Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PCIA 2023/10/17 (2022-2024)Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets 4th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawai i October 17, 2023 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets ORDER: was called to order at 9:05 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. Matt Kaneali`i—Kleinfelder, Acting Chair. It o]NE' -,,VM Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair (via videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Cindy Evans, Member Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member (came in later) Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent and Excused: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, 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: (There were none.) BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Bill 83: AMENDS CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE 10, DIVISION 5, SECTION 24-280, SCHEDULE 28, AND SECTION 24-281, SCHEDULE 29 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION), RELATING TO NO PARKING AT ANYTIME UPON CERTAIN STREETS OR PORTION OF STREETS AND PARKING PROHIBITED DURING CERTAIN HOURS ON CERTAIN STREETS Amends and adds provisions to prohibit parking at all times and adds provisions to prohibit parking between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for certain portions of Ali`i Drive that front Kahalu`u Beach Park. Reference: Comm.498 Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy (B/R) PCIA-4 ' October 17, 2023 Motion to Close File: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend passage on Bill 83 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Council Members, discussion on the bill. MS. KIMBALL: Chair, I believe that we may have Deputy Director of DPW (Department of Public Works) available either in Hilo or on Zoom. Deputy, are you—? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: She's here in Hilo chambers. MS. KIMBALL: Okay, great. Just pointing it out in case anyone has any questions. This is fairly straight forward, addition to the schedules within Chapter 24. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight one of the bills that was passed at the State Legislature last year, House Bill 118, I believe it's act 236 now or 239 can't recall the number. But one of the things that allows us to do at the county is for areas that we want to have an increased fine, we can actually do a $200 no parking fine. Been talking with the Clerk about how that might fit into Chapter 4, with the most appropriate avenue for that. But it was part of trying to allow us to do something similar in Hd'ena, they're doing in Kauai in Hd'ena. So just wanted to use this opportunity to make sure folks were aware of that. Thank you, I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you, yes, I have a question for the department. I think he's on Zoom, is he on Zoom? ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Ms. Kekai is coming to the table right now. MS. EVANS: Hi, thank you. I'm just curious when these changes come along is it something that you get from police reports or people like the community calling and saying there's too many people parking there, is it driven by commercial business folks? The only reason I'm saying that is I have a district at the north end of the island, and maybe there's some concerns about parking there. Just wanted to know how you initiate something like this. (Note: At this time, Public Works Deputy Director Malia Kekai came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KEKAI: Thank you. Malia Kekai, Deputy Director of DPW (Department of Public Works). This specific one was kind of a combination of all those things. Page 2 PCIA-4 October 17, 2023 Police first kind of pulled us in, because they needed a little help with enforcement and obviously without signs we can't enforce. And then parks also, the beach park down there trying to make sure that everything is in order. So it was kind of a combination of all those things. There also were people who complained a little bit that people are parking on the guard rail, and all that kind of stuff. There's also a surf school down there that brought some attention that I think people were concerned about them parking basically for 24 hours. So all those things came into play to make the decisions that were made to prohibit parking overnight, and then also prohibit parking in different areas. MS. EVANS: Do you put up signs that say tow away at your own —because I know some places, I've seen it. They'll say tow away zone or fines or potential fines. Do we do those types of signs? MS. KEKAI: I do not know that these specifically speak to towing. I think this is basically just no parking, so that the police officers can enforce and give appropriate tickets if needed. MS. EVANS: So what I'm hearing is in this instance, it would probably be a fine not a tow away. MS. KEKAI: Most likely, yes. I can get back to you on that though and double check kind of what other signs, if any, are in the area. If they do mention towing. MS. EVANS: Yeah, I'd be curious because I know that my only experience was at a harbor, you know, a state harbor. And it was very clear that was good that they had tow aways, no parking but towing. They had that sign, I don't know what it said, but they will tow it away at the owner's expense or whatever. And I think that was a deterrent that they knew they might get towed away. So, just curious. Thank you. I yield, Chair. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Yes. Aloha, thank you for being here Ms. Kekai, and for bringing this legislation forward. And in response and to share a little more history about the issues that have been happening along Ali`i Drive by Kahalu`u Beach Park. Bringing this to fruition is something that I have been talking to Parks, to Highways, and then also collaboratively working with DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resource) on the issues surrounding this area. This is a health and safety concern. There are other issues in this area relating to parking at that sides of Ali`i Drive where people walk in and out of the cars. There is no line of sight, we have been very fortunate that no one has been hurt or seriously injured through the years. But as the town continues to get busier and Page 3 PCIA-4 October 17, 2023 busier as we come out of a pandemic, things are getting more and more dangerous. We've also been dealing with, and we're hoping to find fruition to some of the protocol surrounding the surf schools in the area. But there is a history of a number of them utilizing those parking areas as essentially their business zone. And it's creating some challenges for our daily beach goers. So I really want to thank Highways and DPW for bringing this forward and legislatively putting this together so that we can ensure the health, safety, and well-being of people, not only enjoying the ocean and the shoreline there at Kahalu`u Beach Park, but also helping those that navigate Ali`i Drive to avoid any potential tragedies. We want to do everything possible to provide the safest and healthiest streets for our community and provide equitable access to parking on Ali`i Drive, during hours that align with the park hours. So I just hope for my colleague's support on this, and once again huge gratitude for DPW bringing this forward. And I think this is going to be one step in a chapter of changes that we hope to bring forward to continue to improve the health, safety, well-being, and access to this really, really, precious shoreline. And a big mahalo also to the Kohala Center, and Cindi Punihaole and the work she's put in for years to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of this precious bay. Alright, and with that I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Mahalo. Seeing no further lights, oh, Council Member Inaba, go ahead. MR. INABA: Thank you. Deputy Kekai I was wondering prior to our Council meeting, if you folks would be able to provide an attachment with a map to show what current no parking zones exist and then what this bill would do. Because it's just a little bit difficult to try and picture the different zones. Is that possible? MS. KEKAI: Yeah, I think my Traffic Division could put that together. And I just wanted to also just say kudos to my Traffic Division because they work hard on these signs and also putting these bills together. MR. INABA: Thank you very much, appreciate it. Chair, I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Director Kekai, appreciate you being here this morning. With that we do have the motion on the floor to forward Bill 83 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? Page 4 PCIA-4 Vote on Bill 83 (Approved) ADJOURN- MENT: SL/rk October 17, 2023 The motion to recommend passage of Bill 83, on first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i—Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. There being no further business, at 9:18 a.m., Ms. Kimball moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Kaneali`i—Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Lee Loy — 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHI KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER: We are adjourned, and it is 9:18 a.m. (Date) Page 5