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As city officials assess their response to last week’s tsunami, Honolulu City Council members are diving into budget briefings. They’ll also gather for a full council meeting Wednesday. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.

Council Tables Transit Bill

2:57 p.m.
After postponing a resolution that would authorize the Department of Transportation Services to pursue a $30 million grant from the federal government to the afternoon City Council session, Transportation and Transit Planning Committee Chairman Breene Harimoto motioned to table the measure until an April 20 City Council meeting.

City Council members agreed to the delay, without discussion or objection.

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No Financial Stake in North Shore Hotel, Anderson Says

2:50 p.m.
City Council member Ikaika Anderson disclosed to the council that he may face a conflict in voting on amending the North Shore sustainable communities plan because his uncle — former Sen. D.G. “Andy” Anderson — is planning to build a controversial boutique hotel in the area. Anderson says he does not stand to make any money from the hotel, but wanted to publicly disclose the relation.

Anderson, Berg Speak Out Against Fuel Tax

10:52 a.m.
It’s only first reading for a resolution that would increase the fuel tax in Honolulu, but two City Council members said they’ve already decided to vote against it.

“I do not believe this is the right time to raise fuel taxes in this county,” said City Council member Ikaika Anderson. “The fact that this administration is proposing to reduce the rehabilitation of streets line item by upwards of 40 percent and yet at the same time is asking our residents to dole out more monies to pay fuel taxes does not make logical sense to me.”

Tom Berg also said he would vote against the measure.

City Council Approves Fong, Quintal Nominations

10:50 a.m.
City Council members unanimously approved Wesley Fong to serve on the Liquor Commission, and Sidney Quintal to continue as director of the Enterprise Services Department.

Moment of Silence for Japan

10:15 a.m.
City Council members and onlookers in the council chambers rose and observed a moment of silence in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Council member Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo said the City Council is mourning those killed in Japan.

“To the surviving family members, you are in our thoughts and in our prayers,” Gabbard Tamayo said. “As we sit here today in peace, fellowship and comfort, there are up to 450,000 Japanese citizens displaced. … A return to some sense of normalcy seems to be a far-off dream… The people of Honolulu remain steadfast in our friendship and support.”

Fuel Tax Hike on City Council Agenda

9:59 a.m.
City Council members are gathered at Honolulu Hale for a full council meeting. Among the items on their agenda: , which would increase the fuel tax.

Mayor Peter Carlisle has said he wants to raise fees and taxes as a way to fund projects like road improvements, rather than borrowing money to do so. Carlisle has said it’s a priority to reduce the city’s debt service.

Catch Up on This Month’s Inside Honolulu

March 15, 2011: City Council member Ann Kobayashi tips off rail opponents to try to change City Council member Ikaika Anderson‘s mind; Rail arguments to continue in court next week; City Council members get an extension on HART nominations.

March 14, 2011: Honolulu spends $900 million on booze; Santa Claus moves to Pearl City; Mayor Peter Carlisle takes a 15 percent pay cut.

March 10, 2011: Landfill site-selection committee meets for third time, loses two members; HECO provides generators to family center; Like Honolulu, other cities and state grapple with spending on rail.

March 9, 2011: City’s rail groundbreaking ceremony costs about $30,000, consistent with Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s estimate.

March 8, 2011: HART seeks $21 million in first budgetl; City IT Director Gordon Bruce works out kinks on new budget website; City gives HPD 9,000 hours in legal defense in two years; City moves forward with compost facility in Waialua; Could Honolulu ask residents to pay-to-play?

March 7, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle says he doesn’t want a raise; Salary Commission recommends bump in pay for vacant medical examiner job; Tom Berg‘s chief of staff blasts HECO.

March 4, 2011: Landfill channel not designed to handle rainfall equivalent to storm that caused near-catastrophe; Six City Council members out of town.

March 3, 2011: Line-by-line budget to go online in about a week; Five City Council members are D.C.-bound.

March 2, 2011: Mayor Peter Carlisle raises taxes, fees in first budget; More money for autopsies; Liquor commish nominee Wesley Fong talks commission image issues; TheBus turns 40; Ides of March deadline for City Council’s HART nominees.

March 1, 2011: City Council member Breene Harimoto worries about bandaid approach to homelessness; Planning Committee advances North Shore communities plan; Parks and Rec eyes new dog park; Tom Berg pitches Matson containers as possible living space.