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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.149 2006-2008 75-5737 KusldiY Hwy. Sate 208 Ntia-Kwu. H1967~0 per! r~ PIrore: 808-3231758 Fea:8I18.324.85fii iR~ ,rwn.kdmamh>Va.ean !a~]yeoe~exetiet July 20, 2007 Hawaii County Council Pete Hoffmann, Chair 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Re Bill 51 Draft 5; Proposed Amendment to Chapter 27 of the HCC Deaz Chairman Hoffmann and Members of the County Council, This testimony is on behalf of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce ([QCCC) represents neazly 750 business and individual members and is the leading business advocacy organization on the west side of the Hawaz i Island. KKCC has testified on this Bi11 on four previous occasions and thus our position is well known. While the various drafts have modified the document, the intent has nat changed and thus our previous testimony remains valid. Today we wish to make just two points: 1. At the Council hearing on July 10~ it was proposed the Council go back to the original Administration Sill drafted and move forward with approval so the County is brought up to date and in compliance with NFIP requirements. We believe this proposal makes sense and should be enacted as quickly as possible. We do not accept the counter point to this direction, i.e. that this may allow the impetus to improve Flood Control and Flood Plain management to be lost since it is quite apparent that this Council is made up of a group of very concerned citizens who will simply not allow this to happen. This Chamber certainly supports their concerns and wtill support their future efforts. 2. Our real concern with the excellent efforts made by individuals on the Council and their staff, and from the public input seen at the hearings on this Bill, is that the direction is obviously right and has public support but the system used to arrive at the present position has not been effective and does not have public support. We go back to our previously stated position that such a Bill and change in legislation may well be prooased by the Council but the proposed legislative changes should be made by qualified people within the Administration, supported as aecessary by outside professionals and other experienced and qualified resources, (NRCS et at? which should then go to the Council for approval and modification if necessary. This way there will tre a reasoned debate regarding changes, as opposed to what has amounted to "ambit bargaining" which has taken place and which is a most ineffective and time consuming way of arriving at a result that is quite unlikely to solve any problems or to be best for the community. ~ ~ , i/ Comm, No. ~ `r Ref. Tor~_._i~ / Ref. Uate-JU_C, 2 5 2flQ7 Hawaii County Council July 20, 2007 Page Two Thus we would propose that the original administration Bill be passed and that the Council direct {and mana9 to the extent needed] the administration to complete a review and redraft of the Flood Control Management Legislation within a defined timeframe. Sincerely, Vivian Landrum Executive Director