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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GREDC 2019/10/01 2018-2020Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development 12th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii October 1, 2019 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic ORDER: Development was called to order at 1:04 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (via videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Ms. Karen Eoff, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Valerie Poindexter, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member 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: The Chair called Shelly Mahi-hanai, who registered to speak in support regarding Comm. 49.8 and came forward when called. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Seeing no other testifiers at this time, we'll be closing public testimony and moving on to business of the day. Mr. Clerk, if you could read in Communication 49.8. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 49.8: REQUESTS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2019, MEETING OF THE HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated September 9, 2019. GREDC-12 October 1, 2019 Motion to Close File: Ms. Poindexter moved to close file on Comm. 426. Seconded by Ms. Eof£ CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I just wanted to provide this body with an update regarding a conversation that was had by the executive committee on the 23rd to discuss our legislative package. I think Val can appreciate that we as a body are—we always wish we can start earlier. So we're feeling a little bit behind, but we feel good about where we are. We have a meeting next week to go over the various priorities and really whittle down what would be part of our package. But I just wanted to share with you what the respective counties have been lifting up so that we all can take appropriate action via resolution if we feel compelled too. Maui County's focus is going to be on cesspool conversion, amendments to Sunshine in terms of reporting of number of Council Members that attend community meetings. They would like to address short term vacation rentals, increase amount of money going to the invasive species special fund. They want financial assistance to manage shoreline retreat to deal with over tourism, more money for agriculture, and categorical funding for remote schools. Kauai's focus is on three different pieces of legislation. The first is more fairness and equity in the vehicle registration fees for the beautification, and vehicle disposal cost. Right now rental vehicles only pay two dollars, as part of registration. Regular vehicles like the ones you and I drive, ten dollars is the fee. So they're looking for equity across the board, it doesn't matter if you are a resident driving or if you are a car at a rental agency. They just want equity across the board, to help pay for vehicle disposals. The second thing that they are looking to lift up, is to require payment of outstanding charges owed to the county for any towing removal, or disposal of abandoned vehicles before there is a renewal or issuance of the motor vehicle registration certificate. And finally, Kauai is looking to provide exemptions for tort liability for state and county lifeguards arising in their services. Except in situations of gross negligence, wanton acts or omissions. Oahu is focused on addressing vaping, the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) and finding ways to get the counties more of their fair share. Also interested in looking at over tourism, as well as the impact of short term vacation rentals. And for Hawaii County I think what's very clear is the need to want to address some systematic cultural issues within the State Historic Preservation Division. I believe Councilman Richards is working on a resolution that would hopefully get each of the counties more of their share of TAT, but also to express to the Legislature what exactly we would be using that money for. And then also looking at potentially some leaser form with DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) and other reintegration efforts. So if anybody is compelled to Page 2 GREDC-12 October 1, 2019 introduce resolutions, we can do so at the October or November meetings. We are under the gun, and there's a lot of pressure to get the resolutions in the next couple of weeks so that the HSAC Executive Committee can finalize its package, and present something back to the counties that we can vote on. Any questions about the issues that have been lifted up by this group, or any takers wanting to craft Legislation? MS. EOFF: Ashley, I have a question, or Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Sure. MS. EOFF: Thank you. Are there bills that we can refer to through resolution that you would be able to guide us towards? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Can you give me an example? MS. EOFF: Like is there a bill or bills already existing in the Legislature that we could call back or support, you know, we're looking at among these topics. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. One of the things that we're going to be doing is taking a look at what was submitted last legislative cycle, because it's a bienniel course. And so we're going to look at pieces of legislation that the body supported, that we can lift up again. And I believe that Kauai has already introduced the resolutions, and made adjustments to HRS in the form of proposed bills. And so that's going to be coming to this body to consider. MS. EOFF: Okay. So if we wanted to introduce a resolution to support one or more of these topics, would we need it to be connected to an already existing bill? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Or you could develop your own bill. So typically it's the resolution, you have a copy of the bill which includes the adjustments or the updates you would be making as well as a justification sheet. Which is what legislators refer to when they make decision around whether or not they're going to be supporting the measure. MS. EOFF: And we would have to have those on the next October meeting? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah, October meeting; we can also consider waving it out GRED and going straight to the next Council meeting, so that's either October 16th, or November 6'. But ideally we want get things on the agenda in the next couple of meeting cycles. MS. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Page 3 GREDC-12 October 1, 2019 CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, for your interest. MS. LEE LOY: Chair? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Hi. MS. LEE LOY: Hi. I was actually interested in the towing of abandoned vehicles, and was wondering what kind of metrics they were using as far as attaching some fee to the registration. Has that been developed, and how are they driving what that amount would be? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: It's not necessarily towing, it is if there was an outstanding obligation like a fee for towing, or if they didn't pay for certain things that they needed to pay for, but before they could get their next motor vehicle registration they would have to resolve any fines or fees associated with these—they would have to resolve outstanding debts. MS. LEE LOY: Okay, I'd be interested in watching that one. Who's authoring? CHR KIERKIEWICZ: It's coming from Kauai, and it came from their Clerk's Office. MS. LEE LOY: Okay, thank you, Chair. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I just received them, so I'll make sure that this body gets a copy. Kauai was very focused in elevating three priorities. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Any other questions or comments? Okay, great, I will let you know how the meeting on October 10'h goes, and how the Executive Committee is going to be moving forward with its 2020 package. I think bottom line is once we have a package, it would behoove every single member of the Council to make some time to head to Oahu during the legislative session to meet with our legislators and to really be there and show support. I know that myself, Council Member Lee Loy, we were very active this past session in getting money for Puna recovery. And so legislators like that, they like when you take the time to show and to be there and to advocate for these issues. So just wanted to plant the seeds among my colleagues. Alright, no other or questions or comments, there's a vote on the floor to close file on Communication 49.8, all in favor please say "aye." Page 4 GREDC-12 Vote on Comm. 49.8: Filed nunpl? nip IRMT61" Ill rG10101 October 1, 2019 The motion to close file on Comm. 49.8 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards —1. Excused: None. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Motion carries. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. (There were none.) BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of ORDINANCES: business, Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Can I have a motion to adjourn? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:18 p.m., Ms. David moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Eoff and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards — 1 Excused: None. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: The meeting is adjourned at 1:18 p.m. Appr v ' Ms. ley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (Date) Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee AK/rk Page 5