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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/2016 Public hearing transcript on BILL#2637 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 5, 2016 A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order by Mason K. Chock, Councilmember, Budget & Finance Committee, on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at 2:05 p.m., at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201, Historic County Building, Lihu`e, and the presence of the following was noted: Honorable Mason K. Chock Honorable Gary L. Hooser (present at 2:07p.m.) Honorable Ross Kagawa Honorable Mel Rapozo Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura Excused: Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i Recused: Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following: "Bill No. 2637 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. B-2016-812, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2016 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE GENERAL FUND (Office of Economic Development, Grant In Aid (Special Events Security) — $43,473.00)," which was ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kaua`i on September 7, 2016, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on September 15, 2016. The hearing proceeded as follows: SCOTT K. SATO, Deputy County Clerk: We received no written testimony and we have five (5) registered speakers. The first speaker is Nancy Williams representing Hanalei Canoe Club, followed by Patti Ornellas. NANCY WILLIAMS: I am Nancy Williams with the Hanalei Canoe Club. (Councilmember Hooser was noted as present.) Ms. Williams: Thank you for your time. The Hanalei Canoe Club was founded in 1973 as a community outreach program of the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club. The purpose of the Hanalei Canoe Club is to provide our community, young and old alike, the opportunity to perpetuate the culture and art of Hawaiian canoe paddling. For over forty (40) years, our club has been a mainstay of the north shore community, and for many, it is a very special `ohana. Our club is self-sufficient. PUBLIC HEARING 2 OCTOBER 5, 2016 BILL NO. 2637 Being self-sufficient, fundraisers are our primary source of income. Beyond our operating expenses and equipment costs, a very important part of our club is not just physically, but also financially supporting our youth paddlers. We have offer scholarships to our disadvantaged youth. For all youth, their Hanalei Canoe Club racing shirts and paddles to paddle with are provided free of charge. Most importantly, our Club pays all of the expenses for our youth paddlers and their chaperones each year to attend the State championships. Last year, this expense was over twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). We do this so that all of our youth, regardless of economic status, have the chance to experience such an important, vibrant, and cultural event. This is so for to our north shore youth, many of whom otherwise would not be able to paddle. Our annual Ha'ena to Hanalei Run is one (1) of two (2) primary and significant fundraisers our Club hosts during the year. Our run, which showcases our beautiful north shore, just enjoyed its thirty-seventh (37th) year, and has become an exciting annual event on Kauai. Each year, close to seven hundred (700) runners and walkers alike from throughout the world, sign up to run and enjoy our pancake breakfast. It is important to note that this run is not just for locals, in fact, this year nearly twenty-five percent (25%) of our runners were not from Kauai. I point this out specifically because our run is not just a fundraiser for our Canoe Club, but it also drives tourism and economic revenues for those that travel to Kaua`i to participate. Last year, after thirty-five (35) years of the run, the Police Department began requiring that the road be closed for the run and a police security team be in place. While we have no objection to this as a safety precaution, we simply cannot afford to pay for this required manpower. This year, the cost of security was six thousand two hundred forty ($6,240). This sum is equal to almost forty percent (40%) of the net revenues that we took in from this fundraiser. Thankfully, the Office of Economic Development provided the grant to pay for this year's expense for which we are very grateful. Had we not received this grant, our proceeds from the run would have been six thousand two hundred forty ($6,240) less. For a self-sufficient club relying on fundraisers for the continued life of our Club, it is a significant number. As we look to plan and host this extremely popular event into the future, whether or not we have to pay the now required security expense out-of-pocket, will be a major factor in determining how or if we are able to continue to host the Ha`ena to Hanalei Run, which I would like to reiterate is not only important for our Club, but for Kaua`i and the north shore in general. The Hanalei Canoe Club respectfully asks that you continue funding for the Office of Economic Development and this very important is grant program. Councilmember Chock: Perfect, thank you. Ms. Williams: How many of you have done the run? Thank you very much. Councilmember Chock: Can I have the next speaker? Mr. Sato: The next speaker is Patti Ornellas representing the American Cancer Society, followed by Ann Wooton. PATTI ORNELLAS: Honorable Chair and Councilmembers, aloha. My name is Patti Ornellas. The last time I testified, I mentioned that I was in the PUBLIC HEARING 3 OCTOBER 5, 2016 BILL NO. 2637 business of saving lives. Today, I come to once again, ask for the support of Bill No. 2637 for the Grant In Aid (Special Events Security), allowing security to offset the cost our Rely for Life of Kauai event held in Hanapepe that requires off-duty officers. It can be said "they are nonprofit, they make a lot of money, and they can pay for the services." But I stop and think about the impact it would have on the event if we paid out of our fundraising donor dollars. The impact would not be to the event itself, the impact would be to the three (3) services and programs that come to mind: 1) eliminating the opportunity for thirty-four (34) breast cancer survivors to receive one-on-one peer support during their cancer journey, and we know how important any support is for our survivors; 2) being unable to provide thirty-four (34) rides to and from treatment for our cancer patients who are not able to get to those treatments on their own for one reason or another; and because we actually have a hope lodge coming up on O`ahu that is opening on November 17th, which we are so very proud of after all of these years, we would also be unable to provide forty (40) nights of free lodging at an American Cancer Hope Lodge for a survivor and a caregiver when having to travel away from home for treatment. I do humbly ask for your support for this grant-in-aid to assist to offset our costs of our event so that we may focus on the day that we can free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. Mahalo. Councilmember Chock: Thank you. Ms. Ornellas: One (1) of my volunteers, Bernie Sakoda, wanted to actually be here. She asked if I could read this for her. Councilmember Chock: Please. Ms. Ornellas: "Aloha. My name is Bernie Sakoda, past board member of the American Cancer Society of the Pacific, past State Lead Ambassador for American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer Action Network, Relay for Life Advocacy volunteer, and most importantly, a cancer survivor. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life mission represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten; that those who face cancer will be supported; and that one day, cancer will be eliminated. Most of you, if not all of you, have at one time or another participated in our County's Relay for Life for the above reasons. Many of you, if not all of you, have witnessed the vast number of teams, volunteers, and amazing ACS staff members who join together for a cause close to all of our hearts. It really takes a village. I humbly ask you all to support Bill No. 2637 for Grant In Aid (Special Events Security), to offset of the cost for security for Relay for Life Kauai events that requires off-duty officers. Sincerely, Bernie Sakoda." Thank you. Councilmember Chock: Thank you. Next speaker, please. Mr. Sato: The next speaker is Ann Wooton representing the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, followed by Jolene Ogle. ANN WOOTON: Aloha. My name is Ann Wooton. I am here as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society. I sit on the event lead team for the Relay for Life in Hanapepe. I have seen many of you at our event and really appreciate you supporting it and coming out to join us for the journey of Relay for Life. I am here to speak for myself. I did put that I am representing the American PUBLIC HEARING 4 OCTOBER 5, 2016 BILL NO. 2637 Cancer Society, but I am a volunteer. I am on vacation. Yes, I do work for the County, but I am not on County time. First of all, I am here to ask for your humble support again, for Bill No. 2637, Grant In Aid (Special Events Security). Last year we, our committee spent approximately three thousand three hundred ninety-five dollars ($3,395) on security. It was well-worth every penny that we spent for our Kaua`i's finest, our men in blue. We had the command vehicle there also, which we also have to pay for, which we should have to pay for that, and then there are two (2) officers that come with the vehicle. I think it is essential for us to provide our participants with a sense of safety where they see officers around, see officers with the command vehicle, and then we also have support surrounding the night drops and all of that sort of thing that comes with events that we have in our communities. I would like reiterate what Patti Ornellas mentioned earlier, that if we are paying for our police officers, that is less services that we can provide for our survivors and our caregivers for our survivors. Personally, I have known individuals that were able to get wigs and special types of bras that were needed after surgery, and those are the types of program items that impact our citizens. We want to make sure that we continue to support our survivors in our community with the funds that are raised in our Relay for Life event. Again, I ask for your humble support for the Bill that is before you to provide grant-in-aid. Councilmember Yukimura: Councilmember Chock, I have a question. Councilmember Chock: Councilmember Yukimura. Councilmember Yukimura: Can you tell us how much money you spend that would be taken away? Ms. Wooton: Last year, we spent three thousand three hundred ninety-five dollars ($3,395) for security, and one hundred eighty dollars ($180) was for the command vehicle itself. Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. Thank you. Ms. Wooton: You are welcome. Councilmember Chock: Thank you. Ms. Wooton: Thank you very much. Councilmember Chock: Next speaker, please. Mr. Sato: The next speaker is Jolene Ogle representing Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) Kaua`i, followed by Laurie Ho. JOLENE OGLE: Hi. My name is Jolene Ogle. I am with the Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association, Kauai Chapter. I am here on behalf of the grant funds that we received for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk every year. This year, the charity walk raised over two hundred sixty-five thousand dollars ($265,000), and it helps sixty-two (62) nonprofit organizations on Kauai. Of the top eleven (11) donors, they were the hotels, and together they raised one hundred seventy-seven thousand three hundred forty-five dollars and twenty cents ($177,345.20). I mention PUBLIC HEARING 5 OCTOBER 5, 2016 BILL NO. 2637 this because a lot of the moneys that we receive from the hotels are from fundraisers they have done in-house. They are trying to make as much money for these organizations as possible. All of it with the...sorry, I am getting nervous. All of us, including HLTA, are volunteers, so no one is getting paid to do the charity walk. We try every way to save money so that we can support more organizations on Kauai. We do not get a whole lot of funds for the police because luckily, our bill this year was two thousand five hundred ten dollars ($2,510), but I think every penny counts, and this helps us, like with the Relay for Life, help other organizations on Kauai. Thank you very much. Councilmember Chock: Thank you, Jolene. Next speaker, please. Mr. Sato: The next speaker is Laurie Ho representing the Kaua`i Farm Bureau, followed by Thomas Nizo. LAURIE HO: Good afternoon County Council. Councilmember Chock: Good afternoon. Ms. Ho: My name is Laurie Ho, I am retired, and I am the volunteer President of Kauai County Farm Bureau. So I am here and I have a short letter. Wow, I was listening to how much the Kaua`i Police Department (KPD) charged these other nonprofit groups, and we are up at fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for the Kaua`i County Farm Bureau Fair. I am just here in support of Bill No. 2637, and we hope that you will be in favor of this Bill also. The Kaua`i County Farm Bureau and Kaua`i County Farm Bureau Fair impact a lot of people on this island, not just the Kauai County Farm Bureau. We support Pop Warner and all of the nonprofit groups that come to the fair. So we are one of the largest events on-island. We would greatly appreciate this, otherwise, this will impact our services to the community. Thank you very much. Councilmember Chock: Thank you. Do you have a question? Councilmember Yukimura: Did you say your bill was fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000)? Ms. Ho: Yes. Councilmember Yukimura: Okay. Ms. Ho: What did we say? I think we had twenty-one (21) officers on-site, three (3) repeats, so actually twenty-four (24) positions. Thank you. Councilmember Chock: Thank you, Laurie. Next speaker, please. Mr. Sato: Our last registered speaker is Thomas Nizo representing the West Kaua`i Business Professionals Association. THOMAS NIZO: Aloha Councilmembers. My name is Thomas Nizo with the Waimea Town Celebration. The Waimea Town Celebration is here to PUBLIC HEARING 6 OCTOBER 5, 2016 BILL NO. 2637 pledge our support for Bill No. 2637. The Waimea Town Celebration this next February is going to be our forty (40) year event with twenty thousand (20,000) plus attendees over eight (8) days. Our event puts "heads in beds" for Kauai. With last year's survey, four (4) other islands were represented and seventeen (17) other states with visitors. For the last eight (8) years, we have utilized police services as a deterrent with situations around the festival. The past three (3) years, we have had County support. We are one of the larger events, so our police bill is around eleven thousand dollars ($11,000) per year. For the last three (3) years, the County has helped us with thirty-three thousand dollars ($33,000) and the last five (5) years, the Waimea Town Celebration had to pay our fair share of that bill. Also, that security plan that we developed was with the Waimea Town Celebration and KPD. So we sat down with KPD, came up with the plan that they felt comfortable with, and they required to us have. So that is how we came up with the eleven thousand dollars ($11,000) bill for services. I just returned from a current conference called the International Festival Events Association in Tucson, Arizona. Two (2) of the most important breakout sessions said that they are seeing a national trend and even world-wide, in sexual assault and terrorism at events. All of the fifty (50) states were represented and a lot of the big countries were represented such as Dubai, India, and whatnot. As far as the Waimea Town Celebration as concerned, there were no incidents. We have not had any incidents at any of our festival to-date for the last forty (40) years. We want to be proactive. We want to have the police present to provide a safe environment for our visitors and hama'aina. Our whole thing is let us not make headlines and we just ask for your support for Bill No. 2637. Mahalo. Councilmember Chock: Thank you, Thomas. Would anyone else like to testify? Would anyone like to testify for a second time? Glenn. GLENN MICKENS: Thank you, Councilmember Chock. For the record, Glenn Mickens. I just want to applaud these people, all of them, for their tireless work in trying to eradicate cancer. I presume it is one (1) of the worst diseases we have had for so many years and any money we can raise and they are raising for this event, I sincerely go along with. Thank you. Councilmember Chock: Thank you. Is anyone else who would like to testify for a second time? Seeing none, this concludes the public hearing for this Bill and the public hearings for today. Thank you. There being no further testimony, the public hearing adjourned at 2:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, SCO T K. SATO Deputy County Clerk :aa