The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0042.059 2004-2006 PtV O( M4 FRED C. HOLSCHUH ~,y , . ~G;u: Phone: (808) 961-8264 coun~tbnrinvr-, PA,g: (8 961-8912 ci.(~ JP.., L'' ° ~ a C~i HAWA!'! COUNTY COUNCIL Cnunlr n/'Ncnrair Hnw«ii Couun' Buildin,¢ 25 Aup~mi Surd Nilo. Nawnll 967?0 January 7, 2005 MEMORANDUM TO: K. Angel Pilago and Pete Hoffmann, Co-Chairs Committee on Planning, and Committee Members FROM: Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Council Member\-~C. , n - SUBJECT: General Plan Bill 163 ~5,..•_ I understand that some deletions were made to Draft 1 of Bill 163 at the last Planning Committee meeting. I am going to make every attempt to be present at the January 21 s' Council meeting, but wanted to put some suggestions in writing. I do not, in any way, wish to impede progress in passing Bill 163, if that is the will of the Council. I would therefore suggest that two deletions be made, as noted below. In other areas, 1 will list my concerns and suggest that we revisit them during the first chance to make interim amendments to the General Plan after Bill 163 is adopted. PROPOSED DELETIONS: I . I would like to request that the proposed LUPAG Map amendment, B-2, be deleted. This proposed amendment would expand the existing Industrial designation around the Pepeekeo Power Plant. [t was requested by the previous landowner, but the current landowner wrote the Council objecting to the change (Comm. No. 45, dated December 12, 2002). The land is currently designated Extensive and Intensive Agriculture. Many Pepeekeo residents have also opposed changing this azea to Industrial. I have spoken to the Planning Director and, given that the Pepeekeo Power Plant is closing, he has no objection to deleting the proposed map amendment. 2. Page 163, under Public Facilities: Protective Services, delete the section labeled "Standards", as shown below: "[STANDARDS • 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents • Fire stations within five miles of concentrated settlement areas • First response emergency medical service within eight minutes of concentrated settlement areas (alternative means, such as training police officers or volunteer fire personnel, could be available to provide first response).]" 66 Comm. No. ~ Z•S'1 ffawai'i Caunh~ i.c an Equal Oppor(~inin~ Provider ~md Employer Ref. TO: Ref. Uete-S JHIV 1 1 LUUJ Dr. Fred Holschuh -Bill 163 January 21, 2005 Page 2 If we adopt these specific standards, the county may be liable for instances when they cannot be met because of unusual circumstances. In the future, we can revisit the idea of attempting to adhere to national and state standards for EMS, fire and police protection. We already have very high standards at the county level; my concern lies with declaring specific numbers in the general plan. OTHER CONCERNS: Other concerns that do not require changes at this time, but should be revisited diligently after Bill 163 is passed, are as follows: Page 160, "Fire and Emergencv Medical Services" should be corrected to reflect accurate information provided by Chief Daryl Oliveira, as shown in ramsayered format below: "There aze presently [44] 19 regular fire stations, [~i$] 23 volunteer fire stations, and 1 federal station[s] located throughout the island. The [ ] Pohakuloa fire stations-ere] is a federally operated [€seiliEies] facili [~A4E-gFervdes The regular fire stations [ ]provide 24-hour fire fighting and emergency medical services. The Waiakea and Kailua-Kona stations provide rescue services, the Kaumana [ssd~Se~h-I~ehale] station[s] provides hazazdous [waste] materials response and the South Kohala station provides air medical services." Relatedly, on page 173 ("Hospitals and Related Facilities"), correct information regarding county ambulance services should read as follows: "The County's Fire Department also provides ambulance service from the Captain Cook, Central, Honokaa, Kailua-Kona, Keaau, [end] Waimea, Kawailani, Pahoa. Naalehu, Keauhou, South Kohala, North Kohala, Waikoloa, Volcano and Ocean View Fire Stations." Page 162, "Policies" states in bullet form, "Maintain funding of two emergency medical helicopters." We cun•ently only have one "medical" chopper (chopper 2) and one used for search and rescue. Chief Oliveira suggests that this policy be stated as follows: "Maintain funding of [twe] an aoarooriate number and tvae of emergency [~edieel] helicopters, including aonronriate aeromedical capabilities." Page 162, "Policies" states that the county should "establish additional rehabilitation and counseling centers, including drug and behavioral treatment facilities in secure settings, when necessary." I support this overall objective, but I am wary of the word "establish" as this implies that the county will be assuming a traditional state Department of Health responsibility. I suggest that we amend this to read should "Encourage and facilitate the establishment of additional rehabilitation and counseling centers _ _ Dr. Fred Holschuh -Bill 163 January 21, 2005 Page 3 Finally, on page 172, the section on hospitals and related facilities needs some changes and the section on facilities for the elderly needs updating and revision. Should the Council elect to revisit the section on "Standazds" (page 163) in the future, Chief Oliveira suggests that this section read as follows: "STANDARDS The County of Hawaii shall encourase the maintenance and achievement of national and state standards with re¢ards to fire arotection, emereencv medical services search and rescue. hazardous materials response, etc. This may include but is not limited to• a. Staffine b. Eauiament and anoaratus c. Resuonse times d. Trainin¢ and certification e. Placement. location, and establishment of facilities." Again, I would stress that I only feel the two deletions I mentioned in the first section of this letter should be accomplished at this time. I am sure there aze other azeas where my colleagues will find items that should be amended after further evaluation in the future. Thank you for considering these suggestions. FH/rf