HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-28 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
March 28, 2023
West Hawaii Civic Center. Blda. G. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwv. Kailua-Kona. HI
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Steven Hirakami, Chairperson
Mr. Stephen Kawena Lopez, Vice -Chairperson
Mr. Michael Bell, Water Board Member
Mr. David De Luz, Jr., Water Board Member
Ms. Julie Hugo, Water Board Member
Mr. Michael Pono Kekela, Water Board Member
Ms. Kea Keolanui, Water Board Member
Mr. Benjamin Ney, Water Board Member
Mr. Kenneth Sugai, Water Board Member
Mr. Keith K. Okamoto, Manager -Chief Engineer,
Department of Water Supply (ex-officio member)
ABSENT: Director, Planning Department (ex-officio member)
Director, Department of Public Works (ex-officio member)
Mr. Eric Takamoto, Mechanical Engineer
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. Warren Ching, Energy Management Analyst
Mr. Alvin Inouye, Operations Superintendent
Ms. Sunshine Carter, Private Secretary
Ms. Paulette Wilson, Temp Water Board Secretary
(Chairperson Hirakami called the meeting to order at 9:45am)
Chair Steven Hirakami: Good morning. Will the Public Hearing of the Water Board for
the Proposed New Cost of Power Adjustment Clause, please come to order. I'm Steven
Hirakami, Chairperson of the Water Board. And I'd like to have the secretary do a roll
call for who is in attendance from the Board.
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PW: Mr. Bell
Michael Bell: Here
PW: Mr. DeLuz:
David DeLuz: Here
PW: Ms. Hugo
Julie Hugo: Here
PW: Mr. Kekela:
Michael Pono Kekela: Here
PW: Ms. Keolanui:
Kea Keolanui: Here
PW: Mr. Lopez:
Kawena Lopez: Here
PW: Mr. Ney:
Benjamin Ney: Here
PW: Mr. Sugai:
Ken Sugai: Here
PW: Chair Hirakami:
Chair Steven Hirakami: Here
PW: We have nine board members present.
Chair Steven Hirakami: Thank you. Notice of this Public Hearing was published in the
Hawaii Tribune Herald and in the West Hawaii Today on March 7, 2023.
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 Hawaii
Revised Statute 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 system self-supporting and to meet all expenditures
authorized by this part; the Board may establish variable rates among the several
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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 be given not
less than 20 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 the 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 decreasing the power cost charge
from $3.04 to $2.70 per 1000 gallons to reflect the decrease 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, including 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 on the floor. Secretary. Is there any one
registered to provide oral testimony? Or is there any written testimony as well? If not, at
this time, I would like to entertain a Motion that this Public Hearing be closed.
Benjamin Ney: So moved
Ken Sugai: Second
Steven Hirakami: Ben Ney moved and Ken Sugai seconded.
It's been moved and seconded that the Public Hearing is closed. All those in favor
say Aye.
Board Members: Unanimous Ayes.
Chair Steven Hirakami: Opposed? (None)
Motion is carried. Thank you.
Public Hearing closed at 9:47am
Secretary
APPROVED BY WATER BOARD
(April 25, 2023)
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