Hawaii County Council will meet Mar. 22

Hawaii County Council will meet Mar. 22.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Notice is hereby given that the Hawai‘i County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive conference technology (ICT) pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §92-3.5. Council Members will be participating via ICT at the:

• Hilo Council Chambers, Hawai‘i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1401 Members of the public may also attend from this location.

Public attendance via Courtesy Site is available at the following location:

• Pāhoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pāhoa Village Road

If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted, the scheduled meeting will continue.

Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting, written testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, by: (1) email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8912; or (3) mail to the County Clerk’s Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720. All written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item.

Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

INVOCATION Pastor Jason Meechan of Kona Faith Center

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE

STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS

Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council.

(NOTE: COUNCIL MAY TAKE A LUNCH BREAK CLOSE TO THE NOON HOUR)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 22, 2023

ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS

Res. 60-23: (Draft 2)

AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF TAX MAP KEYS: 2-1-018:006, 007, AND 010 SITUATED IN THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH HILO, ALSO KNOWN AS KAUMAUI, UTILIZING THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND

The County seeks to acquire a conservation easement to preserve, restore, and revitalize freshwater and anchialine ponds and to provide a learning space for educational and cultural purposes. The acquisition of a conservation easement at Kaumaui is listed as the number two priority in the 2021 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission.

Reference: Comm. 122.3

Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy

Approve: LAAC-12

Res. 61-23: AUTHORIZES THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO AWARD FUNDS TO VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROGRAMS ADDRESSING HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Proposes 16 grant awards to 13 different nonprofit organizations for a total of $7,583,528.92 in funding that was derived from Tier Two property tax revenues.

Reference: Comm. 123

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)

Approve: LAAC-13

Res. 62-23: AUTHORIZES GRANT OF A 65-YEAR TERM EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES TO HAWAI‘I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC., AND HAWAIIAN TELCOM, INC., OVER TAX MAP KEYS: 3-9-001:034 (POR.) AND 3-9-001:042 (POR.) LOCATED AT O‘OKALA, DISTRICT OF NORTH HILO, COUNTY AND STATE OF HAWAI‘I

Provides Revocable Right of Entry to Easement U-2 at a cost of $1,700 and Easement U-3 at a cost of $5,000 for the continued maintenance and operation of infrastructure required to provide electrical and telecommunication services to the community.

Reference: Comm. 124

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)

Approve: LAAC-14

Res. 63-23: AUTHORIZES GRANT OF A 65-YEAR TERM EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES TO HAWAI‘I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC., OVER TAX MAP KEY: 3-9-001:034 (POR.) LOCATED AT O‘OKALA, DISTRICT OF NORTH HILO, COUNTY AND STATE OF HAWAI‘I

Provides Revocable Right of Entry to Easement U-1 at a cost of $21,000 for the continued maintenance and operation of infrastructure required to provide electrical service to the community of Oʻokala in North Hilo.

Reference: Comm. 125

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)

Approve: LAAC-15

Res. 70-23: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT CONTRACT WITH KALOKO HEIGHTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING LLLP, OWNER OF KALOKO HEIGHTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE SECTION 8 PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM AS OFFERED THROUGH A PUBLIC NOTICE DATED DECEMBER 5, 12, AND 19, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 18 AND 19, 2019

Reference: Comm. 132

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

Approve: FC-26

Res. 71-23: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT CONTRACT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE PROJECTS SELECTED FOR THE SECTION 8 PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM AS OFFERED THROUGH A PUBLIC NOTICE DATED JULY 12, 19, AND 26, 2021

Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a multi-year agreement for the following proposed voucher projects: E Komo Mai Apartments, Hale Ola O Mohouli, Hualalai Court, Kamakoa Nui Workforce Housing, and Kuakini Heights.

Reference: Comm. 133

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

Approve: FC-27

Res. 76-23: APPROVES THE HAWAIʻI STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES’ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SLATE OF OFFICERS

Ratifies the slate of officers approved by the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties Executive Committee on February 13, 2023, as follows: Kauaʻi County Council Members Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., President (Bill DeCosta, Alternate); Maui County Council Members Tamara Paltin, Vice President (Shane M. Sinenci, Alternate); Honolulu City Council Members Tommy Waters, Secretary (Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Alternate); and Hawaiʻi County Council Members Heather L. Kimball, Treasurer (Jennifer Kagiwada, Alternate).

Reference: Comm. 156

Intr. by: Ms. Kimball

Waived: GOEAC

Res. 77-23: CREATES ONE NEW INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYST IV POSITION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Establishes an Information Systems Analyst IV SR-22 position to provide support to the Building Division and for the Electronic Processing and Information Center permitting system.

Reference: Comm. 157

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

Waived: FC

Res. 78-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HALE MUA CULTURAL GROUP TO PURCHASE YEARBOOKS FOR EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS AT KEALAKEHE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Transfers $3,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 8); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account.

Reference: Comm. 158

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba

Res. 79-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HILO EDUCATION ARTS REPERTORY THEATRE TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR ITS YOUTH SUMMER THEATER CAMP AND PRODUCTIONS

Transfers $8,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account.

Reference: Comm. 159

Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada

Res. 80-23: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE PA‘AUILO COMMUNITY EASTER EVENT

Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Recreation Division Other Current Expenses account.

Reference: Comm. 160

Intr. by: Ms. Kimball

BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING)

Bill 28: (Draft 2)

AMENDS CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 7, SECTION 19-53 AND ARTICLE 10, SECTION 19-71, OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAXES

Safeguards certain agriculturally productive properties which are also used as an owner’s primary residence or as an affordable rental from rising assessment values.

Reference: Comm. 113.2

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba

Approve: FC-28

Bill 29: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-64, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023

Adds the Mass Transit Agency – Hub and Spokes Construction – State project ($400,000) to the Capital Budget. Funds for this project shall be provided from State Grants Receivable account, and would be used for a site analysis and environmental assessment for a new transit hub in Kailua-Kona.

Reference: Comm. 134

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

Approve: FC-29

Note: Requires 2/3 vote of the entire membership to amend, pursuant to Section 10-6(e), Hawai‘i County Charter

ORDER OF THE DAY (SECOND OR FINAL READING)

Bill 24: (Draft 2)

AMENDS SECTION 25-8-33 (CITY OF HILO ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING) OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL – THREE ACRES (A-3a) TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL – 15,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-15) AT HILO, SOUTH HILO, HAWAIʻI, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-003:035 (Applicant: Matthew C. Wung and Eric J. Wung) (Area: 3.1285 Acres)

The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this change of zone request, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into five lots ranging in size from 20,080 to 45,363 square feet. The property is located at 862 West Kawailani Street, approximately 1,000 feet west of its intersection with Komohana Street, Waiākea, South Hilo.

Reference: Comm. 97.4

Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)

First Reading: March 8, 2023

Bill 25: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023

Appropriates revenues in the State Grants – Volkswagen Settlement – Hawaiʻi Zero Emission Bus account ($1,765,000); and appropriates the same to the Volkswagen Settlement – Hawaiʻi Zero Emission Bus account for the purchase of battery electric buses.

Reference: Comm. 105

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

First Reading: March 8, 2023

Bill 26: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 22-63, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023

Increases revenues in the State Grants – Kua Bay account ($100,000) and the West Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety account ($76,402); and appropriates the same to the Kua Bay – State Equipment account ($100,000), bringing the total appropriation to $580,000; and the Hapuna Beach – State Equipment account ($76,402), bringing the total appropriation to $995,505.

Reference: Comm. 106

Intr. by: Mr. Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R)

First Reading: March 8, 2023

REPORTS

GOEAC-21 (Comm. 114): NOMINATION OF CLINTON LEWE-SONG TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS