HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 032 11/04/2003 2002-2004REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: November 04, 2003 RE: COMM. NO. 384 / RESO. NO. 120-03
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:04 a.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred Communication
No. 384, and attached Resolution No. 120-03, reports as follows:
Communication No. 384 is from Assistant Corporation Counsel Gerald "Takase, dated October 14, 2003,
transmitting Resolution No. 120-03 for the Council's review and consideration.
The purpose of Resolution No. 120-03 is to authorize the grant easement for underground fiber optic conduit
within the County of Hawaii rights-of--way where Sandwich Isles Communication, Inc. has received a
Public utilities Commission Certificate of Authority to provide Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
properties with modern high-speed fiber optic service.
Gil Tam, who handles Administration and community Affairs for Sandwich Isles, explained the funding for
this project. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural utility service has a loan program for power, water,
waste management and telecommunications to help build out rural America. In the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's rural utility service program, Sandwich Isles is licensed to Hawaiian Home Lands.
Committee members were concerned that communication companies are not paying any taxes as opposed to
the electric and gas companies which pay franchise taxes. Mr. Takase stated that it would be appropriate for
the communication companies to pay rights-of--way fee. He added that the County has no mechanism
currently in place to charge communication companies any fees. Mr. Takase suggested looking into
implementing a charge for all companies equally.
Your Committee is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No.120-03 and recommends its
adoption.
ey
AYES NOES A&E EX
ARAKAKI X
CHUNG X
ELARIONOFF X
HOLSCHUH X
JACOBSON X
REYNOLDS X
SAFARIK X
TULANG X
TYLER X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS &
INTERGOVERNMENT RELATIONS
GAR A K, H IR
P W I RC REPORT NO. 1 32 q 9
ADOPTED: NOV 19 4Q~a