HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 171 Draft 01 2004-2006 ~tv or
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 1 :.1 0;.~
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL HOLD
PUBLIC HEARINGS AROUND HAWAII ISLAND TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION OF
THE PROPOSAL THAT HAWAII COUNTY TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF
STATE BOATING FACILITIES ON THE BIG ISLAND FROM THE DEPARTMENT
OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DLNR).
WHEREAS, small boat harbors and boating facilities are part of the State's ocean
recreation and coastal areas programs established in chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and
are managed by the DLNR, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR); and
WHEREAS, the following audit reports by the State Office of the Auditor point to
recurring problems related to inadequate management and problems with maintenance and
repairs:
• Report No. 93-24 "Study of the Financing of the Small-Boat Harbors and Boat
Ramps Program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources"
• Report No. 98-1 1 "Audit of the Management of Small Boat Hazbors and Boat
Ramps"
• Report No. 01-09 "Audit of the Management of State Boating Facilities by the
Department of Land and Natural Resources"; and
WHEREAS, in response to Report No. 01-09, the Legislature, pursuant to Act 259,
Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, appropriated the sum of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2001-2002,
and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2002-2003 for repairs and maintenance of small boat harbor
facilities throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, in spite of these efforts to address inadequate management and repair and
maintenance problems, facilities have deteriorated to the point where their continued use
threatens public safety and problems at the boat harbors persist today; and
WHEREAS, Governor Lingle has first offered the Counties the opportunity to manage
and operate existing small boat harbors across the State under a "home rule" policy, as the
Counties are closest to the people and may be better suited for this purpose; and
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WHEREAS, if the Counties are not interested in taking over management of State small
boat harbors, privatization is possible pursuant to Act 299, Sessions Laws of Hawaii 2001,
codified as section 200-2.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which allows the Board of Land and
Natural Resources to lease certain lands within an existing State boating facility by public
auction or by direct negotiation for private development, management, and operation; and
WHEREAS, other Counties are interested in assuming the management and operation of
the small boat harbors and working together under the auspices of the Hawaii State Association
of Counties; and
WHEREAS, in order for Hawaii County officials and residents of Hawaii County to
make an informed decision on whether the County of Hawaii should take over management of
State boating facilities on Hawaii Island, more information and public discussion are needed to
address the many unanswered questions that the proposal raises; and
WHEREAS, public hearings facilitated by the County Council could help to outline the
benefits and address the major concerns this proposal raises, especially the financial impact on
the County, and allow public participation in the decision making process; and
WHEREAS, there are financial incentives that create opportunities to capitalize on the
County's growing ocean recreation industry (currently 3 per cent of the gross revenues derived
tcom commercial vessels moored in a State small boat harbor goes to a Boating Special Fund), as
well as revenues from launch ramp fees, boat and trailer registration fees, federal monies
designated to support boating programs (i.e., Dingell-Johnson and Saltonstall-Kennedy), boating
fuel tax rebates, etc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE (T RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Hawaii that
it will conduct public hearings around Hawaii Island to facilitate discussion of the proposal to
turn over the management of State small boat harbors and boating facilities on the Big Island
from the DLNR to Hawaii County.
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BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk of the County of Hawaii shall
transmit copies of this Resolution to the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Mayor,
Finance Department and the County Clerk.
Dated at Hilo , 1-Iawai`i, this 18thday of October , 2005.
INTRODUCED BY:
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CO CIL MEMBER, COUNTY O HAWAII
COUNCIL BER, COUNTY O AWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawaii ARAKAKI X
HIGA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCll, of the HOLSCHUH X
County ofHawai`i on Oc~tc~h[-?r L8~ ~01L5
IKEDA X
ISBELL X
ATTEST: JACOBSON X
PILAGO X
SAFARIK
9 0 0 0
Reference: C-453/PInIIRC -26
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COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.
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