HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 036 03/15/2011 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: March 15, 2011 Re: Comm. No. 124/Bill 32
PLACE: Council Chambers
West Hawai`i Civic Center
TIME: 2:05 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 32, reports as follows:
Bill 32, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication 124 dated
March 2, 2011 amends Chapter 7 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended),
relating to Civil Defense, Disaster Control.
This bill would add a new section to Chapter 7, Article 2, to prohibit unauthorized parking
during a disaster. Unfortunately, disaster scenes are attractive to individuals who willfully
disregard the risks posed in order to experience the event close at hand. The presence of parked
vehicles during a disaster impedes the ability of emergency personnel to perform their functions.
Currently, the County Code only prohibits loitering in a disaster area, in Section 7 -10. This bill
would provide the ability for the Hawai`i County Police Department to ticket and/or tow away
unauthorized vehicles from an evacuation or disaster area, even if the owner is not present.
Civil Defense Administrator Quince Mento appeared before Your Committee. He explained that
an impeding or potential disaster is identified after the Mayor signs an emergency proclamation
and the area is defined on a map. Furthermore, it is suggested that the penalty is $35.00 per
violation, which is currently the same penalty issued for a "no parking" citation. This bill has
been reviewed by both Corporation Counsel and Police Chief Harry Kubojiri prior to referral to
Finance Committee.
Some members of Your Committee feel that the penalty should be much higher than the
proposed $35 fine.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 32, and recommends
it pass first reading.
dkr
AYES NOES A &E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X I ,/
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
SMART x BRENDA FORD, CHAIR
YAGONG X FC REPORT NO. 36
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: SAY 1 ( 2011