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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWPC 111 07/25/2000 1998-2000 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS DATE: July 25, 2000 RE: COMM. NO. 680 / BILL NO. 214 PLACE: Councilroom TIME: 9:07 a.m. Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Works and Parks, to which was referred Communication No. 680, and attached Bill No. 214, reports as follows: The purpose of Bill No. 214 is to amend Chapter 15 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition) relating to Parks and Recreation, on the removal of beach composition from certain parks, abandoned property, and camping and trailer areas. Bill No. 214 proposed to prohibit the removal of natural beach composition which consists of sand or coral. It also proposes to address the concerns of the Police Department regarding abandoned property by having it removed or impounded which will give the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation a better direction in working with the Police Department. Other proposed amendments are to just clean up language because some parks no longer exist. Communication No. 680 is from Parks and Recreation Director Juliette Tulang, dated February 17, 2000, transmitting Bill No. 214 for the Council's review and consideration. Your Committee instructed Ms. Tulang that a new cover letter specifically outlining the proposed amendments needed to be submitted. Your Committee first discussed this measure on March 2I, 2000, and recommended that BiII No. 214 be deferred for further clarification. Your Committee subsequently received Communication No. 680.001 from Corporation Counsel Richard D. Wurdeman, dated June 15, 2000 transmitting Bill No. 214, Draft 2 for the Council's review and consideration. Bill No. 214, Draft 2, amends Chapter 15 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition) relating to Parks and Recreation, which was submitted with proposed changes for the regulation of parks areas, including the removal of sand and soil from parks, the impoundment of abandoned property and camping restrictions. Your Committee expressed the same concerns as mentioned at the March 21, 2000 meeting. Mr. AI Jeremiah of the Corporation Counsel Office informed Your Committee that in the general application of law, the title refers to amending Chapter 15, which has all the sections that needs to be amended in various articles, and that this measure would suffice. This measure does not address one article of a chapter. It is amending the whole chapter, therefore, you amend the different articles in the specified chapter. Committee on Public Works & Parks Communication No. 680, Bill No. 2l4 July 25, 2000 Page 2 of 2 Council Member Julie Jacobson moved to reinsert Whittington Beach Park in Section 15-39-(a), the section of camping and uses of trailers and other campers are only permitted as stated in the proposed bill. Council Member James Y. Arakaki asked Ms. Tulang what would be the impact of including Whittington Beach Park. Ms. Tulang informed Your Committee that "we would not be looking at providing security service there because it just doesn't have the volume of people." Mr. Arakaki asked Ms. Tulang if signs could be posted informing the people that they would be on their own if Whittington Beach Park is kept on the list. Ms. Tulang informed Your Committee that whenever someone applies for a camping permit, the Department informs the people that the only camp site that have security are Spencer Beach Park, which is for the entire evening, and Hookena, which is just for a few hours. The County also informs permit holders that the other beach parks do not have any security at all, and that they are on their own. Your Committee expressed concern about liability, and asked Mr. Tulang if signs could be posted stating to let people know they are assuming their own liability. Ms. Tulang stated that it could be done. Committee Chairman Yagong asked for a show of hands in favor of the amendment to allow Whittington Beach Park to be allowed to camp with a permit. The motion to approve was made and seconded, followed by a vote by the seven members in attendance. The vote reflected four in favor, and three opposed. Council Member J. Curtis Tyler, 111, requested Your Committee request from Corporation Counsel a written request for definition of the State's law regarding abandoned property on County property. Your Committee is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 214, as amended to Draft 3, and recommends that it pass first reading. la AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted YAGONG X EtARIONO>:F x CO~~IMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS & PARKS CHUNG X ~ JACOBSON X LEITHEAD-TODD X PISICCHIO X DOMINIC YAGONG, C IR SMITH X TvLER Y PWPC REPORT NO. 111 ARAKAKI E. O. M. ~ ADOPTED: