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From: 'Council Testimony' <counciltestimonv@co.hawaii.hi.us>
To; hawaiicouniycouncil@yahoo.com
Subject: FW: Support Bill 151
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 07:58:12 -1000
From: Charles Flaherty [mailto:orreheart@abha.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 200712:06 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: ford, Brenda; Hoffmann, Pete; Ikeda, Donald; Jacobson, Bob; Higa, Stacy; Naeole, FJnily; Pitago, K. Angel;
Yagong, Dominic; Yoshlnoto, J; McClure, Bruce; Sumada, Jiro; Yanabu, Robert; cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us;
Kaetsu, Dixie; Yuen, Chris
Subject: Support Bill 151
Aloha mat no Honorable Chairman Hoffmann and members of the County Council,
Mahalo nui to Counalmember Brenda Ford, the Department of Public Works and the Planning Department for
their diligent effort to devebp Bill 151 which raises our County's National Food Insurance Program standards as
recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Mahalo nui loa to Mayor Harry Kim for his expressed support of Bill 151.
Bill 151 contains significant improvements that will enable better itoodplain management in our County. The
value of these improvements far exceed the slight additional building cods which may be incurred because of
the additional 6" requirement. Certainly, these costs are nothing when compared to the massive terra-forming
earthworks that are moving and creating entire hills from solid rock at Hokui'a, Kohanaiki, La'aloa, and all other
large subdivision projects in Kona. Affordable housing is not a possibikty when millons are spent wiping out
existing terrain in order to get the best view for all homes. Nobody cemptains about those costs, nor the
damage being done.
The Americans with Disabilities Ad Guidelines state that a wheek;hair ramp's grade must be no greater than a
1:12 ratio. That means a 6" rise will result in an additional 6' of ramp. The DPW should be able to calculate the
cost of this additional requirement and aone-time property tax credit should be made available. This would also
encourage other homes to build wheekJrair ramps which would increase tirisitabikty" throughout our community
for disabled persons.
I support Bill 151 primarily because of the Joint Action Plan proposed by the Department of Public Works,
Planning Department, as well as Pete Hoffmann and Brenda Ford. This plan was introduce in public meetings
hekd about a month ago in Kona and Hilo .
The Joint Action Plan calls for.
Administrative Actions
• Coordinating input from Department of Public Works, Planning Department, Counal, Civil Defense,
Soil and Water Conservation Districts, National Resource Conservation Service, and the community.
• Assessment of personnel and operational needs of Department of Public Works, Planning, other
government agenaes.
• Budgeting resources to accompish the revisions and DPW needs.
Legislative Actions
• Comprehensive revision of Chapters 10 (grubbirglgrading), 23(subdivision), 25(zoning), and 27
Comm. No.'~'
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Ref. Dale ~L~ 'D x++~
http://us.f588.mail.yahoo.corn/ym/ShowLetteflbox=Inbox&MsgId=2234 2602631_1 6~7
Yahoo! Mail - hawaiicountycouncil(ayahoo.com Page 2 of 2
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(floodplain management).
• Budgeting resources to accomplish the revisions.
The proposed Joint Action Plan is the result of six months of pubkc discussion of revisions to Chapter 27. The
discussion process has been a good education for everyone and provides a good basis for moving forward
towards solving many serious problems faring our island's communities.
I hope this Councl will support the proposed Joint Action Plan as well. The Mayor has already expressed his
support and willingness to improve the way in which our county government operates. I hope this Council will
support this important plan.
Sincerely,
Charles Flaherty
http://us.f588.mail.yahoo.corn/ym/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId=2234.2602631 _ 1862_ 1... 9/6/2007