OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting: September 17, 2025: Transportation, Housing, and Budget

County Council & Committees — Wednesday, September 17, 2025
BodyKauai County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateWednesday, September 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:07

Councilmember Bolasan is absent.

0:09

Councilmember Cavallio?

0:10

Councilmember Cowden?

0:12

Here.

0:12

Councilmember Holland.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Councilmember Coneshiro.

0:15

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Kulee is on his way.

0:17

Council Chair Apozo.

0:19

Here.

0:26

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

0:28

Aye.

0:28

Motion carry.

0:29

Next item, please.

0:30

Your next item are the minutes on page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the August 13th, 2025 council meeting, the August 27th, 2025 council meeting, and the August 27, 2025 public hearing regarding bill number 2970 and bill number 2971.

0:47

Any discussion or public testimony?

0:49

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

0:51

Aye.

0:52

Motion carried.

0:53

Next item, please.

0:54

Next item or items on the consent calendar for receipt.

0:57

C 2025-191 and C 2025-192.

1:02

Second.

1:03

Thank you.

1:04

Any discussion or public testimony?

1:05

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

1:07

Aye.

1:08

Motion carried next item, please.

1:10

Communications, C 2025-193 communication from the housing director requesting council approval to receive and expend 2025 housing and urban development family self-sufficiency grant funds in the amount of 122,252 dollars.

1:26

This recurring grant funds the family self-sufficiency program that helps families in housing choice voucher rental assistance program achieve economic independence.

1:36

Second.

1:37

Any discussion or public testimony?

1:39

You have any questions?

1:41

Well, I don't I don't is anybody here?

1:43

Okay.

1:43

Um, sure, very, very brief.

1:45

No, no, that's fine.

1:46

Um that I'll suspend the rules.

1:48

Yeah, please come up.

1:55

Um I know this is reoccurring, right?

1:58

But this is such an important program.

2:01

Um the Ur Urban Development Family Self-Sufficiency Grant.

2:05

So I I love this program, but just for anybody who might be watching, if you could just say it a little bit.

2:14

Sure.

2:14

Um Steve Frankel with the housing agency.

2:17

Um also with me is our HCB manager, uh, Jennifer Tegucci and our new FSS um specialists.

2:25

Housing choice voucher voucher and SFS is family self-sufficiency specialists.

2:31

Okay, because people don't know.

2:33

Yeah.

2:33

Um Riley and I will who would just join the housing agency um in that position.

2:39

So um to your question, um the FSS program uh works is a case management type of program to set goals for eight housing choice voucher participants um to gain uh financial independence.

2:52

Um that could include um job training, um seeking better employment, receiving access to community resources, that kind of stuff.

3:01

So um the intent of the program is to assist participants to eventually someday move off of the HCAP program and become uh financially independent.

3:13

So if I'm hearing correctly, if somebody gets uh like a HUD voucher, that's what that means.

3:19

If they have housing assistance, which puts them at a certain income level, if they earn more than that amount of income, it basically they can go into like an escrow account.

3:30

That's correct, so that they can save money, and so what it does is it keeps people from holding themselves back because what we want is people to grow through the program, and without a program like this, people sometimes get stuck, and this helps them to not be stuck.

3:50

Am I saying that correctly?

3:51

That's correct.

3:51

I'm using kind of simple words, but so especially when I talk to relatively young people that feel like held back.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████30%
Active Transportation██████████████████████████26%
Procedural████████████████████20%
Fire Safety█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Pending Litigation████4%
Public Transportation████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Economic Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting: September 17, 2025

On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Kauai County Council convened at 19:45 (7:45 PM) to discuss a range of items including housing grant funds, e-bike regulation, taxi cab rate increases, and a budget amendment for a monument. Councilmember Bolasan was absent; Councilmember Kule was delayed. The meeting was chaired by Council Chair Apozo.

Consent Calendar

  • The minutes from the August 13, 2025 council meeting, the August 27, 2025 council meeting, and the August 27, 2025 public hearing (regarding Bill 2970 and Bill 2971) were approved unanimously.
  • Two consent calendar items for receipt (C 2025-191 and C 2025-192) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On claims against the county (C 2025-197 through 199): Ronnie Cycos requested a comparison of vehicle damage claim rates per population across counties and nationally, suggesting the county could proactively reduce damages. Council Chair Apozo noted that the council takes these claims seriously and has advocated for proper training and discipline for negligent county drivers.
  • On the e-bike ordinance (Bill 2972): Mr. Bruce Hart thanked the council for pursuing the issue and supported a licensing process for high-speed e-bikes, comparing them to motorcycles. Mr. Lonnie Cycos noted the complexity of federal definitions that prevent e-bikes from being classified as motorcycles and emphasized the need for dedicated parks for youth riders.
  • On the taxi cab rate increase (Bill 2974): Mr. Bruce Hart expressed support for the independent small business taxi drivers. Mr. Lonnie Cycos favored flat-rate tours for both driver and passenger convenience and economic development, noting the current rate was shockingly low and that taxis remain essential for those without app-based services.

Housing & Human Services

  • C 2025-193 – Family Self-Sufficiency Grant: The council approved a $122,252 recurring HUD grant for the family self-sufficiency (FSS) program, which provides case management for housing choice voucher participants to achieve economic independence. Housing Agency staff (Steve Frankel, Jennifer Tegucci, and new specialist Riley) explained the program helps participants save in an escrow account as their income rises, avoiding the disincentive of losing benefits. Councilmember Cowden highlighted that only about 10-15% of voucher holders join the program. The motion carried unanimously.

Traffic & Public Safety

  • Resolution 2025-36 – Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework: The administration requested deferral of this item to September 24, 2025. The council voted unanimously to defer.
  • Proposed Draft Bill 2972 – Electric Bicycle Regulation (First Reading): Council Member (Vice Chair) introduced a bill to regulate e-bikes, including a ban on high-speed electric bicycles (capable of over 28 mph) on all public streets, highways, sidewalks, and paths. Key provisions: persons under 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet; a $150 civil fine for violations; and language prohibiting unsafe or hazardous operation (with officer discretion). An amendment, introduced and circulated, clarified that the definition of e-bike requires a motor (excluding traditional bicycles) and aligned helmet standards with state law. Council members expressed strong support, citing dangers to children and pedestrians, but also acknowledged enforcement challenges. The bill was approved for public hearing on October 15, 2025, and referral to the Public Works and Veterans Services Committee (6-0).

Business & Economic Development

  • Proposed Draft Bill 2974 – Taxi Cab Rate Increase (First Reading): Council Chair Apozo introduced a bill to raise the flat rate for touring/chartered service from $120 for a minimum two-hour period to $180, citing increased fuel and maintenance costs. The request came from taxi operators and was previously worked on with former Councilmember Kagawa. The rate applies primarily to visitors on boat tours, not local residents. The bill was approved for public hearing on October 15, 2025, and referral to the Finance and Economic Development Committee (6-0).

Budget & Public Access

  • Bill 2970 (Second Reading) – Operating Budget Amendment: Hanapēpē Monument ($315,000): The council approved revising the FY 2025-2026 operating budget to allocate $315,000 from the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Reservation Fund for the Hanapēpē Monument. Council members and the administration supported the increase, with Councilmember Cowden emphasizing a respectful representation of both the plantation union (ILWU) history and the Filipino community. Councilmember Kaneshiro expressed eagerness to involve the artistic community. Approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Bill 2971 (Second Reading) – Capital Budget Amendment: ʻĪlio Point (100 PP) Parcel Monument Improvement: The council approved revising the FY 2025-2026 capital budget for improvement of the 100 PP (Pākalā) parcel monument. Councilmember Cowden expressed hope that working families and unions (e.g., ILWU) would use the site for education and events. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved $122,252 HUD Family Self-Sufficiency grant (C 2025-193), unanimously.
  • Deferred Resolution 2025-36 (Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework) to September 24, 2025.
  • Approved on first reading Bill 2972 (E-Bike Regulation) — public hearing set for October 15, 2025; referral to Public Works and Veterans Services Committee.
  • Approved on first reading Bill 2974 (Taxi Cab Rate Increase) — public hearing set for October 15, 2025; referral to Finance and Economic Development Committee.
  • Passed final reading of Bill 2970 (Operating Budget: Hanapēpē Monument, $315,000) and Bill 2971 (Capital Budget: ʻĪlio Point Monument) — both unanimously.
  • Referred three claims (C 2025-197, 198, 199) to the County Attorney for investigation and reporting.
  • Accepted a donation of a fire prevention kit valued at $230 (C 2025-196) with a thank-you letter.
  • Approved multi-year contract with General Code LLC for codifying the County Code (C 2025-195), unanimously.
  • Approved committee reports (CRPRT 2025-02, CRPSHS 2025-03, CRFED 2025-17, CRFED 2025-18), unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Bolasan is absent. Councilmember Cavallio? Councilmember Cowden? Here. Councilmember Holland. Here. Councilmember Coneshiro. Present. Councilmember Kulee is on his way. Council Chair Apozo. Here. Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carry. Next item, please. Your next item are the minutes on page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the August 13th, 2025 council meeting, the August 27th, 2025 council meeting, and the August 27, 2025 public hearing regarding bill number 2970 and bill number 2971. Any discussion or public testimony? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Next item, please. Next item or items on the consent calendar for receipt. C 2025-191 and C 2025-192. Second. Thank you. Any discussion or public testimony? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried next item, please. Communications, C 2025-193 communication from the housing director requesting council approval to receive and expend 2025 housing and urban development family self-sufficiency grant funds in the amount of 122,252 dollars. This recurring grant funds the family self-sufficiency program that helps families in housing choice voucher rental assistance program achieve economic independence. Second. Any discussion or public testimony? You have any questions? Well, I don't I don't is anybody here? Okay. Um, sure, very, very brief. No, no, that's fine. Um that I'll suspend the rules. Yeah, please come up. Um I know this is reoccurring, right? But this is such an important program. Um the Ur Urban Development Family Self-Sufficiency Grant. So I I love this program, but just for anybody who might be watching, if you could just say it a little bit. Sure. Um Steve Frankel with the housing agency. Um also with me is our HCB manager, uh, Jennifer Tegucci and our new FSS um specialists. Housing choice voucher voucher and SFS is family self-sufficiency specialists. Okay, because people don't know. Yeah.

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