HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 135 01/05/2010 2008-2010 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: January 5, 2010 Re: Comm. No. 659/Bill No. 189
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 11:45 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 189, reports as follows:
Bill No. 189, transmitted, by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 659. dated
December 15, 2009, amends Chapter 7, Article 2, Section 7 -8, of the Hawaii County Code 1983
(2005 Edition, as amended), by regulating the use of water spigots and to update water hauling charges
during times of declared emergency.
The Hawai`i County water spigots were established in 1988 as an emergency source of drinking water as
a precaution against lead contamination in catchment systems due to the effects of acid rain. The number
of spigots has increased from the original five to 15 (a sixteenth is currently under construction) and the
County currently pays over $50,000 annually in water and maintenance bills to support the spigots.
Expenses are expected to rise significantly with the completion of the Ocean View spigots, a projected 3
to 6% increase in the cost of water delivery in 2010 and the Department of Public Works increase in costs
to maintain the spigots. The only cost control available for the program is to limit consumption at the
spigot locations. Currently, there are o official restrictions on the use of the spigots and non- emergency
uses have included car washing, boat washing, washing ginger, and taking large quantities of water
(100+ gallons).
This bill also updates Section 7 -8 by removing language that was no longer applicable after August 1980.
Civil Defense Administrator Quince Mento said this bill will give the police something to enforce and
will help in preventing the long lines at the spigots. He will look into the cost of installing metered pipes
as suggested.
Your Committee on Finance is in accordance with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 189 and
recommends it pass first reading.
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AYES NOES A& EX Respectfully submitted,
E
ENRIQUES X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
GREENWELL X
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X �.
NAEOLE X
ONISHI X DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI. CHAIR
YACONC X FC REPORT NO. 135
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED:
OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: January 22, 2010 — Council Meeting (31 Session)
Action: Filed Bill 189 and FC -135
FC Report 135 transmitted the above bill for "approval."
C- 659 /BILL 189 /FC -135
Re: