HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/28/2015 Council minutes COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 28, 2015
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order
by Council Chair Mel Rapozo at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201,
Lihu`e, Kaua`i, on Wednesday, January 25, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., after which the
following members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Mason K. Chock (present 9:01 a.m.)
Honorable Gary L. Hooser
Honorable Ross Kagawa (present 9:01 a.m.)
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura (present 9:02 a.m.)
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Mr. Watanabe: Chair, Councilmembers Chock and Kagawa
are in the building.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any word from Councilmember Yukimura?
Mr. Watanabe: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Councilmember Kuali`i moved for approval of the agenda as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro, and carried a vote of 6:0:1
(Councilmember Yukimura was not present).
MINUTES of the following meetings of the Council:
December 1, 2014 Inaugural Meeting (Deferred January 14, 2015)
January 7, 2015 Special Council Meeting
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to approve the Minutes as circulated, seconded
by Councilmember Kaneshiro, and carried a vote of 6:0:1 (Councilmember
Yukimura was not present).
CONSENT CALENDAR:
C 2015-51 Communication (12/10/2014) from the Director of Planning,
transmitting the Planning Commission's recommendation to amend Chapter 8,
Kaua`i County Code 1987, as amended, to incorporate non-zoned lands into the
County of Kaua`i Agriculture Zoning District, which identifies lands not currently
zoned by the County of Kaua`i and designates these lands to be situated within the
Agriculture Zoning District.
C 2015-52 Communication (12/23/2014) from the Director of Planning,
transmitting the Planning Commission's recommendation to establish regulations,
procedures, zoning, development plans and future growth areas for the South Kaua`i
Planning District and to establish exceptions, modifications and additions to Chapter
8 and Chapter 9 of the Kaua`i County Code 1987, as amended.
COUNCIL MEETING 2 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Kagawa moved to receive C 2015-51 and C 2015-52 for the
record, seconded by Councilmember Kuali`i.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to received C 2015-51 and C 2015-52 was then put, and carried by
a vote of 6:0:1 (Councilmember Yukimura was note present).
COMMUNICATION:
C 2015-53 Communication (01/05/2015) from the Mayor, requesting Council
approval to accept the donation of four (4) oil canvases that were gifted to the County
of Kaua`i, from the Living Trust of Raymond K. Yoshida (1930-2009), valued at
$43,650. The canvases are currently displayed at the Office of the Mayor and will be
added to the Office of the Mayor's inventory: Councilmember Kagawa moved to
approve C 2015-53 with a thank-you letter to follow, seconded by Councilmember
Kaneshiro.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceed as follows:
The motion to approve C 2015-53 with a thank-you letter to follow was then
put, and carried a vote of 6:0:1 (Councilmember Yukimura was not present).
CLAIM:
C 2015-54 Communication (01/14/2015) from the Deputy County Clerk,
transmitting a claim filed against the County of Kauai by State Farm Mutual
Automobile Insurance Company as subrogee for Prudencio Labutong, for damage to
his vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kaua`i:
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to refer C 2015-54 to the County Attorney's Office for
disposition and/or report back to the Council, seconded by Councilmember Kagawa.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any further discussion?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Clerk, could we sent over a
communication? I am interested in, generally all claims, if we could get a list of all
claims involving the County, County personnel, whether it is accidents and so forth.
Mr. Watanabe: Will do.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you very much.
COUNCIL MEETING 3 JANUARY 28, 2015
The motion to refer C 2015-54 to the County Attorney's Office for disposition
and/or report back to the Council was then put, and carried by a vote of 6:0:1
(Councilmember Yukimura was not present).
(Councilmember Yukimura was noted as present.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
COMMITTEE:
A report (No. CR-EDIR 2015-01) submitted by the Economic Development &
Intergovernmental Relations Committee, recommending that the following be
Approved as Amended on second and final reading:
"A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 17, KAUAI
COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CHARGING STATIONS,"
Councilmember Kagawa moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Public testimony?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion carried. Next item, please.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
A report (No. CR-BF 2015-04) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved on second and final reading:
"A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2014-781, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATING
BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2015, BY REVISING THE
AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE SOLID WASTE FUND (Department of
Public Works— Solid Waste Disposal, Consultant Services — $95,000),"
Councilmember Kagawa moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Public testimony?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
COUNCIL MEETING 4 JANUARY 28, 2015
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion carried. Next item, please.
A report (No. CR-BF 2015-05) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved on second and final reading:
"A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2014-782, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET
OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR JULY 1, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2015, BY REVISING THE
AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT FUND (Koloa/Poipu
Intersection Improvements — $80,750),"
Councilmember Kagawa moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Public testimony?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion carried. Next item, please.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
A report (No. CR-COW 2015-01) submitted by the Committee of the Whole,
recommending that the following be Received for the Record:
"C 2015-42 Communication (12/29/2014) from Council Chair Rapozo,
requesting the presence of the Managing Director and County Attorney, to
provide the Council with an update on the Administration's fact finding /
investigation and plan to address matters pertaining to the agricultural
dedication process and the grading, grubbing, and stockpiling process,"
Councilmember Kagawa moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Councilmember Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: ES-779 is in relation to this item, which will
be taken later today.
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes.
Councilmember Hooser: I am going to have some brief comments. In
case that I am told that this is not on the agenda, it relates to the items discussed at
that Committee at the same time.
COUNCIL MEETING 5 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Would you like to have this discussion after
the Executive Session?
Councilmember Hooser: I would like to hold my comments when the
Executive Session is requested, if I could.
Council Chair Rapozo: No problem. Any other discussion? Public
testimony?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for approval of the report was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Rapozo: Motion carried. Next item, please.
BILLS FOR FIRST READING:
Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2575) - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 8, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
ZONING DESIGNATION FOR CERTAIN NON-ZONED LANDS: Councilmember
Kagawa moved for passage of Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2575) on first reading, that it
be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon be scheduled for February 25, 2015,
and that it thereafter be referred to Planning Committee, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for passage of Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2575) on first reading, that
it be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon be scheduled for
February 25, 2015, and that it thereafter be referred to the Planning
Committee was then put, and carried by the following vote:
FOR PASSAGE: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST PASSAGE: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2576) — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE
ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS, PROCEDURES, ZONING, DEVELOPMENT
PLANS, AND FUTURE GROWTH AREAS FOR THE SOUTH KAUAI PLANNING
DISTRICT, AND ESTABLISHING EXCEPTIONS, MODIFICATIONS, AND
ADDITIONS TO CHAPTER 8 AND CHAPTER 9, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS
AMENDED: Councilmember Kuali`i moved for passage of Proposed Draft Bill
(No. 2576) on first reading, that it be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon
be scheduled for February 25, 2015, and that it thereafter be referred to the Planning
Committee, seconded by Councilmember Chock.
COUNCIL MEETING 6 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: Chair, I am going to recuse myself from this
item. I was a member on the Community Advisory Committee representing `Omao.
I have a letter with the Board of Ethics pending right now and I will probably be
meeting with them in February. Just out of an abundance of caution, I am going to
be recusing myself from this item.
(Councilmember Kaneshiro was noted as recused from Proposed Draft
Bill (No. 2576)).
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any further discussion?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion for passage of Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2576) on first reading, that
it be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon be scheduled for
February 25, 2015, and that it thereafter be referred to the Planning
Committee was then put, and carried by the following vote:
FOR PASSAGE: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kuali`i,
Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL— 6,
AGAINST PASSAGE: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: Kaneshiro TOTAL— 1.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
Bill No. 2566 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2014-781, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY
1, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2015, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED
IN THE SOLID WASTE FUND (Department of Public Works— Solid Waste Disposal,
Consultant Services— $95,000): Councilmember Kagawa moved to adopt Bill No. 2566
on second and final reading, and that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval,
seconded by Councilmember Kuali`i.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion?
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes, Mr. Chair.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: In the Committee Meeting, we asked for a lot
of information and I understand that we have not received it yet.
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes, and I have been informed by Staff that
they are on their way over. We can move on to the next item. Other discussion on
this matter?
COUNCIL MEETING 7 JANUARY 28, 2015
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: Let us move to the next item. We will wait for
the Administration to be present.
Bill No. 2567 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2014-782, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE
COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2014
THROUGH JUNE 30, 2015, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE
DEVELOPMENT FUND (Koloa/Po ipu Intersection Improvements — $80,750):
Councilmember Kuali`i moved to adopt Bill No. 2566 on second and final reading, and
that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, seconded by Councilmember
Kagawa.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Anyone in the audience
wishing to testify?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to adopt Bill No. 2567 on second and final reading, and that it be
transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
FOR ADOPTION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL— 7,
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Council Chair Rapozo: Next item please.
Bill No. 2569, Draft 1 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 17, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS: Councilmember Kuali`i moved to
adopt Bill No. 2566 on second and final reading, and that it be transmitted to the
Mayor for his approval, seconded by Councilmember Kagawa.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Anyone in the audience
wishing to testify?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present from the public to provide testimony, the meeting
was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to adopt Bill No. 2569, Draft 1 on second and final reading, and
that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, was then put, and carried
by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEETING 8 JANUARY 28, 2015
FOR ADOPTION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL— 7,
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Council Chair Rapozo: At this time, we will take a recess until the
Administration comes.
There being no objections, the meeting recessed at 9:08 a.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 9:15 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: We are back to Bill No. 2566. We are in
discussion. Councilmember Yukimura, did you want the Administration called up?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Councilmember Yukimura: Good morning Larry and Lyle. The
information, which we got just a few moments ago, says that, "the total contract for
AECOM for a new landfill is two million dollars ($2,000,000)."
Council Chair Rapozo: Two point two million dollars ($2,200,000).
Councilmember Yukimura: Was there a separate contract for the Resource
Recovery Park (RRF) that involved AECOM?
LARRY DILL, P.E., County Engineer: No, this contract includes the MRF.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. Is that the total amount that we are
paying AECOM for anything to do with solid waste?
Mr. Dill: No, this is in regards to the proposed landfill at
Ma'alo and the Resource Recovery Park. They are doing some other work for us at the
Kekaha Landfill and they may be doing some work for us, I think, at the transfer
stations.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. Thank you. I am sorry but I have not
finished reading the response.
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura, would you rather
take a short recess?
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes, I would.
Council Chair Rapozo: I hate to do this but I think it is unfair for us to
try to digest this on the run.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: How much time do you need?
Councilmember Yukimura: Ten (10) minutes.
COUNCIL MEETING 9 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you, ten (10) minute recess.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 9:18 a.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 9:25 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Rapozo: Councilmember Yukimura. Again, rules are
still suspended.
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes, we need the Engineers.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: The Bill would have us appropriate twenty-five
thousand dollars ($25,000) consulting work and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the
mitigation. How do we know what the mitigation is before we do the study?
Mr. Dill: That is a good question. We do not know the
specifics until we finish the Wildlife Hazard Assessments. It is a two-step process; we
do the Wildlife Hazard Assessment and then the Wildlife Mitigation Plan specifics
dependent upon what we find out in the assessment phase. Having said that, this is not
a new thing we are doing. Landfill's deal with this across the nation so we do have some
good ideas about what sort of mitigation efforts would be appropriate for our landfill.
The more details we get, the more we will refine those, but we can certainly begin
to...and in an effort to keep the process moving along as quickly as possible and also to
give information to Department of Transportation (DOT), it is appropriate for us to
begin, now that we are maybe, I think we will be close to halfway through the
assessment phase because we will have a good amount of data to base it on.
Councilmember Yukimura: What kind of mitigations are conventionally
used?
Mr. Dill: Well some of the things that we have been
discussing...and it is very early on so these are just conceptual or preliminary right now.
One of the significant things are a possible ban on putrescible waste, which would be
things like food waste. That would involve determining another means of managing
our food waste if it is not going to go into the landfill. Another concern they have is
having open-ponds and at Kekaha that is handled with an open pond but that may be
wildlife attracting so, we may have to do something other than open-pond. It might be
a covered pond or something like that, or it may be pumped directly to a wastewater
plant or maybe there is a wastewater treatment system there that is enclosed. We may
have to have a receiving area that is enclosed, so that waste is not accessible to wildlife.
All of these things are very preliminary of me to speak about now until we have some
definitive stuff to talk about after the assessment and getting our recommendations
from our consultant and having discussions with the DOT. Those are all possibilities.
Councilmember Yukimura: If you put all of this together and the cost of the
road, that site was probably not the most feasible site with all these criteria to have to
look at. When we were doing the Towill siting study, did they mention wildlife hazard
mitigation as criteria that we should look at in siting the landfill?
Mr. Dill: It was on the radar and my impression of it was
that it was not a significant issue as it has turned out to be, at that time.
COUNCIL MEETING 10 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. The fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)
would be to design a wastewater treatment plant instead of an open-pond. The fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000) is the amount that is allocated for mitigation
implementation, twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) is for consulting work. Is that
not correct?
Mr. Dill: The fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is for the
RFI consultant, which is not related to the modeled landfill. The fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) in there...
Councilmember Yukimura: "R," "F," "I" —what is that?
Mr. Dill: I think we have discussed that the County has
issued a Request For Information, an (RFI), for people to respond to us with possible
means of managing our solid waste other than burying it in a landfill.
Councilmember Yukimura: It is to accommodate all those people who
wanted to do waste to energy.
Mr. Dill: No. That is not the intent.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Dill: But there are certainly those who respond with
waste to energy proposals as a response to that RFI. Multiple people had approached
us in the past for these past several months/years, folks who want us to consider a
system to manage the solid waste other than a burial in the landfill. You may recall
that the County's adopted Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan when we adopted
the current plan that the consultant did look at a specific mass burn waste to energy
proposal to see if that was feasible for Kaua`i. The conclusion that they came to at that
time was that it was not. Now we are a few years down the road and technology has
advanced and there are other alternatives and systems out there that might be
applicable or feasible for Kaua`i. We have sent out a request for information, no
commitment on behalf of the County or the responder, at this stage, to let us know if
they have any proposals or ideas of how we might otherwise manage our solid waste.
We have received eight (8) responses to that RFI, that just closed January 15th and we
are starting to review those proposals. Some of those are fairly high technology in
nature and so what is included in the money bill is a fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)
request to fund a consultant so that we can get their assistance in analyzing the
responses, and help us to formulate a recommendation going forward. Until we go
through that process, I cannot say for sure what our next step will be. It will range all
the way from saying, "None of these make sense, we are going to continue on our path,"
but at least we will proceeding with the knowledge that we have looked at the
opportunities and find out that nothing is applicable. We also may decide that some of
these look like they have a lot of promise and we should move further and then we might
formulate an RFP for services to go and have somebody actually bid on something for
the County. It maybe any number of options, which are hard to tell until we go through
the process of evaluations. The fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is for the consulting
services to help us in reviewing those submittals on the RFI and to help us make some
recommendations.
Councilmember Yukimura: So you only have twenty-five thousand dollars
($25,000) for a consultant on Hazardous Wildlife Mitigation?
COUNCIL MEETING 11 JANUARY 28, 2015
Mr. Dill: We have twenty-five thousand dollars
($25,000) for the Hazard Assessment. What came up in our meetings we have been
having with the DOT, we have been working closely with DOT, because those are the
folks that are very concerned about the wildlife attractants, a suggestion that came to
us...I do not know if it was directly from DOT or through the Fish and Wildlife folks
that we contract with some helicopter services in order to determine the actual flights
that the birds are taking to and from their nest. Part of that twenty-five thousand
dollars ($25,000) is helicopter services and I believe the rest is for the consultant to
incorporate that into the hazard assessment.
Councilmember Yukimura: How is a helicopter going to help determine the
bird flight routes?
Mr. Dill: They actually follow the birds. This was
requested by DOT and I believe it was Fish and Wildlife, was it? Yes, it was Fish and
Wildlife, they are the folks with the experts on this. As we noted in our response we
have a certified biologist who is very familiar with airport wildlife attractant issues and
he concurs that this is one way you can get more information to help you put together a
good assessment and therefore a strong mitigation plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: Seems to me the helicopter could scare the
birds to go another way and the more proper use would be those drone or gliders that
they use to follow the birds. What is that beautiful film?
Mr. Dill: Actually, we discussed drones as possible
options and I cannot remember the details but the experts in the room said that the
best way to do it is with a helicopter.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. The twenty-five thousand dollars
($25,000) is to pay for helicopters.
Mr. Dill: No, I think about seventy-five hundred dollars
($7,500) is the actual helicopter cost and the rest of it is for consulting.
Councilmember Yukimura: So, then the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is
for the RFI.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: The fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) that we
could not find for our recycling or diversion programs which up to now and as part of
our Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan is that the way that we are supposed to
increase or extend the life of the landfill? Then, there is another...it is ninety-five
thousand dollars ($95,000), so what is the other twenty thousand dollars ($20,000)?
Council Chair Rapozo: It is for the electrical upgrades.
Mr. Dill: Oh, yes, that is right.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 12 JANUARY 28, 2015
Mr. Dill: Yes. We have issues with the transfer stations,
actually, it is going to be addressing Kapa'a and Hanalei, I believe, we have to design
new master control centers for those operations for the compactors.
Councilmember Yukimura: How is this RFI going to look at...I mean this
is a major...if you do an RFI it would be a major change of policy that the Administration
is looking at because by sustainability principles, burning rubbish is contradictory to
material management.
Council Chair Rapozo: Before you answer that, Councilmember
Yukimura...and I need clarification as well before we go down that road. The Landfill
Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Plan is what is stated in the Bill.
Mr. Dill: Right.
Council Chair Rapozo: But you are saying that this money is going to
be used for an RFI...
Mr. Dill: Okay the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is for
the RFI consultant.
Council Chair Rapozo: So it is not for the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Because this Bill specifically states that, it is for...so this is how I read the Bill and that
is why I supported it. Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) was that the consultant
would come in and do an assessment of what we are proposing and then the fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000) would be to the consultant to create this Mitigation Plan to
operate at Ma'alo within the six (6) mile radius of the airport. The letter from the DOT
told the County, "We do not support your siting of the landfill however if you proceed at
that site, we encourage a Hazard Mitigation Plan." I am looking at this — the twenty-
five thousand dollars ($25,000) the consultant comes in and makes an assessment and
the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), they would create a Hazard Mitigation Plan to
continue or to satisfy the Federal government that in fact Ma'alo is a safe site for these
birds. Nowhere in this Bill infers that any part of that money is going to be used for an
RFI for any other purpose so I am concerned because to me, I voted for something that
apparently is not what it is and I am concerned about that. This discussion is not about
an RFI, and alternative technologies, this discussion is limited to the Hazard Mitigation
Plan as a result of the letter from the DOT. If in fact the intent of the Administration
is to use this money for something other than a Hazard Mitigation Plan, I suggest we
go back to the drawing board and do it because I do not want this Council to approve
money for a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is not going to be used for that. I hope you
can appreciate that.
Mr. Dill: I do, Mr. Chair, can I request a short recess?
Council Chair Rapozo: Sure.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 9:38 a.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 9:52 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Mr. Dill: Council Chair and Members of the Council, I do
have to apologize for confusing the issue today. The Bill before you is correct and I
should have limited the discussion to what is on the items in the Bill. Just to clarify
again, the ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) is broken down to twenty-five
COUNCIL MEETING 13 JANUARY 28, 2015
thousand dollars ($25,000) for the Landfill Wildlife Hazard Assessment, which includes
approximately seventy-five hundred dollars ($7,500) strictly for helicopter fees and then
the rest of that money, is to incorporate that information into the Wildlife Hazard
Assessment that is currently being conducted. Subsequently to the Wildlife Hazard
Assessment, a Wildlife Mitigation Plan will have to be done which is, as the Council
Chair mentioned is what DOT is looking for, so that is that step that achieves that goal
in the process. There is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) that we are requesting for that
purpose and then as was mentioned that twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for the
electrical upgrades to Hanalei and Kapa'a Refuse Transfer Stations where we have been
experiencing problems with old master control centers operating the compactors there.
Again, my apologies for confusing the issues here.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you very much Mr. Dill. Any questions?
Councilmember Yukimura: Is the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for an
RFI coming up later?
Mr. Dill: That will be addressed separately.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. To come up with the plan, the fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000) is to implement it?
Mr. Dill: No, the twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)
is to upgrade or to increase the scope of the assessment that we were doing based on
ongoing discussions we had with DOT and Fish and Wildlife Services, part of which was
per their recommendation to contract out the helicopter services. The fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000) is to actually come up with the Mitigation Plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: So it is not implantation, it is a Plan.
Mr. Dill: Correct. The Mitigation Plan will include
recommendations for certain measures, equipment, et cetera, to be incorporated into
the actual design of the proposed landfill.
Councilmember Yukimura: You said the seventy-five hundred dollars
($7,500) is for helicopters...
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: Seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000) is for
what?
Mr. Dill: That is to update the Wildlife Hazard
Assessment based on information gleamed largely from the helicopter and other
comments that have come to us during the process with DOT.
Councilmember Yukimura: Is it all to do a plan?
Mr. Dill: All of the work in the assessment will be used
to formulate the Mitigation Plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: And that is going to cost us seventy-five
thousand dollars ($75,000)?
COUNCIL MEETING 14 JANUARY 28, 2015
Mr. Dill: All the scope that I spoke about today, yes.
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the Mitigation Plan, and we have already
contracted for the assessment, this is another twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)
towards the assessment. We started the assessment in September, I think, of last year,
and they have done...I think they are out there twice a month visiting both the Kekaha
Landfill to get information as to what sort of attractants are there as well as the
proposed site at Ma'alo to continue studies and surveys of the birds that are out there.
This is an ongoing effort. The twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) will supplement
that effort according to the request that we had from DOT.
Councilmember Yukimura: So, you are saying that twenty-five thousand
dollars ($25,000) is for data gathering.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: And fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)is for them
to develop a plan. Therefore, if it is an open-pond...I mean if it is a wastewater
treatment plant, they are going to actually design it.
Mr. Dill: Not as part of this plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: They are just going to give us professional
opinion as to which solutions we need.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: For fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: That sounds like too much money to me.
Mr. Dill: .I do not deny that it is a lot of money, but this
is an expensive process. I do not know what to tell you on that one. Those things cost
money.
Council Chair Rapozo: It could be more.
Mr. Dill: Could be more.
Councilmember Yukimura: I think it is a consultant's retirement.
Councilmember Hooser: Will it be more...
Councilmember Yukimura: It is a consultant's retirement plan.
Mr. Dill: Well, I have to disagree with you on that.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Chock.,
Councilmember Chock: One of the questions was that it is a connection
to a MRF and my understanding is, based on your response here, one, the DOT has not
COUNCIL MEETING 15 JANUARY 28, 2015
requested a study for the same hazard. The ongoing EA (Environmental Assessment),
does it reference any of this concern as well regarding the birds or mitigation of this
hazard? Is it feasible to consider since some members are not happy with the cost, that
it would be a little broader in its approach to cover such needs in the future given the
relationship and the distance to airport?
Mr. Dill: The EA that is currently ongoing is for a
proposed MRF, as I mentioned at the Kauai Resource Center, adjacent to the Lihu`e
Refuse Transfer Station, different location that will require its own analysis. As part of
the environmental assessment, we will be notifying folks that have an interest in or
maybe impacted by the operation of that facility, so DOT Airports specifically, will be
notified about that. That will be their opportunity to comment about wildlife
attractants. In informal discussions that we have had with them in the past, they have
indicated concerns about wildlife attractants. My understanding of the FAA (Federal
Aviation Administration) guidance is that a MRF, since it does not deal with what we
call "putrescible waste," got to be sort of an "organic waste" that would attract the
wildlife then that is not the type of facility that would have those sorts of issues
associated with it. We will have to work through that when we get the official comments
from DOT Airports.As I mentioned earlier there is also a landfill and Resource Recovery
Park proposed at Ma'alo. The Resource Recovery Park is to include a MRF, up there, so
though the discussions with DOT and their concerns have been all centered around the
landfill, since that is the same area, wildlife attractant assessment and mitigation
measures could also be applicable for a MRF up at that location.
Councilmember Chock: Understood. I guess the fear I have is to see
another seventy-five thousand dollar ($75,000) bill in the near future for the same work
that we are already committing too.
Mr. Dill: Well, the work that we are doing now should be
applicable to the Ma'alo area where the Resource Recovery Park and the landfill are.
Since the proposed MRF at the Resource Center is a different location, I cannot speak
yet to what issues may or may not arise there. As I said though, my feeling is that per
the FAA guidance, it is simply not an issue, but DOT may not see it that way.
Councilmember Chock: Sure. In terms of timing this contract as
opposed to the findings of law, the EA, are we far off?
Mr. Dill: Those are two (2) different projects. I do not
have the details on the schedule for the environmental assessment. Right now we have
a separate contract with a separate consultant doing an EA and then a conceptual
design for a MRF at the Kaua`i Resource Center. I believe that the entire scope-of-work
should be done by the end of this calendar year and then the Wildlife Hazard
Assessment is a one-year assessment which I think is September of last year to
September 15th and the mitigation plan will likely be completed shortly after that,
within a month or two after that.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: Good morning. I normally carry that letter
with me but the FAA was the one who recommends against building landfills within six
(6) miles of an airport, is that correct.
Mr. Dill: Yes.
COUNCIL MEETING 16 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Hooser: That is in the letter. Yet this is located, how
many miles from the airport?
Mr. Dill: Two and a half miles.
Councilmember Hooser: I am not happy with the choice and I think I
have made this clear in the past. I appreciate the information and ask how much do we
have into this project and it looks like we spent a million six hundred and fifty-two
dollars ($1,652,000) so far. Is it correct to say that if we scuttle this project that that
would be the cost or maybe a little bit more?
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Councilmember Hooser: I want to put on the table that that might be
the best choice, from my perspective as we sit here, because this is a mitigation plan to
reduce the potential impact or number of birds and wildlife coming that could impact
aircraft.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Hooser: My wife works for United Airlines, I fly a lot,
and they have bird strikes. I think at the airport now they do things to get rid of birds
with the existing situation and for the County to build a landfill this close, and I will
talk about it in a second...the siting study...and I appreciate the information too
because it identified eight (8) sites. All of them except two, you say, were also within
six (6) miles of the airport. Why was that criteria not in the study, say, "Do not give us
any sites that are within six (6) miles since the FAA does not want it."
Mr. Dill: If you read the guidance, it says something
along the lines that they do not want an airport within it, but you can implement, as
the Chair mentioned earlier, you can do a mitigation plan to mitigate those wildlife
attractants issues.
Councilmember Hooser: Okay.
Mr. Dill: It certainly was not a black and white thing.
They did come back to us originally with, based on two (2) of their advisory circulars
saying, "Based on these, you cannot do it." We did some analysis on the one and we had
not agreed with and it turned out they agreed with our assessment and understanding
that there was no outright prohibition. There is no outright prohibition under the six
(6) miles but there is a recommendation against it, I guess, is the way I would phrase
it. There is a path, if you go down the route that we are taking that you can site a
landfill within there. I want to touch on something you said a moment ago. After we
get through this phase, if the mitigation efforts are cost prohibited, we may have to
come to an unhappy conclusion that we may have to walk away from this effort. I do not
deny that. I think it behooves us to at least finish this process to have the correct
information to make that decision.
Councilmember Hooser: Thank you for that and clearly this is part of
the decision; a road and other costs are other elements of the decision.
Mr. Dill: Sure.
COUNCIL MEETING 17 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Hooser: I do not know if your Department is involved or
not as I sit here but the County has concurrently at the same time, we are trying to
increase bird, shearwaters, which are near the airport as well as Nene geese so we have
two efforts going to try to encourage populations and then we have this effort to try to
decrease. It kind of does not make sense.
Mr. Dill: I cannot argue with that.
Councilmember Hooser: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Kuali`i.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Thank you both for being here. Just to clarify,
I have been listening to responses and I think I have my answer but in your
memorandum of December 26th, you talk about the Landfill Wildlife Hazard
Assessment being the twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) and being the first step
towards creating the Landfill Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Plan. Then you said,
"Development of the Plan will include both scope and preliminary cost estimates to
construct and implement, maintain, and operate the mitigation measures." Is that fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000) not covering all of that, you have answered Councilmember
Yukimura to say that it does not include implementation. So, it would not include
implementation, construction, maintaining, operating—it is just initial stages of a plan
and from what you are saying to Councilmember Hooser, as you go along more and more
costs are incurred and if it comes to the point where the potential for mitigation costs
are too high then you would recommend moving away from that site.
Mr. Dill: Correct. If I may clarify a little bit. The Plan
will include what needs to be done in order to mitigate and some preliminary level cost
estimates of what it would cost to design, construct, and operate. It will not include the
actual design or construction, those types of things.
Councilmember Kuali`i: At some point in this fifty thousand dollars
($50,000), will it tell us what it would cost?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Kuali`i: Okay. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you for answering the questions so far.
This is one of the steps in getting that landfill ready,just in case, and we have a timeline
if we do not have any diversion that Kekaha is going to fill up, right?
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Councilmember Kagawa: The worst scenario would be if Kekaha fills up
in...how many years?
Mr. Dill: The current phase — about four and a half to
five (41/2 - 5) years and then Cell II which is under design, we estimate roughly another
seven (7) years. In total, eleven to twelve (11 — 12) from now.
COUNCIL MEETING 18 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Kagawa: So that is the best scenario, but if we do not
take all of these steps, we could be in serious trouble if we do not have another landfill
ready, just in case.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Kagawa: And every site that we went through as an
alternative had pros and cons and we went through that before.
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Kagawa: How much sites did we look at in total?
Mr. Dill: There were eight (8) candidate sites. Let me
elaborate a little bit. The Siting Study went through an exclusionary siting criteria
process which means that we put all these criteria on the table and said...there are
certain things like too much rainfall, the land is too steep, it is right next to a residential
area, and we eliminated a lot of the parts of the island which left us with eight (8) areas
basically. We then looked closely at those sites and ranked them. We also contacted all
of the landowners and one of the big things in favor of Ma'alo was that this was the only
site that we had a willing landowner. The County of course, always has an option of a
condemnation proceeding but since we had a willing landowner that was one of the
factors for Ma'alo. Ma'alo was also the site with the longest lifespan so it was attractive
one from that standpoint as well.
Councilmember Kagawa: To try and get back to the topic of this Bill,
every potential of the eight (8) sites had pros and cons.
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Councilmember Kagawa: What were the cons of this site? Was it that it
was located in close proximity to the airport where we need this money appropriated?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Kagawa: And that is why we need this done soon.
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: But Larry in the siting, this item, this issue,
was not recognized as a con at that time.
Mr. Dill: I believe it was discussed in the Siting Study.
Council Chair Rapozo: I do not recall. When I read the Report, I do
not recall this being an item of concern.
Mr. Dill: As I mentioned, I think that the issue was
discussed, but as I said, I do not think...it turned out to be a lot more significant than
was anticipated. I guess I will put it that way.
COUNCIL MEETING 19 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: In defense of the consultant because I am upset
that they did not raise this to the level that it should have been raised.
Mr. Dill: I have raised that to them.
Council Chair Rapozo: But it is true that the size of the airport and the
amount of traffic in the airport does have an impact on the Department of
Transportation's position, in fact, that is why they changed their position from an
outright prohibition to a, "Well, if you decide to move forward..." giving us that option,
"You are required to do these certain things."
Mr. Dill: I can clarify a little bit on that. As I mentioned
there were two (2) advisory circulars that they voiced their concerns based on. One is
based on the category of the airport and I am not an aviation expert so I will get out of
my depth pretty quick here,but one of them is based on the category of the airport which
relates to the size of the airport.
Council Chair Rapozo: Right.
Mr. Dill: As I understand it, the wildlife attractant
issue; bird strikes to planes, are much more significant for smaller aircraft and the
Lihu`e Airport does not fall under the "small aircraft airport category."
Council Chair Rapozo: Right.
Mr. Dill: But that particular prohibition applies too, so
we brought it to their attention and they said, "You are right." Therefore, that
prohibition does not apply, but there are still concerns that can be addressed through
these mitigation efforts that you mentioned.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you for that clarification. I think the
general aviation airports like Dillingham on O`ahu or the areas where small airplanes
park and take off from, those constitute a much higher threat to the public safety which
is the small plane hitting a bird is much more dangerous than what Mr. Hooser talked
about where the larger jets can absorb that.
Councilmember Yukimura: What about helicopters?
Mr. Dill: Helicopters are an issue as well. With Ma'alo
that is one of the main concerns that they brought up because that is the route that the
helicopters take which is in the Ma'alo area leaving and returning to the airport.
Councilmember Yukimura: At the end, the outcome or the product that you
are going to receive for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is a report?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: That tells us what mitigation options are
recommended and the approximate cost.
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: And you are going to take that to the Airports
Division and ask them if they are going to approve it, is that how it works?
COUNCIL MEETING 20 JANUARY 28, 2015
Mr. Dill: More or less, but I would characterize it a little
differently because we have been meeting with them and working closely with them.
We want to make sure that they are with us every step of the way and agree with us in
the way we are doing the assessment and developing a mitigation plan. We actually
have a meeting next with them February 17th, I think, we are going to Honolulu to give
them the latest update and our plans for moving forward. We are not going to complete
the plan and then show it to them. We hope to develop it more or less with them
according to what they want to see to make sure that they are comfortable with it. At
the end of the day, obviously safety is the concern, it is one of their primary missions
and we of course acknowledge that, so we want to make it safe for air traffic in that
area. We would hope that the DOT supports us at the end of the day when we publish
our final EIS (Environmental Impact Statement).
Councilmember Yukimura: How do you judge whether the price is
reasonable or not?
Council Chair Rapozo: I can answer that very quickly. "We" will
decide, Councilmember. The Council will decide whether it is appropriate or not
because the Council is going to have to be the one to fund it.
Councilmember Yukimura: Then I am asking what criteria should we use
because it takes certain amount of research and I do not know what the per hour cost
is that they are charging us for or they are proposing to charge us for. Fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000) for a report and you already have the data gathering already paid for
—the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) does not include the data gathering.
Mr. Dill: Well the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) has to
include some conceptual design. They will be doing some conceptual design work in
order to establish what the costs are. It is not a small effort. The fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) from my perspective and I have to disagree with you, I do not think it is an
unreasonable cost. I thought you were referring to...with moving forward with the
landfill site because the plan should give us, an idea of what is going to cost to develop
and operate the landfill. I think at that stage, a robust discussion will have to be had
between the Administration and the Council as to what Councilmember Hooser was
saying, "At what point do we decide to fish or cut bait at this site?"
Councilmember Yukimura: Well it is really strange to me that we did an
EA before we did a feasibility study which would focus you on the key things that you
need to determine whether the site is feasible or not. This Administration seems to use
EAs as a feasibility study and that is a very expensive way to go.
Council Chair Rapozo: Do you have a question, Councilmember
Yukimura?
Councilmember Yukimura: Why did we not do a feasibility study first?
Council Chair Rapozo: I think that was asked in the past. I think we
hashed that out time and time again.
Councilmember Yukimura: It was?
Council Chair Rapozo: I think over the years we have had that
discussion when...I specifically remember that question. I think it is a good question
COUNCIL MEETING 21 JANUARY 28, 2015
and I think that you answered it, but I want to get back on the topic of the money for
this hazard mitigation. If we want a discussion on the landfill, we can have that in a
Committee Meeting, but today let us focus the discussion on the hazard mitigation. It
is funny how you said, "fish or cut bait," because that is the first thing I have on my
notes but there comes a point that this County will have to decide what they are going
to do. I think the questions are all great questions but unfortunately we are where we
are at and we need to move forward. We cannot move forward until we know what
those mitigation costs are. I think at some point, the County is going to have to make
a decision. Do you cut your losses or do we move forward? Every day that goes by, our
back gets further against the wall and so we need to move forward. Anymore questions
about the Hazard Mitigation Study and the Plan.
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes.
Council Chair Rapozo: Sure.
Councilmember Yukimura: Is it actually going to include conceptual design
—the result?
Mr. Dill: I do not think it would include the conceptual
designs, no.
Councilmember Yukimura: You just said that...
Mr. Dill: They would have to do some work in order to
know what the costs are, I am saying. Getting a conceptual design, I do not believe is
part of the scope, but they will have to have something to base the cost on.
Councilmember Yukimura: How many hours of work will that take?
Mr. Dill: I do not know the hours or work that they...
Councilmember Yukimura: Then how do you know that it is reasonable
because do you not do it on a "per hour" basis?
Mr. Dill: I have not done an hourly analysis in order to
come up with the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Based on other products that we
receive for various projects, the scope that they are doing it seems..., and I admit that
it is a thirty thousand (30,000) foot level estimate based on the work product we are
getting from them, it seems reasonable to me.
Councilmember Yukimura: You mean based on their rate of charging us?
Mr. Dill: No, I mean based on the work product they are
going to provide to us.
Councilmember Yukimura: Ok.
Council Chair Rapozo: Anymore questions for the Administration?
Thank you, Larry and Lyle. Anyone in the audience wishing to testify on this matter?
"BIG BOY" KUPO: Aloha. When I hear the word "consultants," it
irks me because with our government that we have, we have a lot of engineers in just
about every department. Then when I hear that we have to hire consultants, to me why
COUNCIL MEETING 22 JANUARY 28, 2015
do we have engineers for then if we are always going to hire consultants and spend
seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) just to hire them to do any assessment for the
government? I think we should keep that money within the house and not spend it
someplace else by hiring one consultant. This site that they were talking about, it FAA
does not want that within a six (6) miles radius and they want to put it in a two (2) mile
radius, they need to shut it down already. They need to find another place that is
feasible and that is workable for the County or the community. As far as the landfill
recycling, they have tenants down there that are not doing what they should be doing
which is monitoring all the people that is coming in with their trash to see if they are
putting it in the right place, then our landfill will not fill up so much. A lot of people are
not taking the time to put the recyclables where they are supposed to be. They are just
dumping right in the main bin which is going into the landfill. What is "M," "R," "F,"
that you folks use the terminology of MRF? What does that mean?
Council Chair Rapozo: The MRF is the Materials Recovery Facility.
Basically what happens is when you dump your trash, all the materials that can be
taken out for reuse is taken out.
Mr. Kupo: There you go.
Council Chair Rapozo: And then the rest that cannot be reused and
recycled will go into the landfill.
Mr. Kupo: That is where the landfill or even transfer
stations should have one monitor there. I know that they are not doing it and that is
why we are having problems of trying to find a site for a new landfill. With all the
money that they are spending, they should put it into our Kekaha CAC (Citizens
Advisory Committee) and we can figure it out for them. The million dollars
($1,000,000), we could use that money for this Kekaha Landfill. That is all I have.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you, Mr. Kupo. Any questions? First,
thank you for coming. I think it is two (2) weeks in a row and I appreciate you being
here and participating.
Mr. Kupo: Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: You said that things are not being recycled or
taken out of the waste stream, as it should be. I am assuming you have witnessed that.
What have you seen...of items not being taken out before dumped into the transfer
station.
Mr. Kupo: The metal, cardboard, certain toys like
bicycles; they have a place for all that. Some people do it and some people do not. Those
trash bins that they have down there, the thing fills up so fast because there are too
many bulky items that should be in the recycled area.
Council Chair Rapozo: I asked you that because Larry folks are here
and they are interested in hearing that too. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to testify
on this matter. Seeing none, the meeting is called back to order.
The meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Councilmember Kagawa: I first want to say that when we look at Ma'alo
and its problems, I can really picture a lot of negatives for that site —really easily but I
COUNCIL MEETING 23 JANUARY 28, 2015
think if I look at all eight (8) sites that were under review, I could think a lot of negatives
about every single site. Kaua`i is too beautiful to host new landfills and we all agree on
that, but it is a tough situation. I think every county or municipality has struggled with
landfilling and where to put it or what to do with their rubbish. I just got back from
London and they ship it to Switzerland. That is how tough that situation is. Can you
imagine the costs of sending all of their rubbish, do you know how big that country is
compared to Switzerland, but that is the best option that they have. I applaud the
Administration. They are dealing with a problem that is not going to hit us, but it will
hit our children, if we are not ready with a landfill should Kekaha fill up. It would be
easy for this Administration; Public Works, Solid Waste Division to push it off and say,
"There are too many problems with Ma'alo." I think they agree there are problems with
Ma'alo but they went through the consultant phase, they selected Ma'alo, the
consultants recommended that site, and the Mayor said, "I have to choose one; we are
running out of time." That is a tough decision. Nobody wants to make that decision and
be looked at as the person who chose that site, but there are some options. Maui is just
starting a waste diversion program like a MRF, the County of Maui, and we will see
how that works. City and County of Honolulu has just purchased another boiler and
much negatives have been said about H-Power, the amount of ash it creates, and the
lack of energy it produces for that much waste going in. We are going to come to a point
where I think the County is going to try to go with one of these eight (8) or more projects
that seems the best fit for our island. I think that will be the day when we can celebrate
because we will push off the need for that landfill to be built, but in the meantime, until
it is in place, running, and producing results, we need to go on this track of getting ready
just in case. We cannot wait until the whole problem just blows up and we have no
landfill and no option other than to ship it off which is going to be very costly. I think it
is a real tough situation. I spent a lot of time and will spend even more time on trying
to put my efforts in assisting Public Works and we are going to work together and come
up with a solution that hopefully can extend the life of the landfill, not ten (10) years
but thirty to forty (30 - 40) years at Kekaha. Maybe, if we are good at it, we dig up
whatever we can and put it into some type of diversion, waste to energy, or what have
you. This is a tough problem but I think it is one that we can no longer deny and no
longer put on the side, I think we need to deal with it. I know it is going to be costly but
a lot less costly then opening up Ma'alo and getting that site ready. That is going to be
in the hundreds of millions, I believe, is just my estimate.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: As I mentioned earlier, I have strong concerns
about the location of this landfill. I understand the selection was made with the siting
group, I think it was in July before I came aboard the Council and many of us here. I
am very troubled that we are potentially building a new landfill which will be there
forever...beyond our grandchildren or great-grandchildren. We are building it in an
area that the FAA strongly encouraged us not to do, something like that within six (6)
miles of an airport, but if you are going to do it, they want a mitigation plan. There is
no question that in the future trash is going to increase, air traffic will increase, and if
we are successful in our efforts birds will increase. As mentioned earlier, we are doing
our best to increase the population of shearwaters and Nene geese, and at the same
time we are acknowledging that birds...we do not want birds over here. I think the
unfortunate reality that at some point in the future, there will be a helicopter or plane
that does a bird strike and tragedy could very well occur. At that point, the Attorney's
will look at the record and say that, "We knew that we were not supposed to build a
landfill within six (6) miles, the FAA did not want us doing that, and we did it anyway."
Yes, we did mitigation plans but those mitigation plans were not sufficient to keep the
tragedy from happening. You can just bet that this is going to happen in the future at
4•
COUNCIL MEETING 24 JANUARY 28, 2015
some point, whether it is ten (10) years from now or fifteen (15) years from now. The
financial cost, the personal cost that might occur needs to be part of this conversation
because it is going to happen, it happens now. There are bird strikes now, the airport
is dealing with birds now, and for us to construct a landfill contrary to the
recommendations of FAA this close to an airport, that we hope to expand, we are a
tourist-based economy in many ways. We hope to expand traffic and not decrease
traffic. I think it is just a fundamentally...from what I know now — a bad decision. I
would like to, at some point, perhaps after the mitigation plan is done, review the
information, consult, have a proper briefing on the landfill, the cost, road, all those other
costs to decide whether or not to put good money after bad if that in fact is the case. I
am hoping to hear new information, but at this point, it does not fit for me. Thank you.
Councilmember Yukimura: I have an amendment to propose, but before I
make a motion, I would like to say that it has taken us over ten (10) years to site a new
landfill and even now, we are not sure. If we had ten (10) years ago followed our
Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan with a sense of urgency, we would be at a
much higher diversion rate and we would be extending the life of the landfill every year.
In San Francisco, they are diverting eighty percent (80%) of their waste through
methods of reduce, reuse, and recycle. We have just been dilly-dallying on that. I know
that the Department has really in the last two (2)years tried to go for the MRF, but two
(2) years ago the MRF was already late. We went through pilot projects and all sorts of
things, using money that we could have used to do MRF and increase diversion, just
like we are going to spend fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) on an RFI to look again as to
whether we want to go through some waste to energy projects. Waste to energy for a
small island like us is not financially feasible and we determined that at least twice in
the last ten (10) years. Just, on Monday, Billy Kenoi announced to the
State Ways and Means Committee that he is cancelling the hundred million dollars
waste to energy proposal that they were looking at because the price of oil is dropping
and these projects are not feasible. If it is not feasible for the Big Island, which has
double our population, how can it be feasible for a population of sixty-five thousand
(65,000). These are put and pay contracts like if you do not give the waste-stream, you
still have to pay them for it. That would mortgage this island. It is not feasible. Yet,
we keep dilly-dallying and not doing the right thing which is both financially feasible
and sustainable which is an accelerated, it is in our Integrated Solid Waste
Management Plan; reduce, reuse, recycle. We have wasted millions of dollars and many
years just to be back at square one that is where waste is horrendous and to not do
really tight feasibility studies is one of the most wasteful things to do. We spent a lot of
stuff on an environmental assessment when we are not really sure that is where we
want to put the project and that is backwards. That is so wasteful and was millions of
dollars that could have been used for parks, transit, or diversion. This is truly a"ready,
fire, aim."
Council Chair Rapozo: Did you have an amendment, Councilmember
Yukimura?
Councilmember Yukimura moved to amend Bill No. 2566 as circulated, as shown
in the Floor Amendment, which is attached hereto as Attachment 1, seconded by
Councilmember Hooser.
Councilmember Yukimura: I am just reducing the fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) to thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) for the plan.
Council Chair Rapozo: Discussion? Councilmember Kagawa.
COUNCIL MEETING 25 JANUARY 28, 2015
Councilmember Kagawa: What is the rationale for reducing the fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000) to thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000)?
Councilmember Yukimura: The total for Wildlife Hazard Assessment and
Mitigation will be sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) instead of seventy-five thousand
dollars ($75,000) and I think that is more than enough to come up with an assessment
of the wildlife issues and not even a conceptual, but some recommendations for how to
handle it. After that, there is going to be another huge amount. If it is a separate
wastewater treatment plant instead open-ponds, the cost is going to be incredible.
Councilmember Kagawa: With that, can I ask the County Engineer...he
has heard Councilmember Yukimura's rationale and I just want to hear if Public Works
agrees or disagrees with this reduction.
Council Chair Rapozo: That is fine.
Councilmember Kagawa: Yes or no.
Council Chair Rapozo: I think he already said that he disagreed with
Councilmember Yukimura...
Councilmember Kagawa: Based on that, I certainly will not be
supporting this amendment not because I do not believe Councilmember Yukimura is
trying to save the County some needed dollars in her view, but just because I know how
important it is. We have already been down this road of going with Ma'alo as the
preferred site and heard the comments from Councilmember Hooser and the obvious
fact that wildlife birds are a problem. We should discuss how we address the problem
and give Public Works the money they need to assess the problem and how we deal with
the problem. I will not be supporting the amendment. Thank you, Chair.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Chock.
Councilmember Chock: It is hard to make a decision on this
amendment without really seeing more information about how this contract is being
formed and the details of it. There is a certain amount of trust that goes into
empowering our administrators to go through the process, and work with someone in
order to determine a cost. From a blanket perspective, I do not think I can support the
amendment, however, I would be willing to put this aside if need be in order to get more
information from Public Works on the details of the contract to determine the cost so
that we can feel comfortable with any changes on it. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any other comments?
Councilmember Yukimura: Can we ask for the scope-of-work from Public
Works. You will provide that?
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Let the record reflect that Mr. Dill
is nodding his head in the affirmative. Thank you, Larry. Any other comments? Thank
you. There is a motion and a second. I obviously will not be supporting this amendment.
I think Mr. Dill made his case. I guess I have been privy to a lot more —Larry, we met
numerous times over the years as I was sitting as the Public Works Chair, so maybe I
am a little more in tune to what has been going on and although I agree with Mr. Kupo,
a lot, regarding the in-house engineers. When we come across situations like this which
requires the expertise of attractants versus birds, obviously we have civil engineers,
COUNCIL MEETING 26 JANUARY 28, 2015
water engineers, different types and I think we definitely need the experience and
specialists required and I would trust that...fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) I would
assume in my recollection is a very small price for what we pay for consultants, in
general. I trust that you will use what you will need to use and you will not waste any
of that, but I definitely believe we need this step before we decide what happens next.
With that, roll call. I am sorry.
Councilmember Yukimura: I just want to say that fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) may be a small amount but they are getting, and they will have already been
paid one million plus dollars ($1,000,000+) and you that is the problem with not doing
a feasibility study before you do an environmental impact because you spent it on a lot
of money that if the project is not feasible, it was a waste of money and that money could
have been spent on a Hazard Wildlife Mitigation Plan instead.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Roll call.
The motion to amend Bill No. 2566 as circulated, as shown in the Floor
Amendment, which is attached hereto as Attachment 1 was then put, and failed
by the following vote:
FOR AMENDMENT: Hooser, Yukimura TOTAL — 2*,
AGAINST AMENDMENT: Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro, Kuali`i,
Rapozo TOTAL— 5,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
(Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the County of Kauai,
Councilmember Hooser was noted as voting silent, but shall be recorded as an
affirmative for the motion).
Mr. Watanabe: 6:1.
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay, we are back to the main motion. Any
further discussion? Mr. Chock.
Councilmember Chock: I appreciate all the comments that were made
today and I just wanted to state that I think we really need to pay attention to every
single solution out there because have poorly handled our waste-stream. The diversion
efforts have come down to us, as a community, really needing to bite the bullet and be
way more proactive. If we are seeing people who are not even mindful of what they are
dumping into our refuse station and us not following through, that is not only a big
issue, but we are trying to take actions to move us in that direction and yet I think that
there is a mindset out there that they do not get how severe the issue is. We are
continually piling up the issues, which will result in money in the long run. I look
forward to continuing to take some courageous moves for us to act on the need because
when we talk about the future and our children having to deal with this and the
environment that they are going to be in, I think it is a sad situation. Yet,we are looking
at how it is we are just trying to stay above water in creating a budget. This is not going
to happen together through this County. It is going to take everyone's proactive
approach and why not start with the Integrated Solid Waste Plan that we already have.
I am looking at if the technology has increased in order to scale it, then I would like to
see it. I am looking forward to a briefing on the eight (8) that come in; however, I am
very wary about us not dealing with again, our habits as a community. I think that
COUNCIL MEETING 27 JANUARY 28, 2015
has to come first and we already have it already in front of us to do so. Regarding this
particular Bill, I think we are in the fourth (4th) quarter here and our backs are against
the wall. We have to spend this in order to figure out if we can continue. I would not
support us moving through this tedious process of continually have roadblocks that will
not get us to the outcome. I encourage to hear the request from Councilmember Hooser
as well in terms of looking at the bigger...you know once we do this mitigation plan to
come back and take a look at, "is this still feasible." I think the message was clear that
feasibility studies are important at the frontend and can we make sure that that
happens with all the money that is spent and the things that we invest in. I will be
supporting this Bill at this time. Thank you.
Mr. Watanabe: Chair, if I may. Just a correction for the record.
The silent vote goes with the motion for the affirmative.
Council Chair Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Watanabe: The vote on the amendment was 2:5.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Any other discussion?
Councilmember Yukimura, you already spoke twice.
Councilmember Yukimura: This is on the main motion.
Council Chair Rapozo: No. We were in discussion, you spoke at
discussion, then you made your motion, and then we are back in discussion. You spoke
already. Anyone else, please, let us try to respect the Council Rules. Anyone else?
Mr. Kaneshiro.
Councilmember Kaneshiro: I appreciate what Larry folks are doing. It is a
fact that our landfill has a limited life on it and to look back and say that we have not
done much in the past, I do not think it is fair to the Administration because they are
trying to move forward. They are taking the big steps. They could "kick the can down
the road" on a lot of this stuff because it is going to affect us in the future. They said
the landfill has a life to 2026 or something, which they could kick it down the road and
say, "That is not my responsibility," but they are taking the big steps now. They have
done things now to divert rubbish such as the "Pay As You Throw" that they are trying
to do, they are going out for RFI to find other technologies to deal with the waste, they
are trying to look at a MRF, and ultimately they are trying to look at a landfill, which
is a necessary item now. I know the costs hurt now, but I think it is necessary in order
to move towards a solution for the future.
Councilmember Yukimura: Mr. Chair.
Council Chair Rapozo: Yes.
Councilmember Yukimura: I appeal the decision of the Chair to not let me
speak.
Council Chair Rapozo: Go ahead and make a motion.
Councilmember Yukimura: I just made my motion.
Councilmember Yukimura moved to appeal the decision of Chair Rapozo,
seconded by Councilmember Hooser.
COUNCIL MEETING 28 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Okay, go ahead.
Councilmember Hooser: I do not believe I have spoken.
Council Chair Rapozo: You have not.
Councilmember Hooser: Could I offer my time to Councilmember
Yukimura?
Council Chair Rapozo: You may.
Councilmember Hooser: Okay. I will do that.
Council Chair Rapozo: The yield is for two (2) minutes to
Ms. Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: I want to thank Mr. "Big Boy" Kupo for coming
and giving us that information about the landfill because if we were really committed
to diversion, we would be addressing that issue at the landfill, making sure that the
things that are prohibited from the landfill are not allowed there. I just want to say
that as a whole...everybody says that they are for sustainability; I do not think that
people understand the sustainability principle. Waste is not waste. Waste is a
resource. The amount of energy that it takes to make a finished product from raw
materials whether it is bauxite into aluminum or trees into wood, is going to be more
and more expensive and that is why aluminum is so desirable as a recycled product.
You cannot just keep burning or burying what we call waste. In 2002, the United States
of America burned or buried two billion dollars ($2,000,000,000) worth of paper that we
could have sold. That is the philosophical context that we have to understand that our
Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan is based on and we keep forgetting that. That
is why we are having so much trouble now whereas San Francisco and many other
communities are biting the bullet and really aggressively doing diversion, up to eighty
percent (80%) as I said. That is what it will take to solve this problem. We are barking
up the wrong tree and wasting a lot of money.
Council Chair Rapozo: Any other comments?If not, I will just say that
Larry made the right...and you can start my clock...Larry, you said it best "Fish or cut
bait," and I think right now we still have some options. We have some. We are going
to get to a point where we will not and I think that is the concern I think we all should
have. Philosophies, everybody can agree to disagree. There are more options and
philosophies out there than what Councilmember Yukimura talks about. San
Francisco's eighty percent (80%) diversion rate is not a true eighty percent (80%) and if
you do the research, they will tell you how they count their diversion. If we counted our
diversion like they counted their diversion, we would have a much higher diversion rate
too. It is a matter of"cooking the books," for a lack of a better term. Although they are,
if you use the method that we use, they are at about sixty percent (60%), so they are
absolutely the leaders in diversion but they are not at eight percent (80%) under the
standard calculation methods. We just have to move forward. In 1998, is when I first
ran for office and I remember at one of the forums I was asked the question, "What is
your most biggest concern," and in 1998, it was the landfill and finding a new landfill.
1998. We have been through three (3) mayors, and we are still not with a new landfill.
Whether or not we like landfills or not, we need one. Regardless what technology we
choose, we still need some sort of landfill. Mayor Carvalho at one point finally made
the decision and moved forward, he got the selection committee, and while I agree with
COUNCIL MEETING 29 JANUARY 28, 2015
Mr. Hooser maybe that is not the best possible place, that was the best possible place
out of the eight (8) sites. In fact, the first site was in the middle of a coffee plantation
which was crazy, on JAL (Important Agricultural Lands). Now, we are at the next best
place and that is what we got. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, we did not really treat
the airport situation as critical as we should have, but now we are here and we have to.
We have had numerous briefings, I know because it was all in my Committee from Solid
Waste, often times repetitive. There will be a day that we have to make a decision on
whether we move forward or not and we cannot until we get that information from the
plan. I have no idea what the mitigation plan, implementation, or maintenance will cost
because it is not just implementation the first year, it is sustaining that mitigation plan
going forward. There is a point when we are going to have to make a decision— do we
cut our losses or do we move forward? Unfortunately, every day that goes by, as I said
earlier, just puts us in a deeper and deeper hole. There will become a time where I do
not know what the options will be, shipping our trash out. Mayor Carvalho had met
with then Mayor Mufi Hannenmann and they were willing to take our trash because
they had just expanded H-Power and they needed the trash. We were quoted at about
two hundred dollars ($200) a ton. Do the math. We cannot afford two hundred dollars
($200) a ton. That is not possible. Now what? Do we beg the State for an emergency
dumpsite like we did after the hurricane and just create a new hazardous, filthy spot
on our island, no. We need to take care of these things now and I bring up the 1998 year
because that is a long time ago and since then we have had a lot technological advances.
You talking about kicking the can down the road and I think we have done that long
enough. The Administration has finally said, "We got to move," and we got to move soon
and quick and right. Unfortunately like anything, if you let your car rust to the point
where it is too rusty, it cost more to fix. So, over all the last decades we have kicked it
down the road and now we are at a point that we are paying for that and we will
continue to pay for that, but at the end of the day, that is not a cost that we can ignore.
We have to figure out what we are going to do to improve our recycling, whatever it
takes diversion has to happen, but even if we divert sixty percent (60%), Kekaha will
not be there forever so we have to look at another alternative. With that, roll call.
The motion to adopt Bill No. 2566 on second and final reading, and that it be
transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
FOR ADOPTION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL — 7*,
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
(Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the County of Kauai,
Councilmember Hooser and Councilmember Yukimura were noted as voting
silent, but shall be recorded as an affirmative for the motion).
Council Chair Rapozo: That concludes the regular agenda items. Can
we read the ES items, please?
Mr. Watanabe: We have two (2) Executive Sessions, ES-779
and ES-780.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §92-7(a), the
Council may, when deemed necessary, hold an Executive Session on any agenda item
without written public notice if the Executive Session was not anticipated in advance.
COUNCIL MEETING 30 JANUARY 28, 2015
Any such Executive Session shall be held pursuant to HRS §92-4 and shall be limited
to those items described in HRS §92-5(a). (Confidential reports on file in the County
Attorney's Office and/or the County Clerk's Office. Discussions held in Executive
Session are closed to the public.)
ES-779 Pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) Sections 92-4, 92-5(a)(4),
and Kaua`i County Charter Section 3.07(E), the Office of the County Attorney, on
behalf of the Council, requests an Executive Session for Council to consult with the
County Attorney regarding a Request for Release of a Confidential Attorney-Client
Privilege Report/Work Product Regarding the Investigation on Three Parcels (Tax
Map Key Nos. (4) 3-3-018-002, (4) 3-8-004-001 and (4) 3-7-001-001 and related
matters. This briefing and consultation involves the consideration of the powers,
duties, privileges, immunities, and/or liabilities of the Council and the County as they
relate to this agenda item.
ES-780 Pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) Sections 92-4 and
92-5(a)(2 & 4), and Kaua`i County Charter Section 3.07(E), the Office of the County
Attorney, on behalf of the Council, requests an Executive Session with the Council
pertaining to the County Clerk and, if necessary, to consult with the County's legal
counsel. This session pertains to the evaluation of the County Clerk where
consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and, if necessary, to consult
with legal counsel regarding the powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and/or
liabilities of the Council and the County as they relate to this agenda item.
Council Chair Rapozo: We will take both items separately and let us
take ES-780 first so that Mr. Kaneshiro can participate and he will be recusing from
ES-799, and can leave the building. We will be taking ES-780 first in Executive
Session. Can we get a motion to go into Executive Session for ES-780.
Councilmember Chock moved to convene in Executive Session for ES-780,
seconded by Councilmember Yukimura.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to convene in Executive Session for ES-780 was then put and
carried by the following vote:
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kaneshiro
Kuali`i, Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST EXECUTIVE SESSION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Council Chair Rapozo: Just before the public starts to think that we
are trying to fire the Clerk or do anything like that, this is merely an Executive
Session to discuss his evaluation, his annual performance. Thank you.
(Councilmember Kaneshiro was noted recused for ES-779.)
Councilmember Kagawa moved to convene in Executive Session for ES-779,
seconded by Councilmember Yukimura.
COUNCIL MEETING 31 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Any discussion? Mr. Hooser.
Councilmember Hooser: I believe this item refers to a letter that I
wrote or a request that I wrote to the County Attorney requesting the release of the
report done by former Deputy County Attorney Mona W. Clark, even though my name
is not on the notice, I believe that is what it is. Just for the public's record, this item
was on our agenda recently or a related item in terms of discussing the
Administration's response to that report and we have approved the minutes to that
meeting today. At that meeting, I was not as sharp as I normally like to be and if you
recall I asked the County Attorney at the open meeting, "What was the process or
responsibility for Councilmembers or others if they knew the law was being violated."
The response, in part, was that we should inform the appropriate Department Head
and in this case, it would be Public Works and/or the Tax Department. The discussion
after that was that we cannot release this report or contents upon which are my
concerns are based because it was held in Executive Session. I neglected to also point
out that it is against the law for me or anyone on the Council to consult directly with
the Directors on these issues, through Charter, we have to go through the Mayor. I
am unable to follow the advice that was offered at the last meeting. I wanted to say
for the record that I did put into writing, a letter to the Mayor, to the Administration,
asking them to proceed to enforce the law in the property taxes and grading and
grubbing ordinance. As we all know Councilmember Bynum started this discussion,
former Councilmember Bynum, over a year ago. His conclusions were that he felt
that there was wholesale violations of these laws among major property owners and
some of the companies leasing from them. As a result of his concerns, he contacted
the Administration in May by letter, which is public record, they acknowledged the
concerns were valid, and they worked together with the County Attorney's Office and
that generate the Mona Clark report which we are going in to discuss. I am
requesting that to be released to the public because I believe that report validates my
concerns and the concerns of Councilmember Bynum. I believe we need to make it
public and that the public, while I was aware of the contents of the report, they would
share those concerns and that is the reason why I am asking for it to be released.
Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Mr. Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I believe a report should be released as long
as both sides are in there. I am hesitant to release something based on the fact that
when I had asked County Attorney, Mona Clark, "Has these allegations or findings
been discussed with the people that are being accused of violating those things." She
said, "No."' That concerns me. I am talking about Grove Farm. Mike Tresler was
speaking on behalf of Grove Farm and disputed a lot of the findings and so my
question was, "Have you consulted with Mike? Have you brought the information you
found and have you asked him for his response as to why was certain documents not
filed or what have you?" With her saying, "No," I am hesitant to release an opinion
that has not been properly vetted yet by both sides — there are always two sides to a
story. I am not saying Mona is inaccurate. I am saying let us release both sides. If the
County Attorney has to come in now and ask those questions now that Mona is no
longer here, then let us do it. But if both sides have been asked, both sides are
covered, and the report is ready to...that we have consensus on both sides that it is
true, then I would say let us release it. I think we are putting the County in a very
compromising position should we release...no...this was discussed on the floor. I
asked Mona here on the floor.
COUNCIL MEETING 32 JANUARY 28, 2015
Council Chair Rapozo: Hold on...exactly...
Councilmember Kagawa: You can go back to the minutes.
Council Chair Rapozo: The only reason I am allowing it to continue
is because you are referencing matters that were discussed on the...
Councilmember Kagawa: Right here, I asked Mona right here, "Have
you asked Mike those questions," and...I am just saying that let us be careful before
releasing something and put the County in a more compromising position. That is
all I am saying. Let us be careful.
Council Chair Rapozo: Let us go into Executive Session and I do not
believe the posting is sufficient enough to have us vote on the release of that at this
stage. I would assume that it would have to be done on a separate agenda item, but
I do want to have that discussion today in Executive Session and allow Mr. Hooser
the opportunity of why he wants to release that...it is actually an investigation and
not an opinion. That still maintains the Attorney-Client privilege between the
Attorney and the Council so it would require the same votes to release that to the
public. Let us do that. Any other discussion?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended to take public testimony.
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back
to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to convene in Executive Session for ES-779 was then put and
carried by the following vote:
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: Chock, Hooser, Kagawa, Kuali`i,
Yukimura, Rapozo TOTAL— 6,
AGAINST EXECUTIVE SESSION: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: Kaneshiro TOTAL — 1.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
RICKY WATANABE
County Clerk
:dmc
Attachment 1
(January 2'f, 2015)
FLOOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. 2566, Relating to the Operating Budget of the County of Kaua`i, State of
Hawai`i, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, by Revising the
Amounts Estimated in the Solid Waste Fund
Introduced by: JOANN A. YUKIMURA
Amend Bill No. 2566, SECTION 1, to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. That pursuant to Sec.19.07B and 19.10A of the Charter of
the County of Kaua`i , as amended, Ordinance No. B-2014-781, as amended, relating
to the Operating Budget of the County of Kauai, State of Hawai`i, for the Fiscal
Year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, be hereby amended as follows:
The sum of [$95,000.00] $80,000.00 by revising the amounts estimated in the
Solid Waste Fund from the following account:
Department of Public Works 208-2031-641.30-00 [$80,000.00]
Solid Waste Disposal
Other Services —Mattresses & Bulky Item Shredding at Kekaha Landfill
Be and is hereby appropriated as follows:
Department of Public Works 208-2031-641.32-00 [$95,000.00] $80,000.00
Solid Waste Disposal
Consultant Services
Landfill Wildlife Hazard Assessment $25,000
Landfill Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Plan [$50,000] $35,000
Design Electrical Upgrades to Hanalei and
Kapa`a Refuse Transfer Station $20,000"
(Material to be deleted is bracketed. New material is underscored.)
V:\AMENDMENTS\2015\Bill No. 2566 YS:aa