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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP JConPWIRC/FC/PC 004 03/11/2008 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE FIRST JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, FINANCE, AND PLANNING DATE: March 11, 2008 Re: Comm. 1021/Bill 251 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa 78-128 Ehukai St. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 8:27 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ` Because this item was one of several items on three committee agendas which were related, Bill 251 was postponed to a Joint Committee Meeting on Planning, Finance, and Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, which was convened at the end of the scheduled committees for the day. The Chairman of each committee consecutively called the meetings to order and relinquished their respective chairs to Council Chair Pete Hoffmann. Your Committee on Public Works & Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred in Communication 1021, regarding Bill 251, reports as follows: Bill 251, transmitted by Director of Public Works, Bruce McClure, via Communication No. 1021, dated February 4, 2008, amends Chapter 24, Article 10, Division 2, Section 24-267, Schedule 15 (One way streets), subsection (f) Kona, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) by adding new item: "(_)Haleki`i Street, all vehicular traffic shall move in the southbound direction only from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, for the lower portion of Haleki'i Street (4000) feet extending from the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass to a point 600 feet makai of the Nluli St. intersection. In this request, it is further explained that the partial opening of the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass will be restricted to one-way vehicular traffic southbound during 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To accommodate the pm peak hour traffic that is currently experiencing long delays and congestion along the existing Mamalahoa Highway. There were several comments and oppositions presented from the public on February 20 and March 11, 2008 on this proposed bill. Several Kona Scenic Subdivision residents appearing before your committee expressed their concerns of the steep grade of Haleki'i Street, ongoing speeding problems in which vehicles have landed in their yards and home, safe entering or exiting from their driveways, their childrens' safety in the neighborhood and park, pedestrian and motorists' safety utilizing the businesses and Circuit Court - Big Island Drug Court located on Haleki'i Street. Other comments such as the substantial increase of traffic on Haleki'i Street, impatient commuters finding shortcuts through private roads near Kealakekua McDonald's and Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union hoping to get back on Mamalahoa Highway sooner if Haleki' i Street traffic should be delayed. Furthermore, the residents asked that this opening studies closely and the impact it will have on them as long-time residents living at Kona Scenic Subdivision. i JC-PWIRC; FC & PC REPORT NO.4 f Page 2 Communication No. 1021 / Bill 251 Several comments and questions by your committee included mistrust that was stated in many of the testimonies as being cause for concern by the Council. If certain options are agreed to, DPW should continue with traffic improvements and the traffic mitigation should be incorporated into the zoning applications and conditions. The recommendation and proposed traffic mitigation presented by DPW were reasonable. Concern as to where Hokuli`a is in completing the bypass road was brought up and the committee felt a decision by the Council is needed on this particular issue. Mr. Ron Thiel, Traffic Division Chief; Mr. Bruce McClure, Director; and Mr. Jiro Sumada, II Deputy Director from the Department of Public Works (DPW) appeared before your committee. 1 DPW commented that they have had numerous public hearings with the residents and have heard their concerns. As provided in their request, this test period is scheduled for three to six months and the Council could then decide how to proceed. Mr. Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel, and Mr. Chris Yuen, Director of Planning, commented and answered your committee's questions. Currently there is no timeframe as to Hokuli`a completing the bypass road, although the obligation of the conditions of the settlement must still be met. Committee Chair Brenda Ford relinquished her seat to Vice Chair Dominic Yagong on ` February 20 and March 11, 2008, on this particular agenda item. Council Member Brenda J. Ford made a motion on February 20, 2008, to postpone consideration of Bill 250 due to technical errors. This motion was duly seconded and approved. Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 251, and recommends passage on first reading. dkr AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted, FORD X FIRST JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, HIGA X FINANCE, AND PLANNING HOFFMANN X ~y~ BRENDA J. FORD, C IR IKEDA X PUB WORKS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELA ONS COMMITTEE JACOBSON X NAEOLE X DOMINIC YAGONG, IR FINA COMMI t PILAGO X YAGONG X ANG L PILAGO, AIR PLANNING COMM TEE YOSHIMOTO X JC-PWIRC; FC & PC REPORT NO. 4 ADOPTED: S 2