COM 0124.033 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Finance Comm -Budget Response Page 2 We offer these responses to the questions posed of Parks and Recreation in the 3/22/05 memo from Rodney Oshiro and Susan Caseria to Virginia Isbell and Members of the Committee on Finance: 1) Re Elderly Meals: The Nutrition Program has decreased the number of meals they are able to serve because the federal government has maintained the same grant amount for the past few years. Expenses such as meal ci~sts, disposable paper goods and gasoline to deliver the meals have, of course, risen over the years. We will continue to serve as many meals as we can with the available funding, but must realistically project how far that funding will go with increased expenses. 2) Re Alae Cemetery Expansion: The County is still awaiting the conveyance of the 11-acre parcel purchased from Kameharrteha Schools. The Accounts Division has the funding available but the property has not been conveyed yet. There is a dispute about the ownership of a small section of land in the gulch on the Hilo side of the cemetery. 3) Re Bikeway Fund - Waimf:a Trails and Greenways: We are in the final stages of property and easement acquisitions with the Magoon Estate, Parker Ranch and the DLNR pieces being worked on. It will probably be a couples of months until we are sure enough that the issues will be resolved and can proceed with the actual design of the trail improvements. Realistically, construction will not begin before April of 2006. In a couple of months, when we are a little more secure in the outcome of the property acquisitions, we c;an start the trail design. In the meantime, our consultants have been advised that the design phase is eminent. Recreational bike activitie:> for Hilo, N/S Kohala and Puna districts have included "Bike and Hike" programs throughout the year. N/S Kona and Hamakua district supervisors need more encouragement to include biking activities in their program offerings. Bike and Hike Programs include safety training and minor repairs and maintenance information. The hiking portion usually includes a walk to a heiau, waterfall ar some other scenic spot. In February, the Waikoloa event drew 65 participants. In March, Hawaiian Beaches had 12 with the addition of a couple from Waikoloa. Bikeway funds are spent an mileage reimbursement for advisory committee members and to purchase bike racks. So far, 20 racF;s have been purchased; 10 for Downtown Hilo and 10 for Kailua-Kona. In accordance with our instruction to provide general comments and highlights about our previous fiscal year and the first several months of our present fiscal year, we offer this information, most of which is also available in your budget rnaterials. Highlights for 2003/04 • Coordinated Services for the Elderly surpassed every goal in their quest to promote independent living by providing help for our island's elderly. • RSVP, Nutrition and Sr. Errtployment surpassed their goals by providing volunteer opportunities for the largest RSVP program in the State; 161,474 congregate or meals on wheels; and employment training for 68 enrollees. • Our 10 beach parks with IiFe guards hosted over 1.5 million swimmers while our 9 county pools had attendance of almost 708,000, with Kona Community Aquatics Center the highest at 288,403 or an average of almost 800 people per day. • Our Hawaii County Band provided 48 performances, including 12 monthly concerts at the Historic Mo'oheau Park Bandstand. Our West Hawaii Band provided 17 performances. • Our Municipal Golf Course provided in excess of 80,000 rounds or an average of 240 per day. • In "The Biggest Easter Egq Hunt", 5000 children hunted 13,500 Easter Eggs. • Skate Parks opened in Volcano and Waimea. • ADA Program upgrades and training as well as Facility improvements are continuing in compliance with the court order. County of Hawari is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.