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Committee reports multiple confirmations, a cleanup ordinance and director nominations to the council
Summary
The committee reported several appointment confirmations and a cleanup ordinance to the full council, and recommended two department director nominations for adoption. Public hearings on the appointments were previously held; there were no objections during committee consideration.
At its March 4 meeting the Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Sustainability, Economy and Health reported several appointment confirmations, a cleanup ordinance and two department director nominations to the full council.
The committee recommended reporting Resolution 25-54 confirming Sandy Ma to the Honolulu Climate Change Commission for a term through June 30, 2028; Resolution 25-57 confirming the reappointment of Eliza Talbot Manchester to the Economic Revitalization Commission for a term to Dec. 31, 2029; and Resolution 25-58 confirming the reappointment of Bobby John Olu Campbell to the same commission through Dec. 31, 2029. Public hearings for those appointments were held Feb. 26, 2025. The chair recommended each resolution be reported out for adoption and, with no objections from the committee, the items were ordered reported out.
The committee also recommended Bill 14, which would amend Chapter 2 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu by repealing Article 33 related to the First Source program. Anton Kruky, director-designate of DCS, said the department supports the cleanup because DCS now follows the state's workforce program. DCS told the committee Work Hawaii currently manages related activities. The committee recommended Bill 14 be reported out for passage on second reading and the scheduling of a public hearing.
Two director nominations were recommended for adoption. Resolution 25-07 (nomination of Anton Kruky as Director of the Department of Community Services) and Resolution 25-13 (nomination of Roger W. Babcock Jr., PhD, as Director of the Department of Environmental Services) were both reported out for adoption after brief committee discussion. Kruky addressed concerns about federal funding exposure for DCS; he told the committee the department is reviewing contingency funds, potential reorganizations and alternative funding mixes if federal funding changes. Babcock summarized department priorities including landfill siting and wastewater infrastructure; he said the department is following state legislative activity that could affect landfill siting and will continue outreach and permitting work.
The committee received supportive public testimony during the director nominations, including remarks from Angela Melody Young in favor of both Kruky and Babcock. No committee member objected to reporting the resolutions or bill out for further council action.
These items now proceed to the full council with recommendations for adoption or further processing as noted.
