HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19 Minutes of the Public Hearing on the proposed new cost of power adjustment clause MINUTES
WATER BOARD PF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING BUDGET AND 5-YEAR CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-2029
March 19, 2024
West Hawaii Civic Center, Bldg. G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona,Hawaii
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Keith K. Okamoto, Manager-Chief Engineer,
Department of Water Supply(ex-officio member)
Mr. Michael Pono Kekela,Vice-Chairperson, Dist. 4 (via videoconference)
Mr. James Kimo Lee,Water Board Member, Dist. 2
Mr. Michael Bell,Water Board Member, Dist. 7
Mr. Keith Unger,Water Board Member, Dist. 6
ABSENT: Mr. Thomas Brown,Water Board Member, Dist. 3
Mr. Steven Hirakami,Water Board Member, Dist. 5
Ms. Kea Keolanui,Water Board Member, Dist. 1
Mr. Stephen Kawena Lopez, Chairperson, Dist. 8
Mr. Benjamin Ney,Water Board Member, Dist. 9
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 Analyst
Ms.Nora Avenue, Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Diana Mellon-Lacey, Deputy Corporation Counsel
(Manager-Chief Engineer Keith K. Okamoto called the public hearing to order at 9:30 a.m.)
MR. OKAMOTO: We'll be having our Public Hearing on the proposed 2025 Operating Budget and 5-year Capital
Improvements Budget for the Department of Water Supply. So I am opening up the Public Hearing. Can I get a
roll call of the Water Board Members currently attending?
(A roll call was taken for Water Board Members in attendance. Four Board Members were present: Mr. Bell,
Mr. Kekela, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Unger.)
MR. OKAMOTO: The Water Board,under Section 8-2(c) of the Hawaii County Charter shall adopt the
Operating and Capital Improvements Budget for the Department of Water Supply; and under the hearing and
advertising provision of Section 10-4,Hawaii County Charter,did publish public hearing notices in the
Hawaii Tribune-Herald and in the West Hawaii Today on March 8, 2024.
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 time concerns.
Hearing is now open for comments from the floor. Nora, is there anyone registered to provide oral or written
testimony?
MS. AVENUE: We have none, Mr. Okamoto.
MR. OKAMOTO: Seeing no public testimony, I would like to entertain a motion that this Public Hearing be
closed.
MR. UNGER: So moved.
MR. OKAMOTO: Moved by Board Member Unger. Can I get a second?
MR. BELL: Second.
MR. OKAMOTO: Second by Board Member Bell. It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor of closing
this Public Hearing please say "aye."
BOARD MEMBERS: Aye.
MR. OKAMOTO: Any opposed? (none) Motion carried. Public Hearing is now closed. Thank you everybody.
(Public Hearing adjourned at 9:34 a.m.)
Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY WATER BOARD
APRIL 23, 2024
Page 2 of 2 March 19,2024,Water Board Minutes