HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 053 08/13/2002 2000-2002 REPORT OF TIIE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS &
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: August 13, 2002 RE: Communication No. 706/Bill No. 251
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:04 a.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred Communication No. 706 and attached Bill
No. 251, reports as follows:
The purpose of Bill No. 251 is to amend Chapter 24, article 7, division 3, section 24- 153.3, of the Hawai `i County Code 1983 (I 995
Edition), relating to vehicles and traffic, by renaming the section "Street Closure" and by also allowing the Chief of Police to
barricade dead-end or stub-out streets in an effort to thwart illicit activities. Communication No. 706 is from Gerald Takase, Assistant
Corporation Counsel, dated July 29, 2002, transmitting Bill No. 251 for the Council's review and consideration.
Communication No. 706 explains that Bill No. 251 is being introduced at the request of the Police Department and with the approval
of the Department of Public Works.
At the Committee meeting, Councilmember Nancy Pisicchio, who introduced the measure, and Community Police Officer Steven
Chung-Noon provided background information about the legislation. Both reported that the bill was generated to address problems
including drinking, drug-use and littering that are occurring primarily on stub-out and dead-end streets in the District of North Kona.
Furthermore, area residents as well as the Police and the Public Works Departments all consider this bill a viable solution to these
ongoing problems. Officer Chung-Hoon also shared with members of the Council a collection of photographs depicting the damaging
effects and trash resulting from these types of activities.
During discussion some Councilmembers expressed concerns over the possibility that this authority could be used to close off routes
used for hunting and gathering activities and/or other public roads without notice. Consequently, Committee Members questioned
whether there was justification to grant this power, which currently lies with the Council, to another department.
Your Committee voted to amend Bill 251, to read as follows:
The council by resolution, in consultation with the chief of police and the director of public works, may,
authorize the temporary closure of public stub-outs and other road terminus when such closures do not
affect the flow of traffic or public access and when it is deemed necessary to prevent loitering littering
and other illegal activities.
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accordance with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 251, as
amended to Draft 2, and recommends that it pass first reading.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
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