my one concern with having to come back that the hntb contract expires next month.if we don't renew it, it puts us in a awkward situation where we have to contractual relationship with the staff. we renew it or extend it. >> director hinze: does it expire at the end of next month? >> at the beginning of the month. >> director hinze: oh. i'm interested to see if my other colleagues have thoughts. >> chair borden: director lai? >> director lai: thank you, chair. is it too late for us to add this item on the special hearing if we had to postpone it until next week? >> clerk: it's not too late, no. >> director lai: so we have an opportunity. i would support director heminger in this, if others agree. i think just on principle, i know i've given the feedback before to staff, i think it's a little unfortunate when staff brings to the board items that are to expire and don't give us an opportunity to provide guidance and tell us that your backs are up against the wall, you have to approve it, otherwise the agency runs out of time. i think this is another example of that. i