REP AWESC 002 05/16/2012 2010-2012

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AWESC-2 Page 2 May 16, 2012 Mr. Yagong replied that the reference to Lower Puna was part of the original language and that he left it in so that these areas didn't feel like they were being excluded from receiving any public safety devices. Ms. Smart was concerned that based on the language in Bill No. 256, if a geothermal plant was developed in another area of the island, the funds from that plant would go to Lower Puna; therefore, Section 2-181 should be amended to reflect that any funds collected from a geothermal facility should be expended in the same area of that facility. In addition, instead of saying ``public safety" in various sections, it should say "public health and safety" in order to be consistent throughout the bill, since the intent of the bill is to address both public health and public safety issues. Ms. Smart asked if there will be some type of management plan to keep squatters out from the vacant properties. Mr. Yagong replied that he would like to see the structures relocated to other areas, but right now the main priority is to relocate the owner- occupants and leave the properties uninhabited. Disposal, relocation or management of the uninhabited structures can be addressed later. Ms. Smart then asked for clarification on Section 2-181(5) on whether the Civil Defense Administrator has to make the recommendations for expenditures relating to public health and safety. Mr. Yagong explained that the relocation fund is managed by the Planning Director, but all health and safety issues fall under Civil Defense. The Civil Defense Administrator is the expert and should be the one to make recommendations related to health and safety. Lastly, Ms. Smart expressed her concerns on the removal of ``community benefits" from the program, because the Pahoa Office will be affected and may have to close. Ms. Ford made the following suggestions: 1) Section 2-178 should include the word "lease," so it would say "purchase or lease of..."; 2) the Planning Director does not purchase properties, so Section 2-178 should be amended to say that the Planning Director recommends to the Finance Director which properties to purchase; 3) the description of Lower Puna in Section 2-181 should be deleted so that expenditures relating to public health and safety can be applied to any area of the island where a geothermal plant is located, should another one be developed; and 4) to prevent problems with squatters, the amendment in Section 2-178 should be reworded so that the structures are not left uninhabited. Instead, it should say that the structures are either demolished or moved by the owner within a designated time frame. Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd was called forward and also made some suggestions as follows: 1) the bill should give authority to sell or auction the structure to someone who will move it; 2) if someone is willing to purchase and move the structure, authority should be given to negotiate the price of the structure; 3) the geothermal funds should pay for all costs associated with demolishing the structure; and 4) what are the priorities when looking at expenditures. Will purchasing properties be on a first-come-first-serve basis? Is it to those that live closest to the geothermal plant? With limited funds, should the funds be spent first on relocating or safety issues? Ms. Leithead-Todd also had concerns that there are not enough funds to purchase all the properties within the one-mile radius. There is only $2,155,000 remaining, which could purchase about eight to ten properties. Mr. Yagong asked Ms. Leithead-Todd to confirm the amount, because he was told that there was $3.7 million remaining. Ms. Leithead-Todd explained that some funds may already be encumbered for other pending projects, but not yet expended. She also informed the Council that they are already working with Mr. Blas, the Mayor's Office and Civil Defense to coordinate a geothermal evacuation drill based on the emergency response plan submitted by PGV.