Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0128.039 2010-2012William P. Kenoi Mayor William T. Takaba Managing Director September 16, 2011 Count gigtr?Zf DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7 • Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 -4224 (808) 961 -8321 • Fax (808) 961 -8630 www.co.hawaii.hi.us Dominic Yagong, Council Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Warren H. W. Lee Director Brandon A. K. Gonzalez Deputy Director 0 o -13 8, _. SUBJECT: BILL 270 (DRAFT 3) The Department of Public Works ( "DPW ") provides the following update and material regarding passage of Bill 270, Draft 3. I. ADOPTION OF BUILDING CODE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW Bill 270, Draft 3, would change the Building Code by adopting the 2006 International Building Code (2006 IBC), along with a number of state and county amendments. The county is required by state law to adopt a building code using model codes and standards, such as the 2006 IBC, no later than two years after the adoption of the state building code. The state building code was adopted in 2010, and adoption of Bill 270 will bring the county into compliance with the state law. II. RECENT PUBLIC WORKSHOPS REGARDING BILL 270 CONDUCTED The DPW recently conducted two workshops. The first, on Tuesday, September 6 at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Community Meeting Hale in Kailua -Kona from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The second, on Wednesday September 7 at the Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. These recent workshops were in addition to: • the public meeting conducted by DPW on October 2, 2010 (Hilo, approximately 36 people in attendance); and • the public meeting conducted by DPW on October 28, 2010 (Kona, approximately 11 people in attendance); and • at least a half a dozen meetings between DPW staff and individuals from the public-to address questions or concerns; and • the various County Council and Committee meetings from 2010 to present. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. l 0 No. / 2 � 5 / Ref. fo: free Oil." Ref. Date`• SEP 21 2611 Bill 270 (Draft 3) September 16, 2011 Page 2 of 3 A total of seventy -four (74) individuals attended the recent workshops (approximately twenty -two (22) attended in Kona and approximately fifty -two (52) attended in Hilo). III. RECENT PUBLIC WORKSHOPS During the workshops, County staff from the Building Department again explained and clarified proposed changes to the Hawai'i County Building Code. The primary presenters during the most recent workshops were: • Neil Erickson, Architect and Plans Examiner for DPW. • Ray Tanabe, Meteorologist in Charge of the NOAA National Weather Service Forecast office in Honolulu. • Gary Y.K. Chock, S.E., author of Modeling of Topographic Wind Effects in Hawai'i and Modeling of Hurricane Damage for Hawai'i Residential Construction and Topographic Wind Speed -up and Directionality Factors for Use in the City and County of Honolulu Building Code and the Multi- Hazard Pre - Disaster Mitigation Plan for the City & County of Honolulu; former president of the Structural Engineers Association of Hawai'i; and member of the State Building Code Council. Neil Erickson compared administrative changes to the current code, chapter 5 regarding wind -load, partially enclosed structures, emergency preparedness, specifications & plans, violations, permits, and pre- approved package homes. Mr. Erickson's presentation materials from the most recent public workshops are included as Attachment 1. Ray Tanabe briefed the audience on "Central Pacific Hurricane Center and 2011 Hurricane Preparedness." Mr. Tanabe addressed the history of tropical cyclones, tropical cyclone impacts, and typical "myths" regarding tropical cyclones. Mr. Tanabe also stated: 1) all islands in Hawai'i are at equal risk; 2) there is a 1 out of 15 chance of hurricane winds somewhere in Hawai'i every year; 3) the islands do not have enough land mass to draw energy from a tropical cyclone to weaken the storm system. Mr. Tanabe's presentation materials from the most recent public workshops are included as Attachment 2. Gary Y.K. Chock, S.E. spoke on "Hawaii Wind Design Requirements for Hurricanes." Mr. Chock explained how technical committees collaborated in the creation and evolution of the technical language of the building code and ASCE7 in regards to wind design. Mr. Chock also addressed the obsolete calculations and formulas relied upon by the Uniform Building Code and the best modern methods of calculation relating to wind design that are a part of the IBC. According to Mr. Chock, the national model codes have adopted accredited national standards like ASCE 7 so that detailed technical provisions can be developed in a non - political environment and be subject to peer review by those with nationally recognized expertise. The International Code Council adopts such standards by reference and sometimes extracts key portion of text to include in the codes. Mr. Chock's presentation materials from the most recent public workshops are included as Attachment 3. County of Hawai' i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Bill 270 (Draft 3) September 16, 2011 Page 3 of 3 IV. ADDITIONAL MEETINGS On Thursday, September 15, 2011, DPW met with Ross Armetta from Hawaiians for Affordable Housing and several other individuals to review their concerns regarding Bill 270. On Friday, September 16, 2011, DPW will again meet with Bob Ernst, for "Bill 270 Stakeholders" and other individuals to review their concerns regarding Bill 270. Thank you for your time and consideration. neon K. Gonzalez eputy Di ector Attachments County of Hawai' i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.