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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />DATE: June 1, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 358/Res. No. 178-09 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />TIME: 9:02 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 178-09, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 178-09, transmitted by Councilmember Emily I. Naeole, via Communication <br />No. 358, dated May 18, 2009, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for <br />acquisition of TMK(s) 1-3-1:74 and 1-3-1:83, known as the Pahoa Steam Vents. <br />Funds from the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Program would be used to <br />purchase these properties. <br />Councilmember Greenwell questioned if Federal funding pursued for improvements should the <br />County purchase the property. Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald stated that <br />improvements have been along-term goal, and to his knowledge no Federal funding was being <br />pursued. <br />Councilmember Hoffmann questioned whether Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was <br />approached about purchasing this property, because this would allow the County to use the <br />geothermal funds for other projects. Director Fitzgerald stated that he would look into it. <br />Councilmember Brenda Ford questioned what liability the County would be exposed to by <br />making this purchase. Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida advised that as long as there are no <br />improvements were being made to the parcel, posting warning signs in most cases would cover <br />the County's liability. <br />Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd stated her approval of using geothermal funds to <br />purchase the property. From a legal standpoint, Ms. Leithead Todd advised any existing <br />improvements, such as ladders, railings, et cetera, be removed from the property upon its <br />acquisition. <br />Councilmember Pete Hoffman moved to amend Resolution 178-09 with Comm. No. 358.2. The <br />amendment adds a comma in the title; inserts the "Be It Resolved" clause, which was omitted; <br />and corrects the "Be It Finally Resolved" clause. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 8-0. <br />FC REPORT NO. 67 <br />