REP PWIRC 036 09/18/2007 2006-2008

Home

. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DATE: September 18, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 658/Res. 329-07 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa 78-128 Ehukai Street Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 3:40 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution No. 329-07, reports as follows: Resolution No. 329-07, transmitted by Council Member K. Angel Pilago, dated September 4, 2007, requests the Department of Public Works to consistently enforce the regulations within Chapter 3, the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), relating to signs. The purpose of this resolution is to protect the natural beauty of Hawaii Island; ensure public safety, health and welfare; give fair and equal opportunity to all; reduce visual clutter; and encourage and promote the visitor industry; and for the Director of the Department of Public Works, or designated assistant, to consistently enforce any and all violations of section 3-7(a) of the Code and that fines for violations be aggressively pursued in accordance with section 3- 38(c), of the Code (Administrative enforcement); and that Council recognizes and supports the ongoing efforts of the Department of Public Works and will strongly consider the appropriations of additional funding, if required, to carry out a more aggressive campaign to enforce the regulations within Chapter 3 of the Code. Your Committee heard testimony from four members of the public. The first testifier, Sandra Scarr, President of Kona Outdoor Circle is in support of this resolution. The old and Kaloko industrial areas is filled with sandwich board and signs in violation of the Sign Code. They received many complaints from the public on these illegal signs in their office. It is the Department of Public Work's, Building Division under the County Code that needs to enforce the Sign Code. It was understandable with the October, 2006 earthquake disaster and the unavailable building inspectors to follow up on the complaints. We do not need to be reminded of our court case against the County several years ago, which Judge Ibarra ruled the County to enforce its Sign Code. We are still waiting for the County to enforce its Sign Code. Would like to thank the Council on bringing this before the public and to the attention of its Administration. We ask that you have the building department enforce the Sign Code and help keep Kona and Hawaii County clean, green and beautiful.