COM 0710.037 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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--J�tyfOi h 1.:•* +,,. William T.Takaba " ��(. • Managing Director � William P.Kenoi �� •.••)% Mayor - ▪•• _ —_� Walter K.M.Lau •;.•-• ; . 4`- Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai`i 25 Aupuni Street • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740 (808)324-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 PJ G7 July 12, 2012 Members of the County Council N ==' County of Hawaii o 25 Aupuni Street Hilo,HI 96720 Re: Bill 256,Draft 2,Amending Chapter 2,Article 36,Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition,as amended),by Renaming and Redefining the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Program to The Geothermal Relocation and Public Safety Program Pursuant to Section 3-12 of the Hawai'i County Charter, I am disapproving Bill 256, Draft 2, and returning it to you. This bill as written proposes to change the fund,whose revenue source is geothermal royalty payments,by: • Eliminating community benefits; • Changing the name of the fund; • Providing for"mitigation of public health and safety concerns raised as a result of living in close proximity to geothermal power generation;"and • Prohibits the resale of owner-occupied homes acquired through the relocation program by requiring that the homes be held uninhabited to "create a public health and safety buffer between residential properties and the geothermal power production facility." The bill is flawed and unnecessary. Public Health and Safety There is no need to change the use of the current Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund to fund public health and safety projects. Public health and safety mitigation can already be funded through the existing Geothermal Asset Fund. The fund Comm. No. ' 0.3 7 County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. (-C11�V1� Ref.To: Ref. Date -1111 1 3 ?t11T-