HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 039 2019/05/20 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: May 20, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 287/Bill No. 70
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:45 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 70, reports as follows:
Bill No. 70, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 287 dated
May 2, 2019, amends Ordinance No. 17-19,which amended Ordinance No. 12-129, which amended
Ordinance No. 11-81, which authorized the Mayor to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement for a
State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan for Wastewater Public Improvement Projects and
authorized the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of financing qualified wastewater
public improvements of the County of Hawai`i.
This bill increases the original amount authorized from$2.7 to 7.5 million, and amends Exhibit A to add
Hilo to the second project title, to read, "Kula`imano, Papa`ikou&Hilo Dewatering &Barminutor
Replacement." The increase is due to updated cost estimates and anticipated contingencies. Hilo is
added to reflect that certain equipment will be designated to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant if
necessary.
Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked William Kurcharski, Director of the Department of
Environmental Management (DEM), why the need to increase the funds for the project. Director
Kucharski explained that there was an initial estimate submitted in order to get something on the board
so the design phase could move forward. DEM's contractor did the preliminary design, and at that point
the contractor was able to get a better estimate of what would be necessary to complete the project.
Council Member Susan Lee Loy questioned the process and stated it sounds like the County is
purchasing a big band aid. Mr. Kucharski explained that there will be a dewatering system that can be
used at these facilities which could also be used in Hilo in case of an emergency. Ms. Lee Loy inquired
which facilities would this backup system work around the island. Mr. Kucharski commented that if it
could be used on the Hilo facility, which is the largest facility, then it could probably be used on any of
the facilities around the island. This will be a centrifuge so it can be moved.
Council Member Herbert "Tim" Richards, III, asked why the contingency is needed. Mr. Kucharski
stated that when dealing with really old facilities, once they go in and something else needs to be
replaced requiring a change order, this is the contingency on the contract amount. Mr. Kucharski
explained there might have been something that was not anticipated in the original design.
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Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked for clarification on what DEM is asking for.
Mr. Kucharski explained that the request is for upgrades and repairs to the systems and DEM will be
replacing equipment that is worn out with an upgraded design. The State Revolving Fund is dealing
with improvements in water quality and will improve the discharge and allow it to function as it is
designed to.
Council Member Rebecca Villegas asked Mr. Kurcharski to explain, in layman's terms, what the
Dewatering and Barminutor replacement is. Mr. Kucharski explained there are a lot of things that do
not dissolve but the screens lift and take all the debris out of the flow, and this is what the Barminutor
does. As to the Dewatering, when the water is treated, there is a sludge in the water, but then it enters a
system that removes the water. This is a quicker way of separating the water and sludge. Mr. Kucharski
also commented that the dewatering equipment will be mobile, so it can be moved and used at other
facilities.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 70, and recommends its
passage on first reading.
dmm
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X /
KIERKIEWICZ X faro,
LEE LOY X � ��
POINDEXTER X MAILE MEDEIROS DAV ID, CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 39
VILLEGAS • X ADOPTED: JUN 0 4 2019