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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 049 02/04/2003 2002-2004REPORT OF THE COMMITTF,E ON FINANCE, DAT}i: February 4, ?003 PLACE: Council Chambers "DIME: 9:10 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, I lawai'i 96720 Re: Comm. No. 70/Rill Nu. ~~ Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Rill No. 34, reports as follows: Rill No. 34, transmitted by Director of Finance William l~akaba, via Communication No. 70, dated December 26, 2003, amends Ordinance No. OZ-77, as amended. the Capital Budget. ending June 30. 2003. by adding the following project: FIRE.: Fire Administration Facility 110-292-5292.36 $2.500.000 Funds for this project shall be provided from general obligation bonds. capital projects. fund- fund balance and/or other sources. Funds will be used for the acquisition of the "Sun Sun Lau" property in Hilo and the design and construction of amulti-function administration and support complex for the Hawaii County Fire Department Administrative Services. ~ll~aining and Dispatch operations. Presently, these offices arc dispersed, in the tsunami inundation zone. and a training facility has never been provided. Originally heard on .lanuary 7, 2003. this measure was dclerred pending a presentation by the Mavor. At its meeting on January 22, 2003. the Mayor informed your Committee that the Fire Administration Facility would include the Fire Department Administrative Services, 'training and Dispatch operations. 'the Dire Department Administration has not developed a lacility to tit its needs. In the event of a hurricane, the dispatch office must be evacuated because the facility is not hurricane-safe for certain wind velocities. 'I~he lifeguard administration ~mav also be located in this facility. Due to the lateness of the January 23.2003 Committee meeting, this measure was deferred. On February 2, 2003, a site visit was conducted to the former Sun Sun I.au Restawant, 1055 Kinoole Street. During the site visit. Deputy Chief Desmond Wery explained to the members of your Committee the areas that would he used tier certain functions: Adminisu•ativc offices and a classroom training facility were mentioned with the kitchen area being reserved possibly for a shower area and the parking lot to be used for additional parking for fire and hazmat vehicles. Council Members noted areas of deterioration and the potential scope of the renovation. FC RItPOKf NO. $9 Questions were asked regarding the tsunami inundation and evacuation zone, to which Deputy Chief Desmond Wery replied he was informed the Sun Sun Lau property is not in an inundation zone; however it is in an evacuation zone. 1'hereforc, the dispatch equipment would not have to be evacuated in the event of a tsunami, as is currently the case where dispatch is located at the Central Fire Station. Mr. "fyler asked why the community would aced to he evacuated but not the emergency equipment and personnel to which Deputy Chief replied that this area is an evacuation area because it needs to be clear in order for emergency- equipment to flow to the inundation zone. Mr. Tyler noted there was .f drainage ditch from Lanakila Housing nn the ! lamakua side of the property as well as the Wailoa canal on the Puna side. Also, he noted a sewer casement through the property belonging to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. At the site. some Members of your Committee pointed out that the frlundation of the Sun Sun Lau building looks good; however. a portion of the floor looked unstahle. Some Members of your Committee expressed concerns that the County received funds from the State to purchase land from SL Joseph adjacent to the Public Safety Complex with the intent that it would be fbr the lire building. However, the cellblock detention facility has been constructed in its place. Also, members of your Committee raised concerns over the fact the Fire Commission did not have any input on purchasing the Sun Sun Lau huilding. A motion to approve was made and seconded. Ibllowed by a vote by the eight members iu attendance. The final vote, as retlected below, prompted the Committee Chair to tbrward this measure to full Council with a negative recommendation. Your Committee on Finance forwards Bill No. 34 to Council with a negative recommendation. smc \1'Eh VOFA \df: \Rti CHUNG X SA FARIK X ARA KAKI X ELARIONOF'F' X HOLSCHUH X JACOBSON X LEITHEAD-TODD X REYNOLDS X TYLER X Respectfully submitted Ct "D ADOPl'f?D: