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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2020-02-05 2018-2020 Hawaii County Council 31" Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii February 5, 2020 INVOCATION: Pastor Jack Snell of Puna Covenant Church gave the morning's invocation. (Note: At this time, Chair Chung announced that Mayor Kim would appear before the Council at 9:30 a.m. to give an update on the Coronavirus and the efforts being made by Hawaii government agencies to address the situation.) CALL TO The regular meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at ORDER: 9:03 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chair Ms. Karen Eoff, Vice Chair (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of Allegiance. ALLEGIANCE: (At this time, Ms. David led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.) PETITIONS, The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Petitions, MEMORIALS, Memorials, Certificates of Merit, and Expressions of Condolence. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND (Note: At this time and on behalf of Ms. Eoff, Ms. David presented a Certificate EXPRESSIONS OF of Merit to the League of Women Voters to commemorate its 100th anniversary CONDOLENCE: and the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.) Recess: At 9:11 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:13 a.m. Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 (Note: At this time, Ms. David presented a Certificate of Merit to Jessanie "Auntie Jessie" Marques for being nominated "2019 Community Star" for the State of Hawai`i.) Recess: At 9:19 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:20 a.m. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Statements FROM THE from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Gail Clarke: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing the Arts and Sciences Center and Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School) Jon Olson: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. Michael Abran: Res. 469-20 (Comm. 710), in support. (representing D.A.R.E. Hawaii) Richard Ha: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing Big Island Community Coalition) Abolghassem Abraham Res. 469-20 (Comm. 710); and Sadegh: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), comment. (Note: At this time, Mayor Harry Kim and Executive Assistant to the Mayor Maurice Messina came forward; Mayor Kim provided an update of the Coronavirus and the efforts being made by Hawaii government agencies to address the situation.) MR. KIM: So, I'm here to answer any of your questions, Mr. Chairman. CHR. CHUNG: I'm sure there are a lot of questions, but let's bear in mind that this is something that's being developed, okay, and it's fluid. The Mayor's Office doesn't have all of the answers because the primary agency or agencies that will be handling this has to come from the State, right; I would suspect the Department of Health and probably the Department of Transportation. Page 2 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 But I really wanted to thank you and your Administration for kind of tackling this matter and taking a proactive approach. And you're kind of the right person to do it, given your background in Civil Defense. But I've heard that there are protocols, and you're also very close with the medical community too. Have any protocols been put in place regarding people who may have symptoms and who want to go to the Emergency Room? Because, I've heard throughout the United States that they are asking—and of course it's very difficult to tell whether it's just a cold or something or the Coronavirus—but to call in advance so that they're prepared, whether you go to your doctor or whatever. Is that in place here? MR. KIM: Yes, sir. And the pamphlet has instructions on that. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, good. And my last question would beI know that you are in direct contact with the Governor on this matter, rightso, have you guys been interfacing quite a bit on this? MR. KIM: Yes, and today at 12:30 or so, we will have our third conference. And as egotistical as it may sound, the reason for that is because there's a strong request by this County that this be done. CHR. CHUNG: Good. Very good. I mean, because I think for everyone's information, too, I think Honolulu International or Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is one of, I think, seven international airports throughout the United States that are accepting, right MR. KIM: Yes, sir. CHR. CHUNG: VisitorsI don't even call them "visitors,"but travelers from China. And there are some measures in place, quarantine measures possibly, but we have to really be diligent, right? MR. KIM: And they areI'm kind of, not "kind of," I am proud of the State government in regards to what they're doing. I was told yesterday they have some Chinese already in quarantine. I know that word"quarantine" kind of strikes a negative thing, but this is highly positive. Just because symptoms were shown of colds and they were from China, they immediately quarantined them to make sure they go through the incubation period—and that's what's being done. CHR. CHUNG: Yeah. And I guess what we want to guard against, too, is some kind of xenophobia against Chinese because that's going to happen. It's happening already in the United States, I mean, the Mainland. MR. KIM: Thank you for saying that because that's obviously one of the goals too. Page 3 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else has questions? Matt. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Thank you for coming today, Mayor. There's a lot of concern in the community, and I had a phone call just asking where we are at. So, I'm glad you came today so everyone can be on the same page. My big concerns were, like Aaron stated, are hospitals ready if anything does happen? And are we working closely with the State to protect the people of this County? Because, that's what it comes down to. We are an island, so we're very quarantinable, but that's not very fair to us. I want to make sure we're all safe as a community if anything were to happen. So, I'mmainly the hospitals. Are hospitals ready to take people if it comes down to that? MR. KIM: I think the State is doing a real good job on that. That was one of their first questions asked last week, and assurances were given in regards to communication, coordination, what to do in treatment of all the hospitals in the State of Hawaii. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Are we watching our harbors and airports closely here at this County at our County level? MR. KIM: I don't think the harbors in regards to what we're talking about, but I do believe they're going to expand it very shortly in regards to Kona. The main thing is to stop people from even boarding the plane if they came from China. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. That's good. Just please keep us updated and let us know. MR. KIM: I will give you updates, sir. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Mayor, for being here. I was just wondering if some of that information was in a pdf format, because a number of us have our own bandwidth and network that we could share that. And keeping within the marching orders of good credible information, is there a way, Moe, that you could get that to us? I did have one question, though, because you mentioned the work with the schools. Is part of our charter schools part of that outreach so that we can get that information not only to our DOE(Department of Education)programs but also our charter schools? Page 4 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MR. KIM: Yes, ma'am. The instructions were given for all schools, including the university and charter schools. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Anyone else? Okay. And it was really good to hear that Civil Defense message again. There's a calming effect to it somehow. But thank you. I mean, really, but this, we've really got to take this seriously. This virus has an incubation stage of anywhere from 2-14 days, right? So, you really don't know. Guys might be asymptomatic. So, we really have to be vigilant on this thing, and hopefully we can weather the storm. I think this is a global effort, and it seems to be working. So, Mayor, anytime you need to come to us to give us updates, feel free. MR. KIM: I totally appreciate that, and I'll be a braggart for a second here. I think your County government, in coordination with everyone, is probably the lead in the United States right now. CHR. CHUNG: I'm feeling really good about our efforts. Thank you very much. MR. KIM: Thank you very much. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. Thank you for coming. Let's call, now, Madie Greene and Mark Hinshaw. Madie Greene: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing Nanawale Community Association) Mark Hinshaw: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (See Comm. 701.30) Kerry Kelley: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing Mainstreet Pahoa Association) Darryl Oliveira: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing Community (See Comm. 701.37) Action Network) Amedeo Markof£ Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (representing Mainstreet Pahoa Association) Page 5 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Leilani Bronson-Crelly: Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. (See Comm. 701.24) Frances K. "Frankie" Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. Stapleton: (See Comm. 701.22) Hannah L. Hedrick: Res. 473-20 (Comm. 717); and Bill 131 (Comm. 701), in support. CHR. CHUNG: Why don't we go on to "Communications?" We're going to take up the reappointments of several individuals. And then I see an officer over here. What are you here for? Which one? 136? And then we're going to take that one up, and just take a real short recess and then go into the rest of our business. Okay so, Mr. Clerk, "Communications." Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members, the of Business: following items were taken out of order: Comm. 722: REAPPOINTMENT OF DENISE NAKANISHI TO THE BOARD OF ETHICS From Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 16, 2020, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Waived: FC Requires Council Confirmation by: February 29, 2020 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Rose Bautista came forward to address the members of the Council.) Vote on Comm. 722: Mr. Richards moved to confirm the reappointment of (Approved) Denise Nakanishi to the Board of Ethics. Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Page 6 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Comm. 723: REAPPOINTMENT OF ROD QUARTARARO TO THE POLICE COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 16, 2020, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Waived: PSC Requires Council Confirmation by: February 29, 2020 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Comm. 723: Ms. Lee Loy moved to confirm the reappointment of (Approved) Rod Quartararo to the Police Commission. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Comm. 724: REAPPOINTMENT OF JUSTIN LEE TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 16, 2020, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Waived: FC Requires Council Confirmation by: February 29, 2020 (Section 2-215(k), Hawaii County Code) Page 7 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Vote on Comm. 724: Ms. Poindexter moved to confirm the reappointment of (Approved) Justin Lee to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Comm. 725: REAPPOINTMENT OF RILEY SMITH TO THE KAILUA VILLAGE DESIGN COMMISSION From Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 16, 2020, submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the above nomination. Waived: PC Requires Council Confirmation by: February 29, 2020 (Section 13-4(1), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Comm. 725: Ms. Lee Loy moved to confirm the reappointment of (Approved) Riley Smith to the Kailua Village Design Commission. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Let's go on to `Bills for Ordinances, First Reading." Bill 136. MS. BAUTISTA: Thank you. You're doing just fine. Thank you, Chair. Have a good day, everyone, and thank you for the confirmation. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. Page 8 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Bill 136: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 19-73, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 Increases revenues in the State Grants –Wireless E911 Fees account ($375,000); and appropriates the same to the Wireless E911 account, bringing the total appropriation to $1.875 million. Funds will be used to purchase a backup generator for the fire dispatch center and furniture for the police dispatch center. Reference: Comm. 718 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Waived: FC Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to pass Bill 136 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Thank you. I think Officer Fujitake is in the room. And this was asked to be waived out of Finance, so can you give us a real short summary? CHR. CHUNG: And Chief Rosario, thank you. MS. DAVID: And Chief Rosario, thank you. (Note: At this time, Police Lieutenant Robert Fujitake, Jr., and Fire Chief Darren Rosario came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. DAVID: Go ahead whenever you're ready. Just identify yourself. MR. FUJITAKE: Good morning, and thank you for having me here. My name is Robert Fujitake. I'm a lieutenant with the Hawaii Police Department and commander of our Dispatch and Communications Section. I'm here to speak on behalf of the purchasing of the new dispatch furniture for our dispatchers. As we all know, our dispatch staff are the first responders. They field all the 911 calls, non-emergency calls that come in for our island. These consoles are manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Currently, our furniture is over 20 years old, and they are in bad shape, to say the very least. Having this new furniture for them not only will make it more user friendly and make their jobs a little easier, but it will provide them with a station that will help in minimizing fatigue as they often work 12-hour shifts due to staffing shortages. Within the past couple of years, other island—Oahu, Maui, and Kauai—dispatch centers have all replaced their console furniture with new furniture. I spoke to supervisors at those centers who have told me that these new stations have helped their employees as far as with feeling more comfortable and able to doing their Page 9 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 jobs a little bit easier as their staff often works 12 hours a day also, due to staffing shortages. Hopefully in the near future, we'll have a joint dispatch center with Police and Fire being together. But in the interim, if we can have our furniture replaced, again which is in dire need of being replaced, it will serve until we can get this joint center done, and it will also serve as a backup center when the new one is completed. Currently, our dispatch center has eight working stations at the Police Department. With the same footprint with the new furniture, we would have nine working stations. So again, looking forward into the future, we'll be able to man that extra station, allow them to answer more phone calls. Because currently right now, we are fielding over 200,000 calls per year, almost 600 calls a day at the police station. And of course, staffing is an issue; we are working on that. But if we can get more personnel in, it will give us one extra seat in the center to help alleviate the dispatchers from answering more calls and focusing on dispatching officers. Again, I just want to reiterate that we are looking to replace this furniture to help our staff just have a little bit more of a comfortable working station for them throughout their shift. Thank you. MS. DAVID: Thank you very much for that. Chief, do you want to say a few words? MR. ROSARIO: Darren Rosario, Fire Chief, Hawaii Fire Department. I just wanted to say that part of this, also, will go—about 150,000 is earmarked for fire departments. Our emergency generator system, our current generator at the dispatch center is 30 years old. It's under capacity. In recent storms, we've had issues of power outages as well. So, we look forward to having you folks approve this and moving forward. I do want to say for the Police Department that the Hawaii Fire Department was very fortunate to have already replaced its furniture within the department, and it does make a great difference. It allows the dispatcher to work either at a seated position or at a standing position. And it does help them through the long workdays, as the Fire Department as well works 12-hour shifts and they pretty much work six days a week. So, this is a definite benefit. It's a very arduous occupation that's much needed in our community. So, I'd like to thank you folks for your support for this bill. Thank you. MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chief. I really support this, people that have to sit all day long, and it's very stressful and grueling. They really need comfortable furniture to do that in a working environment. So, I just ask for everyone's support on this, and mahalo for coming. Page 10 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 CHR. CHUNG: Anyone else? Yeah, I mean, I'm just like Maile; I support this too. But I'm just kind of wondering how many pieces of furniture are you guys looking at? MR. FUJITAKE: So currently again, right now we have eight stations available. With the same footprint, we'd be looking at having nine dispatch consoles put in there. And as Chief Rosario had mentioned, it would be the same type of furniture that their staff has, which would be the type where they can sit and then they can also stand to minimize fatigue. CHR. CHUNG: So when you say "nine stations," though, how many—because, this is $225,000. Give us a picture of what we're MR. FUJITAKE: So, what we're looking at is a station that will hold their keyboards, which I believe is three currently right now, keyboards that they're working with CHR. CHUNG: Oh, okay. I see. MR. FUJITAKE: Seven monitors. CHR. CHUNG: Just the whole workstation, yeah, okay. MR. FUJITAKE: Yes, the whole workstation. And it will also provide them a location for their maps and other paperwork that they may need and whatnot. So, yeah. CHR. CHUNG: Very good. Okay, perfect. All right, we have a motion on the floor. All those in favor, say "aye." Vote on Bill 136: The motion to pass Bill 136 on first reading was carried by (Approved) the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung–9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Let's take a short recess. Recess: At 10:29 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Page 11 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 10:48 a.m. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, let's go back on the record. Mr. Clerk, do we need to approve the minutes of January 8? Return to Order The Chair directed the Council to return to the order of business. of Business: APPROVAL The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Approval OF MINUTES: of Minutes. Vote on Approval Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to approve the Minutes of of Minutes: January 8, 2020. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter and carried (Approved) by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. All right. So, let us now go on to Bill 131, "Order of the Day." Oh, wait. Where are all the administrative people? Why don't we take other matters as fast as we can, and then as soon as everyone's here, then we'll move ahead. MR. HENRICKS: Let's take it from the top? CHR. CHUNG: Take it from the top, "Order of Resolutions." COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. (Note: Items in this category were taken up previously, out of order.) ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order RESOLUTIONS: of Resolutions. Page 12 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Res. 469-20: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO D.A.R.E. HAWAII FOR ITS 2020 D.A.R.E. DAY EVENT IN WEST HAWAII Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 6); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 710 Intr. by: Ms. David Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to adopt Res. 469-20. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Yes, and I would like to thank the officer that came in this morning in Kona and ask for your support of this great program. Mahalo. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, we have a motion on the floor. All those in favor, say Ic aye. Vote on Res. 469-20: The motion to adopt Res. 469-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Res. 470-20: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE ISLAND OF HAWAII YMCA FOR ITS FAMILY VISITATION CENTER PROGRAM Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 3); and credits to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 711 Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy Page 13 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 470-20. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Myself and Council Member Richards often support this program, and it's really an honor to do so again this year. So, I ask for everyone's support. CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah,just real quick. As Councilwoman Lee Loy just said, this is something that I'm always trying to support. They fill a niche that is desperately needed in our County, and they are the safe bridge between couples going through a very tough time if they're separating. So, it gives the kids a safe haven. And so, I, too, ask for your support. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, we have a motion on the floor. All those in favor, say Ic aye. Vote on Res. 470-20: The motion to adopt Res. 470-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Res. 472-20: AUTHORIZES THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AIRPORTS DIVISION, PURSUANT TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A FIRE EMERGENCY Establishes a joint agreement to provide emergency fire response at various airport establishments and surrounding communities. Reference: Comm. 716 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Waived: FC Page 14 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to adopt Res. 472-20. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. Chief Rosario was here earlier and just basically asked for our support. It was waived out of Finance, and this is just to update the original MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) agreement with the State DOT (Department of Transportation) and the Airports Division. So, there's no cost to Fire. There's no cost to the State. It's just an update. So, I ask for your support. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else? There being none, all those in favor say Ic aye. Vote on Res. 472-20: The motion to adopt Res. 472-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Res. 473-20: AUTHORIZES THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION DIVISION, PURSUANT TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 46-7, FOR A GRANT TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT Federally-derived funds in the amount of$49,500 would be used to implement a "Quick Build" demonstration project to promote walking, bicycling, and transit through safe, connected routes. Reference: Comm. 717 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Waived: FC Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to adopt Res. 473-20. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. Page 15 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. DAVID: Thank you. This is another item that wasa waiver was requested, and if anyone has questions, I believe—Natasha? Yes, she's here. Can you explain? Just a brief explanation, please, since this was waived out of Finance. Identify yourself. (Note: At this time, Planner Natasha Soriano came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. SORIANO: Natasha Soriano, Planner with the transportation part of the Planning Department. So, a quick brief history. DOH (Department of Health) has given, before, funds to build capacity around Complete Streets. In 2019, they granted the City and County of Honolulu a similar grant that would implement a Quick Build project that would be painting on the sidewalk, placemaking, tactical urbanism planters. And Honolulu had completed their implementation project in October of last year. And DOH has given a similar grant to the other counties Maui and Kauai as well as us, and they are looking to spend money their Federal fiscal year currently, and they had asked earlier for a MOA. I was not prepared to implement until now, and so if we can expedite spending for them, it would be great. MS. DAVID: And that's the reason for the waiver. Thank you very much, Natasha. I yield to other Council Members. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I just want to say that I'm completely supportive of this project as someone that has brought murals to our town. I fully support placemaking, and I love the fact that this is probably going to be an asphalt art project. And so I'm wondering, with nearly 50,000, if you've identified any potential communities that could be benefiting from this Quick Build project. Is it limited to one project, or can you do a few with this money? MS. SORIANO: If the money allows us to do a fewso, the money is for both planning and implementation. The only stipulation is that it needs to be a project within the vicinity of a SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) funded school. I have been looking on the list of DOE schools that are at least on County roads. A few thoughts would be Pahoa High School, maybe one in Kona and possibly one in Waimea. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Excellent. Keep us posted,Natasha. Thank you so much. Thanks for going after this grant. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you. We have a motion on the floor. All those in favor, say "aye." Page 16 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Vote on Res. 473-20: The motion to adopt Res. 473-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Res. 474-20: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO REIMBURSE THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION FOR EXPENSES RELATING TO THE 2020 WAIMEA CHERRY BLOSSOM HERITAGE FESTIVAL Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account (Council District 9); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Culture and Education Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 719 Intr. by: Mr. Richards Motion to Approve: Mr. Richards moved to adopt Res. 474-20. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you. This is our annual event in Waimea, and this continues to grow and become more and more popular. I don't have an estimate for the number of attendees this year. There was a concern for weather, but it turned out to be a strikingly beautiful day—typical of mauka crisp air. We had Consul General Ito from Honolulu representing the Japan government, and he was there as our dignitary. He played the taiko drums. He danced with the bon dance. And so, it was actually quite a good event, well attended. It just gets better and better. Our cherry trees decided next week is when we should bloom, however. We have to have a talk with those trees next year, I think. Aside from that, though, I ask for the support. I did increase my funding this year, as we had more funds available through our CRF (Contingency Relief Fund). And talking to Parks and Rec. (Recreation), they said it helped them so much because they're able to hire more officers and just make things better. So, I ask for your support. I yield. Page 17 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair, yes. I'm also urging support of my fellow colleagues. And just expanding on what Council Member Richards shared, Consul General Ito did the bon dance but he did it for the first time to Bruno Mars. And so, he's taking that back. And under this resolution, it is a lot of funding but it's also reflective of the souvenir booklet. And Consul General Ito takes a number of them back and really keeps them in good shape so that he can tell that story as he goes back, and then that sister-city relationship that we have with Oshima. So, this really is, on so many levels, connecting so many cultures and so many people in many different spaces. So, I do urge my colleagues' support. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else? I apologize for my ignorance, but so, this is a program that's put on by our Parks and Recreation Department? My wife went there this year, and she said it's unbelievable. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, theI know last year it estimated about 20,000 people attending throughout the day. It starts at nine o'clock and pau maybe three o'clock or so. But it's a flow, and it's spread between Church Row where all the cherry tree blossoms are and then the shopping center. So, there's a flow, back and forth, of people. CHR. CHUNG: Well, I wish Roxcie was here so we could congratulate her because she's been working on that for a long time. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, she was one of the first. Yeah, that's hers. CHR. CHUNG: Yeah, okay. Anyway, we have a motion on the floor. All those in favor, say "aye." Vote on Res. 474-20: The motion to adopt Res. 474-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Page 18 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for ORDINANCES: Ordinances (First Reading). (FIRST READING) (Note: Bill 136 was taken up previously, out of order.) Bill 135: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 19-73, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants —Department of Health Complete Streets account ($49,500); and appropriates the same to the Department of Health Complete Streets-Federal account. Funds would be used by the Planning Department to implement a"Quick Build" demonstration project to promote walking, bicycling, and transit through safe, connected routes. Reference: Comm. 717 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) Waived: FC Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to pass Bill 135 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards. MS. DAVID: Thank you. This is a companion to Resolution 135 [sic] that we just unanimously passed. So, I ask for your continued support. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. All those in favor, say "aye." Vote on Bill 135: The motion to pass Bill 135 on first reading was carried by (Approved) the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Do we know when our Administration people are coming for the bus hub? Oh, they're all outside? Tell them come in then. MR. HENRICKS: Would you like to do 128? It's the only other bill. CHR. CHUNG: Yeah, why don't we just take that up already. MR. HENRICKS: Yeah, if you don't mind. Page 19 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of THE DAY the Day (Second or Final Reading. (SECOND OR FINAL READING): Bill 128: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 19-73, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 Increases revenues in the Federal Grants —Nutrition Services Incentive Program account ($20,000); and appropriates the same to the Nutrition Services Incentive Program account, bringing the total appropriation to $120,000. Funds will be used for home delivered meal services for the elderly. Reference: Comm. 687 Intr. by: Ms. David (B/R) First Reading: January 22, 2020 Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to pass Bill 128 on second and final reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. MS. DAVID: I just ask for your continued support. Thank you. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. All those in favor, say "aye." Vote on Bill 128: The motion to pass Bill 128 on second and final reading (Adopted) was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried. Are we expecting Mass Transit to be here too? Yeah, why don't we take a short recess. I really do apologize. We wanted to take this out of order in deference to all of you fine people who have been waiting, but I think we should get our Mass Transit Department here. So, let's take a short recess. Recess: At 11:01 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Page 20 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 11:10 a.m. CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Clerk, let's take up Bill 131. MR. HENRICKS: Okay. Bill 131: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 19-74, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 Increases the Mass Transit Agency Hub and Spokes project by $1.45 million, for a total appropriation of$2 million. Funds shall be provided from General Obligation Bonds, Capital Projects Fund–Fund Balance and/or Other Sources and would be used for land acquisition, planning, design, and construction. Reference: Comm. 701 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz First Reading: January 8, 2020 Postponed: January 22, 2020 Note: Requires 2/3 vote of the entire membership to amend, pursuant to Section 10-6(e), Hawai`i County Charter (Note: There is a motion by Ms. Kierkiewicz, seconded by Ms. Lee Loy, to approve Bill 131.) MR. HENRICKS: So, we have a motion on the floor, Mr. Chair. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. We also have Ms. Carreira from Mass Transit, Mike Yee from Planning, Roy Takemoto from the Mayor—Managing Director for the County of Hawaii, and Deanna Sako, Finance Director. Okay, who wants to start this off? Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I'd like to kick us off First, I want to thank the Administration for the commitment you made to Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and I last year when we first came on board that, when we implement the Mass Transit Master Plan, we are going to focus on Puna first and foremost. Thank you so much. I also want to thank the community and business folks who have lived in Pahoa forever or have spent so much of their lives in Pahoa. You are at the heart of the matter. So, thank you for coming and sharing your mana`o continuously with this Council. My colleague Matt, he mentioned at the first meeting this came about that he wanted to connect. And so, I went ahead and I organized a meeting that included members of the Administration—Roy Takemoto, Finance Director Deanna Sako, her deputy, Steven Hunt. Brenda, unfortunately, couldn't be there but she did Page 21 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 send Trixy from Mass Transit. And I think we had a really nice robust discussion about, first and foremost, we want to get services out into the community, and we want to make sure we're doing it in a way that is fiscally responsible. And so, I want to just start there. We put some things on the table that we wanted the Administration to look at, which was could we use a County asset like the district park. I know that was an idea that Matt was championing, and so we wanted thoughts about that. And then, there were also comments about wanting to situate the hub near the police and fire station. And so, I asked Fire and Police to weigh in. It doesn't look good. It doesn't seem that it is a good fit, very conducive to what we're trying to do. And I appreciate former Fire Chief, former Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira also kind of pointing that out today. So, the Administration's had some time to kind of chew over what Matt and I discussed with you folks Friday. And so, I'm just wondering if there was an update. I know, Brenda, you were going to try to do some bus drives through the town to see if those turns could actually happen. Anyway, I just wanted to set context for the dialogue and the discussion that we're going to have today. But at the end of this, I'm hoping that we can make a decision. Because, what we have on the table is an appropriation for a bus hub, ideally for Pahoa but I don't want to hamstring any type of hub-and-spoke development for any part of our island. Anyway, Brenda, if you could kick us off Thanks. (Note: At this time, Mass Transit Administrator Brenda Carreira came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. CARREIRA: Good morning. Brenda Carreira, Mass Transit Administrator. I came back on Saturday evening. So, Monday morning, Cody Mattos, who is my mechanic tech (technician) supervisor, Trixy because she represented us at the Friday meeting, and myself. Well, we didn't have a bus to take out there because they're all out on the road, but we have sufficient experience to know whether the buses can fit or not. Now, I'm only talking at this time of the temporary that Matt was talking about. So, we want the exact route. The issue, first of all, let's talk about. With a hub and spoke, there is one big bus and the other baby buses, okay. It's not where you're going to do all small. If it was all small buses, then all the small buses can go, clearly. When the big bus, 45-foot buses, which is not like a school bus. They're different. They're longer. They're wider. There were several places within the park, the entry, if there are cars parked on site. Because, going to the top section to turn right in, it's all residences across the street and people park. You can park on both sides. One, if there's a car there, we can't even turn right. But if we get past it going down between the gym and the pool, that road is so narrow we almost take up the entire two lanes coming down there. And that's even without trying to turn into Page 22 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 the swimming pool. And we would be going all the way into the grass trying to pull that bus around, swing that big 45-foot body in there between those gates, and I'm looking at damaging property, damaging the buses. Also going into the parking lot, the way they have situated the bus stalls, the buses would have to go in—you know where the cars are parked? We'd have to maneuver going through there, in and out, to try and reverse. This is just not an option, really, for the buses. Again, it's always three safety factors: safety for our rider guests, safety for the driver, and safety of property—our property and anybody else's property, even the County's. The damage that would be wrought on our buses and the property, the way it is now, without having to renovate to give us two feet more on each side, all that, that particular temporary area at that time was not made for 45-foot buses to come through. CHR. CHUNG: Brenda, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but just so that we have all the information on the table, though. And you're talking about the Pahoa park? MS. CARREIRA: Yes. The one that Matt was asking about the temporary hub. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. Now, could infrastructure improvements be made to address those concerns? MS. CARREIRA: I'm sure it could, but we'd have to go through the planning process. I don't know how because we're talking about digging up property, widening all of the roadway areas, yeah. CHR. CHUNG: So, it's a big job, then. MS. CARREIRA: Maybe Roy would know more because I'm not an engineer, but CHR. CHUNG: I mean, I just want to make sure we MS. CARREIRA: I just think it's going to cost money, and of course, it would not be done. You'd have to do the planning, all that kind of stuff, and it's definitely not going to be in five months. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyway. Well, go on. MS. CARREIRA: Well, that's just a temporary hub, okay. CHR. CHUNG: All right. MS. CARREIRA: My understanding is the permanent hub was a different particular area, and we did not go in the back there because actually you can't Page 23 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 because it's notI know where the area would be. That again, that's something that people can look into as a permanent hub, and I think Roy had some figures on that that he presented. So,just as a temporary, I wish we could; we just can't. And that would defeat the purpose to do all the small buses because the reason why you have the big buses is so everybody can get on, and we leave the small buses in town and then we just go back either to Kea`au if there's a hub there or to Hilo. So, that is on that particular property, yeah. CHR. CHUNG: Anyone have questions, comments? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I don't have questions for Brenda, but I don't know if Roy wanted to present anything. You were able to provide Matt and I with a matrix that kind of did a cost comparison and a timeline for the various sites. (Note: At this time, Managing Director Roy Takemoto came forward to address the members of the Council.) MR. TAKEMOTO: Roy Takemoto, Managing Director. In preparation for the meeting that Councilman Ashley mentioned that included Council Members and some of the Administration, in preparation for that, we prepared a time schedule and some really rough cost estimates comparing the top three sites. Well, anyway, three sites that, of the seven, seemed to have been the focus of previous discussions. Those were Site 3, the State land where Police and Fire are, Site 5, which is the Pahoa park, Site 6, which is the corner lot that Mr. Aguinaldo owns. So, the quick findings on that was that, in terms of time of course, we're talking about an EA (Environmental Assessment), if one is needed, time to design, time to construct. And of the three sites, Site No. 6 was the quickest. And let me say that there was some confusion on whether or not Site 6 did have a Chapter 343 Environmental Assessment. And upon further checking, it had a phase—you see, these terms get kind of confusing—it has a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, which is more for hazardous waste. But there was not a comprehensive environmental assessment under HRS (Hawai`i Revised Statutes) 343. So, all three sites need an environmental assessment regardless of which site we pick. As far as cost estimates, these would be costs to do any kind of access improvements, utilities, site grading, construction, design. Among the three, it was a toss-up between Sites 3 and 6. The Pahoa park, Site 5, had the highest cost because of the length of the access improvements that needed to be done to accommodate a bus into the park, whether it's fixing the existing roads or to create a new access extending Post Office Road. So in summary, regardless of what the decision is today, what we're hoping would happen—the existing appropriation is $500,000. We know we need to do an environmental assessment. Based on the compost alternative site analysis and environmental assessment, that cost was about 250,000. So, if we were just to use Page 24 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 the existing appropriation of 500,000, we would eat up half the existing funding available, and we wouldn't have hardly anything else to start studying other hub sites around the island. So, should this appropriation before you today get approved, we would still have to do a 343 EA, which would require us to do an alternative-sites analysis to allow for public input in the 30-day review period that's part of the environmental assessment. So, if we wanted to move quickly, our only choice would be to either fix the Pahoa park. We don't know what's the cost and time available needed for that. Or we could, if the landowner's willing, enter into a short-term lease, as the SSFM study had recommended, for Site 6. And in the meantime, do the 343 EA with public consultation. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Roy. Chair, I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you. Anyone else? Matt, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Roy. And, Ashley, thank you for that meeting on Friday. Brenda, I thought in your email you had said you took a bus to the park and did it, because that's what I understood from your thing. Because when you say, "I can't,"that tells me you tried everything you could. So without the bus actually going through—then my second question to follow that was, did you try a smaller bus? And I'm not talking about the small little 20-foot buses. But are all of our buses 45 feet long? Do we not have larger buses, capacity-wise, that we can use that are not 40-45 feet? MS. CARREIRA: They're between 40 and 45 feet. Polynesian Adventure Tours buses, which has the contract now, they're 45 footers. We have smaller buses. The smaller buses can. Yeah, that's why in my email, can. And I'm sorry, I made the decision not to: 1) We didn't have a bus, and 2) I wasn't about to take—Cody knows enough about buses to know whether it's going to fit or not and the kind of damage it can cause. And sorry, I cannot damage another bus and have it—and damage property. That is a decision that was made. You can, yeah, blame me on that but, one, we didn't have a bus. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: No blame. I'm just MS. CARREIRA: No, no. I just, no. So, it wasn't. Yeah, no, we didn't. We went, which we have done at other places, to try and see whether we can take buses because we already understand the width. We know the angles. Cody knows it. He drives it. He repairs it. So, that's the expert that I took from us. So, no, we didn't take the bus. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. The result from that meeting ended up being that there is some unrealized aspects of the buildout, no matter where it Page 25 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 goes, and timeline issues that were going to happen regardless of which site. So, immediately we realized that there needed to be an alternative site for a hub of some sort so that we can get moving quickly because EAs do not happen overnight. And that was quickly realized. And I'm a little bit concerned that we didn't catch that on the way into the sale or on the way into this beforehand because that was an unknown that came up as we wereI mean, this should have been passed already through the procedures normally. So, temporary hub needs. We need to get a bus out there to see what we can and cannot do. I would like to know what those costs would be to do minor improvements. Because, my whole thing is efficient use of money, a good long- term plan, and what can we do, for the time being, immediately to help start serving the riderships' needs for the mass transit system. So therefore, can we take a smaller bus? Do we have 30- to 35-foot buses? Is there a medium-sized bus? I'm not saying that we get small, medium, large. I'm just saying is there a small, like our Hele-On buses that are not 45-feet long and as wide? MS. CARREIRA: Oh, yes. And they can go to the park. There would not be any damage. Yeah, I had to make sure the big bus can because that's one of the major buses that comes into Hilo. So, small? We can do the small. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Does it handle the ridership numbers that we need to take into account? MS. CARREIRA: No, because if you're saying—see, the reason to have the bigger bus is so we can combine everybody on the small buses to one. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah. MS. CARREIRA: No, those buses could not carry all of the people into Hilo. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So, given the EA issue, can we find out how much it's going to cost to make a temporary hub at the park? What improvements can we do that are easy? I'm not talking million-dollar improvements. Can we do $50,000 in improvements for shoulder work so we can make the turns, removal of obstacles in the meantime? Is that a possibility? You don't have to give me the answer now. I'm trying to think and move this forward because Ashley and I both realize that we need to make progress on this. Like Jon Olson said, this has been 20 years overdue. So, that is my concern from the beginning. I'm glad we caught the EA issue. Did you get a rough estimate on what the actual cost would be for Site 3 and Site 6 in comparison? Because, the first one we got I think was skewed because there were some missing information that came in last minute. And does everyone have this? Did we do a pinkie for this one, the site cost? Page 26 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MR. TAKEMOTO: No, we didn't distribute that to the other Council Members. But what I can do is update it with the correction that we discussed at the meeting, and I can email it to the Council Members. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And then the timeline, too, is going to change as well, yes? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. The EA had been incorporated for all three sites. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, the time to start on Site 6 took into account the EA? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Because, it wasn't in the design estimate, yeah. MR. TAKEMOTO: The cost for the EA? MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah, it wasn't in there. MR. TAKEMOTO: No. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Because, it wasn't thought that it needed to happen. They thought it was included already. Okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. So, the time was taken into consideration but not the cost. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, I think this alternative site spreadsheet for a cost analysis needs to be finalized so that we can make the best decision for the County fiscally and so that we can do a site that's good long-term for Pahoa. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay, so, this time and cost comparison is for the permanent site. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes. MR. TAKEMOTO: So, do you need to have this information to make your decision today? Because, what we're saying is even if you appropriate today, we cannot close on any site until we do the 343 EA. So, do you need this information to make your decision MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: For today? Page 27 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MR. TAKEMOTO: On the appropriation? MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: No, not for the appropriation. The appropriation today, though, is for $2 million, and that includes $1 million for land acquisition. And that was one of the things that came up before, too, which is MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, which we couldn't move on until the 343 EA is completed. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And the current appropriation, was it 550? Is that correct? MS. CARREIRA: It was 550,000 because, I think in the master plan, we hadn't even—we were thinking maybe next year or whatever of acquiring a piece of property. But then with the research, we found we could have gotten it earlier, so we pushed it forward. But that was only 550,000 at that time. But yes, no matter what, even to make the assessments I think for the three properties, the 550,000 would not be enough. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So, to do a proper evaluation of three sites, you need more than 550,000. Ashley, what was the outcome of our meeting that day for how we are going to move forward with this appropriation that's in front of us today? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: (Inaudible.) MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: No, we had awe talked with Roy, and we decided how we were going to move forward. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I might? CHR. CHUNG: Go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: You had wanted to look at the district park, so they have. I think Brenda was very clear about the size of buses that could or couldn't fit. We had asked for numbers, and we kind of have a sense of what it would cost to develop out permanently the park, Aguinaldo site, Police and Fire. Clearly, some things got forgotten, but we have rough numbers and a timeline. I feel like the ball right now is in your court. I heard pretty clearly from the community they didn't want those big buses in town. So, there's those. There's the smaller buses. And then there's, I think, the extra time to turn back. If you're going to be making the turn off of 130 and 132, coming back into town, turning up onto Kauhale, going all the way up at the top Page 28 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 to go into the park and come back down, I get a little bit concerned about the extra time our riders are going to have to spend on the bus. So,just thinking through some of the stuff I'm hearing right now. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Maybe you misunderstood what my question is. We need a temporary hub, and that was the point of using the park because we have all amenities at the park. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Totally hear you, but Brenda just said the big buses aren't going to fit unless we make severe improvements to Kauhale. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But she didn't even take a bus up there. So, I'm interested to see what the result would be of an actual bus. MS. CARREIRA: Matt, I'm sorry. I speak for the Mass Transit Agency. I'm not trying to make it difficult. Because we already know by looking at itI have a mechanic who's been working on buses for yearsI can't take a bus in there that's going to be damaging that property, and poor Roxcie is going to be on me. But I'm hoping somebody from her office is here. The fact is we've already determined we're going to be in trouble if we even try to put a bus in there. I can't do that. A bus is a $600,000 investment, although the ones we have now are less than that. I cannot ask Polynesian Adventure Tours to try and take a 45 footer there when Chris has already told me, who is a driver, he's not recommending that, to take their buses in there. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, I guess what I'm hearing right now is we have no temporary solution to any kind of hub in Pahoa, which wasn't ideal. So, what I'm going back to is in this ordinance that you put forward, do we need to move forward with the $2 million appropriation, or do we need to let the $550,000 appropriation which already existed for the mass transit hub in Pahoa? How do we proceed with that, because that was an outcome of our meeting. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah, the other temporary solution that we talked about was a short-term lease with the property owners of Aguinaldo to see if that is a solution that works. And I'm totally fine with that. I don't know if 500,000 is going to cover it or if, Roy, you think we're going to need to do an EA for that. Again, the appropriation's not site specific. It's just going directly into the Mass Transit Hub and Spoke account. So, it could be money used for Pahoa, but it could be used for money in Kea`au, in Hilo, in Kailua-Kona—any potential hub location that's been identified in the Mass Transit Master Plan. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Again, there was an existing appropriation for the hub for $550,000 for Pahoa specifically, yes? Is that correct? Page 29 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: That is correct. And as Brenda had alluded to, they actually moved a lot faster in moving on acquiring or identifying potential hub locations in Puna. This is something that was supposed to happen potentially next fiscal year or next year. So, they're ahead of the game. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah, so that's great because we already have the appropriation. So, back to the question again, do we need the $2 million appropriation to move forward today? That's what I'm getting at. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It's a 1.45 million appropriation, bringing the total to about 2 million. And again as Roy stated, any temporary location, if we have to do an EA, that takes up already half of the monies that are in the account presently. And so, additional funds are needed to make any improvements of any temporary location. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I'm looking at Bill 131, and that is to increase the existing appropriation by $1.45 million, which brings it to a total of 2. So, that's what we're voting on today is the increase to $2 million. I want the hub as much as everybody here in this room. I justdo we need to do this bill and this amendment to the existing appropriation, or do we proceed like we talked about in the meeting with the $550,000 appropriation? That's my question. Roy, can you help me with that? MR. TAKEMOTO: As far as next steps, the existing appropriation would cover an EA that would include alternative site studies. We would have to check whether there would be any kind of exemption if we can do a short-term kind of improvement concurrently while we're doing the EA. If you lock in on the existing appropriation, it would just kind of constrain in the other islandwide efforts that Mass Transit may want to initiate for hub kind of analysis. And the EA would take anywhere from 3-6 months to complete. If you wanted to defer your decision on the appropriation, you're talking about that time period. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Does 550,000 cover what you need to do immediately to get moving on MR. TAKEMOTO: The EA. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: On the EAs for the different sites that we have in front of us? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. We would do one EA that would cover the alternative sites. So, it would—if we had to do short-term improvements, I'm not sure about the cost of that, whether it would cover that cost. That would be the only unknown. Page 30 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But the 550 would cover? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. It would definitely cover the EA, but I'm not sure it'll be enough if we had to put in more money to improve a site for the short-term use, the temporary use, whether it be the park or Site 6. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I will yield. I need to digest and then open this up for any other Council Members who have input. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, thank you. Okay. This is an appropriation. And so, when I look at the project data sheet—and maybe, Deanna, you can help me—we have prior funds already sitting there, which is the 550 that Roy mentioned. But they've been lined into planning, design, survey for—well, 350 for planning, 200 for design survey, which equates to the 550. But I hear Matthew wanting an evaluation of three alternative sites. But because the money is parked in those categories, can we move that around within that appropriation or is it kind of stuck there? So unless it's planning, we still need more money. If it's for temporary design constructionI guess I'm trying to understand if we have wiggle and if we don't because it's parked in these line items. With a future request, how do we get it to fit or can we move it within the various line items? (Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to address the members of the Council.) MS. SAKO: I think I hear what you're saying. So, for planning, the EA would kind of fall under that; I don't really have a problem. When we start to move on to the next phase, like whether it's temporary or permanent construction, we would prefer it to be in that line. We do look back at placement of hubs around the island, the main category, but we try to follow as best as possible. But I can't say that every single time we're going back and matching it up with each line item. But ultimately, we're trying to move forward with all the hubs around the island, which is what the appropriation is. And so with only the 550, if most of it's sucked up in the EA, that kind of stops everything else. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Brenda, what size buses are intended to go through Pahoa Village? MS. CARREIRA: Oh, the village. Like the four new buses that are coming, they're 35 footers. That's for the spokes. The big bus, we're talking about 40, 45. Page 31 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 CHR. CHUNG: No, which ones are going to go through? Under your plan, are any buses going to go through the village? MS. CARREIRA: Yes, the smaller buses. CHR. CHUNG: The smaller buses. MS. CARREIRA: The 35 footers. Our intention was not to put thenormally, the big bus would not go in there. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. MS. CARREIRA: No. We would take the other CHR. CHUNG: I wondered about that. MS. CARREIRA: Road, yeah. CHR. CHUNG: All right. I mean, you know, I'll just give you my thoughts on this thing. First of all, I just believe that this is an appropriation bill. And if I were to go a little bit further—this is only my perspective, right—there has to be some trust placed in the Administration. You guys have put all of your brainpower together. You have Mass Transit. You have Roy, Managing Director, who is a planning expert. Well, Mike Yee hasn't said anything, but he's with Planning too. And then our Finance Director. At some point, we have to give deference to the expertise that is with the Administration. And I trust that you guys will make a good decision if the appropriation is approved by a 6-3 vote. I'm going to be supporting it, of course. I think the Pahoa area has really waited a long time, too long in my opinion. We have to at least make some movements. Even if it's symbolic at this point, but it is going to be moving towards something more productive. If we talk about the sites, though, and I really don't want to get into that too much, but my thought though really is, based on what you just told me, that corner property across from Pahoa school is probably the better one, okay. Like for example, when you deal with—and this is my non-expert opinion—for example, the rail project on Oahu. I don't know exactly what they did, but I think they made some missteps because some of the hubs are supposed to generate economic—you're supposed to have an economic component to it. And we need to keep the vitality of the Pahoa Village going. If we move the hub maybe by the police and fire stations, too far away already. If we move it—and there was talk about moving it by the Puna Kai Shopping Center. I haven't heard any talk about it today, but it was moved, you know; there was some talk about it. I think it's not too good because you're going to Page 32 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 have traffic there already. You want to keep the vitality of that village going. Somebody was here earlier who said they're not just in recovery or something; they're still in crisis. I don't know what they used, really, but we have to take that into consideration because if we make a misstep on the location of this, it's not just where would be the ideal location. We have to think about it in terms of how this plays into the economy of that Pahoa and the greater Puna area. I don't represent Puna, and I really don't want to get involved in all of this. I'm just sharing my thoughts. It's an outsider's perspective. But if we make a misstep on this, it could signal the death knell of that very special Puna Pahoa Village. And I know that's not your kuleana, but that's why I ask what kinds of buses will be going through the village. Now, if you told me that it was going to be those big buses, then perhaps the Pahoa regional park might be okay. We have to put in the necessary improvements and whatever because it's closer to the village. But if it's not going to be used there, then you don't want those big buses going through that village only because you have a hub there. And because of the proximity to the school—and I did state and it was confirmed today, somebody said something about the corner lot across from the school being a place where everybody hitchhikes. And I saw that with my own two eyes. So, that's just my thoughts. But I really, at some point I have to put some faith in the Administration. Because if I vote "no" on this, that means I have no faith in you guys basically, okay. MS. CARREIRA: I'm sorry, Aaron. I just want to make sure. So right now,just so people know, we have the Pahoa 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Pahoa 1 is a big bus, now, that is going. All the buses are going between Pahoa and Hilo. They are going through the village, okay. So, the big buses are. Now, with Site No. 6, we do not intend the big bus to go there. CHR. CHUNG: Right. Correct. MS. CARREIRA: If the permanent site was Pahoa park, then we would have to go at least partially unless we come around or whatever partially into Pahoa Town to go up, or wherever's the permanent site, unless they make the access road for us someplace else. CHR. CHUNG: But even before you told me that, I was thinking to myself, "You don't want those really big buses going through that area." It's just intuitive already, yeah. MS. CARREIRA: Yeah, agreed. Just even the noise. And like I said, we start like at 5:30 in the morning till 10:00 at night. Page 33 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 CHR. CHUNG: But really again, this is just my non-expert opinion, and I do call Sue from time to time. And I'll tell you this, I go into Pahoa, that area, about four times a week, you know, serious, for various reasons; non-Council, different reasons, but about four times a week. So, I'm real familiar with the area, yeah. And it's just my thoughs. But I want to give at least some kind of vote of confidence to the efforts by the Administration. So, I'll be voting for this thing. Anyway, Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. Thanks for that dissertation. I completely agree with Council Chair. On some of your comments, Aaron, I think you're spot on. Coming at it from a little bit different perspective. And first of all, there's no one more critical of Mass Transit than me, and I think I have continued that from some very pointed conversations Brenda and I have had. I'm also—Matt, I do appreciate your concern about fiscal management because I think we have to be very mindful of that going forward. And we've got to take care of the County, which means we have to take care of the County. And where I come from that is back in, when was it, May of 2018 when Fissure 8 erupted, things kind of went into an upheaval. And over the next year, we heard of the challenges and the problems that Pahoa was struggling with and the economic downturn and then the problems that that created. Then, a report from the Mayor's Office—update—Roy gave it where we had an estimate of an $800 million hit in our economy that was revised up to closer to a billion dollars. We only have about an $8 billion economy. And to have that much impact concerns me. And I've always said that government shouldn't be concerned about it taxing for their income stream. They should be concerned about developing the economies that are working, and a tax flow will come out of that. And so, though I am very fiscally minded and very critical of Mass Transit, this is one of those situations where I think we have to support the community, as Chair Chung pointed out. And we do have to trust the Administration. I do trust the fact that this was done by a third-party audit. And I'm not going to get into the location discussion because that's really none of our expertise, and I'm going to have to pay attention to what the experts do say on that. But we have an economy that took a big hit, and at the epicenter of that is Pahoa Town. We've got to help those guys get going and whatever that means. And it may not be the most fiscally penny-and-dollars decision upfront, but it may make a lot of sense if we get something going there soon now. And I do trust the Administration making a good conscious decision. During that whole lava episode, I spent a lot of time down at that Pahoa park. And though I can appreciate the concept—and I do like your thought process, Matt, on that my concern is I drive a big vet (veterinarian) truck and I can make it through the parking lot okay. But I was thinking to myself, "Man, this thing's not built for much of a traffic flow." And so, I get concerned about that coming forward. Page 34 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 I hear what you're saying because it's the infrastructure there. But I think this is one of the times that government needs to respond and get things going for the community, not at all cost, but we need to get it going because I think I'm more concerned about the economy we don't help redevelop than I am about the cost we spend upfront to get the bus hub going forward. So, I'm going to be supporting this because I want this to go forward. I was the one that voted against postponing this because I want this to go forward for the town, and we need to help Pahoa. We need to help our economy. Thank you, Chair, I'll yield. CHR. CHUNG: I'm going to make one more point before I call on anyone else. I want to make it very clear, Brenda, that I'm not in any way, shape, or form advocating for one site over the other. I did give a pitch for that corner lot because it was under attack before. I just wanted to say I didn't look at it as being a bad idea. But if it's the park that you guys choose, fine. I'll support it all the way. Basically, I am deferring to the Administration to make a prudent decision on this. Others may have a different idea. They want to have more specificity. That's fine too. But my vote today, my "yes"vote, signifies that I trust you guys to do a good job, yeah, and I expect you guys to give this due consideration to take all of the thoughts, yeah, and put them together to come up with something good. Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, thank you. I'd like to move on this appropriation. I don't think we've really made a clear decision between Matt and I about what we're going to be doing. But I don't think anything precludes us from moving on the appropriation and then continuing to have dialogue with community, the consultants, the Administration about potential temporary and permanent locations. We can easily invite them to come back to make presentations to the Council, but you and I can work hand in hand with the Administration on next steps and just be done with this bill in particular. So, that's kind of where I am with this. CHR. CHUNG: Anyone else? MS. EOFF: Mr. Chair? CHR. CHUNG: Oh yes, Ms. Eoff, please. MS. EOFF: Thank you. So, I keep trying to really understand what's happening, but it gets more and more confusing because I think today I heard that with only having 500,000 in this budget currently, that isn't enough money to do the required EISs (Environmental Impact Statements) for a number of properties. Is that correct? CHR. CHUNG: Roy? Page 35 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. EOFF: Yeah, I think Roy could clarify because it's—there's money there, but now we know we have to do an EIS for various reasons on several sites in Pahoa. Correct? MR. TAKEMOTO: Well, hopefully it would be an environment assessment rather than an EIS MS. EOFF: Oh, EA okay. EA. MR. TAKEMOTO: And 250,000 is an estimate to cover the Pahoa Hub, which would include an alternative-sites analysis and a selection of a preferred site. What is unknown with the existing appropriation amount of 500 or 550, whatever it is, is whether that is enough to cover improvements to make a site temporarily functional as a hub, and it would also constrain ongoing planning on other hubs throughout the island. MS. EOFF: Okay, so that's where I get confused because we focus so much on the need and the locations in Pahoa. But once you're talking about moving forward with other sites around the whole island, it's sort of like a whole new ballgame and a reason for appropriating more money into this account. At least that's the way I'm trying to figure it out. And unfortunately, I guess we've confused it because this whole thing came forward along with the understanding of our position of a certain site, which has clouded this issue, I think, a lot. So, by supporting this bill and adding an additional, say, 1.45 million into this fund and then you folks would be moving forward on several things all at the same time, then? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. I think immediately we would do the environmental assessment for the Pahoa Hub. We would do cost estimates for temporary facilities. We can compare the park improvements versus, say, Site 6 to get an immediate temporary hub going. And as far as moving on planning on other hubs, that would be Mass Transit. Brenda, do you want to speak to that? MS. CARREIRA: Yes, because we're already talking to SSFM (SSFM International, Inc.) about looking into, well, Kea`au, Kona,just trying to find certain places because the hubs are supposed to be all at different places. So, it's not just going to be Pahoa. We need to look around the island. And Kona was, well, we were hoping to Kea`au, too, at the same time so we could make maybe a connector. We're still working on that. But Kona also probably was the other site. But it doesn't mean anything is open because you never know what kind of falls into your hand. But we need to be able to make assessments for all around the island. Page 36 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. EOFF: Okay, well, thank you. I think that's a little more clear, but let me just listen to what the other Council Members are saying. I think we need to continue the discussion. I'll yield, thank you. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Brenda and Roy, for that explanation. I am kind of hung up on the process right now. And I certainly agree with Chair Chung, too, about not being site specific at this point in time because right now we're talking appropriation, and I think trying to separate those two when you have issues that are very close to the community. And so, Roy, you mentioned the EA process will take six months. Within that six-month period through the EA process, any potential sites that's going to be considered will be taken out to the community? Is that what I'm—for input while the EA process is going on? MR. TAKEMOTO: The EA process requires an evaluation of alternatives. So, as part of the EA process, the SSFM study which identified seven sites would be a good starting point to incorporate into the EA. So, the steps in the EA is, first you do what is called a "preassessment,"where you just do a broadcast solicitation of input on issues and concerns. And as part of that, the input could be, "We would like this site, this site, this site, in addition to the SSFM study to be included." MS. DAVID: In addition. But SSFM did conduct those community outreaches also, right? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. But yeah, it would be an opportunity, though, in that preassessment to have other input, supplement the SSFM study. Then, the second step is the draft environmental assessment, which would provide the description and fact finding on alternatives, and then the public would have a 30-day review period to comment on these alternative sites. And the final EA, which is the third step, would be a recommendation most likely on a preferred site. MS. DAVID: Okay. So, we're looking at, you said, six months to go through this process. And in the meantimeDeanna, correct me if I'm wrong—if this appropriation goes through, there's really nothing that you folks can do except to expend money for the EA process and conduct the public hearing out of this money or, for that matter, look into other hub-and-spoke areas throughout the island. Anything that would be done for this particular area, you folks could come back to us also, right, and let us know what the process is or where the process is at. And my other question was the short-term lease. How does that tie into—you mentioned the short-term lease. Page 37 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. CARREIRA: If I could answer that. According to what I heard from Roy, I think we still would need the environmental assessment unless there is an exemption. But I don't know enough about that, but the monies would be used to cover that too. Right, Roy? Yes. MS. DAVID: And so, that short-term lease would beI'm trying to figure out to hold that site position or ? Because, I'm hearing that we're going to go through the EA process and consider all the potential sites, which 6 is included. And then the short-term lease would just maintain or hold the potential of Site 6? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. MS. DAVID: What is that? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, sorry, we need to consult with Council on whether or not there is an exemption that would allow for very minimal improvements that would allow functional use of a site as a temporary hub. The really minimal improvements could be maybe just paving of an area that's already disturbed and MS. DAVID: That's for any site, right? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. So, if there's an area already disturbed that just requires paving, there may be an exemption that will allow us to move ahead with a temporary hub concurrently while the EA is being processed. MS. DAVID: Okay. And then that short-term lease, though, would be connected to Parcel 6, though, during this EA process. MR. TAKEMOTO: If Parcel 6 turns out to be—we would compare the improvements that's necessary for a temporary hub at the park, working with MTA (Mass Transit Agency)personnel and MS. DAVID: And that's what Council Members are going to be helping you with. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah—and Site 6 most likely. And depending on the extent and cost of those improvements, we would move ahead on one of those. MS. DAVID: Okay. I'm just—we're at the point where we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't. This is an appropriation. I get, from hearing everyone's testimony or discussion, that this needs to be done. This needs to be appropriated in order to move forward on anything, whether it'sor what site. I Page 38 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 think the site, that's a matter for the community and, I think, the Council Members to determine. And I'm trying to just focus on what we have to deal with today, and I don't want to not do this because there's unanswered questions. And the time being, I believe everybody is well aware of what the concerns are, especially from those two Council Members. So,yeah. I just don't want to prevent something that is basically a good thing for the community for moving forward, but I do want guarantees that the concerns that have been expressed by the two Council Members that represent both sides of the community are considered in this whole process. And I think you folks realize that and understand that. And I trust that you will do things that will actually be a compromise, or hopefully a comparable way to move forward. MS. CARREIRA: Well, if I could say MS. DAVID: But you guys need the money. It's like MS. CARREIRA: The other thing, Maile, as well as Matt, it's not—as far as trying to do a temporary hub at the Pahoa park, right now just the way it is, I don't have any problems working with whomever I need to with planning to say, "This is what I mean. Can you fix it? This is what I mean, and we don't want to kill anybody in the parking lot. This is what I mean." No problem. I just don't have the expertise. I would rely on Roy. But, yeah. So, it's not that we only got—go with one site. We've got to do whatever we need to do. And if they can fix it and make it a good temporary and the three safety factors are taken care of, I'm good. MS. DAVID: Well, that's important, and you know best than any one of us sitting up here. So, thank you very much. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: If it's already been answered, I apologize. But in my mind, the question comesbecause, this was one of the things that was gone over and asked about in the last meetings, was, I guess, the underlying concern that I'm picking up on is that if we approve this appropriation, that somehow—can you confirm whether or not that piece of Parcel 6 can be purchased outright right now? Or do you have to wait till there's an EA? MR. TAKEMOTO: The purchase would require an EA. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. So, that wouldn't just happen. Yeah, okay. Because, that's kind of the underlying—what I'm hearing is the underlying concern is that that would just happen when there had been concerns about that and really looking at all the other opportunities. So, this discovery of the need for the EA puts a bit of a pause on the rush of that purchase. And if I remember correctly Page 39 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 from prior meetings, the property owner was not interested in a lease for the property but only in a sale. So, I don't know where that puts us as far as that property being the potential for a short-term lease or what needs to happen, but I, too, definitely want to support Pahoa and the revitalization of this community and the economic support that having a bus hub there would provide, as well as for the people getting to and from where they need to get to. So for me, I guess that covers any concerns that I had with the process in the beginning. So, thank you for that. And then, it sounds like there is money there to make—if I remember correctly, I heard Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, some of those funds, some of the appropriations could be used to make adjustments to the Pahoa park in the short-term. Yeah. Widen it up? MS. CARREIRA: Yeah, depending on how much it would be. I really don't know what those costs are, yeah. And then, I apologize for the confusion because I think when we originally came for the first, I thought there was a lease, then it's a purchase. I had believed that the environmental assessment had been done by that particular time. And I apologize. But I also wanted to say for the community, with all these hearings, I have been listening. I have been watching. I don't live in Puna, but I was living in Ainaloa for a few years on Jewel Drive. And believe me, I stated when I first started as the Mass Transit Administrator, I looked at the master plan. Even though I didn't live in PahoaI lived in Kona we didn't feel the same things but the compassion of the issues. It affected us in certain ways. So, that was the reason we wanted to pursue Pahoa, and that's always been the reason. And I believe the community understands that. And I have listened to what they have said, and they do—most of them, except for maybe two—are saying they support Site 6. So, I would have to look at that also. As an administrator, I have to tell you guys I've got to listen to what they have to say, too, in addition to everything that you all have stated. But between the assessment and listening to people, and I'm sure if we do the EA, they would do written testimony and all these things for that, but we're definitely—this is not an easy decision. It's not something that is going to be made overnight. But now, let's look at the EAs and see what happens, you know, and short-term temporary hubs. We can do that as long as they tell me 1) how much it is, and 2) do we have the money. MS. VILLEGAS: So, will it come back before the Council before the final decision on which site is chosen? MR. TAKEMOTO: The final EA would be available to the Council, but the Council would not have to approve it. We would be, of course, working closely with the Puna Council Members at the minimum. And if any other Council Members want to be part of it, we can consult all of you before our final decision. Page 40 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. VILLEGAS: This additional appropriation isn't enough money to do all the EAs, make adjustments for a temporary site or short-term lease, and then actually build out the hub in general. So, you guys would need to come back for another appropriation to officially do it. Okay. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah, let me clarify so that you don't get false expectations. It could be enough for us to do an EA, additional improvements for temporary, possibly start on other hub planning and if we needed, and it possibly could be enough to do acquisition, but not full out construction if the permanent site needed additional construction. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, thank you. I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. Thanks, Roy. You made the comment that you have some paperwork that has some estimates for the different sites. Can the Council get copies? Can you get that to us? Okay, I appreciate that. That's the first thing. The other thing. I think we are going down the bureaucratic road of analysis paralysis. And we've got to get going on this thing. We've got to get this going to help out Pahoa. I hear the concerns. I am not one to spend money any kind, but we've got to get things going. And I trust the Administration that they're going to make some good decisions coming forward to make this happen. So with that, I yield. Thanks, Chair. I do want to see that financial stuff, though. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you. Matt. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. So, this stemmed fromoriginally, this came forward. If this is an islandwide appropriation, then my mistake. But what this stemmed from was this came in front of us: One appraisal was done for one site out of three. Didn't meet SSFM's final report. Didn't meet the final recommendation. Does not meet size requirements. And one appraisal was done for one site in Pahoa. And that's where my question arose as to what was going on. What decisions were being made? To follow up with, "We are unsure of whether an EA was ever done for this site, and we're still proceeding with the purchase." And this move you can say we're not purchasing and this wasn't site specific, but when one appraisal was done for one site and nothing else of any sites that were chosen by the SSFM report, then I start to see a pattern that worried me and it made me ask questions, which is why we're sitting here right now. Page 41 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MS. CARREIRA: One correction. No, my belief at the time was the environmental assessment; everything that was supposed to have been done was done. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Agreed. And yet, we found out last Friday and today that we didn't know. So, my "should I have faith"was questioned, and that's why my questions arose. And, Aaron, I think even at the last meeting, you were unaware that I represented Pahoa Town too. You said that in your speech. CHR. CHUNG: No, I knew that you did. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But CHR. CHUNG: I didn't know before. But at the time I said it, I knew. You made that clear to me several months ago. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I did because we all took a trip out to Pahoa together CHR. CHUNG: Right. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: To go with Nancy Seifers to the community. And for some reason, you seemed unaware that I represented Pahoa as well that day. CHR. CHUNG: At that time two months ago, yeah. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I mean, and you've been here a long time, so it really surprised me, Aaron. But again, I don't want to hold up the movement of a hub in Pahoa. No matter what, I see a time gap between when we can start providing a service. So, my immediate concern is, what do we do in the meantime to get it done? I would personally like to see stops developed—and I say "stops"because "hub" and "stop" are two different things—stops developed along the downtown route because that is economic buildout. If we can use the park, then great. If it's cheap, even better. If we can use Site 6 for a temporary — I thought that was off the table, my mistake, because there was a need to move forward as quickly as possible with the siteI'm just looking for something temporary in front of us to use in the meantime. Stops in Downtown Pahoa would greatly help the economy of the town because then people can get into and out of town. That was brought up by SSFMno matter where the hub's location ends up being, the spoke buses will drop off people throughout town. So, economy and economic buildout is not based on where the hub lands. It's based on the smaller buses taking people to where they need to get to. Page 42 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 In this room, I would be interested to know how many people ride the bus or have ridden the bus in the past year. Can I get a quick raise of hands? I just want to see this. One, two, three. So, I have three peopleoh, sorry, Nancy—four people in this room rode the bus in the last year. Beautiful because our bus system needs work, and I get it. And I have been wrapping my head around this from the beginning. So, I want to hear from our ridership is what I want to hear from. Where do they want to have it because they're the ones using it. And I know we have this question about safety at the Site 6 location. I also know we have a bus stop, covered bus shelter right in front of the high school. So, I'm looking at all of this. You asked me to make a good decision. As a Council Member, I'm told to make a good decision on a lot of different levels. And the more I look at this, the more I realize there's a lot of questions. When we did the site evaluation, I had a lot more questions. And then, the numbers and the timeline really quickly did not jive with the information that I was getting. This is my job. You told me to look at this, and I've got all this stuff in front of me and I've got to make a good decision. So, here I am. I looked over our ridership numbers. Brenda, you said our ridership numbers are down about 50 percent because our services are down. We also lost a huge portion of the public after the eruption. They're not there anymore. The most bus stops we have, 80 percent of the bus stops are using Kahakai Boulevard. The other 20 percent for Pahoa side is down Kalapana Seaview and that lower end of the community in Kalapana. We don't have a lot of bus stops down there. Less than half of our ridership is past Kahakai. The other half is pre-town. It's Kahakai and Ainaloa and these areas right there. So, going past that actually would be less efficient if I did the numbers. And I followed your ridership numbers that you gave me. I'm just trying to make the best decision in the long- term with what we're doing. The road is still steaming and increasing in steaming less than, I'd say, a mile or two down the road from the Site 6 location. We have a County-owned property by the police station. There were some questions brought up about existing sites, lava tubes. It's 20 acres of land. We own—it's 19.58 acres. SSFM wants 3-5 acres, 2-3 minimum, for park and ride, for people who are going to park, for movement of the buses. I want to make a very good decision here, long-term, both fiscally and economically and everything taken into account at one time. That is my goal. And that's why I have questions for you. So, I really appreciate today's conversation. This is a little frustrating to have to do it this way, but this is how it moves. I was very happy to have a sit-down with Ashley and the Administration. Thank you for putting that together because that wasn't asked. Ho`oponopono, make better, okay. So, we had a conversation; I thought we had some good outcomes come out of that meeting. I just want to know that before there's a land Page 43 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 acquisition done, that you'll do a full round of studies because that'sI'm private industry, and that's what I do. What is efficient and the cost, and then I make my decision based on that, not "This feels good; we're going to do it." That scares me. So, Roy, you need $2 million to do this; we can pass this ordinance today. But I want to know before we move forward with anything that you're going to come back and you're going to say, "This is where we're at. This is what the cost evaluations were. This is the timeline for each site." I think that is absolutely crucial so we make a good decision. If this nine-member body is to make a decision going forward, then, yeah, I want to know. Why wouldn't we want to know what is the best for the whole entire County? Because, that's our job. So, can I get a verbal agreement? Do we need to amend this? What do you want me to do so that I feel comfortable moving forward, that when you come back to me with the information I need so I can make a good decision, that you've given me everything that you have that's correct? Because, the one in front of me is not correct. So, I need something so I can move forward with this. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay, as far as immediate follow-up information, I will email this cost comparison, and MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But you're going to fix it first, yes? MR. TAKEMOTO: Right. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Don't send me the same thing that's in front of me because this isn't right. MR. TAKEMOTO: No, I've got the corrections. That's what I was scribbling. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Good numbers. Give us good numbers so we can make a good decision. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. This would be all going towards the permanent site. So if your question is, if you approve this appropriation what are commitments and next steps? So, if you approve the appropriation, you will get this information on the permanent-site comparative, rough analysis of the three sites. You'll get at some point, when I can get a response, some sense of whether or not an EA is required for temporary improvements to move on a temporary hub. And then, we would do the EA, which all of you would be privy to whatever information goes into that EA. And then as part of my monthly report to the Council, I can include the progress on this particular project. Page 44 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And then, one, I think there's a big fear around if we don't do this, the money goes away for Pahoa and we're lost. Is that true? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: It's not. Correct? Thank you. Because, that is the last thing that I want. We all want this bus stop for Pahoa. But you asked me to be up here. Sorry. I was voted to be up here, and I've got to ask these questions. Thank you for clarifying that. And, Brenda, please take a bus through the park. Get as far as you can. Because, up by the back of the bus is a big yellow school bus that is reverse parked above on Kauhale. MS. CARREIRA: (Inaudible.) MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: But we also heard today that you have smaller buses that can get ridership numbers in and out. So, I want to know. I'm an electrician. When someone asks me to do something, I can say, "I can't,"but I also—I've got to know if I can try or not. Because if I give you that "I can't,"I hate hearing "I can't." MS. CARREIRA: I'm sorry. I'm not going to guarantee that if I know that it's going to damage the bus, no. I'm sorry. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you. CHR. CHUNG: Val, go ahead. MS. POINDEXTER: And thank you for that, Brenda. You just held firm on that—"No bus will fit." But then like he said, if a smaller bus, you tried that and said, "Hey, Matt, smaller bus, so many feet, it worked," I think that's what he's looking for. And all in all, Matt, I just want to say thank you for asking the hard questions because it did force everyone to look deeper into the details. I mean, things that we're acknowledging today that we had missed. So, there is a good process, and there is a reason why they voted you to be on here to ask the hard questions and not just rubberstamp anything. I'm not saying that we would have rubberstamped anything either, but I understand. The paper published things that the perception of the community was that this money was tied to purchasing that property. That's how it was. I mean, all of our discussion was going that way too. So, luckily at the last Council meeting, Council Chair Chung kind of put us back on track and goes, "Let me ask this question, this is just an appropriation, right?" Page 45 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 So, it's an appropriation. It was just a misperception and caused this huge forest fire and now, hopefully, we kind of dwindled that fire down and we have a lot of good information. And Ashley and Matt will be getting more correct information back to them and then we'll go from there. So, I would definitely support this for us to look like I said, it's an appropriation for islandwide, but also to help move Pahoa closer to getting their hub as you continuously work with our Council Members from that district. So, thank you. Thank you for letting me share. I'll yield at this time. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else? If not, we have a motion on the floor. Let's do it by a roll call vote, Mr. Clerk. Vote on Bill 131: The motion to pass Bill 131 on second and final reading (Adopted) was carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Okay. REPORTS: The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Reports. (There were none.) REFERRALS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Referrals FOR for Executive Session. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (There were none.) OTHER The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other BUSINESS: Business. (There were none.) ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, MENTS: Announcements. (There were none.) CHR. CHUNG: We've come to the end of our agenda. Page 46 Hawaii County Council-31 February 5,2020 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 12:26 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn the MENT: meeting. Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Council Approval: MAR 1 1 2020 COQ , 'RK JH/dg Page 47