HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/04/2017 Council minutes COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 4, 2017
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order
by Council Vice Chair Ross Kagawa at the Kaua`i War Memorial Convention Hall,
4191 Hardy Rice, Lihu`e, Kaua`i, on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 1:21 p.m., after
which the following Members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Arthur Brun
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura (present at 1:28 p.m.)
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Excused: Honorable Mel Rapozo
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Council Chair Rapozo is excused as he is
working for the County on the bond issuance. Also, Councilmember Yukimura is
present and will be here shortly. Can we have an approval of the agenda?
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Councilmember Chock moved for approval of the agenda as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Brun, and carried by a vote of 6*:0:1 (*Pursuant
to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the County of Kauai,
Councilmember Yukimura was noted as silent (not present), but shall be
recorded as an affirmative for the motion; Council Chair Rapozo were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Next item, please.
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2017-224 Communication (09/13/2017) from the Chief of Police, requesting
Council approval to accept a donation valued at $8,700.00 from the Friends of the
Missing Child Center-Hawai`i, a nonprofit organization based in Honolulu, of a scent
tracking canine (inclusive of transportation and training), to assist Kaua`i Police
Department (KPD) Investigators with missing persons cases, child abduction cases,
wanted fugitive apprehension, and missing suicidal persons or missing Alzheimer's
persons cases: Councilmember Brun moved to approve C 2017-224 with thank-you
letter to follow, seconded by Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Are there any
questions of the Kaua`i Police Department (KPD)?
COUNCIL MEETING 2 OCTOBER 4, 2017
The motion to approve C 2017-224 with thank-you letter to follow was then
put, and carried by a vote of 6*:0:1 (*Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of
the Council of the County of Kaua`i, Councilmember Yukimura was noted as
silent (not present), but shall be recorded as an affirmative for the motion;
Council Chair Rapozo were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
C 2017-225 Communication (09/15/2017) from the Director of Parks &
Recreation, requesting Council approval to accept a donation of five (5) sets of soccer
goals valued at $11,851.00 from the Hawai`i Youth Soccer Association, Hawai`i Soccer
Federation, Hawai`i Rush Soccer Association, and Kaua`i Soccer Association, to be
used at County park facilities for the soccer community: Councilmember Brun moved
to approve C 2017-225 with thank-you letter to follow, seconded by Councilmember
Kaneshiro.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Does any Councilmember have questions for
the Department of Parks and Recreation? Seeing none, are there any discussion? I
would just like to state that being a former Hawai`i Youth Soccer Association (HYSA)
soccer coach, referee, and business manager, I recall HYSA struggling financially, so
I am very surprised and very elated that HYSA has the funds to donate these goals.
After all, they use it, but it is very nice when they are able to contribute to the County.
I just want to thank HYSA for the donation. Further discussion? Seeing none.
The motion to approve C 2017-225 with thank-you letter to follow was then
put, and carried by a vote of 6*:0:1 (*Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of
the Council of the County of Kauai, Councilmember Yukimura was noted as
silent (not present), but shall be recorded as an affirmative for the motion;
Council Chair Rapozo were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
C 2017-226 Communication (09/15/2017) from the Fire Chief, requesting
Council approval to dispose of the following government records, pursuant to Hawai`I
Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 46-43 and Resolution No. 2008-39 (2008) as amended,
which have been kept for over seven (7) years and are no longer of use or value:
• General Correspondence (General letters and memoranda received
from internal and external agencies, and departments, and Travel
Vouchers) (Prior to 2009)
• Payroll Records (Timesheets, Payroll Registers, Payroll Accruals,
Payroll Hours Proof Listing, Payroll Transmittals, and Leave
Documents) (Prior to 2009)
• Workers' Compensation (WC) Records (WC claims) (Prior to 2009)
Councilmember Brun moved to approve C 2017-226, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
COUNCIL MEETING 3 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Are there any
questions of Kaua`i Fire Department? None.
The motion to approve C 2017-226 was then put, and carried by a vote of 6*:0:1
(*Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the County of Kaua`i,
Councilmember Yukimura was noted as silent (not present), but shall be
recorded as an affirmative for the motion; Council Chair Rapozo were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
C 2017-227 Communication (09/19/2017) from the Director of Finance,
transmitting for Council consideration,A Bill For An Ordinance To Amend Ordinance
No. B-2017-821, As Amended, Relating To The Operating Budget Of The County Of
Kaua`i, State Of Hawai`i, For The Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 Through June 30, 2018,
By Revising The Amounts Estimated In The General Fund And Highway Fund, for
the purpose of increasing the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) revenue by
$1,450,000.00 in the General Fund, and restore funding to the Island Wide
Resurfacing appropriation in the Highway Fund by the same amount:
Councilmember Kaneshiro moved to receive C 2017-227 for the record, seconded by
Councilmember Brun.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Anyone from the
public wishing to speak on this?
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 receive C 2017-227 for the record was then put, and carried by
a vote of 6*:0:1 (*Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the
County of Kauai, Councilmember Yukimura was noted as silent (not present),
but shall be recorded as an affirmative for the motion; Council Chair Rapozo
were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
C 2017-228 Communication (09/20/2017) from the Executive on Aging,
requesting Council approval to receive and expend $227,447.00 in State General
Funds for Fiscal Year 2018, and to indemnify the State Executive Office on Aging, to
be used by the County of Kaua`i, Agency on Elderly Affairs for the provision of
Kupuna Care, which includes adult day care, case management, home delivered
meals, transportation, homemaker, and personal care: Councilmember Kaneshiro
moved to approve C 2017-228, seconded by Councilmember Brun.
COUNCIL MEETING 4 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any questions for the Agency on
Elderly Affairs? I just have a short question. My question is simple, is this an
increase, a decrease, or same amount as prior years?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
LUDVINA K. TAKAHASHI, Executive on Aging: This is additional funding
and it varies year to year, so this is additional to what we already received.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Excellent. Thank you.
Ms. Takahashi: Thank you.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any further questions for Kealoha?
Seeing none, is there any discussion?
The meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to approve C 2017-228 was then put, and carried by a vote of 6*:0:1
(*Pursuant to Rule No. 5(b) of the Rules of the Council of the County of Kauai,
Councilmember Yukimura was noted as silent (not present), but shall be
recorded as an affirmative for the motion; Council Chair Rapozo were excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
(Councilmember Yukimura was noted as present.)
C 2017-229 Communication (09/20/2017) from the Prosecuting Attorney,
requesting Council approval to receive and expend State funds, in the amount of
$24,460.00, to be used towards salaries/wages for the Domestic Violence
Prosecution Unit, and to indemnify the State of Hawai`i Department of the Attorney
General. This is a re-occurring grant and funds will be utilized to continue the
program for the term commencing November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018:
Councilmember Chock moved to approve C 2017-229, seconded by Councilmember
Brun.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any questions for the Prosecuting
Attorney? Seeing none, is there any discussion? I just want to say since he is here,
thank you Justin for doing a great job. Keep it up. We saw a news report that Hawai`i
is the safest State in the Country or whatever, so whatever you and KPD are doing
to help those numbers, keep it up. Thank you.
COUNCIL MEETING 5 OCTOBER 4, 2017
The motion to approve C 2017-229 was then put, and carried by a vote of 6:0:1
(Council Chair Rapozo was excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
LEGAL DOCUMENT:
C 2017-230 Communication (09/15/2017) from the Housing Director,
recommending Council approval of a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions
between the County of Kauai and Rice Hoala Partners, L.P., a Hawai`i Limited
Partnership, for Rice Camp Senior Housing Phase II, Tax Map Key (TMK)
No. (4) 3-6-004:020, Lihu`e, Kaua`i, Hawai`i.
• Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions
Councilmember Brun moved to approve C 2017-230, seconded by
Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Are there questions?
Councilmember Yukimura: Is the Housing Agency here?
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: She is on her way. Can we move this item to
the end of the agenda? Next item, please.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE:
A report (No. CR-BF 2017-19) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved on second and final reading:
"Bill No. 2662 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
SECTION 2, ORDINANCE NO. 891 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FINANCING CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND REFUNDING
CERTAIN BONDS OF THE COUNTY; FIXING OR AUTHORIZING THE
FIXING OF THE FORM, DENOMINATIONS, AND CERTAIN OTHER
DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF SUCH
BONDS TO THE PUBLIC,"
A report (No. CR-BF 2017-20) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved on second and final reading:
COUNCIL MEETING 6 OCTOBER 4, 2017
"Bill No. 2663 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. B-2017-821, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII,
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018, BY
REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE SEWER FUND (Wailua
Waste Water Treatment Plant (Operating Budget) - $500,000.00),"
A report (No. CR-BF 2017-21) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved on second and final reading:
"Bill No. 2664 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. B-2017-822, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII,
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018, BY
REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE SEWER TRUST FUND-
CIP (Wailua Waste Water Treatment Plant (CIP Budget) - $500,000.00),"
A report (No. CR-BF 2017-22) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Approved as Amended on second and final reading:
"Bill No. 2665 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF
KAUAI FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING CERTAIN PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS; FIXING OR AUTHORIZING THE FIXING OF THE FORM,
DENOMINATIONS, AND CERTAIN OTHER DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS
AND PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS TO THE PUBLIC;
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF BOND ANTICIPATION
NOTES; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS AND ACTIONS
PERTAINING TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE BONDS,"
Councilmember Kaneshiro moved for approval of the reports, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Is there any public
testimony?
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 approval of the reports was then put, and carried by a vote of
6:0:1 (Council Chair Rapozo was excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
COUNCIL MEETING 7 OCTOBER 4, 2017
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE:
A report (No. CR-COW 2017-09) submitted by the Budget & Finance Committee,
recommending that the following be Received for the Record:
"COW 2017-04 Communication (09/20/2017) from Council Vice Chair
Kagawa, requesting the presence of the Managing Director, the Director of Finance,
the Director of Human Resources, the Chief of Police, and the Fire Chief, to provide
a briefing on retirement pension `spiking',"
Councilmember Chock moved for approval of the report, seconded by
Councilmember Kaneshiro.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Is there any public
testimony?
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 approval of the report was then put, and carried by a vote of
6:0:1 (Council Chair Rapozo was excused).
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Motion carried. Next item, please.
BILL FOR FIRST READING:
Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2669) —A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. B-2017-821, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATING
BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR JULY 1, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS
ESTIMATED IN THE GENERAL FUND AND HIGHWAY FUND (TAT Revenue and
Island Wide Resurfacing - $1,450,000.00): Councilmember Kaneshiro moved for
passage of Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2669) on first reading, that it be ordered to print,
that a public hearing thereon be scheduled for November 1, 2017, and referred to the
Budget & Finance Committee, seconded by Councilmember Brun.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Are there any
questions of the Department of Public Works? Seeing none, this is only first reading.
Roll call.
The motion for passage of Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2669) on first reading, that
it be ordered to print, that a public hearing thereon be scheduled for
November 1, 2017, and referred to the Budget & Finance Committee was then
put, and carried by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEETING 8 OCTOBER 4, 2017
FOR PASSAGE: Brun, Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kawakami, Yukimura TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST PASSAGE: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Rapozo TOTAL— 1,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
JADE K. FOUNTAIN-TANIGAWA, County Clerk: Six (6) ayes and one (1)
excused. Next items are Bills for Second Reading.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
Bill No. 2662 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 2,
ORDINANCE NO. 891 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FINANCING CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND REFUNDING CERTAIN
BONDS OF THE COUNTY; FIXING OR AUTHORIZING THE FIXING OF THE
FORM, DENOMINATIONS, AND CERTAIN OTHER DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS
AND PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS TO THE PUBLIC:
Councilmember Brun moved to approve Bill No. 2662, on second and final reading, and
that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, seconded by Councilmember
Kaneshiro.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any discussion? Councilmember
Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: No, I do not have discussion for this item.
Sorry, no discussion.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Thank you. Anybody from the public wishing
to testify on this?
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 approve Bill No. 2662 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 APPROVAL: Brun, Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kawakami, Yukimura TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Rapozo TOTAL — 1,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Six (6) ayes and one (1) excused.
COUNCIL MEETING 9 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Bill No. 2663 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2017-821, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
JULY 1, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS
ESTIMATED IN THE SEWER FUND (Wailua Waste Water Treatment Plant
(Operating Budget) - $500,000.00): Councilmember Brun moved to approve Bill No.
2663, on second and final reading, and that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his
approval, seconded by Councilmember Chock.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any questions of the Department of
Public Works or the Division of Wastewater Management? Seeing none, is there any
discussion? Seeing none, roll call.
The motion to approve Bill No. 2663 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 APPROVAL: Brun, Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kawakami, Yukimura TOTAL— 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Rapozo TOTAL — 1,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Six (6) ayes and one (1) excused.
Bill No. 2664 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE
NO. B-2017-822, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE
COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2017
THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018, BY REVISING THE AMOUNTS ESTIMATED IN THE
SEWER TRUST FUND-CIP (Wailua Waste Water Treatment Plant (CIP Budget) -
$500,000.00): Councilmember Brun moved to approve Bill No. 2664, on second and
final reading, and that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any questions of the Department of
Public Works or the Division of Wastewater Management? Seeing none, anybody from
the public wishing to speak on this?
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 approve Bill No. 2664 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 APPROVAL: Brun, Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
COUNCIL MEETING 10 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Kawakami, Yukimura TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Rapozo TOTAL — 1,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Six (6) ayes and one (1) excused.
Bill No. 2665, Draft 1 —A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS;
FIXING OR AUTHORIZING THE FIXING OF THE FORM, DENOMINATIONS,
AND CERTAIN OTHER DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE
SALE OF SUCH BONDS TO THE PUBLIC; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND
SALE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER
MATTERS AND ACTIONS PERTAINING TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE
BONDS: Councilmember Brun moved to approve Bill No. 2665, Draft 1, on second and
final reading, and that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his approval, seconded by
Councilmember Chock.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any questions of the Administration?
Seeing none, is there any discussion? Councilmember Yukimura.
Councilmember Yukimura: I am going to be voting for this Bill because it
contains some very necessary public works and projects, but I want to express my regret
that this Council did not see fit to add the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which is
a small four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) of design, compared to the other
projects. We are looking at a General Plan update which has as one of its main four (4)
goals, a sustainable society and a reduce, reuse, and recycle society is a sustainable
society, but for the last ten (10) years almost now, we have done nothing to really move
ourselves toward that type of society. Mainly spending a lot of money and time working
on landfill expansion and the new landfill. While I have voted for these projects, I also
think we have to look to the future and we have to do much, much more to move into a
sustainable context and that is what is needed. There is no way we can have widespread
recycling without a MRF, which is where trash turns into commodity. It will help us cut
our costs and it will move us toward a more sustainable society. We are going to be
spending another one million dollars ($1,000,000), but a total of six million dollars
($6,000,000) for the Adolescent Treatment Center. I am not trying to take that out of
the budget, but that is going to serve eight (8) to ten (10) kids a year whereas a MRF
will be serving a population of close to eighty thousand (80,000) and will be benefiting
everyone on this island. I am very, very sorry that we cannot include it and I hope in
the near future, we will change our policy and will move with that because it is an
essential part of a sustainable society. If you look at our General Plan update where it
talks about sustainability, greenhouse gas production for new materials in a
manufacture-used/throwaway mode is one of the greatest generators of greenhouse
gases. In so many ways, a MRF will benefit our island and the world. I am hoping that
at some point soon, we will find it fit to fund that.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Thank you. Councilmember Kaneshiro.
COUNCIL MEETING 11 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Councilmember Kaneshiro: I just wanted to reiterate from last week that I
did put up an amendment that was uncomfortable for everybody. It was an amendment
to take out the police substation and include roadwork. I just want to say that it is
uncomfortable because we are in a situation where we have limited resources and if we
are going to do something, we need to make difficult decisions. We cannot fund
everything that we want to fund. My decision last week was based on three (3) things.
It was based on our priorities, it was based on being able to leverage funds, and it was
based on being cautious of a growing budget. As far as priorities go, I looked through
the list of bond items and we always hear roads, roads, roads...roads need work—roads
need work." Keeping that in mind, the project that I put on would have been a
reconstruction of Koloa Road, Maluhia Road, and Olohena Road. Keeping in mind the
debt service, I did not want to just add debt service to our bond float, so I had to pull a
project out and unfortunately, the project was the KPD substation. It had nothing to
do or against the police or anything. It is just looking at our bond list and deciding what
the priorities are. As far as my priorities went, I thought roads was more important
than a new KPD substation.Also, you look at the benefit of being able to leverage funds.
In this situation, we would have been able to use six million dollars ($6,000,000) worth
of bond money and we would have generated over twenty million dollars ($20,000,000)
worth of infrastructure on these roads, a match that we would have received from the
State. You talk about the impact of the money, it is pretty big. If I had a crystal ball like
Council Vice Chair Kagawa has, I would say that my one big fear about having the
police substation in the bond is that we always talk about growing the County budget,
growing our expenses, and this one I feel will eventually snowball. We have six million
dollars ($6,000,000) in the bond list now, but the cheapest building that came through,
based on the assessments, was nine million five hundred thousand dollars ($9,500,000)
and that is just for a substation. If we wanted minimal holding, it would have been
eleven million seven hundred thousand dollars ($11,700,000), and if we wanted a
decentralized district command, it would have been thirteen million dollars
($13,000,000). I am sure over time, we will get to that thirteen million dollar
($13,000,000) cost and with that comes office furniture, equipment, additional bodies,
maybe an additional beat, and I just want to be sure that down the road we do not say,
"Why are we growing so much," and it is because we started it here. We put in money
for a new KPD substation, we funded it, it grew, and the cost grew with it. My entire
point was for us to take care of what we have now. Take care of our current
infrastructure, which is roads. The only other option for roads is we are going to be using
General Fund money or Highway Fund money, which should be used for resurfacing
because we cannot bond resurfacing projects. I just wanted to make it clear on the way
my thought process was on that. We took the vote, I will not be bringing the issue up
anymore, I saw where the votes fell, I know we are going to have the appropriation list
come through again, and I am not going to do another amendment on it or anything on
it. The votes fell where it fell and that is fair enough. Thank you.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Thank you. Is there any further discussion on
this?
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes, Mr. Chair.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Councilmember Yukimura.
COUNCIL MEETING 12 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Councilmember Yukimura: I want to thank our Budget & Finance
Committee Chair for his very insightful analysis of the situation and I, too, when we
come to the final appropriation bill will be looking at all of those issues. As I mentioned
in Committee, I am aware that the Mayor has proposed and it will soon be on the agenda
the half percent (.50%) excise tax option, which can be used for land transportation
improvements and operations. If we do not take that opportunity, I will be forced to
make the same type of prioritization that the Budget & Finance Committee Chair is
proposing because I do not feel it is right to not use this very important option that we
have been given and instead penalize other projects and priorities. I also feel that we
should be looking at a vehicle weight tax for heavy trucks because they cause the most
damage to our roads and would be subsidizing corporations that can pass the cost on
and deduct it as a business expense. We have to have a principle of fair share. We all
have to be willing to do our fair share in taking care of the costs we caused.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Thank you. Is there any further discussion? I
have some. I just want to close too that I agree with Councilmember Kaneshiro in that
we looked at the police substation in Kapa`a. Four (4)years ago, we had that little shack
adjacent to the Kapa`a Beach Park. Today, we have a huge facility, thanks to the
Emergency Management Agency that is allowing us to use it, but we have a much larger
facility that we are using, so there was significant improvement in the police substation
for Kapa`a. Is it perfect? No. Would a brand spanking new facility with all the bells and
whistles be much better? Of course, but when you are on this Council and working with
limited funds...at times you have to make a tough decision. Can we push off the police
substation for now? We already had a significant improvement four (4) years ago and
can we take care of some of these roads that are really bad, like Olohena or Koloa Roads?
I think that is what the amendment that Councilmember Kaneshiro was looking at and
I applaud that effort. I, too, am concerned about when are we going to keep up with our
infrastructure. It is not only those costs that we have to look at, there are Albizia trees.
We did a nice job on Olohena. We cut the huge Albizia trees that we saw as dangerous
for potential high wind and what have you to the infrastructure we had there. We cut
them down. Yes, we damaged some guardrails, but do you know what? We fixed those
guardrails, but there is a lot more work out there to do. Lyle and Mike, you folks know
firsthand. There is a lot of work to do regarding our infrastructure, regarding the
surroundings of the infrastructure, and the Albizia problem. At some point, we have to
decide what is the priority with the limited funds we have and I think Councilmember
Kaneshiro in his amendment reflected some of my thoughts in that we cannot do it all.
It would be nice, but taxing our people more when we are already the second highest in
the Nation for taxes, you have to be very hesitant to want to try and be number one in
that category because that is the worst category to lead a Country in. We will see the
General Excise (GE) tax...it is going to be a very interesting vote for us. It is a very
important vote. That is a significant way of tackling our long-term needs, of tackling
the Albizia, of tackling the infrastructure, roads, and bridges. It will be interesting
because we will have an opportunity to not only garner GE tax from residents, but a lot
of tourists and that is a one-time only opportunity that will not come back again. It is
only going to be offered because of the rail project. It is definitely a solution, however
again, it is very difficult to want to lead the Nation in taxes to our residents. So it is
going to be a very interesting vote, a very tough vote, and I am still undecided as to how
COUNCIL MEETING 13 OCTOBER 4, 2017
I will vote on that measure. Is there any other discussion, Members? Seeing none, roll
call.
The motion to approve Bill No. 2665, 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:
FOR APPROVAL: Brun, Chock, Kagawa, Kaneshiro,
Kawakami, Yukimura TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Rapozo TOTAL — 1,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— 0.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Six (6) ayes and one (1) excused.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Back to the Housing item.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Yes, on page 3, back to the Legal Document,
C 2017-230.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: We ready read the item into the record. Steve,
introduce yourself and we have some questions by Councilmember Yukimura.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
STEVEN FRANCO, JR., Homebuyer Specialist: Steve Franco,
Development Coordinator for the Housing Agency.
Councilmember Yukimura: Hi, Steve.
Mr. Franco: Hi.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you for being here. My question is
about Covenant 1(e) on page 4. It says that the minimum period of affordability is
twenty (20) years and my understanding is it would be affordable for the life of the
project.
Mr. Franco: Right.
Councilmember Yukimura: There are people with low incomes there and
in twenty (20) years it moves out of affordability, where are those people going to live?
Mr. Franco: For this particular covenant, the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds that were used, their period of
affordability for the amount that was granted to the project is for twenty (20) years.
That is just a HOME, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) requirement, but we currently have a ground lease with the developer that is
different than this particular declaration that HUD or HOME funds require. It is
going to be longer. The affordability period for the project, as a whole, will be longer
COUNCIL MEETING 14 OCTOBER 4, 2017
than the twenty (20) years, but for HOME or HUD requirements, their period of
affordability is twenty (20) years required.
Councilmember Yukimura: And we are not able to say it would be longer
because it is in fact longer by our ground lease?
Mr. Franco: As it pertains to HOME, their definition or a
requirement for a period of affordability is twenty (20) years, so that is why the
HOME requirements are outlined in this declaration.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay, so what is the long-term affordability
under the ground lease?
Mr. Franco: I believe it is sixty-five (65) years.
Councilmember Yukimura: That is the term of the agreement we have
with the developer, so there is no way that they would be able to sell it into the market
or make it into market rents?
Mr. Franco: No. Right, that is correct.
Councilmember Yukimura: Okay, I just wanted to be sure.
Mr. Franco: Yes, it is a little bit confusing because HUD
and HOME funds require that we put the terms of their funding agreement in these
declaration, so we are following what their guidance is telling us to put in these types
of declarations.
Councilmember Yukimura: And with HOME money, there is no residual
requirements, I mean, they give us the money, we use it, we do this agreement, but
it is not like they can come in and ask for the land or money back.
Mr. Franco: Right. I guess HUD's main concern is that we
have a declaration in place to ensure that the developer that we granted or give the
funds to follows all of the regulations that go along with it.
Councilmember Yukimura: Right.
Mr. Franco: By doing the declaration, recording it, and
attaching it to the property, it ensures that the developer has to meet any of these
requirements should they try to sell or do anything down the line.
Councilmember Yukimura: So it basically shows that we are meeting the
minimum requirements of the HOME money?
Mr. Franco: Correct.
•
COUNCIL MEETING 15 OCTOBER 4, 2017
Councilmember Yukimura: But there will not be any argument that there
is an inconsistency and therefore, the twenty (20) year should supersede the sixty-
five (65) years...that is not going to be an issue?
Mr. Franco: No, that is not going to be an issue.
Councilmember Yukimura: Thank you very much.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Are there any further questions for the
Housing Agency? Seeing none, thank you for coming, Steve. Anyone from the public
wishing to speak on this?
There being no one present to provide testimony, the meeting was called back to
order, and proceeded as follows:
Councilmember Yukimura: Yes.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Do you have another question?
Councilmember Yukimura: I just wanted to make sure that our Attorneys
did sign off on it and I see that they did. Thank you.
Council Vice Chair Kagawa: Is there any further discussion, Members?
The motion to approve C 2017-230 was then put, and carried by a vote of 6:0:1
(Council Chair Rapozo was excused).
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the Council Meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Waal
JADE, , TAIN-TANIGAWA
County Clerk
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