HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/26/2017 Public hearing minutes on BILL#2659 PUBLIC HEARING
JULY 26, 2017
A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order by
Arryl Kaneshiro, Chair, Budget & Finance Committee, on Wednesday, July 26, 2017,
at 1:38 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 Arthur Brun
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami (present at 1:38 p.m.)
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Not Present: Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following:
"Bill No. 2659 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 5A, SECTION 5A-11A.1, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS
AMENDED, RELATING TO THE BENEFICIAL TAX RATE FOR PROPERTY
USED FOR LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE RENTAL,"
which was ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kaua`i on June 28, 2017,
and published in The Garden Island newspaper on July 5, 2017.
(Councilmember Kawakami was noted as present.)
The hearing proceeded as follows:
SCOTT K. SATO, Deputy County Clerk: We have one (1)
registered speaker, Tina Sakamoto.
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Tina. You know the routine.
TINA SAKAMOTO: Good afternoon, Council Chair Rapozo, Vice
Chair Kagawa, and Members. My name is Tina Sakamoto, and I am here to speak
in support of Bill No. 2659. After reading it, I have a couple of suggestions. Not to
be redundant, but in the first reading, I mentioned in Section 5A-11A.1(c), the
definitions, that we should develop language that is consistent. I am referring to
paragraph two, to remove the eighty percent (80%) of the Kaua`i median household
income. So, we would want that to somewhat correspond with the draft wording in
(c). The second suggestion I have in that same Section, but in paragraph (e), the
proposed wording goes hereinafter and continues on "shall be adjusted annually
according to the current Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U)." It
is unclear to me what "current" is and which CPI would be used. The most relevant
CPI would be the Honolulu one because there is no other CPI data for any other cities,
islands, or Counties. It is only Honolulu. Then, that CPI data is released twice a
year. The first semi-annual period, January through June, is released in August.
Then, the period July through December is released that following February. So, it
would seem like the most current might be that February one. For 2019, it seem like
it would have to use the twelve (12) month period of 2016, which would be released
PUBLIC HEARING 2 JULY 26, 2017
BILL NO. 2659
in February of 2017. Of course there is always that consideration for going back to
what we have but increasing that percentage from the eighty percent (80%) to one
hundred percent (100%) of the median income, but I think there needs to be some
kind of safety net factor, maybe that it would not fall below the program year 2015
rates. Those are my suggestions, and I am in support of the intent of this proposed
Bill.
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Thank you. Councilmember Kagawa.
Councilmember Kagawa: I just have a clarifying question. Going
forward, if you are okay, you said that you had some suggestions for amendments. Is
it okay if maybe you and Steve touch base, because I believe he has a few as well?
Ms. Sakamoto: Okay.
Councilmember Kagawa: It would be really helpful for this Council if we
know which amendments you both agree on and which amendments there is
disagreement. Then, the Council can decide how to move forth on those. Of course
the ones that you agree on would be easy amendment for us, and then the ones that
you do not agree on are the ones for this body to make that decision.
Ms. Sakamoto: That is a good idea.
Councilmember Kagawa: Thank you.
Ms. Sakamoto: Thank you.
Committee Chair Kaneshiro: Anyone else in the audience wishing to testify
on this matter? Seeing none, this public hearing is now adjourned.
There being no further testimony, the public hearing adjourned at 1:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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SCOTT K. SATO
Deputy County Clerk
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