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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AWEEMC 2020/02/04 2018-2020Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management 15th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i February 4, 2020 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, ORDER: and Environmental Management was called to order at 9:03 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Chair Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Ms. Karen Eoff, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Cory Harden: (Representing Sierra Club) Abraham Sadegh: Micah Washburn Jon Olson: Richard Ha: Gary Kitahata: Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Comm. 720; and Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Comm. 720; and Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Comm. 720, comment. Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in support. Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in support. AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 Koohan Pack-Mander: Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Dwight J. Vicente: Comm. 720; and Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), comment. Bridget Lee Loy Bales: Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Abel Simeona Lui: Comm. 720; and Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Recess: At 9:34 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:39 a.m. Clare Loprinzi: Comm. 720; and Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Sharon Willeford: Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. Kittrena Morgan: Comm. 720, in opposition. Lisa Hallett Andrews: Res. 475-20 (Comm. 721), in opposition. CHR. RICHARDS: Thank you. Okay, so I think we've come to the end of our public testimony, so I'm going to close public testimony. Clerk, it is 9:55. We're going to take a three minute recess, we reconvene at 9:58. Recess: At 9:55 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 10:01 a.m. CHR. RICHARDS: Okay, we are back in session. Clerk, Communication 720, please. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 720: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON ITS PLEDGE TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF VEGETATION WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING HERBICIDES From Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy, dated January 10, 2020. Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 720. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. Page 2 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 CHR. RICHARDS: Council Woman Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, Maurice. You know, as we were moving through some of the information that was being presented a few weeks ago, I reached out to the Administration. And I just thought this would be a great opportunity for the Administration to begin to share some of the work that's already being done, and some of the best practices that are trying to be stood up in the Administration, specifically the Parks Department. So with that I've invited Maurice Messina, to give us a little presentation, and hopefully build context around what I hope will be to robust discussion on another matter. So Maurice, please. (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant Maurice Messina and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst Asia Wasser came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. MESSINA: Good morning everyone. Maurice Messina, from the Mayor's Office. So what we're going to do today, is we're going to just speak a little bit about, since the Mayor did his veto message, what we've been doing in the county to move forward to lessening our use of herbicide, and how we can get better as the county. So first with the Vegetation Management Advisory Committee, Rose Bautista at the Mayor's Office already started reaching out to different entities, like UH Hilo and other folks, trying to find out—getting some advice on what are the best ways to form this management committee. Some of the people that were listed in Bill 101 we feel we want to kind of mirror that, and we have a goal of four months to try to form the committee. And if we do this the right way, every two months beginning in April I'll be coming in or someone from Administration will be coming in and giving you an update on where we are with herbicide reduction. Please keep in mind that the four months, that is a goal and we're going to try and do our best to reach the goal. So one of things that we're going to be doing with the Advisory Committee is establishing vegetation management guide. That way if Administrations change, people change, we'll at least have a guide. We'll at least have a guide, we'll have something akin to an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) that the county can follow to keep us on the right path. Since the veto message, the departments have conducted refresher trainings with all people that apply herbicides; also their supervisors. Everything from reading labels to proper use proper PPE, Personal Protective Equipment. We've had Department of Agriculture come in and train our folks on how to do proper application, proper mixtures, things of that nature. One of the things that was brought up in the bill is a conclusive database Page 3 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 county -wide, that shows exactly what we're spraying, when we're spraying it, who spraying it, where it being sprayed, and how much. So we brought in Asia from DPW (Department of Public Works) to do a GIS mapping device for us. The goal is to one day, once we work through this, to actually have to where it's on a website and if everything works out well, somebody's going to say a park or something like that, they can go on and they can look and see when the scheduled herbicides spraying at this park. CHR. RICHARDS: Hang on, Mo. I'd like remind the public that are here, we practice a respectful decorum, or listen to their report. Thank you. MR. MESSINA: We've also got assurances from Department of Public Works, that since, I can say at least since Neil Azevedo has taken over as the manager there of Highways, that no one is spraying from a truck. No one is spraying out of a window in DPW (Department of Public Works.) So his policy is people walk behind, and you spray while you're walking on the ground and everybody has proper PPE. So if you allow me real quick, we would like to do a presentation of what the herbicide mapping the GIS mapping looks like. (Note: At this time, Ms. Wasser provided a presentation of the proposed GIS herbicide mapping procedures to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office. A copy of the presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 720.2.) MR. MESSINA: So why is this data useful to us? It's because we are committed to reducing use of herbicide in our county. And we can bring this data into the committee once it's formed, they can look at patterns, they can see where we're using the most and where we're not. They can help us with that. So thank you for that. One of the other things that we're doing, is we are, Parks and Rec is finalizing the resolution with Beyond Pesticides for the, yes, for the training, the action plan, soil management testing. There has been a change though. Parks and Rec has been consulting with Autumn—Autumn Ness from Beyond Pesticides—and they've changed to two different parks. There's couple of reasons behind that. Ms. Ness recommended that because they're only going to be here for one or two days. We don't go to four parks, we try to go to two parks. So the two parks that we're going to be concentrating on is Kuawa Field—mostly because that park is, it's a chore for our parks maintenance people and our Ho`olulu Complex people. It holds water, grasses, grass doesn't grow too well there. We've got a lot of pokey grass, things like that. And so we thought that would be a good field, and also we're going to be doing the Pahoa fields. Our Pahoa crew already is very, very, minimum of pesticides that they use at the Pahoa fields. We're going be redoing those fields, after it was used as a shelter. Anyway so it'll be good to know exactly how we can fix those. Page 4 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 So this was our first presentation. It was very short, I know. But we at least wanted to come in and show you that the Mayor is committed, and he's following through his commitment. To form this committee and to reduce our herbicides where we can in our county. And so every time I come and give you an update, one of the things we'll be doing is we'll come in and show you our new tracking data. And as we get along with forming the committee, we'll also keep you up dated on that one as well. CHR. RICHARDS: Okay. Thank you, Mo. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thanks, Mo. I just had one question. You know, you mentioned standing up the database with the GIS and then some of the other work where we have people in the field that are issued iPads. Is there an anticipated like future cost to get more of that data collection material like the iPads or more bandwidth with our GIS systems. Are we as a body going to be seeing requests for more equipment as far as hardware goes? MR. MESSINA: Possibly. That's one of the tasks that's going to be going with the committee. The committee going to come with recommendations, on ways for us to get better. And we plan on putting someone with a financial background, hopefully a county financial background, on the committee. That if they can help us figure this is going to be the budget increases, so that they can actually come in and present that to you before a budget cycle hits. Right now Parks and Rec doesn't have the ability to increase the budget at this time for that, so we're using what we have. So right now the goal is to, when Parks and Rec employees complete the form, they send it and we're actually going to be entering the data at the Mayor's Office. Because they also don't have the bandwidth in Parks and Rec right now to have someone just sit down and enter the data. But in order for us to get this thing moving, we're going to take that on at the Mayor's Office. MS. LEE LOY: You also mentioned the committee. You know, I'm kind of rounding it out, you know, people with the technical expertise, the scientific background, I also heard someone with like the financial ability. And so they will become that kind of clearing house for us going forward to help. MR. MESSINA: Correct. But also a very large representation from Public Works and Parks and Rec. So right now it's kind of like the committee has more or less just been formed by these two departments right now. Because these two departments are who we're pushing, who we're getting data from and they're helping us out with that. So for a lack of better way to say it, that it basically the first two members of our committee have been them. MS. LEE LOY: Is it possible to invite like a typical baseball mom, or, you know, people who are in the parks all the time and looking for opportunities. You know, friends of the park agreement, you know, how we Page 5 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. MESSINA: Right. So that's actually what we were thinking of, we were thinking about some of our successful friends with the park agreement. People who go out to our parks, and already have the friends of the parks where they're doing herbicide -free management. And so those are the kind of people we want in, to come on to the committee. MS. LEE LOY: I do have one last question, one last ask. Part of the tools that we have in our toolbelt is our sponsorship agreement, which allows for sponsors to come in and help in our park facilities. Is there a possibility for that committee to also glean through not only the cost associated with that, but looking for opportunities to invite partnerships with the sponsorship agreement? MR MESSINA: I would say right now probably everything is on the table. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Chair, I yield. CHR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. I'm going to open this up for questions from the rest of the Council. Council Woman Poindexter, hang on I just want to touch bases. Karen, over in Kona, you'll have to speak up because I can't see from here. So if you want to ask any questions, please let me know, alright? I hope she heard me. Okay, Val, go ahead. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah. This is great. How quick the Mayor's Office has responded, right, to this? Beautiful, right? MR. MESSINA: Right. Well that was his commitment. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. So why veto the bill, you had four years now you guys working immediately, this is great. So if we had teeth in it, this is great Maurice. You know, we knew we could do it. So you've proven us correct, that we can move quick enough. So I appreciate it. Looking at the GIS, wonderful. How quickly. Even doing the committee and how you're going to get back to us and all of this. That was all in it. I'm kind of like flabbergasted on why a veto then, you know, no teeth. Okay, but all I want to say is you're doing a great job. MR. MESSINA: No. To answer your question there was more in the Mayor's veto message then just— MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, yeah. But this is a big part of it. Okay, this was a big argument to me and Parks and Rec. Hey, you know, the timing how much time we need, we sat and met at Parks and Rec, I met with all of you guys. I appreciate the GIS. Where are you getting all of your information? Because I'm still working on and finalizing the Parks and Rec assessment, which we have now and I'm working with IT (Department of Information Technology) to get it into share point so we can easily take the data on everything. So I'll definitely work Page 6 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 with you on that, because I'm working with Parks and Rec and we'll be handing that over and see how we work with that. But all I'm saying is great work in such a short period of time. Kudos to the Administration for doing it. But I'm still ashamed that he vetoed it, because this could have been done under a stronger care for the people. And Administrations change, so hopefully this can stay and still try to develop. So we're just on the communication, good work on this, great speed, I love it. Just kind of disappointed in other areas, and I'll talk about that when we come to the resolution. Thank you very much. CHR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. MR. MESSINA: Sorry. CHR. RICHARDS: Go ahead. MR MESSINA: And please keep in mind with this, this is not a finished product. But we didn't want to have to come in front of the committee, I mean the Council, without anything. CHR. RICHARDS: Okay, appreciate that. Are there any other questions from the Council? Council Chair. MR. CHUNG: Thanks. Maurice, can you go over what your plans are with Kuawa Park and Pahoa again, I couldn't quite understand that. MR. MESSINA: Right. So this is the agreement that we made with—we're actually sending up a resolution. Parks and Rec is sending up a resolution with Beyond Pesticides. They're going to be testing the soil to find out the microbial content in the soil, what's the best way to take care of these kind of—this turf without the use of pesticides. So they're going to come in, they're going to train some of the Parks and Rec maintenance workers, and they're also going to work with James Komata, Roxcie Wahjen, and Jason Mattos our head of Parks Maintenance. To develop, plan, a turf manage plan, to take care of these fields. And then kind of train our guys how to do it, and seeing if this is something we can replicate and duplicate in other areas. MR. CHUNG: I see. So those are just going to be like pilot projects, basically? MR. MESSINA: Yes. MR. CHUNG: Okay. And then possibly be applied island -wide going forward, depending on how it works out. Page 7 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. MESSINA: Right. You know, there's still a funding measure, and things like that. MR. CHUNG: Yeah. And you know, I might have missed it, but you know, I've been talking about, you know, the rise of volunteerism in, you know, in the context of reducing herbicides. I'm just wondering have you guys thought about that? Because you know, when you talked about the pokey grass, that's the hilahila, right? You know, it kind of reminded me many years ago, when my son was playing soccer down at the soccer field that's on the other side of the main road, more by the Bayfront. It was just full of that pokey grass. So you know, the parents would, you know, just kind of pick it from time to time because we're dealing with little kids. But then it became almost like a project, and everyone got their own quadrants and they pick it and it was gone. I think, you know, you have a sense of community when you do that. I'm just wondering if you guys could really mobilize different communities or different groups throughout the island to do that kind of stuff and provide them the equipment. MR. MESSINA: Right. One of the positive things that came out of the discussions around Bill 101 was the amount of people who stepped up saying that they want to do friends of the parks agreements they want to help take care of parks. So that was another positive thing that came out of the bill, was like you were saying the community coming and stepping forward. But Parks and Rec can speak more on that. I can tell you at the Mayor's Office, we've gotten phone calls about it. MR. CHUNG: Good. And how many supervisors from either the—well from both the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Public Works Department are in charge of crews that poison? MR. MESSINA: I would have to say, you know, I could just say a supervisor in every district at least. But I would have to have DPW or Parks and Rec. But when I come back in April I can give those exact numbers, but I'm not sure exactly how many supervisors they have. MR. CHUNG: You know, I think when you do have your next update it might be useful and even if it's taking time away from them doing their work if you can bring the supervisors here too. Yeah, so that they know full -well how important it is for, you know, our workers to be adhering to the requirements. MR. MESSINA: Right. And Chair Chung, I can tell you that the trainings that I've been to and I've witnessed, believe it or not, a lot of even our boots on the ground as Sue likes to say, watch the Council meetings and watch the herbicide presentation, so they understand the dire need to get better, and make sure that and like the Mayor said, the people doing the applications are the ones most at risk. So we want to make sure that their properly trained and everything like that, so we can do that. Page 8 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. CHUNG: Yeah. And I'm not in any way suggesting that the supervisors are being negligent in administering their duties, but there has been some claims that we're not following. MR. MESSINA: Yes, sir, I heard that too. MR. CHUNG: And then finally at it relates to Resolution 475. Does that parallel, I mean is what's being requested here, does it parallel what you're doing or do you need or you don't need it? Because I'm inclined to say let's postpone the resolution, and see how you guys are doing. And if there's a need, then we resurrect it. I don't know, but what's your thoughts on all of this? MR. MESSINA: Well I've seen the resolution. I think that the resolution kind of mirrors what we're doing here, but it also does give credence of holding us accountable. If you look at Exhibit A on the back of the resolution, it does make really good points. We're not against the resolution at all. MR. CHUNG: Okay. But is it necessary, right now? You guys are moving forward, basically mirroring what's being provided here. If you guys don't follow through, then we could resurrect something like this. MR. MESSINA: That would be up to the Council. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, okay. Because you guys are coming up with standard operating procedures on this, right, written? MR. MESSINA: A vegetation management guide, yes. MR. CHUNG: Correct, okay. And you said about four months? MR. MESSINA: Well when I talked to Rose, she said it would be a minimum of four months. She's already started working to get the committees set. MR. CHUNG: But you guys are working on it? MR. MESSINA: Yes, sir. MR. CHUNG: Okay, alright. Thank you. CHR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. Other questions? I saw Maile's light on first, who's first? Okay, go ahead Maile. MS. DAVID: I'll be really short. Thank you, Chair. Aloha, and welcome. Thank you so much, for that presentation. It just reallyI'm very pleased, especially your explanation of what you folks have already been doing. And so my question was on the procedure. It seems like you guys just didn't do this after Page 9 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 the veto, after we voted on the veto. So it seems like you guys were doing this ahead of time. MR. MESSINA: Right. MS. DAVID: I think during the period of time we discussed the bill, Bill 101. MR. MESSINA: The Mayor had us as soon as it got to its final reading, the Mayor already told us, that if the veto didn't go through we need to already have a game plan. And so that's what we were doing. We were trying to make sure all of our areas were covered. MS. DAVID: I get that sense, and that's what in that process I think I want to commend the Mayor's Office for the forethought of doing it regardless and starting it right away. And the fact that you had all this very detailed information, of what you folks have accomplished so far. It's funny that listening to you, my first question was then why do we need this resolution, procedurally. I know there's checks and balances, and opportunities between now and the end of this term. And I'd like to see what the department, and the Administration is going to continue to do on this important issue. And so not to have something that, you know, I think you guys know what to do. And I think at this point, I trust that you folks are on your way, and that this will allow some time for things to come either back like some of the testifiers were saying. Because I think what you guys are doing now, will compliment anything that happens after this. So I trust that you folks will be doing the right thing, because it's very obvious from your presentation. And you folks have gone even further, to make it even easier for our communities to get themselves educated on how you folks are carrying this forward. So that's all I want to say. I want to say thank you very much. And mahalo for everything you guys have done, and I know you guys were doing this before today much sooner than—so thank you very much. I yield. Mahalo. CHR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Ms. David. Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Aloha, Mo. Thanks for being here today, and for that great presentation. It gives me hope and courage. Thank you for taking the time to create such a expansive digital tracking mechanism, and taking our county into the digital age when it comes to use of herbicides. You know, it warms my heart, because there's some success in moving the needle in a way that we're behaving as a county. And the responsibility, and the seriousness being taken in association with the way that we use herbicides in our parks and our roadways and our open spaces. Page 10 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 I'm also extremely excited about the training that will be happening in February, with Beyond Pesticides, with Parks and Recreation, and the two parks here on the east side. And the goal is to continue to identify parks to navigate the different challenges that are occurring there. And to identify mechanisms to manage vegetation there without the use of herbicides. I'm also hoping that DPW, and the Highways Maintenance Division will come and participate as well. I know that Autumn is talking about the steam, this new steam treatment mechanism that is having incredible results with the guinea grass in Maui. So that's really exciting. I'm astounded that this came together so quickly, and really grateful. I guess some of the questions that come up though for me is—well I'm really grateful because when I, you know, after the veto was not overridden, I reached out to Parks and Rec and DPW, and asked questions about what the spraying schedule was. Because there are members of the community that at least wanted a heads up, whether or not it's for their bee communities or whatnot. So there could be a more personal relationship, with those that are tending the areas. Also parents for the parks, and their response was, "Well the decision to spray is just dependent on the current condition of the weather" in which area they're monitoring, so there wasn't that happening. So it's happening already, and thank you for that. That's not an easy task, but I'm hoping that the empowerment for members of our departments because I'm sure it's not fun for them to have their photo's featured on social media constantly. And it comes as a personal attack and they're already working under in circumstances and conditions with constantly changing leadership and focuses and goals and whatnot. So thank you for putting this together. One of my concerns though is that the term "ideally" keeps getting used, "ideally" this will happen, and "ideally" this will continue. And I have serious concerns about the ideallys because there's is no force of law behind that. I alsoI guess I'd be remiss in not just asking the question, Mo. All this is being done and it essentially is what Bill 101 contained. Which was presented to the Administration months before it went through Council. And this legally binding piece of legislation continues to be a challenge to get passed any municipality. And I guess my question to you would be and something you said was your job is to protect the legal interest of our county. So is this major— MR. MESSINA: I didn't say that. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, maybe that's what I understood when you were working on the veto document, but that—does this have to do with like legal repercussions from a corporation like Monsanto or something like that, is that any part of that? MR. MESSINA: So I'm glad you brought that up. I'm going to make a statement, just so that everybody can understand. Monsanto, Bayer, nobody has contacted our office. Nobody has come to the Mayor's Office asking for us to Page 11 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 support legislation or veto legislation anything like that. The Mayor is committed, the Mayor's been committed to this county for over 40 years. That's why unfortunately there were some areas that he saw that needed improvement in Bill 101, and that's where the veto message came from. Obviously some of the things that we're doing here today were inspired by your bill. So nobody, no one has come to us, no corporation, no entity or anything like that has come to us telling us their going to sue us or anything like that, that I'm aware of. And I've been just in the middle of this the entire time, okay. So that's been thrown around, I've been told that I'm in the pockets of Monsanto, Monsanto paying my mortgage. And none of that is true. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you for answering the question. I just felt like I would be remiss, if it just wasn't asked in a public setting. So that you could answer the question and that reflection and presentation could be made for Administration. So thank you, for putting this together. And I look forward to in the next two months, seeing the next steps and the next progress. Of course I would have loved to see this happening under Bill 101, but regardless at this time I'm really grateful, Mo. And I know how hard you worked on this. And the diligence, the creativity, the initiative, the tenacity that it's taken to put these things together and I just really want to thank you for that. MR. MESSINA: Okay, thank you, Rebecca. But it's actually been more or less the departments that have been working on this, the departments have been pushing this through. We've just been asking them to push it along faster. MS. VILLEGAS: So thank you, to the departments too, then. CHR. RICHARDS: Pau? Yield? MS. VILLEGAS: Yes. CHR. RICHARDS: I'm sorry Mr. Lui, this is during Council we don't take questions or testimony. Thank you. Okay, so thank you, Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, I yield. CHR. RICHARDS: Okay, thank you. Chair Chung, I see your light on but we haven't had the first lap with Matt. Matt, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Asia. Thank you, Mo. My question that I was simmering the entire time was do we need the resolution to do what you just talked about? Yes or no? Page 12 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. MESSINA: I can tell you this, regardless if there's a resolution, regardless if there's not, we're going to be committed to the assurances that Harry Kim gave to this county. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And what is that? MR. MESSINA: And that is reducing herbicides. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And was that already one of our goals? MR. MESSINA: I can answer that question. This is what Mayor Kim said, "You have this Administration pledged to form a committee to guide county operation and identifying and using best practices for the management of vegetation on county property, with the goal of reducing the use of pesticides or herbicides." MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Is that a new pledge or an old pledge? MR. MESSINA: That's what he put in his veto message. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Before that was there a feeling that we were going to do this? Because I've heard from other departments we've been trying MR. MESSINA: Well I mean if you look strictly at Parks and Recreation, they've reduced their herbicide uses in the last five years by over 40 percent. So yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So don't need the resolution, you're going to continue what you're doing. I think that is good, because the people are asking for it and that's our job to uphold what the people want. My second question that was bubbling while I was listening to the presentation on this was, being a guy from the field and thinking about how you fill out this document as you're going, including what the wind speed was when you're spraying and were you using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)? I just think that a real world application of this is going be more likely to be after the fact. Of course I was wearing all my PPE, of course the wind speed was exactly what it was supposed to be, and if MR. MESSINA: Okay. Council Member, I'm going to disagree with you on that. That is not the direction that has been given to our employees in the parks. They will do it right then and there that is the goal. That is what they're going to be doing. If they can't enter it in their system, they're all going to have hand paper copies and they're going to do that. They turn it in to their supervisor at the end of the day. That's the way it's going to be, that's the directive from the Mayor. Page 13 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And then secondly, is there I think it was an associated cost with equipment was what the question was earlier. What is the associated cost for the extra time to do all this? Because if I have to mix something and then stop, and then go enter in my iPad and then go spray it and stop and test the wind speed. There's going to time involved in that. So is it like as it's done it's filled out? MR. MESSINA: So this database went live yesterday, okay. So those are all the questions that we're going to be asking our people in the field. Like is this too cumbersome? Are some of these areas that we're asking you guys enter data is that not needed? You know, Asia spent a lot of time making this, and she worked on it with the departments. But the guys that are actually going to be doing the applications, we need their feedback on how to make this better, you know. Maybe you're right, maybe that part of it is too cumbersome. We don't know yet, so that's the whole point in this, is to get it out there and start using it and start testing it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And besides that, I echo what Ms. Poindexter said. I think this could have been very helpful in the last six weeks of discussion, but now it's kind of like a great step but a little bit late. And there's no blame on Asia's behalf, because Asia is amazing when it comes to this stuff. She probably could whip us out in like six minutes, if I know Asia. MS. WASSER: It is not six minutes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Maybe 12. MS. WASSER: But I do want to just really quickly mention that DPW Highways has not been doing this exact data collection, but for the past several years Neil has implemented, like they have a form that the field crews fill out for herbiciding. So this isn't completely new, a lot of the current forms that we have now in this database is built off of what the information that Highways was already collecting. And then it got added on to include Parks and Rec. So this for Highways at least, it has been several years of doing this. So I just kind of wanted to mention that. It has not been in a digital database or webmap, it's been paper forms in file cabinets. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So you added to the GIS mapping system to kind of tie then both together. MS. WASSER: We have not gone back yet and added it, because it'sI don't know, I think he's been doing it since 2016 or 2017. But the records are there and we could. In theory we could add it, but currently it has not been added. But there are records and forms. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Page 14 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. MESSINA: So when we come in April, what you're going to see is the day the database went live, to that point what we've done. And then you're going to probably see a little bit of a different mapping system, depends on how the guys on the field come out. There may be a completely separate one for Parks and Rec, because may be it just doesn't work as well for them. But that's what we're going to figure out, we're going to work on it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I'd be very interested to see how it actually works when you're pushing buttons on an iPad, and trying to do your job at the same time. Because I can tell you exactly what I would do. So I appreciate this. MR. MESSINA: We would give you directions. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes. I do appreciate what you guys have done here, Mayor's Office, Asia. But I do echo what Ms. Poindexter said as well. Thank you. CHR. RICHARDS: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Chair Chung. MR. CHUNG: Real briefly. CHR. RICHARDS: Just quickly as you know I have to leave for another obligation for the county. So what I'm going to do, I'm going to turn the chairing of this committee over to my Vice Chair, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Your timing is impeccable sir, you quit talking when I could turn it over to you. So let the record reflect, I am turning chairing the meeting over to Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder. Relinquish Chair: At this time, the Chair relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Please let the record show that I have taken over as Chair for the Agriculture Committee, and that Mr. Richards is no longer with us. Aaron, discussion continued. MR. CHUNG: Thank you very much, Matt. You know, Maurice reminded me of something that I wanted to say during our last go around, during the veto meeting. And I really regret not mentioning it, it kind of slipped my mind. You know, I've had a lot of fights with Mayor Kim as you guys know. I've had even one that was on the Council floor, one time that I understand because I don't really engage in social media much. But I've been told that it was really flying around in social media as well. And you know, I have a lot of, well at least several words, you know, to describe the Mayor, which are not real flattering. And he probably has the same amount, which would be directed at me. But I really, really, thought it was irresponsible of those few people who suggested that the Mayor was in bed with big business at Monsanto. I mean that was absolutely irresponsible, because Page 15 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 it was so totally off base of what Harry Kim does stand for. I wanted to make that statement. It was not right, you know, okay. And anyway with all due respect to my colleagues, and to who introduced this resolution, you know, or the resolution. Is it on the floor right now? Not yet. I'm hoping that, you know, it will be maybe postponed, okay. Thank you. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. MS. EOFF: Mr. Chair? ACTING CHR. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Oh, Karen. MS. EOFF: Hi. Thank you. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Sorry. Yes, Ms. Eoff, go ahead. MS. EOFF: No. I just wanted to say, you know, I appreciate the presentation from Mo. And it's heartening to see that the Administration has taken this proactive step now, and that we have moved into a direction that I believe that we all want us to go in. And I feel like hopeful that by doing this now, and you know, unfortunately we will have to wait for a bill to come back. But I hope that out of respect for Ms. Villegas we can, you know, anticipate something coming back that would incorporate what we are currently able to accomplish with the first of law for the future. And I won't speak on the reso at this point, because I know it's not on the floor. But I just wanted to say that I think we should look at this as an opportunity. And I also want to thank Rebecca, again, for having taken the lead and Autumn for all the time and effort and Blake who went into giving us the emphasis to get the Administration to go ahead and take these steps. So I feel happy today about what I'm hearing. Thank you. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Aloha, again. Asia, I just had a couple questions for you. Is this database going to be public? MS. WASSER: So that is something that could be decided by Mayor's Office or Council, right. Currently it is not, right, because we've been kind of in a draft working mode. And it sounds like people definitely within the next few months as the field crews go out and test it, make changes and revisions. I'm sure it will change a little bit, right. But once it's all said and done, it's possible. We could have a link to the webmap, it's probably what people will want. Page 16 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MS. VILLEGAS: So the intention if I understood from Mo, was that it was going to be public so people could go and look and see where spraying had happened. Was that the intentionality of that feature of the digital? MR. MESSINA: Yes, we want to get there. We do. We looked at other municipalities, and the way that they do it. And they schedule out an herbicide spraying. Of course it would be a little bit different, because like if you go out and the winds too high, or if it's wet or if it's raining it would have to be rescheduled. But at least as we work through this system, like Asia is saying, to be able to put it on line so to where people can see at least where herbicides have been sprayed. You know, that's something that we'd definitely want to look at. We want to be clear and we want to let the public see that we're not hiding that we're spraying herbicides. MS. VILLEGAS: Right. MR. MESSINA: We want them to know where it's at. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. I guess I just want to put in here too, that there is some concern, and we've heard from a number of different parents and constituents, because there is a history of spraying on the side of the roads, and kids get off the bus. And number one, they're not going to check a database to see whether or not the road's just been sprayed. So I was wondering if in this kind of new protocol that's being created, would you commit to utilizing the signs and prevention of entry for areas that have been sprayed? Because that is currently part of the pesticide law. And so how is that incorporated into this protocol? MR. MESSINA: So we're going to work with the committee, we're going to work with the departments, and we're going to figure out what's the best way to move forward on this. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. But you won't commit to me with that right now. MR. MESSINA: Well we're still in the infant stages of this. The one thing we don't want to do is commit to something and then two months later we're not able to follow through with it. When we commit to it, it's going to be a total commitment and nothing going to go back on. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. MR. MESSINA: But we will bring this up as we're working on it. And say okay, how is it that we can do this. As you can see it's even part of the database right now, where signs posted and things like that. Page 17 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MS. VILLEGAS: Great. And then I would just put that reminder in there, it's currently part of the law. And so things like the blue dye make it that much more obvious for people. And also I just want to clarify, my question about concerns about being sued by a major chemical corporation. That was not an implication that you or Mayor Kim, are in bed with Monsanto or Bayer. It was simply a question about the legal concerns, potentially of a municipality making a law that doesn't allow for spraying of certain chemicals. Because of concerns of being sued by that chemical company. So I just wanted to clarify in response sort of to what Mr. Chair Chung said, that was not where I was trying to go with that. I'm trying to articulate as effectively as possible where the potential big blockers are. And as the Administration and a government being concerned about the repercussions of major corporate enterprise, which have very big pockets and very big lawyers, and come to task when being told what they can, and cannot do in our public spaces. MR. MESSINA: Actually glad you brought it up, so that we can clarify that. MS. VILLEGAS: Great. Thanks, Mo. And with that, I mean I have some more to talk about, more of the resolution. But thank you guys once again. And I look forward to being here in February, and also having a community meeting. I know Autumn wants to do that in this space right here. And so it would be great to have members of the community, come out and also learn other ways to mitigate vegetation management. Alright, aloha. I yield. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor of closing file on Communication 720. Vote on Comm. 720: The motion to close file on Comm. 720 was carried by the Filed following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Villegas, and Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards —1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Clerk, read in our next resolution, please. Page 18 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 475-20: ESTABLISHES POLICY GOALS IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO REDUCE HERBICIDE USE, REDUCE PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO HERBICIDES, AND SUPPORTS THE APPOINTMENT OF A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION Encourages the Mayor to fulfill his pledge to form a committee to guide County operations in identifying and using best practices for the management of vegetation on County property with the goal of reducing the use of herbicides. Reference: Comm. 721 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz and Ms. Lee Loy Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 475-20. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. ACTING CHR KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: Who would like to start the discussion? Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you very much Chair, for the opportunity. Just want to start out by saying that there was a lot of concern about the Mayor's veto, that it would result into nothing. And so this resolution was an attempt by my colleague Ms. Lee Loy and I to insure accountability. And to follow through on statements that we made to elevate the positive aspects of 101, and build consensus it affirms commitment to take action, but it's not an end all, it's a spring board. And it provides as a framework to make informed decisions. And if you take a look at Exhibit A, attached to the resolution, it provides baseline matrix information we need to guide actions. Sound policy is justice for the people. There is this notion that a resolution is toothless, and that is deliberately false and misleading. We use resolutions all the time to direct substantive action. Appropriations for contingency funds, awarding PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission) monies for stewardship grants, accepting donations for equipment or for members of this body to attend conferences. We use resolutions to extend program contracts for things like Section 8, to enter into memorandums of agreement. We also use resolutions to create positions, and to make important strong statements such as moving on climate change. A resolution is what you make it, and this helps to keep the ball rolling. And it doesn't get in the way of other efforts to make progress. What it does is it helps set the tone for tackling this issue in a sensible, measured, and calm way. Page 19 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 I will share that is has been difficult to be on the receiving end of personal attacks and threats, to the safety and wellbeing of my family. Comments that dehumanize, comments that vilify are not helpful to the discussion. This topic has been unnecessarily polarizing, and divisive. And I think something that Uncle Abel talked about earlier, about working things out amongst ourselves. We need to get back to that, we need to get back to listening to each other like we used to. There were many instances where measures come before this body, a colleague has an issue and we pause. We address the concerns, we make adjustments, and we proceed as a unified front to show that we can work together, to show the community that government can work for them. I'm not opposed, or attached to this resolution. Chair Chung, has mentioned we can defer. I will do what this body wants. I just wanted to create a space, so that we can get back to an environment of genuinely listening, collaborating, and having productive dialog. Thank you, Chair. I yield. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. You know, I saw this as an opportunity to kind of comb out what we all agreed upon, on a piece of legislation. And then use some of the work that the Administration is talking about right now, and lift up really good information which will then drive just sound policy. After Bill 101, I too was a recipient of some ugly, but I took a deep breath and recognized, you know what, that type of rumble, those types of concerns needed a bigger space, and a bigger opportunity to get hashed out and hammered out. And so reaching out to Maurice, and looking at ways or opportunities where we could at least springboard some of the work. To get some of the data was what was driving me in this particular resolution, and even the development of Exhibit A of which Maurice spoke about. But I also heard today that we can do better. And I am also willing to maybe defer or postpone this particular resolution. But I like rocks in hard places, right. And I feel strongly that this resolution was in the impetuous and the push so that when the Administration brought its presentation they had some kind of framework or some kind of goals to aspire to that helps us make the decisions. I am open to amending, deferring, but I really want all of us to get to a place where we're building consensus for everyone. With that, I'm going to yield. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mahalo, Ms. Lee Loy. Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah. I'm not going to support this resolution, because I did hear loud and clear from the public; and you know, through emails, testimony today, phone calls, you know, talking about this is a toothless resolution. We've Page 20 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 heard the testimony, so I've heard it loud and clear. The public really just feels this resolution is smoke and mirrors type of legislation. You know, Uncle Able, you used the word "kapulu" plenty times, and you know, I will like to agree with you on that, that this would be kapulu work, because I know that we're talking about a vegetation management committee that will reduce or reduce the use of herbicides. So my concern with that, it says reduce, right. You can reduce, verses eliminate, work towards eliminating not just reducing. And we know Administrations change, and we've had a revolving door of Directors and Deputy Directors in many of our departments. You know, things are going to fall through the cracks eventually, but if it's a force of law not going fall through the cracks because that is holding people feet to the fire. A resolution doesn't hold your feet to the fire. And especially like I said with the revolving door, it's not just every four years Administration changes. It can change in months with Directors and Deputy Directors. We've seen that, we've seen that in this Administration. That revolving door is, I mean somebody had greased up the wheels ongoing. I don't know what's happening. But all I'm saying is that we need to be able to hold Administration's feet to the fire. No matter who the Administration is, right. And this will be for generations to come. We've seen it today, the presentation. We had four years to do it. Great work Administration, you proved us right. So I'm going to wait. I heard one testifier said that something may be coming up, and I believe that is so. Because if that wouldn't happen, I want to do something. So I'm not supporting this at this point. I heard the the public, and I've gotten many calls and emails like I said before. So I'm going to honor the voice of the people. I'll yield at this time, Chair. Thanks. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Karen you got anything to add? MS. EOFF: Hi. Okay, thank you. I'm just going to add, out of respect for Council Member Villegas, I don't feel that we need this resolution. I feel like we need a strong piece of legislation that will incorporate findings of not only what's beyond the table now by the Administration but what was suggested in Bill 101 to begin with. I'm still at a loss why we weren't able to move forward with the Bill 101. But I think that at this time I would rather see us enact of law that can incorporate whatever good information that has come forward in between then and now. So yeah, I don't really see the need for the reso. Thank you. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. Eof£ Anyone else? Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: I'm going to quote someone who testified earlier in saying that our island, our community and our children deserve better. Yes, resolutions can Page 21 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 be utilized under all different kinds of circumstances. However, it lacks the force of law, and there are issues in this resolution that concern me. Issues like could, and should, and a policy goal, who decides the minimum amount necessary; and policies change with the Administrations. Hundreds of people have reached out to me after Bill 101 asking me not to give up. And I'm grateful for those people reaching out, because that was a tough one. Unfortunately I don'tI'm grateful for all the testimony that occurred here today, and for the fact, you know well Mo you didn't answer—you sort of answered that the actions, the plans, and momentum that is being moved forward on these goals of reducing herbicide use in our county by Parks and Rec and Department of Public Works, that all can and will continue regardless of the passing of this resolution. And I'm grateful for that, I hearten by that, and therefore I don't think we need to pass this resolution. And it's not the will of the people to pass this resolution as there are a number of concerns with this being a common political play. And with that, I guess I'll just yield and keep it quick and short and say that I won't be supporting this resolution. And the process has been really enlightening. The politics have been really enlightening, and I'm learning as I go. But I just want to let people know that I'm continued to be committed to work with the Administration and follow this forward, and be good partners and allocate resources where and how we need to, to continue and improve the health and safety of the spaces that our county is responsible for maintaining. With that, I yield. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Mahalo, Ms. Villegas. Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. What I have questions in my mind about, not necessarily whether a bill to ban herbicide use on county property is right or wrong, because I've said it before, we need to start somewhere. The things that were discussed this morning, shows me that there's a real sorted effort on the part of the Administration to listen to what Bill 101 initially was asking to do. I also respect Ms. Villegas very much, for putting her heart and soul into something. Believing in it, convincing most of us to believe it too. Going through the disappointment of a veto. As legislators, that's something that is very—when people say this is not emotional, it is. Because when you believe in something, and you fight as hard and you do everything you think you could possibly do and you still fail. You have to stand up and remember that your job as a legislator and serving the community is to continue. Like Uncle Abel says, make it pono. And what I believe is what's happening now is this process—when someone's measure fails, in my experience being in the county it's always in an unspoken process that the initiator, if he or she has the ability to bring it forward again, that would be that legislator's choice. Page 22 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 I really haven't seen a situation where a veto happened and a resolution comes forward basically about the same issue and the same topic. So for me I would prefer to allow the introducer of this measure who has worked so hard on it, an opportunity to bring it back in a different form legally so that we can discuss it and talk about it again. And I would hope that with all what is being talked about now, that she embraces those things that concerns the Administration and everyone else; the testifiers in our community, so that we have something that comes back that is realistically as much as possible as pono as possible. And so for me procedurally, I believe I would like to allow the introducer to complete her journey in this measure that she spent a lot of time on. And I'd like to give her that opportunity. And so no disrespect to Ms. Lee Loy or Ms. Kierkiewicz for this resolution, because I think everybody is genuinely wishing that we can act as a body. But we all know guys, sometimes can, and sometimes cannot. But in this situation the reason I would like to not vote for this resolution, is to allow Ms. Villegas the opportunity that I believes she deserves. And to make it good for the people, for everybody. So with that, I yield. Thank you, Chair. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Ms. David. Very nice. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. You know, I always pride myself on listening to what's going on over here. So I've heard. I just want to pose the one question, because we heard Mo make representations that, you know, he's going to come back. And so like I mentioned, you know, this is a good tool to continue to hold the Administration accountable. And so listening very carefully, you know, I'm inclined to either defer to that two month window that the Administration talked about, so that it would be a natural segue for him to come for him to come back and present. Or you know, pull it out, pull and defer this and then, you know, even work with Ms. Villegas, in framing up some of the other stuff that would be good tools for future policies. But this is how it has to happen, this is the Sunshine Law. We have to listen to one another, we have to find commonalities, work together, while still moving the needle with the Administration. That's where I'm at. I'd like to hear from my colleagues how we can continue the conversation, and then get the measurables and the actions out of the Administration, while developing future policy. So with that I yield. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Karen, you okay, in Kona? MS. EOFF: Yeah. Thank you. No, no need. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Mr. Chung. Page 23 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 MR. CHUNG: Yeah. You know, I said earlier that I thought this is a measure that should be postponed or deferred, yeah. I'm just kind of listening to what my colleagues have said. Looks like, you know, there are at least a majority of members who are looking to vote it down. But I'm still going to make a motion to postpone, and if it's still defeated then I will be yes on the main motion. And the reason for that is, it provides this mechanism provides option for the county. It will probably fail, but I still want to keep this on the table if possible. So I'm going to make a motion to postpone, to the call of the Chair. Motion to Postpone: Mr. Chung moved to postpone Res. 475-20 to the call of the Chair. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. MR. CHUNG: We don't need any discussion on that. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We need to vote on that? MR. BROWN: So for the record, there's a motion of the floor made by Chair Chung, seconded by Council Member Lee Loy to postpone Res. 475 to the call of the Chair. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, so there's a motion made to postpone Res. 475-20 to the call of the Chair. You want to do a roll call vote Karen, so we can get you. MS. EOFF: Okay, only yeah, I think you can have discussion on this. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Oh, yes, is there any discussion on this motion? Thank you, Karen. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, you know, like Mr. Chung said, it's a tool. We can use it as a tool to keep everybody engaged. I'm going to be speaking in favor of the motion to postpone, because I think it's a good tool for us. Especially with the Administration and some of the representations made, and then even some of the non -commitment that we got from the Administration and holding them accountable. So I'm speaking in favor of the postponement. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Karen, do you have anything to add? MS. EOFF: Yeah. I just want to say, you know, I understand that's one option. But right now, I feel like if we need a presentation or an update by the Administration every month or every two months. There's no reason why we couldn't request through a communication, like Ms. Lee Loy did today. So I still don't feel that this is necessary, and I kind of am inclined to just vote no on the reso. Thank you. Page 24 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I would add that we started doing a monthly update from the Mayor's Office, and that would be a good place to park this communication as well. So we can continue discussion, and see what may come. So that would just be my thoughts. So a vote on the motion to postpone 475-20. Can I get a roll call vote? Vote on Motion: The motion to postpone Res. 475-20 to the call of the to Postpone: Chair failed by the following roll call vote: Failed Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy — 3. Noes: Committee Members David, Eoff, Poindexter, Villegas, and Acting Chair Kaneali` i-Kleinfelder — 4. Absent: Committee Members Eoff and Richards — 2. Excused: None. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, motion to withdraw Res. 475-20. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I need to check. Karen, are you in Kona, can you hear me? We have to record it tough, sorry. Okay, Karen, we're going to mark you absent, unless you respond within three seconds. Okay, so show Ms. Eoff absent, please. MR. BROWN: And for the record, Mr. Richards is also absent. So you have three ayes, four nos and two absent, Chair. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, mahalo. Okay, Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: If we're saying that the motion to defer, postpone failed. I would like to make a motion to withdraw Resolution 475-20. Point of Order: MR. CHUNG: Just as a point of order. I'm just wondering if you need a motion, or it's just the maker can just withdraw. MR. BROWN: There's no motion needed if the introducer wants to withdraw, then the agenda item can be withdrawn without a motion. MR. CHUNG: Okay. Withdraw Res. 475-20: Ms. Kierkiewicz announced the withdrawal of Res. 475-20. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So from here. MS. EOFF: My VC (videoconferncing) went down, but it just came back up. So I'm not sure what happened, but now I hear the reso may be withdrawn. Page 25 AWEEMC-15 February 4, 2020 ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes, it is. MS. EOFF: Sorry, I don't know what happened. It just went down. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That's okay, we just wanted to check with you. Ms. Kierkiewicz, asked to withdraw Resolution 475-20. MR. BROWN: The resolution has been withdrawn. MS. EOFF: Okay. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 11:22 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to MENT: adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following voice vote: Approved: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Villegas, and Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards — 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: We stand adjourned. Mahalo. ;0 110 J --7,0 Mr. Herbert M. "Ti ' ichards, III, Chair % (Date) Agriculture, WaterAnergy and Environmental Management Committee HR/rk Page 26