HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-20 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
December 20, 2022
Liquor Control Conference Room, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, HI
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. David De Luz, Jr., Chairperson
Mr. Steven Hirakami, Vice -Chairperson
Ms. Julie Hugo
Mr. Pono Kekela
Mr. Benjamin Ney
Mr. Kenneth Sugai
Mr. Michael Bell (9:47 a.m.)
Mr. Keith K. Okamoto, Manager -Chief Engineer,
Department of Water Supply (ex-officio member)
ABSENT: Mr. Stephen Kawena Lopez, Water Board Member
Ms. Kea Keolanui, Water Board Member
Director, Planning Department (ex-officio member)
Director, Department of Public Works (ex-officio member)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Diana Mellon -Lacey, Deputy Corporation Counsel
DEPARTMENT OF
WATER SUPPLY STAFF: Mr. Kawika Uyehara, Deputy
Mr. Kurt Inaba, Engineering Division Head
Ms. Candace Gray, Waterworks Controller
Mr. Gregory Goodale, Chief of Operations
Mr. Eric Takamoto, Operations Division
Mr. Warren Ching, Energy Management Specialist
Mr. Alvin Inouye, Operations Superintendent
Ms. Sunshine Carter, Administration Division
(Chairperson De Luz called the Public Hearing to order at 9: 45 a.in.)
CHAIRPERSON DE LUZ: Good morning. I'd like to call the public hearing on the proposed new cost of
power adjustment clause to order. I am David De Luz, Jr., Chairperson of the
Water Board; and I'll have the members of the Board introduce themselves.
B. NEY:
Benjamin Ney, District 9.
P. KEKELA:
Pono Kekela, District 4.
S. HIRAKAMI:
Steve Hirakami, District 5.
J. HUGO:
Julie Hugo, District 2.
K. SUGAI:
Ken Sugai, District 6.
Page] of 2 December 20, 2022, Minutes of the Public Hearing on the Power Cost Charge
CHAIRPERSON DE LUZ: Thank you. Notice of this public hearing was published in the Hawaii
Tribune -Herald and in the West Ha.wai`i Today on November 30, 2022. (Mr. Bell
joined the public hearing.) 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 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 $2.87 to $3.04 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 are to be presented in person at the time of
the hearing. 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 five minutes. The hearing is now
open for comments from the floor. Is there anyone here to provide oral testimony?
SECRETARY: No, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRPERSON DE LUZ: Thank you. There being no testimony at this time, I would like entertain a motion
that this public hearing be closed.
B. NEY: So move.
K. SUGAL• Second.
CHAIRPERSON DE LUZ: Moved by Ben; seconded by Ken. All those in favor say aye.
(Board Members: Unanimous Ayes) Any opposed? (None.) Motion is carried.
Thank you. Public hearing is adjourned.
(Public Hearing adjourned at 9.49 a.m.)
Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY WATER BOARD
January 24, 2023
Page 2 of 2 December 20, 2022, Minutes of the Public Hearing on the Power Cost Charge