Council authorizes multiyear construction‑management agreement for Hilo wastewater upgrade

The Hawaii County Council on March 18 approved Resolution 461‑26, authorizing the mayor to enter a multiyear agreement to provide professional construction‑management services for the Hilo wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

Council discussion focused on how the contract would be paid. Councilmember Kanyeli Kleinfelder asked whether the $337,000,000 construction bond already included the construction‑management funds. Director Daniel Gervan replied, “That original amount did include the funding. At that time, that funding was budgeted at, dollars 18,000,000.” Gervan added, “Fortunately, we’re only asking for the 7,200,000.0, to actually do it,” and noted the resolution spreads the work across multiple years.

The resolution text describes a six‑year agreement with an estimated $1,600,000 per year for construction‑management services. Council members clarified that the $337,000,000 referenced is the construction contract and that earlier appropriations were larger and included construction‑management work. After discussion, the council voted to adopt the resolution; the motion carried with eight ayes and one member excused.

The vote authorizes the administration to enter the multiyear construction‑management contract; the director said the supplemental materials provided to the council outline scope and cost breakdowns. The council did not receive public testimony on the item at today’s meeting.

Next steps: the administration will proceed with the contract negotiations under the authorization in the adopted resolution.