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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> <br /> <br /> DATE: August 4, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 451/Res. 215-09 <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> Ben Franklin Building, 2nd Floor <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution 215-09, reports as follows: <br /> <br /> Resolution 215-09, transmitted by Director of Finance Nancy Crawford, via Communication No. 451, <br /> dated July 21, 2009, creates a Park Projects Manager position to oversee the construction management for <br /> Department of Parks and Recreation projects in Kona. <br /> <br /> Currently there are approximately 200 ongoing park projects on this island, not including the many <br /> projects in the initial planning stage. The number of projects will soon increase due to current review of <br /> all parks' facilities for American with Disabilities (ADA) and new hazardous materials assessments. The <br /> new position is necessitated by the additional duties that are now being required of the Parks and <br /> Recreation Planning staff. The position will be located in Kona. <br /> <br /> Parks and Recreation Director Robert Fitzgerald attended via videoconference from Kona. He stated <br /> there are three Parks project managers in Hilo who would travel to the west side of the island to oversee <br /> parks projects there. Mr. Fitzgerald stated there are currently more than two dozen on-going parks <br /> projects on the west side, and having a full-time Park Projects Manager in Kona would improve efficiency <br /> not only on the west side but on the east side also. Planning Deputy Director Clayton Honma and Planner <br /> James Komata were present in Hilo to address members of the Committee. Mr. Komata provided a <br /> document to all members listing construction projects ongoing island-wide along with their current status <br /> (Communication No. 451.1). <br /> <br /> Some members were concerned that a new position is being created during the budget crisis. Parks <br /> officials were asked why a position could not be transferred rather than creating a new one. Further, some <br /> wondered where the money is coming from and where it is in the budget. Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Honma, <br /> and Mr. Komata assured members that this will make operations more efficient and economic. They said <br /> that two vacant positions were being merged to create this position. <br /> <br /> All members present at the meeting were in full support of this resolution. <br />