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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: January 5, 2010 Re: Comm. No. 659/Bill No. 189 <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> TIME: 11:45 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 189, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 189, transmitted, by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 659. dated <br /> December 15, 2009, amends Chapter 7, Article 2, Section 7 -8, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 <br /> (2005 Edition, as amended), by regulating the use of water spigots and to update water hauling charges <br /> during times of declared emergency. <br /> The Hawai`i County water spigots were established in 1988 as an emergency source of drinking water as <br /> a precaution against lead contamination in catchment systems due to the effects of acid rain. The number <br /> of spigots has increased from the original five to 15 (a sixteenth is currently under construction) and the <br /> County currently pays over $50,000 annually in water and maintenance bills to support the spigots. <br /> Expenses are expected to rise significantly with the completion of the Ocean View spigots, a projected 3 <br /> to 6% increase in the cost of water delivery in 2010 and the Department of Public Works increase in costs <br /> to maintain the spigots. The only cost control available for the program is to limit consumption at the <br /> spigot locations. Currently, there are o official restrictions on the use of the spigots and non- emergency <br /> uses have included car washing, boat washing, washing ginger, and taking large quantities of water <br /> (100+ gallons). <br /> This bill also updates Section 7 -8 by removing language that was no longer applicable after August 1980. <br /> Civil Defense Administrator Quince Mento said this bill will give the police something to enforce and <br /> will help in preventing the long lines at the spigots. He will look into the cost of installing metered pipes <br /> as suggested. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accordance with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 189 and <br /> recommends it pass first reading. <br /> kk <br /> AYES NOES A& EX Respectfully submitted, <br /> E <br /> ENRIQUES X <br /> FORD X COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> GREENWELL X <br /> HOFFMANN X <br /> IKEDA X �. <br /> NAEOLE X <br /> ONISHI X DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI. CHAIR <br /> YACONC X FC REPORT NO. 135 <br /> YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: <br />