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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 119 2023/12/05 2022-2024DATE: December 5, 2023 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:30 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Re: Comm. No. 609/Bill No. 107 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 107, reports as follows: Bill No. 107, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako via Communication No. 609 dated November 16, 2023, amends Ordinance No. 23-51, as amended, relating to public improvements and financing thereof for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. This bill adds the Public Works Puna Makai Alternate Route Study — County Project ($500,000) and the Puna Makai Alternate Route Study — State Project ($1,000,000) to the Capital Budget. Funds for this project shall be provided from General Obligation Bonds, Capital Projects Fund — Fund Balance and/or other Sources ($500,000) and State Grants Receivable ($1,000,000), to identify an alternate route to relieve traffic congestion and increase evacuation capacity, if needed. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz started the discussion by thanking and acknowledging State Representative Greggor Ilagan for his support. Ms. Kierkiewicz invited Public Works Director Steve Pause to provide background on this measure. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked for details on how to begin this study once the Council approves. Mr. Pause provided a brief overview. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked if the department planned to do the work themselves or if they would be contracting this project to an outside source. Mr. Pause stated that depending on workloads, the department would look for outside assistance with this project. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Pause if there would be a collaboration between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Planning, to which Mr. Pause replied that he believed there would be some involvement. However, he had yet to discuss this with Director Zendo Kern or his deputy. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Pause if he could meet with Mr. Kern before the next Council meeting and requested that Mr. Kern be available at this meeting to discuss their role in this. Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy encouraged her colleagues to vote in favor of this measure. However, she will oppose this as a sign of solidarity with the community she represents. Ms. Lee Loy explained that the Hawaiian Homestead community has clarified that they do not want this alternate route running through their neighborhood. Committee Member Heather Kimball thanked Ms. Lee Loy for her comments. Ms. Kimball asked if this was just a study on an alternate route or if this allowed for future infrastructure development. Mr. Pause stated that this is more geared toward studying potential infrastructure in this area and not just expanding routes. FC Report No. 119 FC -119 Page 2 December 5, 2023 Committee Member Cindy Evans stated that she would be voting in favor but requested that at the next hearing, they be provided with information on how the State will be involved and what the State expects of the County. Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada asked if Mr. Pause would include the Keaukaha Community in this discussion, to which Mr. Pause confirmed that they would be front and center. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated to Mr. Pause that she believes it is easy to commit that the road will not traverse through Pana`ewa. Ms. Kierkiewicz noted that she could only support this if this alternate route did not impact the Hawaiian Homestead community. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas highlighted that her district has similar traffic issues, shared the frustration of high -traffic areas, and hoped for some assistance in her district as well. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba called for the vote. Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder concluded the discussion with a few questions. He asked Mr. Pause if he had looked over House Bill 1403, to which Mr. Pause confirmed that he had read it before. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder requested that Mr. Pause read it over again as it clearly states the guidelines of this alternate route. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 107, and recommends its passage on first reading. Ikh Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON Fi1NANCE MATT KANE `I - CHAIR FC REPORT NO.: 119 ADOPTED: ®EQQ 262,3 AYES NOES ABS EX EVANS X GALIMBA X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X LEE LOY X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON Fi1NANCE MATT KANE `I - CHAIR FC REPORT NO.: 119 ADOPTED: ®EQQ 262,3