HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0124.000 2010-2012William P. Kenoi
Mayor
Nancy E. Crawford
Director
Deanna S. Sako
Deputy Director
County of Hawaii
Finance Department T.
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2103 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 - t
(808) 961 -8234 Fax (808) 961 -8569
March 2, 2011
Dominic Yagong, Council Chair and
Members of the Hawai'i County Council
Hawai'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
Re: Amendment to the Hawai'i County Code
Enclosed is a bill for an ordinance amending Chapter 7, Article 2, of the Hawai'i County Code 1983
(2005 Edition, as amended), relating to Disaster Control. The purpose of this measure is to add a
new section to prohibit unauthorized parking in a disaster.
Disaster scenes are, unfortunately, attractive to individuals who willfully disregard the risks posed
during a disaster in order to experience the event close at hand. Currently, the County Code only
prohibits loitering in a disaster area (Section 7 -10), and it is often problematic for the Police
Department to enforce this regulation. Should there be need for emergency measures to be taken,
such as the evacuation of an area, the presence of parked vehicles impedes the ability of emergency
personnel to perform their functions.
The amendment seeks to provide the Hawai'i County Police Department with the authority to ticket
and /or tow an unauthorized vehicle, in a disaster area, even if the owner is not present. The
suggested penalty is $35.00 per violation; equal to the fine for parking in a no parking zone.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call Quince Mento of the Hawaii County Civil
Defense Agency at 935 -0031.
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Nancy rawford
Director of Finance
Enc.
cc: Civil Defense
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Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. To; C
Ref. Date MAR 0 3 7tt�, t_g
Form #: B -52
7/18/91
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
DEPARTMENT
STAFF CONTACT
Civil Defense DATE:
Quince Mento PHONE:
2/4/11
935 -0031
A. REQUEST:
This request is to amend Chapter 7, Article 2, of the Hawai'i County Code, Civil Defense - Disaster Control,
by adding a new section to prohibit unauthorized parking in a disaster.
B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED):
Disaster scenes are, unfortunately, attractive to individuals who willfully disregard the risks posed during a
disaster in order to experience the event up close. Currently, the County Code only prohibits loitering in a
disaster area. It is often problematic for the Police Deparment to enforce Section 7 -10, loitering during
disaster or impending disaster. Adding to the issues caused by people in the area are their car impeding
ingress and egress of emergency vehicles. Further, should immediate evacuation of the area be necessary
the presence of vehicles, often haphazardly parked, could cause significant delay. The amendment seeks to
further discourage loitering in a disaster area by giving a Police Officer the authority to ticket and /or tow an
unauthorized vehicle in a disaster area without the presence of the owner. The suggested penalty is $35.00,
equal to parking in a no parking zone.
SIGNED: {� DATE:
epartment Head