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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 207 03/08/2012 2010-2012REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: March 8, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 559/Bill 180 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii 96720 TIME: 10:07 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawai `i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 180, reports as follows: Bill 180, transmitted by Council Member Brenda J. Ford via Communication No. 559, dated January 25, 2012, is a bill for an ordinance to amend Chapter 24, Article 8, Division 5 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) relating to Reserved Parking at County Facilities. The purpose of this amendment is to redefine the responsibility of the director of public works, eliminate the monthly rental charge paid by County employees and officials for parking stalls at three County buildings, establish priorities for assigning reserved parking spaces, and eliminate any shifting of reserved parking privileges. Chair Brenda Ford relinquished the Chairmanship to Vice Chair Dominic Yagong, and he assumed chairmanship of the Finance Committee on February 14 and March 8. Ms. Ford commented this proposed bill is to stop monthly billing of reserved parking for County employees confined to Hawai `i County building complex at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, at 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, and the West Hawai `i Civic Center at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona. Furthermore, she stated the financial hardship to some County employees in this declining economy. She seeks the support of Your Committee. Director of Public Works Warren Lee appeared before Your Committee. Mr. Lee commented the purpose of charging employees privilege of parking is to create revenue for the County of Hawaii at these business service centers. Furthermore, these three business service centers are an accommodation of public and employee involvement. The parking is assessed based on the privilege of parking in that area and a revenue generator to pay back the cost of the structures. Some members stated their concerns about: 1) allowing County employees free parking and the public still must pay, 2) if employees are granted free parking, the public parking should be free, 3) a concern that there may not be enough reserved designated parking in these areas for employees and continued off-street parking. FC Report No. 207 FC -207 Page 2 March 8, 2012 At the meeting on February 14, 2012, by unanimous vote, the measure was postponed to March 8, 2012. A proposed amendment was transmitted via Communication 559.2 from Council Member Brenda J. Ford, dated March 5, 2012, failed. Some members commented that 19 of 24 County employees approved paying monthly fees in an unofficial poll conducted at the building complex at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo. For informational purposes, Mr. Blas voted "kanalua" twice. Your Committee on Finance is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 180 and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation. CUT Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE BRENDA FORD, CHAIR FC REPORT NO. 207 ADOPTED: AYES NOES A&E EX BLAS X FORD X HOFFMANN X IKEDA X ONISHI X PILAGO X SMART X YAGONG X YOSHIMOTO X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE BRENDA FORD, CHAIR FC REPORT NO. 207 ADOPTED: OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY Meeting: Council -March 21, 2012 Action: Filed on I st reading due to vote count of 4 ayes, 3 noes (Ikeda, Onishi Yoslumoto), and 2 absent (Hoffman, Pilago). Re: Bili 180; Comm. 559 (2010-2102 term); FC -207 (Negative; report was adopted at first reading on above date although not indicated on report)