HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 059 03/11/2008 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: March 11, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 1050/Res. 545-08
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
78-128 Ehukai Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred
Communication No. 1050, regarding Resolution 545-08, reports as follows:
Resolution 545-08, transmitted by Council member Bob Jacobson via Communication No. 1050
dated February 26, 2008 requesting the Director of the Department of Public Works to enforce
Chapter 27, Article 6, of the Hawaii County Code.
Committee Chair Brenda J. Ford relinquished her seat to Vice-Chair Dominic Yagong.
There was no testimony from the public on this proposed amendment.
Council member Bob Jacobson shared concerns, as discussed at the Flood Adhoc Committee
meetings, of untimely enforcement on the recent flood damages. The substantial amount of
flooding was due to blockages and obstructions in drainageways, floodways, levee systems
and/or watercourses. Many of his constituents from Puna, Ka`u and especially South Kona
sustained severe damages. He stated this is not an implication that Department of Public Works
negligent, but an aggressive stand to uphold and enforce chapter 27, Article 6 of the Hawaii
County Code.
Council member Brenda J. Ford is also in support of this proposed resolution, and read into the
record and passed out copies of Hawaii Revised Statutes 46-11.5] Maintenance of channels,
streambeds, streambanks, drainageways, to committee members. She would like the public to be
aware of their private responsibility to maintain channels, streambeds, stream banks, and
drainageways on their property and increase the County's timeliness in enforcing the law.
Public Works Director Bruce McClure informed the committee that an on-going emphasis to
educate the public of their private responsibility on the maintenance of these watercourses, which
would include a dedicated website with rules and regulations and brochures, can now come to
fruition with the recent hiring of a Floodplain Manager, Frank DeMarco. A contact number to
address public concerns will also be provided.
PWIRC REPORT NO. 59
Page 2 Comm. 1050/Res. 545-08
Council member Bob Jacobson is in support of the proposed efforts as shared by Public Works
Director McClure and believes raising the consciousness of the landowners and everyone
involved is important. This was agreed among the majority of your committee members present.
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution 545-08, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
RIGA X COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HOFFMANN X INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
IKEDA X i-
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X BRENDA J. FORD, CHAR
PILAGO X
YAGONG X PWIRCREPORTNO. 59
YOSHIMOTO x ADOPTED: MAR 2 5 2008