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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0035.54 - resolution 216-19 and council transcript for Aug 8 2019 agenda Chairperson Vice Chairperson Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Res. 216-19:PROPOSES AN ALTERNATIVE AMENDMENT IN PLACE OF CHARTER PROPOSAL CA-18, DRAFT2, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION MAINTENANCE FUND Adds to Charter Commission Proposal CA-18, Draft 2, that an officer, board member, or employee of a stewardship organization may receive compensation from stewardship grant funding for labor, educational workshops, or maintenance work when those activities are included and approved as part of the stewardship grant proposal. Reference:Comm. 359 Intr. by:Ms. David and Ms. Eoff Waived:FC Motion to Approve:Ms. Davidmoved to adopt Res. 216-19. Seconded by Mr.-Kleinfelder. ACTING CHR. EOFF:Ms. David. MS. DAVID:Thank you. I really would like to thank Ms. mind, Ms.Ford, SueDursin, yes, who testified and the others who have testified in support of this initiative, and for coming today and also actually the Charter Commission who have workedreally hard, and the Charter staff,on coming up with proposed amendments. This amendment is basically not changing anything that the Commission has done except-18 that provides that board members and officerscan get compensated if their work is for the nonprofit and request. So, really I know, especially in my district, the nonprofits that are working hard to maintain these open s places. So, we also did not change the fact that board members should not be paid a salary, or officers, but we did want to respect the fact that if they are providing valid and legitimate work, which most of them do, then I believe they should be compensated. including this as part of their proposal for CA- for Ms.Eoff to add to that, but for now I yield. Thank you. ACTING CHR. EOFF:Okay, any other Council Members have a comment or a question? Mr.Chung. -18July24, 2019 MR. CHUNG: other personal anecdote here. Back in 2004 or 2003, I had actually voted for the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission) Charter amendment, but that one failed at the County Council for lack of a super majority. So, I actually supported this thing in concept. And then after I had left the Council, I really thought about this thing over and over and then I had second thoughts about my vote and the whole concept of funding, well, taking 2 percent off the top from the is a good thing. But from a fiscal standpoint, it just concerned me. I spoke before the Charter Commission regarding one of the proposals that came this one has really no impact on the budget within the context of what we have. at has to be answered by Corp. Counselbut whether that ission. supporting it. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Thank you, Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Thank you. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Any other comments, Council Members? Okay, Mr. -Kleinfelder. -KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I support it. Thank you. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Any other comments? Well, if you Ms. David pretty much explained itbut we were watching the work of the Charter Commission, and yes, we honor that this is their interfere. But this one issue they struggled with. But I think the struggle was based upon the problem that the way it was first proposed for them to consider would have allowed a salary for board members. And because that did pose concern all the true, you can only depend on volunteers so much. And if you really want to get a Page 2 -18July24, 2019 charge and is compensated. They need to be there however many hours a month, compensation Commissioners can take another look. I know there was an issue with them revisiting amendments that had failed and one before the Charter Commission as well and get it as part of the ballot question. Okay. MR. BROWN: Excuse me, Madam Chair? ACTING CHR. EOFF: Yes? MR. BROWN: Steve Hunt from the Department of Finance is here. He was hoping he could approach the stand. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Okay. MR. BROWN: Thank you. (Note: At this time, Finance Deputy Director Steven Hunt came forward to address the members of the Council, via videoconferencing from Hilo.) MR. HUNT: Thank you, Madam Chair. For the record, Steve Hunt, Deputy for stewardships and maintenance is there. I think more the concern that I have seen since this is going to be, essentially, managed by the Department of Finance is how those stewardship agreements come for review and what time of compensation would be considered. If there are multiple stewardships that are applying for different projects, should the wages be the same? Should the wages nonprofit organization? Does it trigger any issues wages based on what our park maintenance workers are using? Does it trigger any Konno decisions? Are these jobs that are, management of County lands, something that is historically done by County employees? Those are just some concerns that I think we may encounter, and you may have discussed these prior to submitting this. is the verbiage is very lengthy, maybe a little bit too much for what normal Charter Page 3 -18July24, 2019 approved by this body, sent to the Charter Commission, which has already thth rejected this on two occasions at the March 8 and the April 25 meetings, if they not recalled, then both measures would go to the ballot, which would be two very long measures to read being able to understand what is the intent in either of those options could be problematic as well. So, those are the concerns I have. operationally how this would be implemented. MS. POINDEXTER: Madam Chair? This is Val. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: goes from there. It goes back to the Charter Commission; see what they say. MR. HUNT: Correct. MS. POINDEXTER: Right. And then, eventually, if it has to go on the ballot, it has to go on the ballot. This should be the will of the people. I mean, they created this public open space fund, and I want to respect that. And I think we need to have somebody compensated how many nonprofit organizations? You have ? So, we need to figure out a way, how to make it happen. yo ACTING CHR. EOFF: Thank you. Mr. Chung. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I just wanted to address something that was brought up by Mr. thinking that it would probably necessitate a rule and regulation by the Finance Department. nno decision and other things like that. Page 4 -18July24, 2019 But I think the main thing is that this is going to be akin to our nonprofit grant processa that can be worked around. Just wanted to make that comment. Thanks. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Just to add. Right now, if the person is not a board a project coordinator or a stipend or whatever. But a part of the grant process has included some pay for stewardship work. So, all this amendment does is allow a board member to participate in that as well. Our hope is that the Charter Commission can find a way to roll this into their proposal so that there would not have to be two questions on the ballot too. I understand the issue there. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I may? ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ashley? Is that MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: ; tkaraoke voice. Watch out. Just kidding. CommissionDoug Adams. He shared that should this resolution pass, it will be something that the Commission would consider. And if they want to update their Charter amendment to include these sentiments, they could do that, or there could be two measures on the ballot. So, I just want to put it out there that if we pass this, the Charter Commission will consider it and they may want to marry what they put forward and what this Council is also suggesting. I yield. ACTING CHR. EOFF: Thank you. Thank you for that. Ms. Hecht Vote on Res. 216-19: The motion to adopt Res. 216-19 was carried by the (Adopted) following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, -Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Acting Chair Eoff 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 5 -18July24, 2019 ACTING CHR. EOFF: going to thank Council Members for supporting this, Page 6