HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-26 Water Board MinutesMINUTES
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY
COUNTY OF HAWAII
WATER BOARD MEETING
April 26, 2016
Department of Water Supply, Operations Center Conference Room, 889 Leilani St., Hilo, HI
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Craig Takamine, Chairperson
Mr. Russell Arikawa, Vice -Chairperson
Mr. Leningrad Elarionoff (arrived 10:17 a.m.)
Ms. Brenda Iokepa-Moses
Ms. Susan Lee Loy
Mr. Jay Uyeda
Ms. Kanoe Wilson
ABSENT:
Mr. Bryant Balog, Water Board Member
Mr. Duane Kanuha, Director, Planning Department (ex -officio member)
Mr. Warren Lee, Director, Department of Public Works (ex -officio
member)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Ms. Toni Gonsalves, Beylik Drilling & Pump Service, Inc.
Ms. Nako`o Warrington
Ms. Bridget Bales
Mr. Graceson Ghen, Hawaii Energy
Department of Water Supply Staff
Mr. Keith Okamoto, Manager -Chief Engineer
Mr. Kawika Uyehara, Deputy
Mr. Kurt Inaba, Engineering Division Head
Mr. Richard Sumada, Waterworks Controller
Mr. Daryl Ikeda, Operations Chief
Mr. Clyde Young, Operations
Mr. Warren Ching, Operations
Mr. Eric Takamoto, Operations
Mr. Calvin Uemura, Customer Service Supervisor
Mr. James O'Keefe, Operations
1) CALL TO ORDER— Chairperson Takamine called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
2) STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Chairperson entertained a Motion to approve the Minutes of the March 22, 2016, Public
Hearing on the FY 2017 Budgets and Energy CIP Rate, and the Minutes of the regular Water Board
meeting on March 22, 2016.
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ACTION: Mr. Arikawa moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Iokepa-Moses; and carried
unanimously by voice vote.
4) APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
None.
5) PUNA:
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-01, APPROVING THE RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE OF
MONIES FOR THE OLA`A #6 PRODUCTION WELL AND 1.0 MG RESERVOIR
PROJECT (FUNDED BY THE DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND):
(Note: Resolution requires roll call vote)
DWS submitted a loan application to fund this project with the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund (DWSRF). One of the prerequisites for the loan is a Resolution approved by the Water
Board. This Resolution is specifically identified for the following project: JOB NO. 2006-899,
OLA`A 96 PRODUCTION WELL AND 1.0 MG RESERVOIR, and authorizes the
Manager—Chief Engineer or Deputy to execute loans and/or grants with the State Department of
Health for up to $6,829,188.42.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 2016-01, subject to the approval of Corporation Counsel.
MOTION: Mr. Arikawa moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that this project has already been completed. The Resolution is
a refinancing effort, using SRF funds; originally the project was financed by general obligation
bonds. DWS is saving at least a couple of percentage points in interest, over a 20 -year term, he
said.
ACTION: The Secretary took a roll call vote: Ms. Lee Loy (Aye); Mr. Uyeda (Aye);
Mr. Arikawa (Aye); Chairperson Takamine (Aye); Ms. Wilson (Aye); Ms. Iokepa-Moses (Aye);
one Absent: (Mr. Elarionoff) and one Excused: (Mr. Balog). Motion carried with Six (8) Ayes,
and Zero (0) Nays.
6) SOUTH HILO:
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-02, APPROVING THE RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE OF
MONIES FOR THE PI`IHONUA-KUKUAU RESERVOIR AND TRANSMISSION
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (FUNDED BY THE DRINKING WATER STATE
REVOLVING FUND):
(Note: Resolution requires roll call vote)
DWS submitted a loan application to fund this project with the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund (DWSRF). One of the prerequisites for the loan is a Resolution approved by the Water
Board. This Resolution is specifically identified for the following project: JOB NO. 94-590,
PI`IHONUA-KUKUAU RESERVOIR AND TRANSMISSION IMPROVEMENTS, and
authorizes the Manager—Chief Engineer or Deputy to execute loans and/or grants with the State
Department of Health for up to $7,100,000.00.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board adopt RESOLUTION NO.
2016-02, subject to the approval of Corporation Counsel.
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MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
The Manager -Chief Engineer noted that this project, shown on a graphic projected on the TV
monitor, is being funded by an SRF loan. The project is currently advertised for bids, with the
bid opening scheduled for May 13, 2016.
Mr. Uyeda asked for a description of the project.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said the scope of the project is to install a new storage tank and
transmission lines; this project will replace an outdated and under -sized infrastructure. The
current tank's capacity is 57,000 gallons, which feeds into a million -gallon tank on Puainako
Street. It is basically a pressure -breaker tank, with no storage capacity. The new tank is a 2 -MG
tank and a 16 -inch transmission line. This project has been on DWS's books for a while, and it is
finally coming to pass as a CIP project to be constructed. DWS is really looking forward to
getting this project underway, he said.
Mr. Uyeda asked whether the tank has already been designed; he asked if this will be a design -
build.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that it is a normal design -bid -build.
Mr. Uyeda asked if it was along the lines of the Kawailani Tank.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said no, DWS has since updated its water storage tank designs.
Mr. Arikawa asked if staff had already done an estimate on this project.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, the estimate is the above-mentioned $7.1 million, which
includes contingency and design.
Mr. Inaba said that the construction will cost a bit over $6 million.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, the construction estimate is $6.5 million.
ACTION: The Secretary took a roll call vote: Ms. Lee Loy (Aye); Mr. Uyeda (Aye);
Mr. Arikawa (Aye); Chairperson Takamine (Aye); Ms. Wilson (Aye); Ms. Iokepa-Moses (Aye);
one Absent: (Mr. Elarionoff) and one Excused: (Mr. Balog). Motion carried with Six (8) Ayes,
and Zero (0) Nays.
B. INDEMNITY AND CONSENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT 00LA`A SPRING
SOURCE):
Road and Highway Builders, LLC, (RHC) has executed a license agreement with the Hawaii
Conference Foundation to use the `Ola`a Spring Source water that has been disconnected from
the DWS water system.
DWS has replaced this source with a deepwell, and retains the ability to reconnect to the spring
source under emergency conditions, with the consent of the Department of Health through a long-
term water lease. The source will be used by RHC for dust control purposes during the
construction of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) — East Side, Project No. HI SR
200(3).
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This connection will be separate from the standpipe installed by Yamada & Sons, Inc. RHC's
standpipe is intended to be installed on `Opalipali Street within Kaumana City Subdivision, and
not along Kaumana Drive, where Yamada & Sons, Inc.'s standpipe is located.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve the Indemnity and Consent to
the License Agreement between Road and Highway Builders, LLC, and the Hawaii Conference
Foundation, subject to the approval of the Corporation Counsel and that either the Chairperson or
the Vice -Chairperson be authorized to sign the document.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that this Item involves providing construction water to Road
and Highway Builders, who are currently working on the East Side project on the
Daniel K. Inouye Highway. This agreement is similar to one that DWS did several years ago
with the same contractor on the Saddle Road highway project. The source is owned and operated
by a private entity; DWS has the intake and pipeline to the Department's Saddle Road Tank. The
contractor plans to get their water from the raw water side, within the subdivision on Opalipali
Street. This is not treated water; it is not water that DWS currently uses. However, DWS has
access to this raw water through a long-term lease that DWS executed with the private entity.
Chairperson Takamine asked if the graphic on the screen was Kaumana City.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, this is DWS's uppermost tank in Hilo. DWS will provide
a point of connection from within its tank site property, just to the chain-link fence that is on the
border. From there, the contractor has to install whatever means that they need to fill up their
tanker trucks. This agreement specifies that the contractor must pay for the work that DWS does
on the site, and the contractor must also indemnify DWS for any eventualities outside the
Department's control. DWS will not be charging the contractor for this water, because it is raw,
non -potable water.
Mr. Uyeda asked whether there would be a clear-cut, whereby the contractor would be tapping
into the tank directly.
The Manager- Chief Engineer said that the contractor is required to install a reduced -pressure
principal backflow preventer. Right now, DWS has a point of disconnection on the DWS site;
this is a physical disconnect to ensure that the spring water is not connected to DWS's water tank.
This is a DOH requirement, he added.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
C. MATERIAL BID NO. 2015-05, FURNISHING AND DELIVERING SPARE DEEPWELL
PUMP AND MOTOR SETS FOR WAIMEA DEEPWELL, KEAHUOLU DEEPWELL,
AND PI1HONUA #1 DEEPWELL C — TIME EXTENSION:
The contractor, Beylik Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., is requesting a contract time extension of
90 calendar days to furnish and deliver the pump and motor set for Pi'ihonua 91 Deepwell C.
Staff has reviewed the request, and is recommending approval of 70 calendar days, based on the
fact that the Department issued a hold on the order of the pump cable. This action had delayed
the ability of the contractor to fulfill the order in a timely manner, and was beyond the control of
the contractor.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve a contract time extension of
70 calendar days to Beylik Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., for MATERIAL BID NO. 2015-05,
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FURNISHING AND DELIVERING SPARE DEEPWELL PUMP AND MOTOR SETS FOR
WAIMEA DEEPWELL, KEAHUOLU DEEPWELL, AND PI'IHONUA 91 DEEPWELL C. If
approved, the contract completion date will be revised from March 29, 2016 to June 7, 2016.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Arikawa.
The Manager- Chief Engineer noted that this was a three-part Material Bid; today's Item applies
to one of the parts, the Pi`ihonua 91 portion of the bid. Staff reviewed the time extension request,
and found that 70 calendar days were justified, instead of the 90 days that the contractor
requested. He explained that the Department had asked the contractor to pause on purchasing the
power cable, due to concerns and challenges that DWS was having with the Haleki`i well. DWS
was reluctant to bring in the cable for fear that it might cause problems for DWS down the road.
Therefore, DWS had instructed the contractor to hold off ordering the power cable. By the time
that DWS was ready to go ahead with the Pi`ihonua project, staff figured that the time needed for
the contractor to bring in the cable and fulfill the terms of the contract would be 70 days.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
7) SOUTH KOHALA:
A. WATER TREATMENT PROPOSAL NO. 2016-02, FURNISHING AND DELIVERING
POLYMERS TO WAIMEA WATER TREATMENT PLANT:
Bids for this contract were opened on April 14, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., and the following are the bid
results.
Bidder Amount
Pural Water Specialty Co., Inc. $198,220.53
Phoenix V LLC dba BEI Hawaii Non -Responsive
Bidder
Pural Water Specialty Co., Inc.
Contingency
TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE:
Amount
$198,220.53
$151,779.47
$350,000.00
The reason for the high contingency is that due to past experiences, the dosage of polymers used
in the jar testing is much lower than the actual amount used in the Water Treatment Plant. Also,
as the source water's turbidity increases during the year due to unstable weather conditions, more
polymers are used to meet the water quality requirements of the State of Hawaii, Department of
Health.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board award the contract for WATER
TREATMENT PROPOSAL NO. 2016-02, FURNISHING AND DELIVERING POLYMERS
TO WAIMEA WATER TREATMENT PLANT, to Pural Water Specialty Co., Inc., for the bid
price of $198,220.53, plus $151,779.47 in contingency, for a total contract price of $350,000.00,
and that either the Chairperson or the Vice -Chairperson be authorized to sign the contract, subject
to review as to form and legality of the contract by Corporation Counsel. The contract period is
from July 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017.
MOTION: Mr. Arikawa moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Uyeda.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that this bid is for polymers, which are the compounds that
DWS uses at its Waimea Water Treatment Plant during the coagulation/flocculation process.
During that process, the polymers cause the organic matter in the water to clump together, which
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falls out of solution by gravity. There were actually two bidders for this Item, but one bidder was
found to be non-responsive; DWS was left with just one responsive bidder. Regarding the high
contingency amount, DWS historically found that it needs more polymers than the jar tests
indicate; this is due to external factors such as weather, he said.
Chairperson Takamine asked how frequently DWS needs these materials.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that DWS uses the polymers daily. DWS purchases the
polymers on an as -needed basis.
Mr. Ikeda confirmed this. Since DWS's Waimea well recently went down, the Department has
been using more polymers because the water is dirtier. He said that it was a good thing that DWS
had included a higher contingency, because for the past two years, that contingency has carried
the Department through. This bid runs until December 31, 2017; meanwhile, DWS is doing
compliance upgrades at the Waimea Water Treatment Plant. Once those upgrades are done,
DWS will not be using this polymer anymore; DWS will be using a different chemical, for which
the Department will need to go out to bid at that point.
Mr. Uyeda asked if this is the plant whose upgrade project the Board approved.
The Manager -Chief Engineer confirmed this.
Mr. Uyeda asked if DWS will still need the polymers once the upgrade project is finished.
Mr. Ikeda said it would not be this polymer; DWS will use a different one.
Mr. Uyeda asked if this polymer is in powder or liquid form.
Mr. Ikeda said it was in liquid form.
Ms. Lee Loy asked if there would be a cost savings associated with the new polymers at the
upgraded facility.
Mr. Uyehara said the costs for the new polymer would be similar to the current one.
(Mr. Elarionoff arrived at the meeting at 10:17 a. m)
The Manager -Chief Engineer explained that despite the upgrade, DWS will retain a lot of the
components of the existing conventional treatment plant regarding pre-treatment of the water.
DWS does not want to process the very raw water straight through the membranes, because the
membranes will clog up faster; DWS would as a result face more maintenance and upkeep issues.
The upgraded facility was actually designed to include the continual treatment of water, using the
existing facility, up to a point. The water will ultimately pass through the membrane, he said.
Mr. Arikawa said he was a little concerned that the contingency amount is almost the same as the
actual bid price.
Mr. Ikeda said it was set that way just in case. With the Waimea well back up, DWS will
hopefully not use as much polymers; this bid is on an as -needed basis anyway. DWS orders only
what it needs, he said. If DWS does not use the allotted funds, the remaining money just goes
back into the General Fund.
Ms. Wilson asked if DWS has no recourse in a case like this, with only one responsive bidder.
She asked if DWS just takes the only bid that is received.
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Mr. Ikeda said yes, as long as that bid is reasonable.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that DWS is following HRS and HAR Procurement Code
requirements. If a sole bid comes in that is unreasonable, DWS has other options. The
Department can re -advertise for bids, or it can modify the scope of the project, etc. However, if a
sole bid is reasonable and practicable, then DWS normally awards to that bidder.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses asked if there are any repercussions for the non-responsive bidder; she asked if
the non-responsive bidder was still eligible to submit bids at a future date.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes. Such non-responsive bids hurt both the Department and
the non-responsive bidder. It could be that the bidder forgot to submit a required bid document,
such as a bid bond. Failing to submit a bid bond is a major cause for deeming a bid non-
responsive. Another instance to deem a bid non-responsive would be the failure to provide
product information that DWS requires in order to evaluate the bid. It would not be fair to all of
the other bidders who submitted the required bid documents, if DWS were to award to a bidder
who had omitted a required bid document.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses asked for confirmation that there were only two bidders involved in this case;
she asked if there were a third bidder.
The Manager -Chief Engineer confirmed that there were only two bidders.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
B. JOB NO. 2015-1022. PARKER #1 DEEPWELL REPAIR — TIME EXTENSION:
The contractor, Derrick's Well Drilling and Pump Services, LLC, is requesting a contract time
extension of 90 calendar days. Staff has reviewed the request and is recommending approval of
90 calendar days, based on the fact that the Department furnished a spare pump to be used for
repairs that were incomplete. This action caused the job to lose its position in the queue at the
testing facility.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve a contract time extension of
90 calendar days to Derrick's Well Drilling and Pump Services, LLC, for JOB NO. 2015-1022,
PARKER 91 DEEPWELL REPAIR. If approved, the contract completion date will be revised
from April 30, 2016 to July 28, 2016.
MOTION: Mr. Arikawa moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Iokepa-Moses.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said this Item involved an error on the Department's part; DWS
failed to provide a column adapter, which is the piece that mates the pump to the column pipe.
DWS had to take a column adapter off of another pump, and with that, DWS lost its place in the
queue for testing at the pump manufacturing facility. There is a queue for contractors at these
facilities, and DWS's contractor lost their place in line, and wound up having to go to the end of
the line again, he said.
Mr. Elarionoff asked the Manager -Chief Engineer to explain the words in the Item write-up:
"...based on the fact that the Department furnished a spare pump to be used for repairs that were
incomplete." He asked what was incomplete.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said the word "incomplete" referred to the fact that DWS did not
provide the column adapter with the spare pump.
Mr. Elarionoff asked what a column adapter was.
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The Manager -Chief Engineer called Mr. Young, a mechanical engineer, to explain.
Mr. Young said that the column adapter is the piece that connects to the pump; for some reason,
there was no column adapter, and nobody caught it in the field. DWS would have had to get a
column adapter manufactured, but instead, the Department took another column adapter from
Parker 92 Deepwell, which is also under repair.
Mr. Elarionoff asked if this was unusual.
Mr. Young said it was unusual; it began with a spare pump that had been sitting around for a
number of years; because it had been sitting on the ground for at least five years, DWS sent it
back to the factory to have it checked and re -tested. In the process, DWS was notified by the
factory that the pump was missing a piece, i.e., the column adapter, and therefore it lost its place
in the queue for testing.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said DWS internally needs to work on a checklist, to make sure that
all of the required components are there, before the Department ships equipment off for testing.
Mr. Young acknowledged that the current case involves a mistake on DWS's part.
Mr. Uyeda asked what a string test is.
Mr. Young explained that a string test involves testing both the pump and motor connected to
each other; this gives one a better idea that the components work together. DWS is doing a lot
more string tests, to make sure everything works together, he said. Historically, DWS only did
pump tests.
Mr. Uyeda asked where the string tests were done.
Mr. Young said that it depends on the manufacturer; some manufacturers have multiple test sites.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that sometimes the manufacturers have to coordinate the string
tests because they do not have facilities deep enough to do their own string tests.
Mr. Young said yes, some facilities cannot even do string tests.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that it would be good to show the Board a photo of one of
DWS's pumps at some point. The total length of pump and motor can be quite long, and that is
why DWS has in the past allowed separate pump and motor testing. However, ideally, the
Department wants to do string tests that test the two components, i.e., pump and motor, mated
together, in order to get the actual results, rather than a theoretical combination of two test results.
Mr. Uyeda asked if someone from DWS witnesses the tests.
Mr. Young said that it is rare that DWS sends someone, unless there is an ongoing warranty issue.
Usually, the test is witnessed, or DWS will have the factory engineer do the test, he said.
Mr. Arikawa noted that the letter from Derrick's gave the scheduled date of the testing as
April 14"'. He asked if it was completed.
Mr. Young said yes, the equipment is on its way back.
Mr. Arikawa said that the letter gives the completion date requested as July 29"'. However, the
Department's Recommendation gives the date as July 28"'.
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Mr. Young said that DWS just got Derrick's letter; at the time that the write-up was done, the
request was for 90 days.
Mr. Arikawa said the discrepancy is only one day.
Ms. Wilson asked if the testing on April 14th showed that the pump was all right and that the
components were okay, etc.
Mr. Young confirmed this.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
8) NORTH KONA:
A. JOB NO. 2015-1032, HALEKI`I DEEPWELL REPAIR:
The contractor, Beylik Drilling & Pump Service, Inc., requested to appeal to the Board regarding
DWS's denial of its recent time extension request for the above-mentioned project.
The Manager -Chief Engineer noted that this is not an action Item, but the contractor had asked to
present their situation to the Board. This Item was put on the Agenda to give the contractor the
opportunity to speak to the Board.
Ms. Toni Gonsalves, branch manager for Beylik Drilling & Pump Service, Inc., said that she was
appearing on behalf of Mr. Fred Camero, who was attending to business on Oahu today. She said
that her company was asking the Board to grant the 42 -day time extension for this project, with a
revised completion date of April 29, 2016. The scope of work was to remove the existing
submersible unit, set at 1,600 feet, and to install a new submersible unit, supplied by DWS. The
contractor was also tasked with shipping the failed motor that was pulled from the well to the
repair facility. The contractor believed that the 150 days allowed for this work was an extremely
tight schedule. Ms. Gonsalves noted that the contractor had a major problem with the splicing
during the first installation and start-up on December 23, 2015. The contractor was able to
complete the second installation completed by March 15, 2016, she said. The problem with the
cable splice was identified, and a change order was issued, she said. However, a time extension
was not included or granted with the change order. Because Beylik's main focus was to get the
Haleki`i Well online before the holidays, the contractor failed to get the spare motor crated and
shipped out as fast as they should have; Ms. Gonsalves apologized for this oversight on their part.
The motor was picked up by the freight forwarder on December 30, 2015, and delivered to the
motor repair facility on January 28, 2016. The motor repair was completed on April 13, 2016,
and the motor is currently in transit; it is slated to be delivered to the DWS Baseyard tomorrow,
Wednesday, April 27th, Ms. Gonsalves said. She said that it was her understanding that this
spare motor will be placed in storage for future emergencies, and that this delay has not caused
any harm to DWS. She recapped that the contractor's request for the 42 -day time extension is for
the change order issued for the second pump and motor installation, which prevented Beylik from
focusing on the crating and shipping of the motor in a timely manner, to meet the contract
deadline.
Mr. Elarionoff asked the Manager -Chief Engineer what the Department's problem with the time
extension was. He said that the reason he asked that was because, just prior to this Item, DWS
acknowledged that it had messed up. He said everybody messes up, so he wondered what DWS's
problem was with this time extension request.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that this project consisted of two major scope components.
One component was to get the existing Haleki`i Well back up and running; the second component
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was to refurbish the motor that was pulled out of the hole. The project went out to bid with these
two scope components, with a March 18, 2016, completion date. The Manager -Chief Engineer
acknowledged that there was a situation involving the cable and splicing portion of the work,
when DWS tried to get the well repaired, back up and running. That work still should have
allowed the contractor to complete the total job, i.e., the two scope components, by March 18th —
if the motor had been shipped in a timely manner for the refurbishing work. If it had been
shipped in a timely manner, the March 18th completion date could have been achieved, he said.
While DWS empathizes with the contractor, the Department still feels that the March 18th
deadline should have been met, the Manager -Chief Engineer said.
Mr. Elarionoff said that DWS screws up, the contractor screws up; he thought DWS should call it
square and grant Beylik the 42 days.
Ms. Lee Loy asked Ms. Self what the next step is for the contractor. She acknowledged that
DWS denied the time extension, and the contractor was now appealing to the Board. This Item
was not an action Item, but Ms. Lee Loy wondered what the remedies were, and what the next
step was.
Ms. Self said that under the contract and under the General Terms and Conditions, it is stated that
the final decision rests with the Chief Procurement Officer, i.e., the Manager -Chief Engineer.
The remedy is that the contractor is charged with liquidated damages for not meeting the
deadline. She noted that the Procurement Code does not include a provision for appealing to the
Water Board; it just says that the final decision rests with the Manager -Chief Engineer, and the
remedy is liquidated damages.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses asked if this Item could be put on the Agenda for next month's meeting, with a
Recommendation from the Manager -Chief Engineer.
Chairperson Takamine said that the Recommendation from the Manager -Chief Engineer is
already to not approve the time extension.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said okay, she understood that; she asked what the liquidated damages to
Beylik would be.
Mr. Young said that as of today, the liquidated damages would be $3,900.00. Beylik is expecting
delivery tomorrow, when the liquidated damages would be $4,050.00.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said she supported the Manager -Chief Engineer's decision.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that a lot of this is outlined in the Procurement Code, as well as
in DWS's General Terms and Conditions; it spells out acceptable reasons for delay, such as in
some cases, a scope change. An allowable scope change could be when the Department messes
up; the Department in this case asks the contractor to accommodate DWS's actions, by providing
the contractor with a time extension — so that the contractor is not penalized. Technically, a
contractor does have the right to ask for an escalation, etc. However, DWS does not self -penalize
itself. The only way that DWS suffers when it messes up is when DWS does not get the project
done in the same length of time that it originally advertised for.
Mr. Elarionoff said that is kind of a double standard.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said no, as an owner, that is basically what one has a contract for,
with Terms and Conditions for both parties. If one party does not meet the Terms and
Conditions, there will be legal ramifications for that.
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Ms. Iokepa-Moses agreed, noting that DWS has on many occasions granted time extensions.
However, she said she supported the Manager -Chief Engineer in denying this time extension
request.
Ms. Lee Loy said that Beylik did not meet the criteria for getting a time extension; she agreed
with Ms. Iokepa-Moses on supporting the Manager -Chief Engineer's decision.
Ms. Self said that when the parties sign a contract, they agree to these General Terms and
Conditions.
Mr. Elarionoff said he heard what everybody was saying, but it is part of his responsibility as a
Board member to point out that nobody is perfect, therefore nobody can expect somebody else to
be perfect.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that is why DWS comes before the Board; the Department is
accountable to the Board for its mistakes, too.
Mr. Elarionoff said that it is not fair to be compassionate to one, and not to the other.
Ms. Gonsalves, turning to Section 8.8 (b) and (c) of the General Rules and Covenants, asked
about the references there to "additional work scope change" and "unforeseen delays." She asked
if DWS could consider the splice failure and the $30,000.00 change order for the second push-
pull as a scope change.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that is a scope change, but not all scope changes automatically
qualify for a time extension. If the scope of this project was just to get the well back on line, then
a time extension would probably be warranted, he said. If the project only entailed getting the
well up and running, it probably could have been done sometime in December, he said.
However, because this project also included refurbishing the existing motor, an additional three
months were allotted, bringing the completion date to March 18th. Those additional three months
were aimed at giving the contractor enough time to pull the existing motor, disassemble it, ship it
and get it back. Notwithstanding the situation with the splice, the additional three months were
why DWS feels that the motor should have been back by March 18th.
Chairperson Takamine said that as a contractor, he himself knows that there needs to be a sense
of urgency on government projects. Therefore, he agrees with the Manager -Chief Engineer. If a
contractor knows that DWS is going to be lenient on deadlines, granting time extensions left and
right, then they will ask for time extensions each and every time. The Board has a fiduciary
responsibility to the public; because the contractor did not meet the minimum criteria, the Board
needs to support the Manager -Chief Engineer on this.
Ms. Self said that although Ms. Gonsalves pointed to the Section involving "unforeseen delay,"
Beylik's delay was due to the fact that they failed to ship the motor out in a timely manner; the
motor just sat there. If they had shipped it in a timely manner and something unforeseen
happened during the shipping process, that would qualify as an unforeseen delay. However, the
fact that the motor was not shipped in a timely manner was the cause of the delay.
Mr. Elarionoff noted that DWS had this equipment sitting around for five years.
Mr. Arikawa said that has nothing to do with shipping.
Mr. Elarionoff said that Mr. Arikawa was right, adding that there were no clones in the room.
Mr. Arikawa said it has nothing to do with being perfect, either.
Page 11 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
Mr. Elarionoff said that the idea is that if one expects something from somebody else, one needs
to toe the mark as well.
Mr. Arikawa said that was true.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that the Board cannot use discretion like that with this contractor. If it
did, then DWS would never be able to enforce deadlines. The Board has to go by the book, and
has to be fair to everyone. She was confident that DWS would do business with Beylik over and
over again, because they are a good company which provides good service. However, the Board
and DWS have to follow the Rules. Things get unfair when exceptions are made for some
people, and not for others, she said.
Mr. Arikawa asked if a Motion was needed.
Ms. Self said that the Board could move to support, or not support, the Manager -Chief Engineer's
decision.
Chairperson Takamine called for a Motion.
MOTION: Mr. Elarionoff moved to grant the time extension to Beylik. There was no second, so
the Motion died.
ACTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to support the Manager -Chief Engineer's decision, and to
continue to adhere to the Department's Rules, policies and procedures; seconded by
Ms. Iokepa-Moses. Motion carried with six (6) Ayes: Ms. Lee Loy, Mr. Uyeda, Mr. Arikawa,
Chairperson Takamine, Ms. Wilson and Ms. Iokepa-Moses; one (1) Nay: Mr. Elarionoff, and one
(1) Excused (Mr. Balog).
9) SOUTH KONA:
A. 4`h AMENDMENT TO WELL SITE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, 1250 OCEANSIDE
(HOKULIA) WELLSITE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT - UPDATE:
The Manager -Chief Engineer said he was disappointed to report that there has been no progress
on an executed Agreement as of yet. DWS is disappointed and frustrated about this, especially
since there was such a scramble at the end of last year to get it worked out. DWS came before the
Board at that time with a line -by-line negotiation with the other party; despite those efforts, DWS
still has not seen an executed Agreement. He said that Corporation Counsel has remained in
fairly regular contact with the party's attorney. DWS will continue to keep this Item on the
Agenda, unless the Board feels otherwise.
Mr. Arikawa said the ball is in Oceanside's court, and DWS has been waiting for the Agreement
for months. The Item should be removed from the Agenda.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that the Item can be removed, and put back on when DWS gets
something.
Mr. Arikawa said that it would be put back on an as -warranted or as -needed basis.
Ms. Lee Loy agreed with the Manager -Chief Engineer that the other party had come to the Board
at the I It' hour, and DWS had hammered something out for them. That Agreement allowed the
other party more time to do their well, which tied DWS's hands on exploring another possible site
which would provide water for the community there. As the months tick off, the can keeps
getting kicked down the road on providing water to that community, she said. She said she
completely supported taking this Item off the Agenda. This matter of getting water to the
Page 12 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
community is not something that the Board should ignore indefinitely; that community will go
without water for even more years, she said. The people there need water, she said.
10) KA`U:
A. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT RE: HAWAIIAN OCEAN VIEW ESTATES
SECOND WELL:
Funds for planning and design for a potential second well in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates
(H.O.V.E.) have been appropriated by the State. DWS, through the County, would administer the
professional services. The State has appropriated funds in the amount of $725,000.00 for the
planning and design phase to the County.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board allow DWS to enter into a
professional services contract to perform the planning and preliminary design of a second well in
H.O.V.E., should the funds be allotted.
MOTION: Ms. Iokepa-Moses moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
The Manager -Chief Engineer explained that State Representative Richard Creagan got
$725,000.00 appropriated for the planning and design of another water source in the H.O.V.E.
area. DWS recently learned that these funds were going to lapse at the end of June, so there has
been a scramble to obtain the State funds, he said. DWS has been working closely with the area's
Council Member, the Mayor's Office, Public Works, and all of the other entities who are
involved in obtaining State funds. It looks promising that these funds will be released by the
Governor, the Manager -Chief Engineer said. Once the funds are released, DWS must encumber
the funds by executing a contract. The reason why this Recommendation is being brought to the
Board today is because the project, which entails a consulting contract for a second well in
H.O.V.E., is not on DWS's CIP list, he said. That is why DWS is today asking the Board's
approval to proceed with the Procurement of Professional Services. He reiterated that even once
the Governor releases the funds, DWS will not have them locked in until DWS has an executed
contract to encumber the funds. The H.O.V.E. community has expressed through Rep. Creagan
that the second source is a need for them, and DWS is trying to respond to that need. The
Manager -Chief Engineer said that Rep. Creagan was able to secure funding from the State, and
DWS does not want to sit idly by and let the funds lapse.
Ms. Wilson asked when the State Legislature actually approved these funds.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said it was through Session Laws 2014, Act 122, which is the
Legislature's big Budget Act. Council Member Maile David, representing Ka`u District, asked
DWS what was happening on the funds. Upon Ms. David's inquiry, DWS asked the Commission
on Water Resource Management (CWRM) what they thought of another well in the area; DWS
did not want to just take taxpayer money and use it if CWRM did not feel that the aquifer there
could sustain another source. After DWS double-checked with CWRM, the Commission
responded that it needs more information in order to discern what this aquifer is capable of
providing. DWS currently has only the one well in the area, so DWS decided to go ahead and do
this study, which is for planning and design, the Manager -Chief Engineer said. Part of the
planning scope that DWS foresees involves public outreach to see what the community's needs
really are; DWS can move forward once the needs are established.
Ms. Lee Loy said that she liked the idea.
Mr. Uyeda asked if $725,000.00 is enough money to properly complete the job.
Page 13 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that the funds are earmarked for planning and design, and the
amount in fact is quite a lot more than DWS has for planning and design of projects. DWS plans
to take the funds as far as it can, based on what information DWS plans to gather from the public,
he said. DWS plans to be open and tell the community that these are the funds that are available;
the Department intends to ask for the community's help in figuring out what could fit the
community's needs, within this $725,000.00 allotment. That money will not be for constructing
the well itself, it will just be for planning and design, he said. He expressed hopes that DWS can
get enough information to make a good decision moving forward, for the construction phase.
Ms. Wilson asked what the timeline is for the Governor actually releasing the funds.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said he was not sure, but DWS has gotten favorable indications.
The area's elected officials, including Ms. David, Representative Creagan and Senator Josh
Green, are doing their part to inquire with the Governor's office about releasing the funds, and
DWS is sending letters and other communications as well. DWS has heard from the staff at State
Budget and Finance that they also have heard of requests for the funds to come through, so
apparently there have been communications to the Governor's Office regarding the release of the
funds.
Mr. Elarionoff said that on planning and design, it seemed to him that DWS was going outside of
the scope with its intention to check with the community on needs. He asked if need was
considered part of the planning and design.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, on this project, DWS feels that it is part of the planning
and design. Right now, all that DWS has out there is a spigot and standpipe facility, so DWS
needs to hear from the community what they really want from a second well.
Mr. Elarionoff said they want house-to-house service.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that if that is what the community wants, then DWS must be
very clear about what is involved in a construction scope of that magnitude. If, on the other hand,
the community just wants another spigot and standpipe facility, that will entail a different design
scope. In any case, DWS wants to hear from the community itself as to what their expectations
are; until DWS knows what the community wants, the Department will not know what to design
and construct, he said. DWS has heard that the commercial area needs water, as well as needs for
fire protection, etc. The community may want to build a school for the area. DWS needs to hear
from the community itself, instead of imposing on them what DWS feels the community needs at
this point in time, the Manager -Chief Engineer said.
Mr. Elarionoff asked if it would be sufficient to just dig a well.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said not really; it depends on what capacity the community is
looking for. The current well has a capacity of 100 gallons per minute (GPM), but the scope of
doing a well of the same capacity differs greatly from that of a 1,000 -GPM well, in terms of
electrical requirements, transmission requirements, storage requirements, and distribution
requirements.
Chairperson Takamine asked if these monies would basically go toward doing a feasibility study
— to see if it is even feasible to drill there.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, that is what DWS envisions. He noted that DWS only has
the one hole in the ground, and that is the only groundwater information that DWS is getting
currently. DWS has not yet reached out to consultants, but it would be helpful to DWS if the
Page 14 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
consultants could team up with a driller to do some smaller test holes, and conduct some
subsurface evaluation and analysis. That would tell DWS a lot, he said. One location might not
produce anything because its geological formation is dense, while another location down the road
might produce. There is no sense drilling a well in a location that is not going to produce any
water, he said. There are many unknowns, and it is hard to move to the next step unless DWS
finds out exactly what the needs of the community are, the Manager -Chief Engineer said.
11) MISCELLANEOUS:
A. DEDICATIONS:
The Department has received the following documents for action by the Water Board. The water
systems have been constructed in accordance with the Department's standards, and are in
acceptable condition for dedication.
1. GRANT OF EASEMENT
Grantor: County of Hawaii
Tax Map Key: (3) 2-4-001:
2. GRANT OF EASEMENT
Grantor: County of Hawaii
Tax Map Key: (3) 2-4-001:
177 (portion), Lora -B2 (portion)
177 (portion), Lot 3 -Bl (portion)
3. BILL OF SALE
Seller: Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation
Tax Map Key: (3) 2-4-001: 177 (portion)
Facilities Charge: $38,500.00 Date Paid: 1/28/2015
Final Inspection Date: 7/13/2015 Water System Cost: $228,481.00
4. BILL OF SALE
Sellers: Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation
Tax Map Key: (3) 2-4-001: 177 (portion)
Facilities Charge, Date Paid, Final Inspection Date, Water System Cost: All included in
above.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board accept these documents subject
to the approval of the Corporation Counsel, and that either the Chairperson the Vice -Chairperson
be authorized to sign the documents.
ACTION: Ms. Wilson moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Arikawa, and carried unanimously by
voice vote.
B. STANDPIPE SIGNUP PROCEDURES:
(This Item was deferred f om the March 22, 2016, Water Board meeting.)
Due to the ongoing dry weather conditions across the island, the Department anticipates the need
to provide additional standpipe services. The Department has several vacant standpipe accounts
that can be utilized, and would like to propose application procedures for discussion and
implementation.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board discuss and approve the
standpipe application procedures for implementation by the Department.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
Page 15 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
The Manager -Chief Engineer reminded the Board that at the March Board meeting, there were
some questions raised, including the question of making the existing standpipe account holders
get Public Utilities Commission (PUC) permits, i.e., be PUC -compliant. DWS provided in this
month's Board packets a list of standpipe account holders and their respective water usage. Also
included in the packets were DWS's current policies and conditions that standpipe applicants are
asked to sign. By providing this information, DWS wanted to illustrate where the challenge lies
in making some of these existing accounts PUC -compliant. While a lot of the account holders are
water haulers, there are a fair number of account holders who are not, he said. The listing for the
Kea`au facility shows agencies such as the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Army. He
said that, for example, the Army might have an account in case the Kilauea Military Camp
catchment goes dry. The Manager -Chief Engineer did not believe that these agencies would be
able to become PUC -compliant.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that these agencies have lockers from DWS, but their usage is zero. She
said that it would seem that these agencies would be acting as a back-up for somebody else who
is a user; she wondered if the agencies would bump the other person off the standpipe if the
agencies need to use the water.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said all of this information is being made available for the Board's
discussion. Although the Department's Recommendation is that the Board discuss and approve
application procedures, DWS is not in a rush to finalize these application procedures. DWS
wanted to bring it to the Board now because a couple of months ago, the Department was starting
to get inquiries from water haulers who wanted to apply for some of these vacant lockers.
Because of the standpipe allocation controversy that arose in H.O.V.E. several years ago, DWS
decided to put the procedures up for the Board's evaluation and discussion, he said.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that she could see it consistently on this document; there are a lot of
individuals who have zero usage each month. She thought those accounts should be looked at
very seriously. Inactive accounts should be eligible for discontinuation of locker use, she said.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that the Department could look at that; that was something that
DWS also was considering.
Ms. Lee Loy noted that the Department of the Interior and the Army are Federal government
entities.
Mr. Uemura of Customer Service said he believed the Department of the Interior standpipe user
was the Volcanoes National Park.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that for a government entity like that they might have a justification for
having a standpipe, whereby they attest each year that their agency's standpipe account is
justified. She believed that they would submit a letter to DWS every year to justify why they
should have a standpipe account.
Ms. Lee Loy said that the justification would be along the lines of protection of public health or
public safety; she completely agreed with that. Ms. Lee Loy said that there would be some kind
of differentiation as to why these agencies would stay at zero usage for many months, while still
maintaining their lockers.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said it appeared that the Board wanted DWS to reach out to the
account holders whose usage is consistently zero; DWS could ask these account holders if they
want to continue with the account.
Page 16 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that other people could be using those lockers.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that DWS could do the outreach to zero usage account holders.
Ms. Lee Loy said that getting new account holders who actually use the water would translate
into money for DWS.
Mr. Uyeda noted that based on the agreement that was in the packets, DWS has the right to
terminate standpipe accounts.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said yes, that was why DWS wanted to show this form to the
Board; he invited the Board to offer any comments they had regarding the form.
Mr. Elarionoff asked whether the Department of the Interior paid DWS a standby fee.
The Manager -Chief Engineer confirmed that they pay a standby fee.
Mr. Elarionoff said in that case, they have a right to be account holders, as long as they pay the
standby fee.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said the zero usage account holders are not using the water, whereas
somebody else who needs water might be seeking a standpipe account. The zero usage people
are just holding on to the lockers, paying their standby fees, she said. The Department needs to
maximize the use of the resource, she said.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said the zero usage account holders are meeting their obligations
according to the current policies and conditions; DWS has no reason to ask them to discontinue
their accounts. However, based on today's discussion, DWS can reach out to all of the zero usage
standpipe account holders.
Mr. Elarionoff said he was concerned that because he himself had some water meters that he did
not use, DWS might cut him off, too.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that the difference here was that Mr. Elarionoff's meters are
for domestic use, whereas the intent of the standpipes is to service more than one entity. The
intent of the standpipes is for the benefit of the community, as opposed to an individual meter to a
residence or commercial business. That is where the big difference lies; DWS does not intend to
handle individual accounts the same way as standpipe accounts, he said. One other difference is
that the individual account holders pay a Facilities Charge (FC), which is their fair share of the
infrastructure involved in getting the water to the home, etc. The standpipe facility is the only
facility where DWS provides water to an entity without levying the FC; in other words, the
standpipe account holders did not pay to upgrade the system: the wells, the tanks, the
transmission lines, etc. Aside from the standpipe facility, there is no other instance where DWS
actually installs infrastructure for a commercial business without levying the FC. That is why the
standpipe facility should really be for the greater good of the community, versus individual
benefit, the Manager -Chief Engineer said. For this reason, the water haulers were intended to be
the primary standpipe account holders; the haulers would haul water as needed to fill up people's
catchment tanks, he said. The Manager -Chief Engineer said that this is more than just his
decision to make; that is why the Department wanted to bring it to the Board for discussion.
Chairperson Takamine asked the Board if they wanted to take action on the matter today, or have
the Manager -Chief Engineer codify it and present it to the Board.
Page 17 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that DWS can present a formal outline of what the Department
proposes as its recommended solution. The Department can come back with an outline of
proposed actions, or proposed guidelines to follow.
Mr. Elarionoff said that would be very good.
Chairperson Takamine asked the Board if everyone agreed.
The Board indicated that they agreed to this.
Chairperson Takamine said that he was sorry, but he had to leave the meeting early, and was
handing the gavel over to Vice -Chairperson Arikawa. (Chairperson Takamine left the meeting at
11: 09 a.m.)
C. DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY PROPOSED OPERATING AND 5 -YEAR
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP) BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEAR:
(FY) 2017:
The Department's FY 2017 Operating Budget, totaling $53,901,500, and 5 -Year CIP Budget for
FY 2017-2021, has been distributed for the Board's review. The Board may change either
Budget, or adopt them as presented over two readings.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board approve the Department's
FY 2017 Operating budget and 5 -year C.I.P. budgets for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 on this second
of two readings.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that today is the Budget's second reading, so if it passes today,
it is a done deal.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
D. POWER COST CHARGE:
Departmental power costs have declined as a result of a decline in Hawaii Electric Light
Company (HELCO) billings for electricity for the Department's wells and pumps. The
Department proposes reducing the Power Cost Charge from $1.81 to $1.70 per thousand gallons,
to reflect a decline in power costs for the Department's wells and pumps.
In order to accept public testimony on this change, a Public Hearing shall be scheduled before the
new Power Cost Charge is reduced.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve holding a Public Hearing on
May 24, 2016, at 9:45 a.m., to receive testimony on reducing the Power Cost Charge from $1.81
to $1.70, effective June 1, 2016.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that it is nice to see the PCC going down little by little each month. It is
also nice to see that the Public Hearing is being held just a few minutes before the regular Board
meeting, so nobody is greatly inconvenienced, except Board members who forget, she said.
Page 18 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
The Manager -Chief Engineer said the Department would send out reminders. Most Public
Hearings are set for 9:45 a.m., on the same day as the Board meeting; by doing so, it is more
efficient.
Mr. Elarionoff said this time, it is a lot better than the last time, when the Board approved a four -
cent decrease. He said it made a lot more sense to hold a Public Hearing this time, since the
decrease is much bigger. However, he observed that the fuel cost is going up again.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that he had asked Mr. Sumada that very question yesterday, but
his current analysis is still looking the same. DWS has not seen the effects of a fuel cost rise on
the HELCO billing side yet, but if it rises, the Department will come back to the Board for an
increase in the PCC.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
E. AMENDING DWS RULES AND REGULATIONS:
The Water Board, at its March 22, 2016, meeting, approved proposed amendments to DWS Rules
and Regulations. In an effort to improve collection of balances owed the Department for water
service, as well as to clarify and standardize existing rules, changes to Sections 1-1, 3-1, 3-4, 3-8,
3-10, 3-11, 3-21, 3-22, 3-27 and 4-8 were proposed.
In order to accept public testimony on this change, a Public Hearing shall be scheduled.
The Manager -Chief Engineer recommended a Public Hearing be held on June 28, 2016 at
9:30 a.m., to receive testimony on the proposed changes to the Rules & Regulations of the
Department of Water Supply, County of Hawaii.
MOTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Wilson.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that in reviewing the March Minutes, he realized that the
Department did not specifically recommend going to Public Hearing for this Item. Therefore,
DWS is bringing it today to the Board for approval of the Public Hearing on the proposed
Amendment to the Rules and Regulations. This Item today is just so that the Public Hearing can
be held.
Ms. Lee Loy asked if this Public Hearing could be piggy -backed with the Public Hearing for the
PCC, which will be held on May 24, 2016.
The Secretary said no, there was a 30 -day statutory lead time for amending Rules and
Regulations, and the Department got stuck on that one.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said the Department wished it could be held in May, too. If the
request for the Public Hearing had been placed on the March Agenda, the Public Hearing for the
amended Rules and Regulations could have been held in May.
Mr. Elarionoff asked why this Public Hearing is getting an extra 15 minutes, i.e., it is starting at
9:30 a.m., instead of the usual 9:45 a.m. He asked if the Department expected testimony.
Ms. Lee Loy said maybe there would be testimony.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that he thought there might be more testimony, although there
might be just one testifier. He said that this Public Hearing could be scheduled for 9:45 a.m., if
the Board so decides.
Page 19 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
Ms. Iokepa-Moses said that because the rule changes involve things like delinquencies, there may
be some people to testify.
The Manager -Chief Engineer asked if 9:30 a.m. was okay.
Ms. Lee Loy asked if the June meeting was in Kona.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said no, the May meeting will be in Kona; the June meeting will be
back in Hilo.
The Board indicated that 9:30 a.m. on June 28, 2016, was okay.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
F. UPDATE RE: NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE'S PETITION TO DESIGNATE
KEAUHOU AQUIFER AS A GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA:
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that CWRM will be meeting in Kona on Thursday,
May 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers. The National
Park Service (NPS) will present new information regarding how much water they need flowing
through the Park to meet their needs.
DWS plans to present its own information to CWRM that day as well. DWS is currently in the
process of updating Phase II of its Water Use and Development Plan (WUDP). DWS plans to
submit to CWRM at the end of this week its preliminary findings on source development
strategies in the area, as well as some preliminary findings on DWS's traditional and customary
outreach efforts, he said. These findings are part of the Phase II plan, he said. DWS will provide
that submittal to CWRM by the end of this week, and the May 19th meeting will be an
opportunity to discuss those findings with the CWRM Commissioners; DWS will also present
some other initiatives regarding conservation in the area that DWS is doing internally on its own.
DWS wants to have some mike time on May 19th, to share with CWRM some of the efforts that
DWS has undertaken; this is to show that DWS is not passively waiting for the designation
process to play out, the Manager -Chief Engineer said.
DWS has confirmed with CWRM Deputy Director Jeff Pearson that the Department will have
10-15 minutes worth of time on the May 19th CWRM Agenda.
Mr. Arikawa asked if CWRM now has a new Board member.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that the new Board member's term is effective from July, so
that person would not be attending the May 19th meeting. The incoming Board member is
Mr. Neil Hannahs, he said.
Ms. Lee Loy said she was interested in attending the May 19th meeting, but wondered if
Sunshine Law applied here.
Ms. Self said that no more than two Board members could attend.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that interested Board members should email the Secretary; if
there are more than two Board members interested in attending, the Department would figure
something out.
Mr. Arikawa said that he would be leaving town that day, so he would not be attending.
Page 20 of 23 Water Board Minutes 4-26-16 js
G. EXECUTIVE SESSION RE: NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE'S PETITION TO
DESIGNATE KEAUHOU AOUIFER AS A GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA:
(No Executive Session was held.)
H. MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT:
Mr. Arikawa asked for an update on the Ola`a No. 6 project.
The Deputy said that the contractor just owes DWS their final invoice, and once that comes in,
DWS can make the final payment. He said that by next month, this project should be off the CIP
list.
Mr. Elarionoff asked what was happening on the Hala`ula Well.
Mr. Inaba said that DWS got the appraisal, which was sent to the owner for response a week or
two ago. DWS is waiting to hear back from the owner; in the meantime, DWS is negotiating the
scope and fee with the consultant.
Mr. Arikawa noted that the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway is at 50 percent completion; he asked if
there were any delays.
Mr. Inaba said that there had been a minor delay pending approval of the re -design, but work has
started back up.
Mr. Arikawa said that he had visited the Lalamilo Windfarm recently with the
Manager -Chief Engineer and the Deputy. He asked how the installation of the turbines is going.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that all five of the turbines have been installed, as of April 1.
Mr. Arikawa asked if the Manager -Chief Engineer had gone out to see the installation.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said no, as soon as the window opened for the turbines to be
installed, the crew got the turbines up.
Mr. Arikawa asked if the big crane was fixed.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said he believed so. He noted that the crew had to wait for a day
without substantial wind in order to install the turbines. DWS is looking at commercial energy
production by August.
The Board marveled at this.
The Manager -Chief Engineer noted that the contract energy amount is 7,600 megawatt -hours per
year to be supplied to DWS, with a total combined generating capacity of the five turbines at 3.3
megawatts. The estimate of available wind time at the site is six to seven hours a day. Before the
drop in electrical costs, DWS was looking at about $I million a year in energy savings. However,
because HELCO prices dropped, the savings are likely to be less than that, but DWS wants to use
more energy from the windfarm than the contract energy amount, i.e., the 7,600 megawatt -hours
per year. DWS is going to use however much energy the facility can produce, he said.
Mr. Arikawa asked when the Manager -Chief Engineer plans to go out to the site again.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said there was nothing planned yet, but DWS is getting weekly
updates from the contractor. He invited any Board members who want to visit the site to let the
Department know, with up to two Board members allowed to go at a time. He said he would
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keep the Board posted when something comes up between Board meetings. In any case, the main
components of the windfarm are up now, he said.
I. REVIEW OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Mr. Sumada drew the Board's attention to Page AI, the Aging history. At the bottom of that
report, there is a year-to-date comparison to the prior year: 104 percent. He said that means that
the current year's consumption billed is a little bit over last year's consumption billed, at the same
point in time nine months into the fiscal year. This is good news, he said.
The Manager -Chief Engineer said that it means that more water is being billed for.
J. MANAGER -CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT:
The Manager -Chief Engineer provided an update on the following:
1) Report on $130,000.00 rebate check for DWS Leak Logger/Unaccounted Water
Program — The Manager -Chief Engineer announced the receipt of a $130,000.00 rebate
check from Hawaii Energy, whose representative Mr. Graceson Ghen, was on hand to
make the presentation. Mr. Young, who has worked with Hawaii Energy, said that
Mr. Ghen has made the rebate process very smooth. Mr. Ghen reported that DWS has
since last year actually received $325,000.00 in rebates from Hawaii Energy, including
the latest one. Mr. Ghen explained that the rebates were for DWS's leak detection
program, which has saved the Department money in power costs. DWS has been
changing its lighting over to LEDs, and has adopted more energy-efficient air
conditioning systems, Mr. Young said. Mr. Ghen said that he hopes other government
agencies will start to see the benefit of these rebates. He noted that the changeover to
LEDs is part of a rebate program, whereby DWS just submits the invoice for the LEDs,
and Hawaii Energy processes the rebate. Rebates also apply to replacement of air
conditioning systems for energy-efficient ones. In the future, there may be rebates for
DWS changing over to variable frequency drives (VFDs), Mr. Ghen said.
2) Matters of interest to the Board — No report.
3) Recognition of Employee of the Quarter — Mr. Young introduced Mr. James O'Keefe,
Electronics Technician in the Plant Section of Operations, whose job involves working
with DWS's SCADA system and other electronics. Mr. O'Keefe took it upon himself to
take 42 credits on his own time, with no promise of reimbursement; this was the
equivalent of a year and a half of full-time student work, Mr. Young said. He did all of
this at night school, and his efforts have benefited the Department greatly. Mr. Young
praised Mr. O'Keefe for always thinking ahead, and for getting things done before
Mr. Young even asks. Mr. O'Keefe is fun to work with, and makes Mr. Young's job
easier, he said.
K. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
No report.
12) ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Next Regular Meeting:
The next meeting of the Water Board is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 24, 2016, at the West
Hawaii Civic Center, Community Center, Bldg. G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-
Kona, HI. A Public Hearing on the proposed Power Cost Charge will be held at 9:45 a. m., just
prior to the regular meeting.
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2. Following Meeting:
The following meeting of the Water Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2016, at the
Department of Water Supply, Operations Center Conference Room, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo, HI.
A Public Hearing on the proposed Amended Rules and Regulations will be held at 9:30 a.m.,
prior to the regular meeting.
13) ADJOURNMENT
ACTION: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn; seconded by Ms. Wilson, and carried unanimously by
voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m.
Secretary
The Department of Mater Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.
Notice to Lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai `i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist.
(Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai `i County Code) A lobbyist means "any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who
spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or
administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials." (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a) (6),
Hawai `i County Code) Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk -Council,
Hilo, Hawai `i.
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