REP PEMC 018 08/31/2004 2002-2004

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REPOR"I' OF TlIE COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DATE: August 31, 2004 RE: Comm. No. 730Bi11 31 I PLACE: Councilroom llMl[: I:IS p.m. Chair and Members I lawai'i County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Conunittec on Parks and Environmental Management to which was referred Communication No. 730, from Barbara Bell, Director of Environmental Management, dated August 12, 2004, reports as follows: Communication No. 730 transmitted Bill 31 L relating to the approval of sewer extensions. Bill 31 I deletes language that requires the Council to approve by resolution all sewer extensions. "I~he Environmental Management Commission, at its,luly 28, 2004 meeting, unanimously endorsed this bill and stated dial removing this requirement removes a cumbersome and duplicative requirement. Council member .I. Curtis'~~yicr, III noted that there was a similar bill in the past (Bill 215); however, Bill 215 was never agendized. He also emphasized that sewer extensions can have substantive impacts on residents and that the current process, which requires council approval of extensions by resolution, provides citizens with the means to provide input. Council member Gary Safarik questioned how the process would be streamlined by eliminating the requirement for council approval of sewer extensions. People should not be removed from the process, especially if the only reason is to aid the developer. He also questioned whether this bill would be contrary to the Charter. Assistant Corporation Counsel Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd responded that Bill 31 1 does not violate any Charter requirements, and the bill has merit -- and it was recommended unanimously by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC ). This point about taking the advice of the EMC was echoed by Council members Boh Jacobson and .loe Reynolds. PEMC RI?PORT NO.: 18