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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.14.22 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 April 14, 2022 INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): ZOOM WITH IN-PERSON LOCATIONS FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY PER AGENDA CALL TO ORDER \[2:02 p.m.\] Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum. ATTENDANCE Present: D9 Michael Konowicz, Chair D1 Neal Herbert, Vice Chair D2 Matthias Kusch D4 Madie Greene D5 Shannon Matson D6 Kenneth Obenski D8 Karie Wakat D3 Vacant D7 Daniel Malkie III \[Excused\] Additional: Robert Command, Deputy Managing Director Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel J. Yoshimoto, Assistant Corporation Counsel Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director, Department of Public Works \[present for a portion of the meeting\] Scott Uehara, Director, Department of Information Technology \[present for a portion of the meeting\] Jeannie Miskovich, COG Secretary – Officer of the Mayor Members of the Public CALL TO ORDER \[2:02 p.m.\] Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS \[2:02\] Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director, DPW Scott Uehara, Director, DIT J. Yoshimoto, Assistant Corporation Counsel \[2:08\] STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC In-Person Testimony: Chris Yuen provided in-person testimony regarding no bid consultations specific to the factors the report cited to close Waipi‘o Valley access road to the public, and his perceived inaccuracies in the calculation of risk. Follow-Up: Comm. Kusch had questions regarding the report and calculation model of possible fatalities. Comments: Comm. Matson commented for the records that Mr. Yuen previously was the Director of Planning for Hawai‘i County. His testimony and information are informed and appreciated, although the current discussion on the Waipi‘o road probability factors fall outside of the scope of the Cost of Government Commission’s current agenda. Comments: Comm. Obenski agreed with Comm. Matson and commented that Hawai‘i Counties seeming excessive use of no-bid consultants may be a subject for the Cost of Government Commission to add to the agenda at a later time in order to determine any cost savings to the County. \[2:22\] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 24, 2022 Discussion: None Comm. Kusch moved to approve the March 24, 2022, meeting minutes as read Comm. Wakat Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Roll Call Vote: Ayes: (7) Unanimous \[2:23\] 3/24/2022 Minutes Approved \[2:23\] COMMUNICATIONS Board Packet contains four (4) submitted written testimony All Commissioners received and have read the Communications \[2:24\] PRESENTATIONS Agenda Items 6(a) Presentation and Overview of County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works, Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director (PowerPoint Presentation on file) \[2:43\] Q&A: Chair Konowicz – Discussion and clarifications regarding the Complaint mode in EPIC Program specific to code enforcement issues and the cashiering challenges. Dir. Rodenhurst is aware of the issue and is working within the software to solve the issues. Question and clarification on the high number of permits ----in August. Dir. Rodenhurst explained one reason for the high influx in permits in August. Generally, there is a high volume of permits submitted just prior to the changes in September of the same year Comm Matson: Questioned if the Department was sufficiently staffed and trained. Dir. Rodenhurst stated that the Department working with HR and unions to reallocate positions to have more entry level “Pre-Examiner” position that would move up to a full “Plan Reviewer” title. Chair Konowicz invited Dir. Rodenhurst to return for a follow-up on roads and will submit specific questions. \[3:07\] Agenda Item 6(b) Presentation and Overview of County of Hawai‘i Department of InformationTechnology, Scott Uehara, Director Q & A: Dir. Uehara fielded Commissioner’s questions and will return with a report on the May 26, 2022, meeting of the COG Commission. \[3:20\] Agenda Item 6(c) Presentation and Overview of the Konno v County of Hawai‘i Decision, Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel \[3:32\] Discussion/ Q&A \[3:37\] Agenda Item 6(d) Report from the 3/16/2022 Ka’u Wastewater Community Meeting by Bobby Command, Deputy Managing Director Bobby Command provided a historical overview of the wastewater issues in Naalehu and Pahala beginning with C. Brewer’s turnover of the sugar lease properties to the lot lessees. The model is shared cesspools or “gang” cesspools. A prior administration accepted responsibility for the wastewater facilities. Comm Matson- Suggested a possible Plan B which could include a public/private partnership (as used in O‘ahu) and how to negotiate within the constraints of the Konno Decision. Malia Kekai – The County is currently in negotiations with the EPA to reset the deadlines and remove current penalty assessments; Comm Obenski commented that new technologies on the horizon to address the cesspool /septic/ wastewater sewage plane issues. Comm. Obenski – EPA eliminated all cesspools as they were cost prohibitive. Bobby Command – Ramzi Mansour is the subject matter expert. Chair Konowicz will invite Ramzi to a COG Commission meeting to follow-up on the Ka‘u wastewater issue. Malia Kekai - Pointed out current session state legislation pertinent to Cesspool Compliance: HB1212 HD1, HB2195 HD2; Cesspool Compliance Assistance, HB1806 HD2- SD 1, Cesspool Conversions and HB1525 HD1, Organic Waste \[4:00\] Agenda Item 6(e) Briefing on the Hawai’i Earth Recycling Contract – Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel The fuel expenses to haul green waste across the island is cost prohibitive and stresses the Department workforce. The COG Commission will follow-up with Ramzi Mansour as a subject matter expert, and re-visit this in a subsequent meeting Agenda Items 7 and 8 \[3:54\] Chair Konowicz will re-invite Director Rodenhurst to report on DPW Roads, traffic and engineering studies, with additional questions to be sent to the Director through Chair Konowicz Comm. Wakat will draft questions for Director Uehara for his return to the COG Commission on May 26, 2022. Comm. Kusch specifically would like a list of Director Uehara’s goals and priorities regarding infrastructure and staffing. Comm. Matson suggested a model by which reoccurring payments and/or renewals are scheduled on dates easy to remember (birthdays) or other user- friendly reminder systems renewals in the county \[4:13\] ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT (OR FUTURE) AGENDAS  Presentation and overview on roads, traffic, and engineering studies by Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director of Department of Public Works  Presentation and overview on the EPA negotiations and Ka‘u Wastewater issue and on the Hawai‘i Earth Recycling Green waste contract by Ramzi Mansour, Director of Environmental Management  Presentation and overview by Cyrus Johnasen of the new County of Hawai‘i mobile app  Presentation and overview of Zero Emissions Future by Riley Saito, Economic Development Specialist, Department of Research and Development  Presentation and overview of Procurement by Diane Nakagawa, Purchasing and Procurement Specialist, Department of Finance \[4:29\] ADJOURNMENT Comm. Obenski made a motion to adjourn Comm. Matson Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Ayes: (7) Unanimous Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.