HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-26 Minutes of Public Hearing on the Porposed New Cost of Power Adjustment ClauseMINUTES
WATER BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
PROPOSED NEW COST OF POWER ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE
October 26, 2021
Via Zooin/Host Location: Department of Water Supply, 345 Kekuana6`a Street, Suite 20, Hilo, HI
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. William Boswell, Jr., Chairperson
Mr. Eric Scicchitano, Vice -Chairperson
Mr. Michael Bell
Mr. David De Luz, Jr.
Mr. Steven Hirakami
Ms. Julie Hugo
Mr. Benjamin Ney (9:46 a.m.)
Mr. Keith K. Okamoto, Manager -Chief Engineer, Department of Water Supply
(ex -off' icio member)
ABSENT: Mr. Kenneth Sugar, Water Board Member
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Diana Mellon -Lacey, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Department of Water Supply Staff
Mr. Kawika Uyehara, Deputy
Ms. Candace Gray, Waterworks Controller
Mr. Kurt Inaba, Engineering Division Head
Mr. Warren Ching, Energy Management Analyst
(Chairperson Boswell called the Public Hearing to order at9:45 a.m.)
Chairperson Boswell: Good morning. Will the public hearing of the Water Board on the proposed new cost of
Power Adjustment Clause please come to order. I am William Boswell, Jr.,
Chairperson of the Water Board; and I'd like to have the Secretary take a roll call for
who is in attendance from the Board.
(Secretary took take roll call. Present were Mr. Bell, Mr. De Luz, Mr. Hirakami, Ms. Hugo, Mr. Scicchitano,
and Chairperson Boswell. NOTE: Mr. Ney joined the meeting after the roll call.)
Chairperson Boswell: Thank you, Doreen. Notice of this public hearing was published in the
Hawaii Tribune -Herald and in the West Hawaii Today on October 5, 2021. The
Department of Water Supply is operated and controlled by this Water Board as
provided by the Hawaii County Charter. Section 63 of Part III, Chapter 54, Hawai`i
Revised Statutes, reads as follows:
"The Board of Water Supply may fix and adjust rates and charges for the furnishing of
water and for water services so that the revenues derived therefrom shall be sufficient to
make the waterworks and water systems self-supporting and to meet all expenditures
authorized by this part; the Board may establish variable rates among the several
districts of the County, or among the areas served by the individual water systems
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within the County, for the purpose of establishing charges as closely as possible to the
necessary amount required for the maintenance and operation of the particular
individual water systems; provided no rates and charges shall be fixed or adjusted prior
to the holding by the Board of a public hearing, public notice of which shall have been
given not less than twenty days before the date set for the hearing. The notice shall
state the time and place for the hearing and the proposed rates and charges to be
considered thereat. The time within which the notice shall be given shall be computed
by including the first day (the day of notice) and excluding the last day."
We are here to receive comments or testimony on the proposed amendment to the
Power Cost Charge. The Department recommends increasing the Power Cost Charge
from $1.85 to $2.15 per thousand gallons to reflect the increase in power costs. As
stated in the hearing notice, all comments or testimony were to be filed in writing
before the time of the hearing or register to have testimony included via web conference
application. We would like to follow this format as closely as possible; however,
because there may be some of you who do not have any written statements but would
like to testify or comment, we would like to afford you this opportunity to do so but
would like to limit such presentations to three minutes because of the time limit. The
hearing is now open for comments from the floor. Doreen, is there anyone registered to
provide oral testimony or is there any written testimony?
Secretary: No, Mr. Chair.
Chairperson Boswell: At this time, I would like to entertain a Motion that this Public Hearing be closed.
Motion please?
B. Ney: So move.
D. De Luz: Second, David.
Chairperson Boswell: It has been moved and seconded that the public hearing is closed. All those in favor say
aye.
Secretary: Roll call, please.
Chairperson Boswell: Sorry, Doreen, would you please have a roll call vote?
(Secretary took a roll call. Motion to close the public hearing was carried by 7 Ayes (Mr. Bell, Mr. De Luz,
Mr. Hirakami, Ms. Hugo, Mr. Ney, Mr. Scicchitano, and Chairperson Boswell; and one Absent: Mr. Sugai.)
Chairperson Boswell: Thank you.
(Public Hearing adjourned at 9: 50 a.m.)
Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY WATER BOARD
NOVEMBER 23, 2021
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