Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PWMTC 2022/07/05 2020-2022 Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit 21st Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii July 5, 2022 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit ORDER: was called to order at 10:50 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Hilo by Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member(came in later) Ms. Heather Kimball, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent& Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to provide comment regarding Comm. 843, and came forward when called by the Chair: Jessica Thompson, representing People for Active Transportation Hawaii; see Comm. 893.2. James B. Friday. Amy Self. Chris Seymour. Sally Ancheta, representing Hilo Bayfront Trails; see Comm. 843.5. Jenn Kagiwada. PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 Also, see the following written testimonies, which were presented at the meeting: Neil Erickson; see Comm. 843.3. Ron Terry; see Comm. 843.4, colored map, and Comm. 843.16. Paul Burke; see Comm. 843.6. David Carbon; see Comm. 843.7. Abigail Carbon; see Comm. 843.8. James Eller; see Comm. 843.9. Lisa Huynh Eller; see Comm. 843.10. Christian Engelhardt; see Comm. 843.11. Julie Engelhardt; see Comm. 843.12. Sharlene Gee; see. Comm. 843.13. James Leonard; see Comm. 843.14. Jahkotta Lewis, representing Hawaii Public Health Institute; see Comm. 845.15. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 843: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING THE WAIANUENUE AVENUE REHABILITATION PROJECT From Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy, dated June 3, 2022. Motion to Close File: Mr. Inaba moved to close file on Comm. 843. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. LEE LOY: For the rest of my colleagues, I had requested our deputy—our temporary director to be here. He's actually sick (see Comm. 843.1). But I asked Mr. Lee Lord to be available for us. (Note: At this time, Managing Director Lee Lord came forward to address the members of the Committee. CHR. LEE LOY: Mr. Lord, you hear a lot of the testimony, and we've also received a dozen testimonies via online submission. One thing I heard loud and clear was an opportunity for them to get back at the table with the department and Page 2 PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 see if there are some opportunities to integrate some of the Complete Streets and the ideas that they have, and I just wanted to hear from the Administration on that position. MR. LORD: Absolutely. And thank you for having me here, and thank you for all the work that you all do. I was not specifically assigned to this task, but I've been in several conversations. And I'm sorry that Director Pause and Mayor Roth couldn't be here, but I do know that they are both very committed to the Complete Streets design and also Vizion Zero. So I know there's already been conversations and talks started about Waianuenue, but also to look at Kalanianaole and Keawe, also. So Mr. Roth, on June 13'', signed a proclamation to embrace the complete street designs. And I think if you wait, in two weeks, by then Mr. Pause would be able to give some good news as to what the progress is. And I can—rest assured, to let you know that Mr. Roth and Mr. Pause are both in agreement that this is the way we need to go. So, I can't say much more than that because it has to happen. But the talks are started. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you. Thank you for being here. You know, as I mentioned, Mr. Pause is out sick today. I will be asking to advance a postponement. But for my other colleagues, if you have any questions or want to provide any information to get on the record so that Mr. Lord, Mr. Pause, and the Mayor can take it under advisement, over the course of the next two weeks, and provide a very thorough status report on this and possibly other roads that are being considered. I'd like to hear from you. Mr. Richards, I see your light on. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah. Thank you, Chair. This is just more of a comment. I have repeatedly stated I am not a huge proponent of Complete Streets, in the whole general concept. Specifically, I am talking about like Alohia in Waimea, where we have a path right next to it. But I think what we're talking about here is having the bike path, and those things, I'm fully supportive of that. So I think when we say "Complete Streets;" if we go completely by the book, that's one thing, and I have some issues with parts of it. But the multi-modal, I fully, fully support it. So I want to make sure that was understood when I say I don't support Complete Streets, because that's the point I wanted to make. Thanks. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Managing Director, it's great to see you. Thank you for being here. I think when Director Pause is here, we're going to have to understand why the Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies were not translating at the department Page 3 PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 level. We're not adopting these policies and issuing proclamations to feel good, we're doing them because we believe this is the best thing for our community. And so with so much time having passed—seeing the missed opportunity on Kilauea Avenue, we really need to understand who was in charge of making decisions to disregard these policies, and why. I think we would also like to understand the kind of training that has been done within the department on Complete Streets and Vision Zero. Do folks understand how to utilize these tools when they are designing streets? If not, we have to make sure that we're building up their capacity. Thank you. I think it's important to know so that we can course-correct appropriately and design with these principles in mind going forward. Thank you, Managing Director. Chair, I yield. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Anyone else? Mr. Inaba. MR. INABA: Yeah. Just I think we have a lot of conversation to have when Mr. Pause is here. We have a map or a proposed kind of design that was submitted by Mr. Ron Terry for this communication today (see Comm. 843.4). And how much, Managing Director Lord, do you know, if we've worked with these organizations thus far to incorporate these potential designs? MR. LORD: I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. Mr. Pause and Mr. Roth would have to answer. MR. INABA: Okay. No worries. Thank you. I'll be supporting the postponement, so we can make sure we have community input in this and make it as best as possible for those who commute here. Thank you, Chair. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. Yeah, actually just had a question for my colleague, Mr. Chung, to start. I wanted to ask how much you were engaged with DPW (Department of Public Works) in the discussions. This is in your district. MR. CHUNG: You know, I'm glad you asked me that question. I really wasn't going to say anything. But I'm not going to be here when this matter is taken up, in two weeks. Let me give you guys a little background on this matter. I mean, I think everyone here knows the level of disrepair that Waianuenue Avenue was in for many, many years. And if you guys would indulge on this? I think you guys may have seen a letter to the editor by former Managing Director Roy Takemoto regarding former Mayor Kim's policy of assessor lack thereof maybe, of assessing the need for improving or use of fuel tax monies for improving roads. Page 4 PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 So this matter—and I did tell—I had a conversation with Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder, and it was a heart-to-heart, and I said this is one of the big failures of my time here, you know, having Waianuenue just languished in a state of disrepair for many years. We had something going, under Kenoi administration. It wasn't as extensive as what we're doing right now, total reconstruction. But it was a cost-effective approach to having at least some kind of relief for residents. You know, I know I'm not getting to the bike path part yet, but let me just give you the angst that I have been experiencing on this matter for many years. So anyway, we had that bumpy road for many years. I was told by past administrations that the project was going to be put on the STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan) list in October. Almost every October I was told that. I mean, it's kind of disgusting; I've got to say. And then finally someone told me, "Oh, that couldn't have been true because we're only doing it now." This is the kind of nonsense we've had to put up for many years, yeah. So it was very frustrating trying to move this. And then—so finally the Council, we passed the $104 million bond float, right? I introduced that thing again because it was out of disgust already. We had to move things through. And within the context of that$104 million bond float, I put in money for Waianuenue, matching funds, STIP project. It was with the understanding because it is a policy of the Council that Complete Streets would beI cannot guarantee that it's going to be incorporated, but certainly given deference and consideration. I had discussions earlier, and it wasn't as in-depth as it should have been, apparently, you know, with regard to the bike paths. You know, I don't know exactly what constitutes Complete Streets, but you know, at least bike paths because it does go by three schools. But I can't recall what the answers were; but my main concern was,just fix the damn street already. Okay, so I have to you know, I have to apologize. You know, if it rests on me, then fine. You know, it basically was let's get the Administration some money to get this project done. Then when it went to the Administration, not your Administration—and I really do credit your Administration for moving this thing forward. But I don't know. I really don't know. I'm not an engineer. I cannot— you annotyou know, I see some nice pictures here. Could be something that could be incorporated. But within the context, within the confines of that road, I don't know what can and cannot be done. But it was addressed at least with two directors prior to this Administration's director, but by that time it was too late already. You know, that's just the backstory on this thing, and it was you know, I have to say my main concern was,just find funds to get that road fixed. Because if they weren't going to use fuel tax monies, and maybe pave—give the community a Page 5 PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 quick fix with maybe about$500,000, then hey, let's just go for the big shebang already. And it could have worked. It really could have worked, had the Administration incorporated it. So I don't know what happened. I don't know who the designer was for this project. But that's all I've got to say about it. And I wish I could say more, but I'm just not going to be here during—two weeks from now. Thank you. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Chung, for that history and for your efforts. As a parent, who have kids in Hilo Inter and Hilo High, I do know there's some wear and tear on the shocks on my car. I live too far out to bike it. So I do appreciate the efforts there. And I don't think that the responsibility at all lies with you in terms of how the design actually came to fruition. You know, I just would like, Managing Director, if you could convey to the Deputy Director when he comes to present to us, I'd like to know what our options are at this point Whether you call it Complete Streets or call it something else, having multi-modal transportation has a variety of benefits in terms of health, in terms of building community, and in terms of economic benefit, as well. And as has been stated multiple times already, it's a program that we as a Council have supported; as we as a County have gotten behind, the Vision Zero, these efforts to make our school pathways safe. So if the director can present us what our options are to pivot in to that direction. You know, I just recently completed this Smart Growth America's Champion Institute, which is all about supporting the economic development, the diversity, the health benefits that come from having these multi-modal transportation options. I also just recently got back from Vancouver, British Columbia, which is a beautiful city, and they've got this dialed in. You know, I'm just looking around every corner, super jealous of the tree-lined streets, with the barricades for the safe pedestrian pathways and bikeways. You know, I've seen the designs for Downtown Hilo and the opportunities for that there, and it's really just a matter of getting everybody onboard. So I think—in my brief conversations, I did have a talk with Director Pause; and before him, Director Rodenhurst stepped out, we just acquired 240 (Highway) in Honoka`a, and doing a quarter plan for that, with multi-modal transportation. And there was broad support for that, nominally it would seem, if it actually came to fruition. So I know that there's an understanding of the need and the effort, so hopefully, we do still have some options to pivot with respect to Waianuenue and other roadway projects in progress. Thank you, Chair, for the leeway. And thank you again, Mr. Chung, for answering my question so thoroughly. I yield. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Anyone else? Seeing none. Yes; and thank you, Ms. Kimball, for allowing—I was going to ask Mr. Chung because Page 6 PWMTC-21 July 5,2022 it is in his district. And no disrespect, Mr. Chung,this was advanced to me by a colleague of ours, and so I just wanted to get it in front of this Administration. Mr. Lord, you've heard today the desires of this Council. And I would advance this one ask, I heard today from community members of PATH (People for Active Transportation Hawai`i), you know, the biking community, even people I truly respect, who are engineers,planners, and they're asking for a sit-down. And if you could please, between now and our next meeting, commit to these individuals a time in which they can sit down and just have this conversation. It's my hope that when we bring it back up in two weeks that meeting would have occurred and some solutions, and some collaboration will have happened so that the community knows we're listening. And I have to thank Sally for reminding me that when I started here, the policies I advanced was Complete Streets. Voting for the GE (General Excise), which provided that funding, and I just saw it as a tool to braid funding to provide for our community. And I just want to thank Sally today to remind everybody that a lot of this work that we do takes a lot of time, and these disrupters, with the changes in Administration or different schools of thought, really derails a lot of the policy work that this body does, and the decisions we make to advance funding, and resources, and taxes around it. And I just don't want that to get lost in translation. So if you could please do that for us, Managing Director? But with that I will entertain a motion to position Communication 843 to our July 19'h meeting. Vote on Motion Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to postpone Comm. 843 to to Postpone: July 19, 2022. Seconded by Mr. Inaba carried (Approved) by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Lee Loy —8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 1 Excused: None. CHR. LEE LOY: That takes us to the end of the agenda. Thank you. Page 7