Martin has just asked Nestor Garcia to withdraw his proposed amendment that would give the administration all of its money back for the Sand Island second digester and remove the condition that must be satisfied before the money is spent. Martin said Ann Kobayashi‘s partial give-back is a “fair compromise” and should be adopted instead.

Martin claimed Carlisle played “Politics 101” by promising to look favorably on projects in districts of members who voted in favor of a version of the bill without the condition.

Garcia said Carlisle made no such offer to him, and refused to back down.

City lawyer Diane Kawauchi said there are legal concerns with the proviso, and Environmental Services Director Tim Steinberger said the proviso would delay action on the much-needed upgrade to the sewage treatment plant.

Kobayashi’s draft, with Martin’s support, is probably the one that will pass. But it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of this argument shakes out.

Get up to speed: Will Honolulu Council Give Back Mayor’s Sewage Construction Money?