Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 050 2019/09/03 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: September 3, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 430/Res.No. 271-19 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 2:50 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance,to which was referred Resolution No. 271-19,reports as follows: Resolution No. 271-19, transmitted by Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Council Member and Susan L.K. Lee Loy, Council Member via Communication 430 dated July 17, 2019, adopts the interim recovery strategy regarding the 2018 Kilauea eruption. This resolution establishes a plan for interim recovery efforts including management of funding sources, spending, and goals and objectives for restoring economy,housing and infrastructure. Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz stated this resolution boils down to accountability and transparency and with this strategy, trust can be rebuilt and a clear and objective decision-making process can be established where government and community do things together in partnership. Ms. Kierkiewicz explained that the Director of Research and Development(R&D) Diane Ley and the Mayor's Executive Assistant Roy Takemoto collaborated in joint efforts with Council Member Susan Lee Loy to discuss a recovery process that aligns with FEMA's National Disaster framework. This would restructure a recovery process to be in alignment with federal dollars. Ms. Kierkiewicz also stated that the recovery budget was updated to include what is so needed in the community. Ms. Lee Loy commented that she and Mr. Takemoto listened to the community's needs and came up with a framework that was more actionable. She noted this was an unprecedented event in that the interim recovery strategy plan became an innovative and thoughtful document. She explained that this document develops the framework to give the community what they need and empowers them with the tools to reimagine their community and really bounce back and recover. Council Member Herbert"Tim"Richards, III stated the plan is a comprehensive document which will take some time to digest. He expressed his willingness to move this forward to council and felt in depth conversations and discussions can happen when this matter comes before the council. Mr. Richards asked if Ms. Ley or Mr. Takemoto had any feedback on this document. Ms. Ley commented that the administration had calls asking for more clarity on the planning process and moved forward to define some of their interim actions. She stated the recovery team worked on some interim recovery strategy earlier in the year and in April had shared these ideas with Ms. Kierkiewicz and Ms. Lee Loy. FC Report No.50 FC-50 Page 2 September 3,2019 Ms. Ley noted that council members had substantial additions to the strategy focusing on defining the recovery process, inclusion of the community, and administrative transparency. Ms. Ley went on to explain that recovery is a major process for the administration, the council and our communities to find their way and the administration has been working to release information as quickly as possible. R&D has thoroughly vetted information before posting it on the website so they are as accurate as they know it can be and has been implementing social media and in-person communication since the eruption began. Ms. Ley stated that the Strategic Plan is a work in progress and they are making good headway with an anticipated completion by the end of the year and departments are working closely with the community,but noted there is a need and demand for more inclusion during the implementation phase. In addition,people need to understand the process and that rules and laws must be followed. She noted the county's responsibility is both near and long term and the council, as a body, will assist with the recovery process over the next 8-10 years. Ms. Ley also, commented that building a new foundation upon which R&D can respond to disasters and shortfalls in the community will be through the development of processes and policies without which can lead us down the road of negative consequences and outcomes in the future. In closing, Ms. Ley stated, we all have to work hard together as a team, inclusive of the administration,the council, and the community. Mr. Takernoto commented that the document is very well done and welcomed accountability. He noted that as far as transparency is concerned, if there was a breakdown of communication, it was not intentional. Mr. Takernoto stated they work closely with several of the working committees and values being able to resolve issues and work things out together. Going forward, he feels this would be a good blueprint and looks forward to improved communications. Ms. Lee Loy commented that this interim recovery strategy framework is one of two pieces of legislation that would be coming forward which could be utilized by any future council member or administration should a similar event occur. Committee Chair Maile David sincerely thanked Ms. Ley, Mr. Takemoto and the council members for all their hard work and collaboration efforts. Your Committee is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 271-19, and recommends its adoption. dmm AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID X COMMITTEE ON FINANCE EOFF X KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X LEE LOY X POINDEXTER X MAIZE MEDEIROS DAVID, CHAIR RICHARDS X FC REPORT NVi 50 VILLEGAS ADOPTED: