HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0015.000 2002-2004
Harry Kim N+rw Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor ' Managing Director
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-Peter T. Young
Deputy Managing Director
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COUNTY OF HAWAII
25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (8d~~961`-6453 ~ .
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-4226 • Pax (808) 326-4663
November 27, 2002
The Honorable Chairman James Y. Arakaki
and Members of the County Council
County of Hawaii
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chairman Arakaki and Council Members:
After consulting with my various departments, and receiving input from the
Council, I have put together a tentative list of projects and issues I will be
pursuing at the 2003 Legislature.
As stated in my letter to you of October 28, I look forward to working with you and
the Council throughout the legislative session, and I hope that the County can
present a combined list to the Legislature that reflects our top priorities for state
funding.
This continues to be a work in progress, and the items are not being presented to
you in priority order.
MAJOR FUNDING REQUESTS
1. Funding to help alleviate our solid waste problem, including closing the Hilo
landfill or a Solid Waste Diversion Program.
2. Multi-Purpose Senior Center, Kailua-Kona, Planning and Design: $500,000.
3. Kealakaa Extension/Proposed Kealakehe Parkway Extension, Planning and
Design: $2,000,000.
4. Mamalahoa Highway Improvements, Planning and Design: $1,000,000.
Comm. No.
File No. EG
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
The Honorable Chairman James Y. Arakaki
and Members of the County Council
Page 2
November 27, 2002
5. Funding for the "Roads in Limbo" program. This would be an ongoing
program, and we will be asking the State to share in the costs at the level of
$2,000,000 annually.
6. Veterans Home at Hilo Medical Center. We support State matching funds
for this project, at a level to be determined.
7. Police Telecommunications Upgrade to 800 MHz: $24,000,000.
8. Waikoloa Sidewalks, $250,000.
ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE:
1. Ocean View Water. We will seek to amend the existing CIP language to
allow for planning, design and construction of a Ka'u/South Kona Water
System, rather than the existing language which allows for planning only.
2. General Excise Tax -Exempt counties from 4% GET on goods and
services they purchase.
3. Transient Accommodations Tax -Maintain current formula.
4. Fines and Forfeitures -Allow counties to receive a portion of fines and
forfeitures.
5. Ownership of School Property -Transfer ownership of all public school
buildings and land to the State of Hawaii (with the exception of Keaau
Middle School).
6. Tort Liability -Expand on lifeguard immunity bill that passed in 2002.
7. Caves -Allow access to Kaumana Cave without special permission.
8. Land Use -Allow home occupations in Agricultural Districts without a
special permit.
9. Relocation of Utility Poles -Amend HRS 264-33 to allow County to
establish its own formula for County-funded projects.
The Honorable Chairman James Y. Arakaki
and Members of the County Council
Page 3
November 27, 2002
10. Air Cargo Facilities -Support cargo facility and marshalling yard adjacent to
Hilo Airport.
11. Tax Credits for Film Industry -Oppose amending Act 221 (High Tech Bill) if
performing arts would no longer qualify.
12. Ag Tourism -Support bill that passed last year but was vetoed.
13. County Liability -Immunity from natural hazards (falling rocks, etc.).
14. Hospitals -Support increased funding for more personnel in hospital
emergency rooms.
15. Parks Liability -Provide immunity for County from liability in County parks,
especially for skateboarding.
Please note that we have not included funding for the flooding and roadway
improvement projects that were identified by various individuals. We believe that
Public Works is pursuing these projects without seeking funding from the
Legislature, and additional information can be obtained from Mr. Dennis Lee.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact me or Andy
Levin.
Aloha, ,
' ~
/Harry Kim
MAYOR