Sorry. You were. Hello. Welcome to the Committee on Finance. Today is April 1st, 2025. It is 3.34 pm and I'm calling this meeting to order. This is our seventh session. And I appreciate everyone's kindness in being here today. Now, just as a reminder, please silence yourself, phones, and all the other associated devices that make noise. To my left joining me today is Councilmember Heather Kimball, Councilmember Michelle Glimba, Councilmember Vegas will be joining us shortly to my right. Councilmember Hulaqe, Naba, Councilmember Dennis O'Neeshi, Councilmember Ashley Krickuncle, member James Hustis, and Council Member, birthday girl, Kagi Wata, who will be joining us shortly as well. Mr. Kirk, we have seven members and attendants at this time. Mr. RSL, do we have any testifiers today? Thank you so much, Chair. Just confirming that at this time, we do not have any testifiers checking out again to our remote sites if that is the case please chime in. Hearing none, Chair, no testifiers. Thank you very much Mr. RSL. Mr. Clerk, let's start at the top. Last chance if anyone would like to testify in communication 23.8 please speak up now Hearing none communication 23.8 report a fund transfers authorized February 1 through 15 2025 from active controller Wilson Criter Did in March 5 2025? Chair motion to close file on communication 23.8 Motion by council member in other second by council member on this he closing file on communication 23.8 Council members any discussion on the motion. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no report of funds transfers authorized February 16 through 28, 2025. From acting controller Wilson Criter, dated March 11, 2025. Motion to close file on communication 23.9. Motion by Council Member Inaba. And a second, my council member Onishi, two close file on communication 23.9. Any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, motion is on the floor. All in favor? Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have seven members in favor. Miss council member Viegas and council member Glimba being no council member Coguata being excused. Would anyone like to testify in communication 27.2 please speak up now. Hearing none, communication 27.2. The part of donations received from the Daniel R. Sayer Memorial Foundation as of February, 2025. From Finance Director Diane Maccogawa, date March 13, 2025, transmitting the above report pursuant to Resolution 468-20. Motion to close file on communication 27.2. Second. Motion by Council Member Enable and a second by Council Member O'Neill Cee to close file on communication 27.2 is there any discussion? Chair fire to is here. Oh, good. Thank you Mr. Enable. Go ahead when you're ready on the donation. Sure, let's keep this brief. Just another really, really grateful, put it on the public record that we are extremely grateful for Laura and Frank Sair, the Daniel R. Sair Foundation. Would you see represented in this thousands of dollars of donation? What represents kind of with the fire department? It's a once versus needs. We expect our needs to the county, and these are the public are funded often by the county budget, right? There exists a within the fire service technology trends, new things, pilot programs, new devices, equipment that very hard within the existing structure to sometimes dedicate money for those new ideas, those new things. So with the sares, we are so fortunate for them to be able to provide this equipment to be able to try things. To see, you know, this is our list of our wants, kind of what we was out there. This represents some of the future of some of the firefighting firefighting equipment, and they're able to provide that equipment for the department. So it's a huge benefit to us in the public. You will see here some travel expenses related to the pre-con of the brand new engine 14 that actually was dedicated on the South Bajala area back in February 7th. It was dedicated and had the name, had a blessing ceremony. Again, through their foundation, donated an entire fire engine that otherwise, as you all know, we kind of struggle purchasing. So that represents a huge significant purchase and we are always always grateful thank you and then just for the record could you introduce yourself I'm for you my name is Daniel will be deputy fire chief thank you sir okay question Mr. No thank you just on behalf of the council again wanting to mojalo the stair foundation for their continued support of our county mojalo thank you House members. House members. Councilor Ronece. Thanks. Mr. Chair. Yeah, I also did it at their series or so. I guess generous, helpful to the fire department. And we also donate like rescue ambulance to, right, usually. But then the problem with that is that the state provides the manpower. And that's where we work with our legislators to make sure that they provide us the funding because our island is so big. And our ambulance with the traveling to the different medical centers, it's a toll on mileage that get wear and tear on the on the veal coast to yeah, so you know really thankful and like all these like equipment and stuff like that is that Ivan white or You guys share it island white? That's correct. Typically the which you look at sometimes are we identify what's necessary or what's needed? You've go out of a list, put it out to the department. You know, what do you guys need? What are you guys looking for? What's missing? Typically, because of how the Daniel Arsare Foundation was started based on the tragedy of the loss of their child, based on some of those specialized technical rescue operation that, thankfully, we were able to execute well, but not in time to save this son. So initially the initial impetus for the foundation was for rescue specialized equipment. So often you'll see, again, it's kind of maintained. execute well, but not in time to save this on. So initially, the initial impetus for their foundation was for rescue specialized equipment. So often you'll see, again, it kind of maintains that spirit of that tittest day, is that often it's focused on technical rescue. So you'll see a lot of the beginnings of these items are the clutch, the witty packs. These are all real rescue systems. So that said, it's not necessarily item-wide, it does reflect the two rescue companies which service the entire island. So you'll see some of this equipment. you wrote real, real, real rescue system. So that said, it's not necessarily I-L-Y, but it does reflect the two rescue companies which service the entire island. So you'll see some of this equipment and other stuff that goes to training. The shop it is will stay with training, but again that's focused on delivery I-L-Y to support everybody. I-L-Y. You know, I just wanted you to acknowledge that because in public, you know, what's happened because like white care all fire station is in my district so I went to them and asked them with our continued funds knowledge that because in public can know what's happening because like white care Farsation isn't my district so I went to them and asked them with our right contingent funds How can I help you right with rescue? Oh don't worry because the series help us out of that It's like okay right on. I just want to acknowledge that but thank you chief Thank you very much. Um, they are huge part of our department and a huge read the island benefits from there Yeah, I'm here. Thank you. Thank you very much. They are huge part of our department and a huge we the island benefits from their being here. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Seeing no further discussion. Yeah. Heartbelt takes to the savers for what they do for our part of the apartment. Thank you for being here today. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Clerk. We have the motion on the floor to close file on communication 27.2 all in favor Any opposed Mr. Clerk you have nine members in favor please let the record reflect Council members call you out and be against joining us for this vote If you don't like to testify in communication 73.2, please speak up now Hearing none communication 73.2 monthly budget status report for the month ended August 31, 2024. From Finance Director Daya Nakagawa dated March 12, 2025. Transmitting the blood report pursuant to Section 6-6.3H of the Hawaii County Charter. Motion to close file on communications 73.2. Motion by Councilmember Inaba seconded by councilmember Onishi closing file on communication 73.2 any discussion? Thank you director. This is August correct. Okay, where are we getting there? We're getting there. Okay. thank you. Okay, signal for the discussion. Call some members. All in favor? Any opposed? Mr. Clark, you have nine members in favor? Emotion carries. If anyone like to testify in communication, one, four, three, point one, please speak up now. During noncommunication, one, four, 3.1 annual revenue report July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. From Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, data March 3, 2025. Transpending the bug, pursuing to section 2, dash 12.6 of the Hawaii County Code. Motion to close file on communication 1, 43.1. We have a motion by Council Member Aynaba and a second by Council Member Onishi to close file on communication 143.1. We have a motion by Council Member Inava and a second by Council Member Onishi to close file on communication 143.1. Any discussion, Council Member Inava. Thank you. We did have this presented to us recently and there may just have been a filing mix up on our end, but this report just shows the percentage change from the previous fiscal year. so nothing different than the one we got a couple weeks ago. Thank you. All right, do. How's the memory of the book? Thank you. Yeah, thanks, Dan. I was just wondering as much as I enjoy the origami once a year, I mean I'm like wow, that's half a year ago the origami. I'm just wondering if perhaps we could consider another format to bring it into a little more concentrated. I mean, because I don't actually understand what the point is. I mean, it's interesting. I love to see year over year and the categories, the subcategories are very interesting as well. I just kind of wonder like what the legislative history of it is or why we have the subcategories and the size and all of that, do you happen to know? Good afternoon, Councilmember Sayanna Cogawa, Finance Department. I was just speaking earlier with Councilman Connelly, Kleinfelder of the the history, and I don't know maybe like to share since, as you have mentioned, this was your report request. To the question, if that was... Is that clean? Sorry. I'll take your comment as it may have been intended. No, this really was to give everyone, including the public, kind of a real highlighted condensed version of all of our different revenues and also to provide when they were changed, if they've been changed, what their rates are, and across the board so that you can see, so you or the public or anyone viewing it, really can a feel for when the last time we adjusted whatever rate is in the county from building permits to capping permits to real property tax. I mean you name it it's all in here. It gives you an ability to review it and if we as a body are looking to decrease or increase any of our revenue sources you have a basis on when it was changed, what it is, where it is, kind of all the information that I was searching for at one point in my time here in one condensed version. I've seen it come to us in different formats over the years, so it totally opened to that conversation and looked to the director for her advice. Yes, so thank you for that. We're, you know, we are actively going through implementation of our ERP. So all the different reports that we put out right now, we're working on to make sure that it can be more efficient and easily produce through a new system. That does include making sure that the information presented is utilized and put forward in a manner that is comprehensible for people. So if you have any suggestions, we're open to it, but we are looking at things like this to make this information just a little easier to read. And I will point out, since you mentioned on a monthly bunch of status, that was also a point of discussion and making these reports faster and just more digestible is on the top of our list and those efficiencies are coming. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Any further discussion? Okay. Thank you, Director. Thank you, Council. Thank you, director. Thank you, council. Emotion is on the floor to close file on communication. Seven eight, Director. Thank you, Council. Emotions on the floor to close file on communication. 70, 143.1. Any further comments? Hearing and seeing none, motion is on the floor. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have nine members in favor. If you're not elected to testify in resolution 106-25, please speak up now. Hearing none, resolution 106-25 transfers appropriates an appropriation out and from a designated fund account and credits the same to a designated fund account. Transfer,212 dollars from the parks and recreation administration other current expenses account to the animal control account to provide a grant to action for animals to support it to re-homing and adoption programs for ad risk animals introduced by councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfeldt Yeah. Motion to approve resolution 106-25. Second. Motion by Council Member Gileber. Seconded by Council Member Navel to forward resolution 106-25. The Council with a favorable recommendation. Council Member Gileber. Thank you, Chair. So this was, this is up to thank finance very very very much for helping with this. We the council approved this CRF to go into parks and recreation and when it actually got their parks and recreation was didn't really have a account to deal with this and thought that it would be better to go to animal control. which animal control hadn't really done CRFs before or it's just starting to. So we did very much appreciate the help of getting it from one department to the other. So hope that my colleagues can bear with me on this extra step we had to take for this money. Thank you. Any discussion? Here it's being done. Motion is on the floor. Thank you, Councilmember Gilemba. All in favor? Hi. Any opposed? Mr. Kirk, you have nine members in favor. Motion carries. Bill 34, please. If anyone would like to testify in Bill 34, please speak up now. Hearing none, Bill 34, men's chapter 19, articles 1 and 7 of the FI County Code in 1983, 2016 edition as amended, relating to the affordable rental housing real property tax classification. Repeals the definitions of affordable rental housing and affordable rental rate. And it meant the requirements of eligibility for the affordable rental housing class. Introduced by Council Member Inaba. Thank you, motion. Mr. Clerk, I do plan not to have this bill advance. Can we just withdraw or do I need to make a motion? You could actually just withdraw I think at this time. All right thank you. We're drawing Bill 34. Thank you. Thank you. Motion is withdrawn. Bill 36 please. If anyone likes to testify bill 36, please be gone now. Hearing none, bill 36 adopts a pay plan for persons employed by the county, other than those who pay is otherwise provided for. Does it need in payroll periods, paid days, prescribing requirements for respect to official fidelity bonds and repealing ordinance number 24-28 and all amendments there to set ordinance to be known as the salary ordinance of 2025 establishes rates of compensation for appointed employees in the legislative branch and in the office of housing and community development the county physician, student helpers and senior community services aids for various county agencies and incorporates updates to minimum wage positions introduced by councilmember Connie Lee Klein, field of my request. Chair motion to forward bill 36 to council with the favorable recommendation. I have a motion by councilmember Inava and a second by councilmember Kagi Wada. To forward bill 36 to council with the favorable recommendation. Discussion on the motion. Council member Inavita. Thank you. Just on behalf of our within the legislative branch, there's been one step added for each of the positions. There's one council member to be aware. Thank you. Thank you for pointing that out. Council member Kaguata. Yeah, just just my thanks to folks who worked on this and appreciate that. It's the salaries are low for our folks, especially compared to you know other people in the county who do similar positions. So I do appreciate this this ability to step up. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion just mallet to the salaries for employees? will take effect in the second? I would have to confirm that to see if they are included. There's a couple different things happening with the salaries and wages that were included in this year's budget due to the negotiations occurring at this moment. So most of the salaries in the budget, the departments were instructed to do it with the current year. But for these specifically, let me double check on those. Okay. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, motion is on the floor 2 4, Bill 36. 2 Council with a favourable recommendation. All in favour? Aye. Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, do you have nine members in favour? Motion carries. Bill 37, please. If anyone would like to testify in Bill 37, please speak up now. Hearing none, Bill 37, amendments ordinance number 24-32 as amended. The operating budget for the County of Hawaii for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 increases revenues in the fund balance from previous year accounts, $70 million, and it proposes the same to the provision for compensation adjustment general account. Funds will be used to to pay for temporary hazard pay for all covered employees for work performed during COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022 introduced by council member Kani Lee Klein voter by request. motion to forward bill 37 to council with the favorable recommendation. motion by council member inavis second by council member he uses two forward forward bill 37 to council the favorable recommendation Discussion on the measure council member in Ava. Oh, yeah, just want to give the right to go on opportunity if you'd like Thank you good afternoon again council members This this is our our long awaited item, you know. We've been working on this for quite some time. So in front of you is a request to amend our operating budget by 70 million from our fund balance. And I can certainly answer questions on our fund balance and what that does. But this is for our temporary hazard pay. This is for all covered employees. We've reached preliminary settlement agreements with all four unions, UPW, HFFA, SHOPEO and HTEA. Corporation Council is here to answer any questions related to the agreements. This is the estimate for those four. I will mention that our estimate is based on the financial system we have in place today. So it is taking that to account. But once we get into each and every hour on these time sheets, we'll get a better estimate, but this is taken to the account that we have with the financial system we have today. Thank you very much, Director. And with that, thank you to the team and cooperation account. So for getting us here, and most importantly to all of our county employees who kept the ship running during those times, I'll be in support. Thank you. Chair, that's my review. Yes, thank you, Director Nakawa, for being here today and for helping with this lengthy process. I also want to give a shout out to the prior administration for hanging on to these funds in the general fund balance in order to cover these expenses, depending on how this circumstance played out. I also wanna thank the current mayor and administration for navigating these agreements and honoring the hard work of our county staff during COVID. I ran into Riley Smith who I'm sure you all may remember. And he reminded me. He said, look, I was asked, fallen told to be down at the airport. And he was there mitigating the arrival of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people, still coming to our island that put him in a direct line of potential contact with COVID when we were right in the throes of it and hearing his reflection of that, that he had never, He wasn't doing it for potential more financial pay, but he was doing it because it was the right thing to do. And I believe that as honoring all the people who put themselves in that line of potential exposure for the greater good and the benefit of our community, I'm just really grateful that this is being put to rest. People are being compensated and for the wisdom, I know you were serving as Deputy Director under Deanna. And so for your help continuing through this process and bringing us through, give, to fruition. I'm sure a lot of people are going to be very relieved with that. Thank you. Thank you. I also want to make sure that my significant other is a member of the Hawaii Fire Department and that is one of the unions that are benefiting from this particular negotiation. I yield. Thank you. Sorry, Glen. Well, thank you. Thank you. I'm a cost member for Quixen. I didn't even think about that, but yes, both my sister and our partner are members of the Fire Department as well. Well, since we're doing it, my daughter's in the police department. Council member, Rick Yimble. I don't have any relatives in any of the Indians, although I am a heart-paining member for HGA myself. I wanted to ask, since you made me think of it with about this being an estimate. And we had talked a little bit, and I'm sure you've talked with the other council members about the challenges that will come to actually figuring out how much each person gets paid. How comfortable are you with that estimate? What do you think the margin of error is, are we overshooting just in case, or just thinking as we're walking into budget discussions next week, I wanna have a sense of what sort of padding we need to think about with this. I do think it's a conservative estimate of what we're looking at. I will caveat that by saying again that we have a lot of challenges with our 20 year old system and the data it reporting. And so this will be a very detailed labor intensive process to calculate each and every hour worked. But with the information that we have, it is a conservative number. Conservative as in overestimating what we could potentially need. That's correct. Thank you very much appreciate that thank you okay miss director I know this has been on your list for about three years and so I appreciate all the work that you guys have done and I understand this is a negotiation between the county and bargaining units but there there's a lot of other thought that has to go into this. So thank you for what you brought to the table with this. Well, through the administration. Yeah, you know, this was something on all our plates. So I thank you as well. I think we all had to navigate through holding funds and making it available while looking at needs of the community. So to get here and to be able to do what we need to do and move on and continue with our budget process, it was really a collaborative effort. So thank you. Yeah, thank you, thank you. And then just as a final comment, and this is absolutely huge for the community. During the middle of the pandemic when nobody knew anything about what was supposed to happen or how we were supposed to respond our county workers were frontline providing services that didn't stop to the community like most of us were and although this is a substantial expense for the county I think for what we went through and what our county workers did in that time it's there's necessary so this is huge for our community and I appreciate everything that happened to get us here thank you any further discussion? Council members motion motions on the floor. 2, 4, Bill 37, it comes with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have nine members in favor? Seeing no further items on the agenda. We are adjourned. It is 4.02 PM. Thank you very much.