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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.10.22. COG Commission Minutes - Approved COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 10, 2022 INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): ZOOMGOV CALL TO ORDER \[2:01 p.m.\] Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum. ATTENDANCE Present: D9 Michael Konowicz, Chair D1 Neal Herbert, Vice Chair D2 Matthias Kusch D6 Kenneth Obenski D8 Karie Wakat ----- ----- Excused: D5 Shannon Matson D7 Daniel Malakie III Absent: D4 Madie Greene Vacant: D3 Additional: Robert Command, Deputy Managing Director Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel Ramzi Mansour, Director, Environmental Management \[Present for a portion of the meeting\] Pomai Bartolome, Executive Assistant \[Present for a portion of the meeting\] Jeannie Miskovich, COG Secretary – Officer of the Mayor INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS \[2:02\] Ramzi Mansour, Director, Department of Environmental management \[2:02\] STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None \[2:02\] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2022 Commissioner Herbert moved to approve the minutes of February 24, 2022 Commissioner Wakat Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Roll Call Vote: Ayes: (4) (1) Kenneth Obenski- Abstained \[2:06\] 2/24/2022 Minutes Approved County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. PRESENTATIONS Agenda Items 6(a) taken out of order \[2:07\] 6(a) Presentation and overview of DEM – Ramzi Mansour \[PowerPoint presentation on file\] Q&A: Addressing Commissioner specified questions. \[2:30\] Discussion and suggested solutions on subjects including: Abandoned Vehicles, Green waste and Composting \[Contract with Hawai‘i Earth Recycling - expiration date 2036\]; the costs of tire disposal and changes to current accessibility to dispose tires; green waste to brown waste possibilities; Honua Ola; waste to energy programs as an ongoing topic of consideration, corrugated cardboard as part of waste to energy programs; marketing recyclables as China market is down; metal recycling markets; incineration cross islands / O‘ahu incinerator possibilities; curb-side rubbish collection in urban areas; vehicle charity donations; introduction of FISHTANK Program to DEM managers (Engineering Consulting); DEM to recruit county-wide to address inefficient commutes; possibility of DEM and Water Supply consolidation; sewer capacity expansion and pipe design capacity issues; master plans and waste treatment plans \[3:30\] COMMUNICATIONS Written resignation of George Espinosa, D3 Commissioner Chair Konowicz called for discussion on whether to request Mayor to submit a nomination through Council to fill the D3 Commission position Discussion: Commissioner Obenski - The Commission could run into quorum problems; Commissioner Herbert – D3 would lose their voice \[3:35\] The recommendation of the Commission is to fill the D3 Cost of Government Commissioner ASAP, and request Pomai Bartolome to initiate the nominee process through the Mayor’s Office. \[3:36\] PRESENTATIONS Agenda Items 6(b) 6(b) Presentation and overview of the Konno v County of Hawaii Decision, Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel- Requested by Commissioner Matson, who is excused today, tabled to the 3/24/2022 Regular Meeting. AGENDA ITEMS 7, 8 and 9 \[3:58\] Chair Konowicz called for discussion on how to best proceed with Agenda Items 7, 8 and 9. Discussion of the process in which to engage with the different Departments, including - Utilizing introduction letters to the various Departments to introduce and request information; Assign subcommittees to tackle key areas of inquiry; work together to define issues and cost savings; work to resolve issues; Sub- Committees to report back to full Commission As Commissioners Matson and Malakie are excused today, the Commissioners will each send to Chair Konowicz their preferred sub-committee assignments by next regular meeting (3/24/22) \[4:18\] AGENDA ITEM 10 Discussion on Promoting a meeting designed to capture more public Feedback County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Commissioners decide no additional public outreach required at this time - Possible engagement with Council with an interim update, or when there is a first draft of the Report. \[4:24\] AGENDA ITEM 11 Discussion: Post Pandemic, In-Person Meeting Location Commissioners decide to keep the Zoom Meeting available with in-person capabilities at the mayor’s conference rooms in both Hilo and Kailua-Kona. \[4:25\] AGENDA ITEM 12 Discussion on Commissioner attendance at the County Budget Process Meetings in April Commission Herbert will attend the County Council budget meetings and report key takeaways back to the Commission. \[4:25\] AGENDA ITEMS 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Discussion: Commissioners decide that Agenda Items 12-18 shall be tabled for a later date. \[4:26\] ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA  Presentation and overview by Steve Hunt, Deputy Finance Director  Presentation and overview of the Konno v County of Hawaii Decision, Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel \[4:32\] Comm. Obenski Moved to adjourn Comm. Wakat Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Ayes: (5) Unanimous \[4:32\] Meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.