. POINDEXTER: Thank you for this. I know that we some from Hamakua that tried to come in but they didn't fall within the census track. MS. MUKAL We did have meetings with some of those organizations in Honoka`a. But on that day, the deadline, we didn't receive applications from them. Page 26 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, because—and correct if I'm wrong so that some of the nonprofits can know this, I think they looked at what the criteria was. Because you've got to meet all the criteria, and the main criteria is that you fall within the census track, of the low to moderate income. I know before they used to call them "slum and blight," I don't know if they still call them "slum and blight" areas. But because the facility was in an area that didn't fall within that census track but if they service—the people that they service, that comes with—that meets the criteria in that census track, they could qualify for those funds, correct? MS. MUKAL They could qualify for the funding if it's in a low and moderate area based on the census data. It could also be where they're eligible to receive funding because of the group; elderly, disabled. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. Because I told themI don't know if the rules had changed from before because they serve adolescents; and if the adolescents are coming from an area that is within the census track that meets the criteria, they could possibly qualify. Am I right? MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, I wanted to make that clear. Because a lot of times people think that because our organization is right here, in this census track, that doesn't meet the HUD criteria, we wouldn't qualify. But if the people that they're servicing comes from where the census track meet the HUD criteria then they could qualify, correct? MS. MUKAL They could be eligible. MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, thank you. I just needed that clarity. MR. GYOTOKU: I wanted to add that the HUD uses their income, what they call "low and moderate" income limits. And it depends what the project will serve. For example, I know what nonprofit you're saying. They serve directly low and moderate income, very low-income clients, and they would have been eligible. But for example, Chief Rosario here, he applied for equipment from the Puna district, which is a low income, moderate income, by HUD definition. But he's not going to be eligible if he submitted an equipment for Hamakua because, by HUD's definition, that area is supposedly not low income by HUD's definition. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. Can I just go back? CHR. DAVID: Yes. Okay, so you said that if you're low to moderate income—so I just want, I mean, clarification on this. Even if they're low to moderate income, you're not in the census track area, you don't qualify, I don't care how low income you are. Page 27 FC -31 April 10, 2018 MS. MUKAL Not necessarily. MR. GYOTOKU: Yeah, it depends what the project will serve. If the project will serve low and moderate income, then it becomes a HUD CDBG eligible project. MS. POINDEXTER: Even if they don't fall within the census track? MS. MUKAL It could be that the project is serving elderly or disabled, that would meet the definition of low and moderate clientele person. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. MS. MUKAL Not necessarily because they are within a district or census track that's low and moderate. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, because I know you've got to meet one of the criteria. You've got to be on that census track. You've got toaccording to census, that you've got to be in that slum and blight area. Now, what I heard from them is even if they could give you verification that those were low to moderate income, you guys don't take what the—like the State has its school lunch program and all, you wouldn't take that information, and that would be good enough for you, even if it is good enough to theI mean, for the State to say, "Hey, these are low to very low income population." But you guys could not use thatI mean, they could not use that as proof of low to moderate income. MR. GYOTOKU: That's correct. We follow and HUD follows their guidelines, HUD like guidelines. MS. POINDEXTER: So, yeah. So there's, you know, sometimes some difficulties there. Because if they don't meet one portion of the criteria—if they meet one portion of the criteria then they don't need something else, and then they fall out of the loop. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: So that's the struggle there. MS. MUKAL And low -moderate areas in the County are shrinking. MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, and I think it's because we're not filling out the census. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: Now, so let me ask you this; if they were to do their own survey and get that HUD approved and say, "Hey, a lot of people didn't fill out the Page 28 FC -31 April 10, 2018 survey. We did our own survey. We're sending it to have it approved," would you guys accept that? MS. MUKAL We could consider that, yes. MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, that's good to know too. Because in some areas, like Waimea, especially, when it's really checker -board, you know, so you can't really say this section falls within the HUD criteria, but yet if somebody would do a survey, you would find a lot of low income families there. MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: And I think if we could get a survey done by a community or nonprofit and then send it to HUD to get approved, and say, "Hey, we do meet the criteria, we want to go after CDBG funding." That would be something that you would look at? MS. MUKAL Yes. MS. POINDEXTER: Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Anyone else? No? Okay, thank you, Mr. Gyotoku and Ms. Mukai. Council Members, we're ready to call the vote. All those in favor approving Bill 128 please say "ayes." MR. HENRICKS: Madam Chair? CHR. DAVID: Yes? MR. HENRICKS: I believe the motion was to—for Resolution 562. CHR. DAVID: Oh, I'm sorry. MR. HENRICKS: That's okay. CHR. DAVID: I'm at the wrong page. MR. HENRICKS: Okay, that was earlier. CHR. DAVID: There we are, okay. All those in favor of approving Resolution 562-18 please say "aye." Page 29 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Vote on Res. 562-18: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 562-18 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Alright, thank you very much for being here. I know, you guys might as well stay right there because I think everything else is CDBG. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Bills ORDINANCES: for Ordinances. (Note: Bill 127 was taken up previously, out of order.) CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, can you please move to, now, Bill 128? Bill 128: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 17-39, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Increases revenues in the Federal — 2017 Block Grant account ($24,362); and appropriates the same to the Administration, Planning & Fair Housing account for a total appropriation of $2,524,362. These additional funds would be used by the Office of Housing and Community Development's Community Development Block Grant program. Vote on Bill 128 (Approved) Reference: Comm. 841 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 128 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Kanuha and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, Bill 129. Page 30 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Bill 129: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 17-39, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Increases revenues in the Federal Grants — Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) account ($1.3 million); and appropriates the same to the following 2018-2019 WIOA accounts: Administration Planning ($130,000); Adult Program ($400,000); Dislocated Worker Program ($345,000); and Youth Program ($425,000). Funds would be used to assist adults, dislocated workers, and youth by providing services that will train individuals to increase employment, retention, earnings, skills, and literacy. Reference: Comm. 842 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Vote on Bill 129: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 129 (Approved) on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, Bill 133. Bill 133: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 17-39, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Appropriates revenues in the Federal — 2018 Housing Trust Fund Grant account ($1,425,000); and appropriates the same to the Kaloko Heights Affordable Housing ($1,350,000) and Office of Housing and Community Development Administration ($75,000) accounts. Funds would be used towards projects that benefit persons of extremely -low income throughout Hawaii Island. Reference: Comm. 852 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Page 31 FC -31 Vote on Bill 133 (Approved) April 10, 2018 Mr. Kanuha moved to recommend passage of Bill 133 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, Bill 134. Bill 134: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 17-39, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Increases revenues in the Federal — 2018 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) ($2,375,000) and HOME Grant — Program Income ($50,000) accounts, for a total of $2,425,000; and appropriates the same to the Kaloko Heights Affordable Housing ($1.4 million); Tenant Base Rental Assistance Program ($900,000); and Office of Housing and Community Development Administration ($125,000) accounts. Funds would be used towards projects that benefit persons of low and moderate income throughout Hawaii Island. Vote on Bill 134 (Approved) Reference: Comm. 853 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Ms. O'Hara moved to recommend passage of Bill 134 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Eoff and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, Bill 135. Page 32 FC -31 April 10, 2018 Bill 135: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 17-39, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018 Appropriates revenues in the Federal — 2018 Block Grant ($2,428,055) and Block Grant —Program Income ($100,000) accounts, for a total of $2,528,055; and appropriates the same to the Paradise Park Fire Station — Wildland 4x4 Brush Truck ($270,000); Kula`imano Elderly Renovations ($850,000); Hale Maluhia Men's Shelter — Roof and Americans with Disabilities Act Improvements ($151,742); Kiheipua Family Shelter — Roof and Kitchen Renovations ($137,753); Boys & Girls Club — Gym and Paving Improvements ($571,560); Boys & Girls Club — Van Acquisition ($47,000); and Administration, Planning & Fair Housing ($500,000) accounts. Funds would be used towards projects that benefit persons of low and moderate income throughout Hawaii Island. Reference: Comm. 854 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Vote on Bill 135: Ms. O'Hara moved to recommend passage of Bill 135 (Approved) on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: And I believe that takes care of the agenda for today? MR. GYOTOKU: I wanted to CHR. DAVID: Mr. Gyotoku, okay. MR. GYOTOKU: I wanted to introduce the people that have applied for CDBG grants. Chief Rosario, from the Fire Department. CHR. DAVID: Aloha. MR. GYOTOKU: Chad Cabral, from Boys and Girls Club. Also, Sharon Hirota, from my Assistance Housing, who is doing the Tenant Based Assistance Program; and also Tony Rodriguez, who is mainly involved with the Kulaimano renovations. Page 33 FC -31 April 10, 2018 CHR. DAVID: Thank you very much, and welcome and thank you for your work. Alright, so that's it And thank you, Mr. Gyotoku and Ms. Mukai. Motion to adjourn, please? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 12:30 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David — 9 Noes: None. Absent None, Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: We are adjourned. Mahalo, everybody Approved: Ms. Maile Medetro DavR , Lair Finance Committee MD/na (Date) Page 34