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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0247.000 2002-2004 Hawaii State Association of Counties Counties of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii, City 8. County of Honolulu v v "•n w .e°, May 9, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO: James Y. Arakaki, Chair, and Council Memhers FROM: J. Curtis Tyler, fII, President, Hawaii State Associat' n o ~ u t' ) SUBJF,CT: (I) Nomination of IISAC Executive Committee Mem s rid Alternates (2) Nomination of Honolulu Councilman Donovan Dela Cn:z for WIR Board of Director, (3) Application Material for NACo Steering Committees (4) Letters to Senators Inouye and Akaka rc: FY2004 PII~ f Appropriation Due to the time-sensitive nature of several HSAC action items, and with the consent of the chair and the chairman of the Public Work, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 1 wish to submit the following for Council action at its next meeting on May 21, 2003. 1. Nomination of HSAC Executive Committee Members for the Fiscal Year 2003-04 Term As noted in the minutes (attached, page 4) of the April I I, 2003 meeting of the HSAC Executive Committee, each ofUrc tour county councils is required to nominate its respective members and alternates to the HSAC Executive Committee for FY 2003-04. Presently. 1 serve in that capacity and Council Member Uary Safarik serves as our alternate representative. lluring the current term, I have had the pleasure of serving as the HSAC President. In the coming year, subject to the approval of the councils, the Executive Committee recoimnends that officers and staff assignments rotate. ~1 its May 9°i meeting the HSAC board recommended that the Maui HSAC member serve as president, the Hawaii County member as Vice President the Kauai member as treasurer, and the City & County of 1lonolulu member as secretary. Nominations for HSAC officers to serve during FY2003-04 must be approved by each council prior to the I ISAC year-end conference and General Membership Meeting on Kauai in June. ACTION: I request that the Council entertain a motion to nominate the Ilawai`i Coimt_v HSAC representative and alternate for EY 2003-04. 2. Approval of Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz to serve on the Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors On April 1 Q, 2003 Honolulu City Council Chair Uary Okino submitted a letter (attached) to the undersigned and HSAC board members announcing his withdrawal effective immediately as a a;~ member ofthe WIR Board of Directors. Mr. Okino recommended that Honolulu Councilmeml~r n - Comm. No: ` Ref. To: e. ae Donovan Dela Cruz be nominated to till his vacant position. The nomination oCMr. Dela Cmz has already been approved by the Maui, Kauai and Honolulu City councils. ACTION: Motion to approve the nomination of Donovan Dela Cruz to serve on the Western Interstate Region (W [R) Board of Directors. 3. Nominations for NACo Steering Committees Attached please find a N.~Co "application for steering committee" fom~ and a 3-page statement that describes the nomination process, the eleven respective steering committees and their areas of concern. Council members may submit their name to serve nn these standing NACU steering committees by filling out the attached application for submission no later than May 22, 2003 through the HSAC state association. In consultation with the Council chair, interested members should consider the nature of the committee assignment and its implications &>r gavel costs. Additionally, no more than two members from any state association may serve on the same NACo steering cum m ittcc. 4. Letters to Senators Inouye and Akaka re: FY2004 PILT Appropriation For your information, at the request of NACo Associate Legislative Director Paul Beddoe, I faced letters (attached) to Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka on May 5, 2003 calling on their support for restoration of funding for the Payment iu Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program in the FY2004 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. On May 8, 2003, Mc Beddoe informed me by email that Senator Inouye had added his name to a letter supporting NACo's request for an increase in the PILT appropriation. JCT/rf Attachments Hawaii State Association of Counties Counties of I(auai, Maui and Hawaii, City B.County of Honolulu o...., f •e'o Y vY' MINUTES HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING April 11, 2003 Council Committee Room, City Hall Honolulu, Hawaii I. CALLTO ORDER The HSAC Executive Committee was called to order by President J. Curtis Tyler, III, at 9:05 a.m. The following members comprised a quorum: County of Hawaii: President J. Curtis Tyler III County of Maui: Vice President Dain P. Kane City and County of Honolulu: Secretary Donovan Dela Cruz County of Kauai: Treasurer James Tokioka Others present: Honolulu Staff Kim Hong-Kobayashi Honolulu Staff Karen Scharfenstein Honolulu Staff Andrew Sekine Honolulu Staff Ron Yasui Kauai Staff Cyndi Ayonon Maui Staff Shannon Alueta II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the February 21, 2003, Executive Committee meeting were approved as circulated. III. REPORTS OF THE TREASURER The February 2003 Treasurer's Report was approved. HSAC Executive Committee Minutes of the April 11, 2003 meeting Page 2 IV. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES A. Executive Committee Reports The Executive Committee received the following: 1. Letter from HSAC Treasurer James Tokioka to the HSAC Executive Committee, dated March 25, 2003, transmitting the HSAC Independent Auditor's Report for the year ending June 30, 2002, conducted by James K. Kodani, CPA, Inc., and letter of representation on behalf of HSAC, dated March 20, 2003, from Treasurer James Tokioka. 2. Letter from HSAC Treasurer James Tokioka to the HSAC Executive Committee, dated March 24, 2003, submitting the proposed HSAC FY 2003-2004 budget and budget details for approval by the county councils. B. County Reports 1. Hawaii County Report. The Hawaii County Council approved the proposed HSAC FY 2003-04 budget at its April 2, 2003, meeting. 2. Honolulu City and County Report. The proposed HSAC FY 2003- 04 budget passed out of committee and will be considered by the council on April 16, 2003. 3. Kauai County Report. The Kauai County Council approved the proposed HSAC FY 2003-04 budget at its April 10, 2003, meeting. 4. Maui County Report. The Maui County Council approved the proposed HSAC FY 2003-04 budget at its April 4, 2003, meeting. C. NACo Reports There were no NACo reports. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 2003 HSAC Legislative Package President Tyler reported that SB 1100 relating to landowner liability and SB 1331 relating to uncontested traffic fines failed to cross over, and SB 975, in its amended form, essentially defeats the counties' intent to seek relief from liability concerns relating to county skateboard parks. HSAC Executive Committee Minutes of the April 11, 2003 meeting Page 3 B. NACo 2005 Conference Discussion of the NACo 2005 Conference was deferred until the next HSAC Executive Committee meeting. C. Electronic HSAC Letterhead Discussion of the electronic HSAC letterhead was deferred until the next HSAC Executive Committee meeting. D. HSAC 2003 Year-End Conference The executive committee approved the advancement of $1,000 in seed money for the 2003 HSAC Year-End Conference, to be held June 23-24, 2003, in Kauai. Ref: Letter dated March 7, 2003, from Treasurer Tokioka to HSAC Executive Committee requesting advancement of $1,000 in seed money for the HSAC Year-End Conference to be held at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort. E. FY 2003-04 HSAC Budget Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties reported adoption of the FY 2003-04 HSAC budget. The FY 2003-04 HSAC Budget was approved subject to the adoption of the appropriate resolution by the Honolulu Council. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2003 Western Interstate Region Annual Conference. The 2003 WIR Annual Conference will be held May 28-31, 2003, at Reno- Sparks, Nevada. The executive committee referred to the county councils the nomination of Honolulu Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz to the Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors. Upon approval by the counties, President Tyler will transmit a letter notifying NACo of Councilmember Dela Cruz' nomination. Ref: Letter from Honolulu Council Chair Gary Okino to President Tyler and HSAC executive committee members, dated April 10, 2003, stating his withdrawal as the WIR representative and his recommendation of Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz to fill the position. HSAC Executive Committee Minutes of the April 11, 2003 meeting Page 4 B. FY 2003-04 HSAC Executive Committee Slate The members referred to the county councils the nomination of HSAC officers and alternates for FY 2003-04, as well as nominations for NACo Steering Committees. C. Visits to Legislators Scheduled appointments with legislative leaders at the State Capitol following the HSAC meeting to discuss the HSAC 2003 Legislative Package and county issues are: 10:30-10:55 am Rep. Dwight Y. Takamine, Finance Chair, Rm. 306 11:00-11:30 am Speaker Calvin Say, Rm. 431 1:00-1:30 pm Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Ways and Means Chair, Rm. 210 Copies of HB 1554, HD 1, SD 2 were distributed to the members. Vice President Kane explained that HB 1554, as introduced, would provide the City and County of Honolulu with additional taxing authority. In return, Honolulu would give up its share of the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), which would be distributed to the other counties. In its SD 2 form, the bill allows the City and County of Honolulu to adopt a retail sales tax ordinance before August 1, 2003, with Honolulu's share of the TAT going into the general fund; the other counties would have until October 1, 2003, to adopt a retail sales tax ordinance, in which case their share of the TAT would be cut. After much discussion, the members, for the purpose of discussing HB 1554 with legislative leaders, agreed upon a unified approach as follows: The legislature should continue discussion on HB 1554 through the convening of a conference committee; HSAC is appreciative of county home rule considerations; If the legislature were to pass HB 1554, the counties would prefer a longer time frame with which to consider the adoption of a retail sales tax ordinance; and The counties would like their share of TAT to be greater than the distribution provided for in HB 1554, HD 1, SD 2. HSAC Executive Committee Minutes of the April 11, 2003 meeting Page 5 VII. COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were received: A. Letter dated February 7, 2003, from Genevieve G. Wong, City Clerk, transmitting City & County of Honolulu Resolution 03-04, urging the Legislature to authorize special elections to fill Council vacancies entirely by mail. B. Letter from Honolulu Councilmember Mike Gabbard dated February 28, 2003, to Senate President Robert Bunda and House Speaker Calvin Say relating to Honolulu Council Resolution 03-09 and S.B. 1532. C. Memorandum to Councilmembers dated March 29, 2003, and letter to Senators J. Kalani English and Lorraine K. Inouye dated 28, 2003, from Hawaii County Councilmember Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 125-03, requesting further inquiry with respect to lands on the Island of Hawaii designated as critical habitat. VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. President Tyler announced that the next HSAC meeting will be held on May 9, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., at the Council Committee Room, Honolulu Hale. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. Very truly yours, ONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ Secretary Hawaii State Association of Counties FROM COLINC[L SERVICES FAX N0. 808 527-5581 May. 92 2993 91:32PM P2 s' - ~-y+` G~_.4~.~.,,"~~ CITY COUNCIL . , `~%~'~,,_~9"' CITY AND C O U N T Y O F H O N O L U L U .,,,*,t' _p HONOLULU. HAWAII 86873-3066 /TELEPHONE 647-7000 ,r, A SIf n n>~''• ~4rt~~.c~x>,. GARY H. OKINO Council Chair Council District VIII Telephone. (808) 647-7008 faesim~e~ (808) 623-4220 April 10, 2003 Mr. J. Curtis Tyler, III and HSAC Board Members Honolulu Hale Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Dear Mr. Tyler and Board Members: I wish to withdraw as the HSAC member to the Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors effective immediately and recommend that Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz be nominated to fill this position on the WIR Board of Directors. Sincerely, . 1/ " GARY OKINO Council Chair NACo Steerine Committees Every spring, NACo calls for NACo steering committee nominations through the state associations of counties. Nomination forms are sent to the state associations of counties, along with a list of the current steering committee members from their state and a sample announcement they may use to notify their membership about the process and the deadlines for submitting nominations. Approximately one month before the NACo annual conference, county officials must submit their completed nomination forms to their state associations of counties. Affiliate nominations to steering committees must also follow the same process. Applicants arc urged to mark duir first and second choices of steering committees on the nomination form. The state associations of counties will submit a packet of the completed forms by a deadline determined by [he NACo Legislative Director. NACo will make every effort hi accommodate the nominee's first choice of steering committee assignments. NACo will consider the state and regional balance on the steering committees and ensure that, at a minimum, the membership of each steering committee is at least two-thirds elected county oficials. Only eight county officials from a state will be appointed to any one steering committee, and no more than two persons from a county may serve on any one steering committee. Committee appointees will sen e on the committee for one year and cannot transfer membership to another committee, or serve on more than one steering committee, during that year. (As with any other NA('o member, however, the appointee is welcome to attend any other steering committee meeting to learn about its issues.) Prior to the mailing of the appointment letters, the NA(b staff will review the new steering conunittee rosters to ensure that there is geographic and demographic diversity within each committee and the above guidelines for membership by a state or county are foI lowed. The NACo president shall send each appointee a letter announcing their appointment to a steering committee. Included in the packet will be a press release announcing the appointment; a fact sheet outlining the roles and responsibilities of a committee member; a grass roots information request a copy of the resolutions process: the steering committee's section of the American County Platform; a steering committee roster, the sites and dates of major NACo conferences for the year; NACo's legislative priorities; and a notice that the appointee will be placed on the Legislative Bulletin mailing list, once a fax number is supplied. Steering Committee Roles and Responsibilities Each policy steering committee has members who are nominated by state associations of counties and appointed by the NACo president for one year. 'fhe committee chair and subcommittee chair are elected officials who are appointed by the NACo president for one year. nt least two-thirds o1 the members of each steering committee must be elected officials, but many committees have a much greater elected representation. Steering committees are responsible for studying issues, recommending new policy positions, and carrying out the American County Platform. Committees review problems facing counties, identify areas of concern to counties, and make suggestions for federal, state, and county involvement. They build county and state support for recommended revisions in federal rules and regulations and assist in building state association participation in policy formulation and implementation processes. Committees also advise the NACU board on priorities, strategics, and tactics involving federal legislation, rules, and regulations, and they participate in special rallies, conferences, and meetings of the association to advance the objectives of the committee. Platform amendments and resolutions from member counties are submitted to the appropriate steering committee for review and recommendation. nt Icasl one NnCo staff member is assigned to each steering committee to work with the committee chair in arranging meetings and determining agendas. Each steering committee reviews legislation and issues within its jurisdiction. Committees usually meet four times a year, always at the annual umference and legislative conference. In many cases, intbrmal arrangements are made for joint cunsidcration of certain issues. The committee jurisdictions are: AKricuhure & Rural nffairs- nll matters pertaining to legislation affecting the economy of agricultural counties; rural development programs; and conscrcation and environmental programs affecting agriculture. In addition, the committee is responsible for oversight of platform amendments and resolutions from other steering committees that have a significant impact on rural counties. Community & Economic Development--All matters pertaining to general community development and redevelopment; residential, commercial, and industrial development; housing programs; and public works and economic development. Environment, Ener~y & Land Use All matters pertaining to air, water, and noise pollution control; solid and hazardous waste management and disposal; the preservation and proper utilization of water resources; energy; and the use of land resources, including comprehensive planning,. Finance and lntereovernmental Affairs- All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management federal assistance; municipal borrowing; county revenues; federal budget; and federal tax rcfonn. All matters pertaining to home rule and regionalism, intergovernmental relations between the county and its subdivisions and state and federal governments; and liability and insurance. In addition, the committee is responsible for oversight of platform amendments and resolutions from other steering committees that may be inconsistent with home rule principles. Health--All matters pertaining Io health care delivery and financing including indigent care; health care for the uninsured; Medicaid; Medicare;; mental health; substance abuse; and developmental disabilities. Human Services & h:ducation All matters pertaining to immediate and long-range welfare reform, income maintenance, older Americans, food stamps, rights of the handicapped, low-income energy assistance; and county welfare programs. Justice & Public Safety- All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including cnminal justice planning; law enforcement; courts; corrections; juvenilejusticc; and emergency management Labor & Employment 1111 matters pertaining to employer-employee relations, including personnel policy and practice; merit systems; equal employment opportunity; collective bargaining; and Social Security and all matters pertaining to employment and training programs and the jobs aspects of welfare reform including youth employment public service employment; vocational education; migrant and Native American programs; rural manpower; employment security: and unemploymcri insurance. Public Lands nll matters relating to federally owned public lands, including tax immunity problems; payments-in-lieo-ol=taxes; and federal land management programs. Telecommunications and Technoloey NI matters pertaining to telecommunications and technology police, including, but not limited to, telecommunications; cellular and other land mobile telecommunications; and geospatial data. ~'ranSUOrtatlOn-All matters pertaining to comprehensive transportation planning; highway finance and safety, airport development; and railroads. In addition to the twelve policy areas governed by steering committees, there arc, occasionally and periodically, issues which impact the jurisdictions of several steering committees. Because these areas are not appropriate for limited consideration, they are often referred to special task forces for broader policy consideration than that offered initially by a single steering committee. 'these task forces or other special review bodies, like steering committees, report their findings to the Board of Directors and the membership as a whole. Where permanent policy is required, the policies so adopted may be inserted into appropriate locations within the platform. Temporary. or other impermanent policies are treated as general resolutions. NACo ~ Find a County Page 1 of ~ N Il ~ ~;r.~~~ Presidential Appointments Application Form Steering Committee Leadership Positions Only The NACo President appoints the steering committee leadership only. State associations nominate all other steering committee members. If you are interested in becoming a member of a steering committee, contact your state association. Steering Committees 1. Steering Committee applying for: check Steering Committee f Agriculture and Rural Affairs ~ Community and Economic Development ~ Environment, Energy and Land Use ~ Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs ~ Health ~ Human Services and Education ~ Justice and Public Safety ~ Labor and Employment f Public Lands ~ Telecommunications & Technology ~ Transportation 2. Position on Steering Committee applyin for check Position ~ Chair ~ Vice Chair ~ * Subcommittee Chair ~ * Subcommittee V. Chair * Enter Name of Subcommittee: 3. Caucuses check Caucus ~ Large Urban County Caucus ~ Rural Action Caucus NACo Pind a County Page 2 of S ~ (Large Urban County Caucus Steering Committee ~ (Rural Action Caucus Steering Committee 4. Caucus position applying for: check Position f Chair ~ Vice Chair ~ Steering Committee Chair At-Large Appointments 5. The President of NACo has the opportunity to appoint 10 at- large directors to the Board of Directors to address inequities in representation including gender, ethnicity and geography. If you are applying for one of these directors seats, please indicate below. check Board Seat ~ At-Large Director 6. If you are submitting your application for an at- large appointment, which of the inequities will your membership address? Gender ~ Ethnicity ~ Geography ~ Standing Committees 7. NACo has three standing committees authorized by the by -laws. The President has the opportunity to appoint several members to each of these committees. If you are interested in being considered for a seat on one of the standing committees, lease indicate below. check Standing Committees ~ Finance ~ Member Programs and Services f Information Technology Ad Hoc Appointments 8. The NACo President also makes appointments to Ad Hoc committees. These appointments are made in the best interest of the issue areas served by the committees. If you are interested in an appointment to one of the following committees lease indicate below. check Ad Hoc Committees ~ Deferred Compensation Advisory Financial Services Corp Board of Directors NACo Find a County Page 3 of 5 ~ NACo FSC Advisory , ~ Membership ~ Arts and Culture Commission ~ Sustainability Leadership Team f Joint Center for Sustainable Communities ~ Indoor Air Advisory ~ Watershed Management Advisory Personal Qualifications Statement Name: Title: County: State: Population: Address: City: St: Zip: Phone: r Fax:r E-mail: History Among the criteria to be considered for Presidential appointment is your involvement in your state association. In the space below, provide a brief discussion of your activities and any positions you may have held in your state association. Also among the criteria considered for appointment are activities and positions that you may have held at NACo. These include standing committee member, board member, special task force member, special appointments, caucus member, etc. In the space below, provide a brief discussion of these activities. NACo Find a County Page 4 of 5 Using the space below, please provide information about yourself and what you feel you can bring to NACo if you receive a presidential appointment. Comments: If you have business or other relationships with congressional members, please indicate the name of the congressional member and the type of relationship in the space below. Congressional relationships: Requirements of an Appointee 1. If you receive a presidential a ointment will ou be able to: a. Attend all meetings, which may occur four times a year. Yes t' No r b. Finance all of your expenses for serving as an appointee. Yes ~ No ~ 2. Is the board in your county supportive of this appointment application? Yes r No r Explain: 3. Is your state association supportive of this appointment application? NnCo Pind a County Page 5 of Yes r No r Explain: SU9MtT Each application for an at large appointment or for the Chairs of a steering committee, standing committee, the Rural Action Caucus or the Large Urban County Caucus must be accompanied by a photograph that will be used in the 2003 -2004 Photo Directory. All applications are due back to Karen Miller on or before May 23, 2003 If you have questions or need additional information contact Karen McRunnel at 202 -942-4238 or kmcrunne@naco.org or Karen Miller. Back Hawaii State Association of Counties Counties of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii, City 8, County of Honolulu r v May 5, 2003 \a. Honorable Uaniel K. hrouyc United States Senate 722 Hart Senate Oftice Bldg. Washington, U.C. 205 1 0-1 1 02 FAX: (202) 224-6747 Dear Senator Inouye: Aloha! 1 am writing to request your support in adding your signature to a letter (copy attached) now being circulated by Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) and Senator Hang Reid (D-Nevada) to the Interior Appropriations subcommittee. They are asking fora $245 million appropriation to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PIL"C) program in the Fiscal Ycar 2004 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. As you know, the PILT program has long provided compensation to local governments that provide critical services -most notably police, fire, and search and rescue - to federal lands in their communities. In the instance of Hawaii County, the $14,000 PILT allotment received in PY2002 represents a very modest contribution to the county's commitment of public safety and other services that benefit our national parks and Anny Corps of Engineers lands on this island. Chat is why the Department of the Interior's FY 2004 budget request in the amount of $200 million is so disappointing. It reduces the PII: f appropriation by $20 million from the amount enacted in the PY 20(13 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Such a reduction would add to the fiscal hardship of Hawaii County, Maui C ounty, and the City & County of Honolulu, as well as many counties throughout the western states. 1 urge you tojoin Senators Thomas and Reid in their request txi restore lunding for the PILT program to $245 million for FY 2004. Their initiative honors the longstanding federal commitment to county governments for their fiscal and rnanpowcr contributions Co our national parks, forests and other public lands. This funding request is strongly supported by the National Association of Counties. I respectfully request that you add your written support to the'1'homas-Reid letter and this appropriation request. Thank you Ibr your support and thoughtful consideration of this matter. incerel , i .I. s ter, I u a i'i State Ass ciation of Counties x°r .r d,~ Al~achmcnl text of LUlcr Imm 5~9~IOfM1 Thoma+und Rcid Hawaii State Association of Counties Counties of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii, City 8. County of Honolulu May 5, 2003 I [onorable Daniel K. Akuka United States Senate 141 Bart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 2051(1-I 103 FAX: (202) 224-2126 Dear Senator Akaka: Aloha! 1 am writing to request your support in adding your signature to a letter (copy attached) now being circulated by Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) and Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to the Interior Appropriations subcommittee. They are asking fora $245 million appropriation to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PICT) program in the Fiscal Ycar 2004 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. As you know, the P[LT program has long provided compensation to local governments that provide critical services most notably police, fire, and search and rescue to federal lands in their communities. In the instance of Hawaii County, the $14,000 PIL"I' allotment received in FY2002 represents a verc modest contribution to the county's commitment of public safety and other services that benefit our national parks and Anny Corps of Engineers lands on this island. That is why the Department of the Interior's FY 2004 budget request in the amount of $200 million is so disappointing. It reduces the PICT appropriation by $20 million from the amount enacted in the F'Y 2003 (tmnibus Appropriations bill. Such a reduction would add to the liscal hardship of Hawaii County, Maui County, and the City & County of Honolulu, as well as many counties throughout the ~ecstern states. ( urge you to joir~ Senators'Fhomas and Reid in their request to restore funding for the PIhI program to $245 million for FY 2004. Their initiative honors the longstanding federal commitment to county governments for their tiscal and manpower contributions to our national parks, forests and other public lands. 'Phis funding request is strongly supported by the National Association of Counties. I respectfu0y request that cuu add your written support to the Thomas-Reid letter and this appropriation request. "Thank you for your support and thoughtful consideration of this matter. Sincere J. is e e nt Ha ai`i State Ass crate n f Counties JCT rf ~ Attachment I cxl of IsV~r Imm tirnalun Thomas u~id Reid TEXT Dear Colleague: We write to request your continued assistance for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (I'1LT) program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. As you know, the P1L'I program is designed to provide compensation to local communities that have significant amounts of federal land in their counfies. These funds are critical to the budgots of local governments that provide many valuable services such as search and rescue, law enforcement, sanitation and road maintenance. Given the continued decline of resource extraction activities, rural counties have lost much of their ability to provide basic public services. Although increased tourism has supplied some economic benefits, thew gains are insufficient to meet the growing demands. The Department of the Interior's FY 2004 budget request of $200 million fails to provide funding sufficient for the federal government to keep its commitme~lt to puhlic land counties and represents a $20 million reduction from the enacted amount the FY 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Reduction in PILT fundiig places a fiscal hardship on our counties, who are mandated by law to provide many critical public services. The current authorization level for the P1LT program is $370 million. The millions of Americans who visit national parks, forests and other public lands depend on county governments to provide a clean and safe environment using their limited tax dollars combined with PILT receipts. ]n order for our states to meet the growing demands for safety and health servi~ es stemming from the wlprecedented growth of visitors to the public Lands, it is critical for Congress to provide much needed increases for the P1L'I' program to reach the authorized level in a reasonable amomlt o(time. We urge you to join me in supporting increased funding for the P7LT program to at least $245 million for FY 2001. Please contact me or Affie Burnside with Senator Thomas' office at 224-6441 or Larry Kennedy with Senator Reid's office at 224-3542 if you would like more information. Sincerely, Craig Thomas United States Senator Harry Reid United States Senator ~t~aN LENINGRAD ELARIONOf F PHONP: 96I-8265 r,~,,,~<<b~,~-,,,6~-,~ PAX 96I -8913 ' a Of ~M~+ OFFYCE OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL Coun(r of Hu~~aii Hmrmi (Tmnh~ law&(in,: 2? ~hgnmi SU-er! llilo, llavait l6 ~?9 May 9, 2003 MEMORANDUM TO: James Y. Arakaki, Chair, and ('ouncil Members FROM: Leningrad 1',larionoff, Chair Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee SUBJF.Cf: Request to Wain e HSAC LY2003-04 Nominations to May 21.2003 Council Meeting At the request of Council Member J. Curtis'I'ylcr III in his letter of May 9, 2003, 1 am writing to request your approval to waive nominations for IfSAC officers and WlR board member for the F'Y2003-04 term from my Conunittee nn Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations to the next scheduled meeting of the full Council. Pursuant to Section I(g) of Rule 4 of the Procedure of the Council of the County of Hawaii, I request your support for waiver of this matter in order that our Council's action nn these matters precede the HSAC Executive Committee and General Membership meetings in June, 2003 on Kauai. [t is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and these matters placed onto ~hc next Council agenda for review. I Iowever, in the event this request is denied, For whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Public Works and Intcrgovemmental Relations for placement on its future agenda. erely, ~ •t ~y eningrad 1 n off, Chair ommitlee n Pub ' Works an Intergovernme I elations Approved/Date/Waive to Council: Disapproved/Date/Refer to PWIRC: /~L'~ ~ r~/ , Jams Y. Arakaki, Chair James Y. Arakaki, Chair lyawai"i County Council Ilawai'i County Council LFArF Attachments DLSTRICT 9 Waimea, tinhula, Kawaihae, IVaiknlnu, Puakn