HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0225.005 2004-2006 Page 1 of 3
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From: J. C. Tyler III [jct3kona@hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 3'13 PM
To: County Council Tx
Subject: My 5/18 Testimony
Aloha Mr. Chairman and Members of the County Council,
Per the request of Council Member Isbell, I submit the following summary comments for the referenced
legislation being considered:
Reso 83-05: I support in principle, but request you review (1) why Roadway Lot R-1 is being
condemned if it is already required to be dedicated (perhaps to expedite its opening?), (b) to address
residents concern, require a lower (15-25 mph) speed limit, and (3) why is a substandard roadway being
contemplated for the portion of the connector over Lot A? (see PWIRC report 8).
Reso 84-05: I support in principle, but, out of respect for the wishes of the residents who have testified
before the Council numerous times (check the records) over 10 years on the specific ownership and
safety concerns and previous representations by DPW, this connection should not be opened until (l) the
safety and potential public liability issues have been addressed and mitigated to the community and your
satisfaction, (a lower speed limit is required i.e 15-25 mph, (3) all ownership problems have been
resolved, and at least two more (Ahiahi/Kauhale and Ili Ili/Kiekie) connectors have been opened.
Bill 42 (Budget Part I): I request deferral:
(1) In my opinion, there are too many new positions and too many of those arc requested for Hilo;
sharpen the pencils and remember each new position creates a lifetime obligation by the taxpayers.
(2) Look into the $1.5 million budgeted for a WH Traffic Building; if it is still planned to occupy a
portion of the property on which the Kailua Fire Station is located, it must not be allowed to go there;
ask the Traffic Services Chief and the Fire Chief to come in so you can question them about what this is
and what impact it will have on traffic safety and the existing/future public safety facilities located there
dig in to this, T believe this is a lot more than just a simple storage or staging area review the
Financial Impact Statement.
(3) Delete any operating expenses (equipment, salaries/wages benefits) earmarked for (a) a sort station,
(b) solid waste long haul Crom Hilo to Puuanahulu LF, and (c) any related expenditures.
(4) Inquire of Corporation Counsel if the Council staffing reorganization proposed in Com 124.44
requires any amendment(s) to the Charter.
(5) Look into what, if any additional operating expenditures are included for the microwave system
upgrade.
(6) Review the expenditures that show increases in excess of 10-20%.
Bi1143 (Budget Part II): I request deferral:
(1) Remove the Sort Station and any related expenses thereto In the previous council term, this issue
was debated over and over, with the majority agreeing with previous council policy that capital
expenditures for waste reduction technology be borne by the company whose proposal is selected. The
County has no experience or expertise in this field and, as a result, has no business in it, not to mention
using the taxpayers monies to do so. If you think this is a new issue, review the very substantial record
on this matter over the last 18 months. 'fhe report in this morning's West Hawaii Today indicating that
development of a new WR"C RFP will take 1-3 years is unbelievable. Please don't let the wheel be
Comm. No._
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reinvented on this one. Check the budget and Follow the money. Look for the iceberg, and I don't mean
just the tip! Anyway I look at this matter, I see the same thing another attempt to rearrange the deck
chairs on the Titantic!
(2) Remove WH Traffic Building if it is located on the same property as the Kailua Fire Station: at the
least, insert a proviso to preclude it from being constructed there.
(3) Scrutinize the Kealakehe Refueling reappropriation to ensure that it is not placed underground and
that the same mistakes that occurred when it was originally constructed are not repeated.
(4) Inquire why there is an additional $5 million FHWA funds budgeted, on top the existing millions, to
realign Kealakaa/Palanijunetion and install traffic signals. I support the project, but I don't understand
why it is going to cost about 250% more that originally estimated.
(5) Insert a budget appropriation to resurface all the roadways in the Kona Coastview and Wonderview
subdivisions; this project has been postponed for over a decade, pending the completion of the water
improvement district. Well, that is underway, and resurfacing will be necessary after completion. In the
interest of public safety, perhaps the resurfacing can be done incrementally as the improvement district
is completed on each street.
(6) Inquire why there is a new $SOOK budget item for the microwave system upgrade.
(7) Ensure that you have Financial Impact Statements for all of the capital projects and that each include
current and future year capital and operating expenses for 6 years. As I recall the Charter requires this as
a minimum. See Com 125.2.
(8) If you have not received the required (on or before 3/31, I believe) Fair Share Assessment annual
report, request it from Planning and pay particular attention to the status of funds already received; there
may be some wonderful opportunities to mitigate infrastructure deficits in West Hawaii.
(9) Require the Police Department to seek Federal funding for at least a portion of the funds needed to
switch the radio frequency; after all, it was the FCC that requires the public safety agencies to get off of
their current band. Also, ensure that you know and understand which band it is the system will be
moving to (800 mhz, 700 mhz, 600 mhz are some that have been mentioned). What arc the advantages,
disadvantages. Given the cost overruns on the microwave upgrade and the problems that C&C of
Honolulu has with its new system, I continue to believe that the Police Department should not be the
lead agency in this matter; perhaps the Civil Defense agency is a better one. Anyway, given the
magnitude of this expense, please check in to all the angles now before you irrevocably commit public
funds.
10. FY# 2005014 I believe is for Waiea (not Waieha) transfer station located in Waiea, South Kona. As
an aside, I believe the County Code requires the use of diacriticals on County documents (The Council
staff has made an excellent effort to comply, msybe they can assist the other departments).
Bi1179 D2: I support
Bill 84: I support
Bill 106: I support in principle with the proviso that, beginning now all new street lights have proper
shielding to prevent the light from going up. Consider revisiting the existing light ordinance.
Bill 74: Have you received the requested written answers to your questions regarding the specific
reasons for these large over runs? And why has another $SOOK been inserted in next year's budget? This
is your last chance to do this.
Bill 78: Strongly support. I cannot recall a bill of such magnitude receiving such diverse and
overwhelming widespread public support as this one has. Please do the right things and vote Yes.
Com 210.1: I agree with your recent public comments, Mr Chairman and Mr. Jacobson, this matter
needs to be discussed in an open forum. I understand the previous RFP has been uni]aterally cancelled
5/18/2005
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and, according to today's paper, a new one is I -3 years away. Unless one of the responders has Tiled
some litigation, I hope your discussion of this matter will be taken up in your discussions and
deliberations of the proposed budget.
With my apologies for the lateness of this submittal, I thank you for your consideration and the
opportunity to submit this follow-up written comments. My very best wishes on your deliberations both
today and in the future.
Curtis
J. Curtis Tyler III
73-1305 Hiolani Street
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-9344
Tel: 808.325.6600
Pax: 808.325.6452
Eml: jct3kona@hawaii.rr.com
5/18/2005