NOTABLE RESOLUTIONS AND MEASURES PASSED AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 5, 2024

 Resolutions Adopted

●        Resolution 24-105, CD1 - Initiating amendments to the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu 1973 (Amended 2017 Edition), as amended, relating to salaries.

STATEMENT ON SALARY COMMISSION CHARTER AMENDMENTS:

“What I wanted more than anything through these proposed amendments was to begin the work of restoring public trust in these processes, so that we can maintain a fair and strategic compensation strategy that allows the City to attract the best candidates and leaders for our community. I’m glad that we as a body came to consensus and agreed on a path forward that we can all support. When I look back at how contentious this issue has been, I recognize that the unanimous passage of this proposal is no small feat. Today’s vote allows the Council to now give voters the opportunity to amend the City Charter in November, and do so in a way that puts this matter to rest and allows us to get back to the business of moving forward a balanced budget and creating laws, policies and programs that can save and improve the live of our residents and families here on Oʻahu.” - Chair Tommy Waters

●        Resolution 24-61 - Determining the real property tax rates for the City and County of Honolulu for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

●        Resolution 24-64, CD1 - Authorizing the use of overt video monitoring in the City and County of Honolulu at scenic points in East O‘ahu.

STATEMENT ON PUBLIC SAFETY VIDEO MONITORING:

“Investing in public safety infrastructure and resources is an investment in our current and future residents and communities. It fosters growth, stability, and a sense of belonging, and remains one of our top priorities. In 2023 alone, 225 vehicle break-ins were reported at East Honolulu lookouts. This pilot program aims to tackle the disturbing criminal activities at East Honolulu’s scenic lookouts, and if successful, could be expanded in other areas with similar crime vulnerabilities across Oʻahu.” - Council Chair Tommy Waters

●        Resolution 24-81, CD1 - Urging the Department of Environmental Services to provide 24/7 operational service at the Wai‘anae Convenience Center and urging the Department of Parks and Recreation to continue their hard work and maintenance at Leeward O‘ahu parks and recreational facilities.

STATEMENT ON ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR LEEWARD PARKS:

“The Westside has been home to the City landfill for over 50 years. Its convenience center is frequently shut down when full, encouraging illegal dumping in the community. There are also hundreds of unpermitted campers throughout our beach parks, which requires intense trash removal. It is a common statement that the Westside is the ‘dumping ground’ of our island. This has got to change. I’m asking the Department of Environmental Services to give our community more regular updates on the removal of the landfill and to assist at our quarterly community beach cleanups. We need to start somewhere, and I thank the administration for agreeing to partner with me to do more.” - Councilmember Andria Tupola

●        Resolution 24-129 - Urging the City Administration to provide annual mental health assessment opportunities for first responders.

STATEMENT ON ENSURING MENTAL HEALTH OF FIRST RESPONDERS:

“Our City first responders - our heroes - willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve. Not only do we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for this, but I also believe we must ensure that they receive the resources they need to maintain a good balance of physical and mental well-being. The emergency situations they must deal with often involve distressing situations or traumatic events, trigger emotional responses, cause lingering psychological effects, or disrupt their overall well-being. That’s why I’m urging the City Administration to provide annual mental health assessment opportunities for first responders for those who want and need these services to help them cope with the often difficult circumstances of their calling. I believe it is the least we can do for them, for all that they do for us.” - Councilmember Radiant Cordero

●        Resolution 24-131 - Approving the Department of Transportation Services’ Agency Rail Safety Plan for rail operations required by 49 CFR Part 673, 49 CFR Part 674 and Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Program Standards and Procedures.

●        Resolution 24-139 - Approving the proposed budget for the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

●        Resolution 24-141 - Proposing an amendment to Chapter 21 Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 2021 (The Land Use Ordinance), relating to administrative enforcement.

●        Resolution 24-124, CD1 - Granting a Special Management Area Major Permit and Shoreline Setback Variance to allow for the improvements to the Waikīkī Aquarium wastewater system at 2777 Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī, O‘ahu; applicant:  University of Hawai‘i.

Bills Passed:

●        Bill 11, CD2, FD1 - Relating to the Legislative Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Approved:$29,907,004

●        Bill 12, CD2, FD1 - Relating to the Executive Operating Budget and Program for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Approved: $3,628,420,363

●        Bill 13, CD2, FD1 - Relating to the Executive Capital Budget and Program for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Approved: $1,046,725,023

●        Bill 16, CD1, FD1 - Relating to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Approved: $3,187,087

●        Bill 17, CD2 - Relating to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Capital Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Approved: $574,000,000

STATEMENT ON CITY BUDGETS:

"I greatly appreciate the City Administration’s willingness to have an open dialog about their budget needs for the coming year. Needless to say, it was a challenge to balance fixed cost increases, such as employee health care, retirement benefits, and providing hazard pay for those who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, with prioritizing the needs of our residents and maintaining our city infrastructure and services – all while achieving a balanced budget. I am optimistic about the outcome of our efforts throughout the budget approval process, and am confident that we have fulfilled our mission to fund the projects and services that can save and improve the lives for our residents and families across Oʻahu.”

"For the FY25 budget, the Honolulu City Council focused on addressing our island home's most pressing issues – improving the quality of life for our residents and prioritizing public safety for all. I am grateful to the Budget Committee members and all of my fellow Councilmembers for their tireless work in crafting a balanced budget that ensures we can meet the important city and community needs in the upcoming year.” - Budget Committee Chair Radiant Cordero

“As Councilmembers, we have an abiding kuleana to ensure  that we are utilizing the resources of this City appropriately, so that we can deliver the highest levels of services to the community. This year we were keenly focused on prioritizing, among other things, our long-term need for affordable housing, increased public safety, improved public parks and facilities, and measures that address ever-increasing climate impacts to ensure that we mālama our ‘āina. I would not only like to commend everyone in City Administration for working with us throughout this process, but I also want to extend a special to mahalo to Budget Chair Cordero for her leadership, and to my fellow Councilmembers and all of our staff for their hard work and dedication to coming up with a balanced budget.” - Council Chair Tommy Waters

●        Bill 8, CD1 - Relating to community workforce agreements.

●        Bill 21, CD1, FD1 -Amending or repealing the ordinances related to the City and County of Honolulu’s boards and commissions.

●        Bill 23, CD1 - Clarifying which gifts to City officers and employees may be solicited or accepted.

STATEMENT ON ETHICS COMMISSION’S GIFT POLICY:

“As City employees, we must earn the public’s trust every day by demonstrating the highest standards of ethical conduct. The main point of this measure is to ensure that employees who are in the position of making decisions can’t be swayed by gifts or influence of any kind. We needed to balance the aloha spirit and Hawaiian culture of showing appreciation with the harms of corruption and undue influence.  Our City workers tirelessly serve our community and on more than one occasion, I have wanted to express my gratitude. This bill clarifies that a gift to a decisionmaker with authority over your matter is prohibited, period.  On the other hand, a gift to a lifeguard for performing a rescue of one of your ʻohana or a Summer Fun instructor who taught and cared for your child all summer is not prohibited, and certainly not the target of this bill. ” - Council Chair Tommy Waters

“I am glad that we devoted more time into making sure updates to the City’s code of conduct ensure these laws do what is intended – maintain the integrity of City government, namely by prohibiting vendors, clients or others doing business with City from influencing the decisions of City officers and employees with gifts. I have co-introduced this version because I believe that as officers and employees of the City nothing is more important than our integrity. It is critical we remain above reproach with regard to the decisions that we make in executing our duties. - Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘āina

●        Bill 52 (2023), CD1 - Providing a more effective deterrent by increasing the penalty for persons that construct or convert a structure in violation of the LUO development standards and requirements for large detached dwellings.

●         Bill 53 (2023), CD2 - Addressing standards and requirements for operating bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units.

●        Bill 65 (2023), CD2, FD1 - Adopting the Hawai‘i State Building Code, including Appendices U, W, and X; the State Residential Code; the State Existing Building Code, subject to local amendments herein, and updating Article 13 (“Hawai‘i Residential Safe Room”) and Article 14 (“State- and City-Owned High Occupancy Buildings – Design Criteria for Enhanced Hurricane Protection Areas”).

●         Bill 6, CD1 -  Improving public notification regarding the authorization, or lack thereof, for work performed on a property in the City and County of Honolulu and amending provisions related to the administration and enforcement of certain codes in the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 2021.

For a complete listing of measures or to view the hearing, go to https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/

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The Honolulu City Council is the lawmaking body of the City and County of Honolulu and determines policies and programs for the City. The Council is responsible for serving and advancing the general welfare, health, happiness, and safety of the land and our communities. Learn more at www.honolulucitycouncil.org/

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MEASURES PASSED AT THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 15