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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0532.000 2012-2014 Walter K.M.Lau �"�%ate Managing Director• William P.Kenoi ' � . Mayor - '—r_ Randall M.Kurohara •=•..• ?'• rr+ V. Deputy Managing Director F OF y1F. County of Hawai`i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Me Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 Nov. 14, 2013 The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chairman, and Members of the Hawai`i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 a =- RE: Bill for an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds Attached for your consideration is a bill authorizing the issuance of up to $61,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the County of Hawai`i for capital improvement projects, which includes $500,000 for bond issuance costs. This remains an excellent time to invest in County infrastructure to save money for county taxpayers, and to create jobs for our working families. Interest rates remain at near-record low levels, and County government has an opportunity today to boost the local construction industry while investing in parks, roads and other important projects to better serve our communities. This request puts special emphasis on park infrastructure to provide more positive, organized activities and mentoring for our young people. We must continue to provide our youth and families with recreational opportunities in their neighborhoods to strengthen our communities. The County's debt service capacity has been analyzed to ensure we have the capacity to issue additional bonds up to the requested amount. With this authorization of$61,000,000, our debt service percentage will be approximately 13.37%. This percentage is within the GFOA guideline that debt service expenditures should be below 15% of total expenditures each year. I respectfully request the Council's approval of this bond request. Aloha, William P. Kenoi MAYOR Attachments Comm. No. 5-3.Z Ref. To: I=L 00'%1t 1 C L\ County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. Date ''+'�V 1 5 2013 �J ) PROJECT LISTING PAhoa Park Expansion- $20,000,000 This project represents the largest single investment in recreation for Puna in Hawai`i County history. Lower Puna is the fastest growing area of the island, and this community needs facilities for our children and families. The plans for the county-owned property in Pahoa Village include three covered play courts, lit baseball fields for Pony League and high school play, two multi- purpose fields, two comfort stations, and two playgrounds. Kailua District Park Phase 1 - $9,000,000 Funding for Phase 1 of the Kailua District Park will remove parts of the asphalt airport runway and provide a park road and new entrance, landscaping and parking areas to serve the beach park. A cultural resource area will be established at the north end of the park. This is a major step in implementing the Kailua Park Master Plan, which was finalized in 2009 and represents the community's vision for this heavily used recreational resource. Kapi`olani Street Extension - $6,000,000 Additional funding is required to complete this roadway, which will improve traffic flow and support the growth of the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. This connector road will open up nearly 42 acres on land for university development,providing a significant economic stimulus. The Kapi`olani Street Extension will also better connect urban Hilo with a new corridor that will include sidewalks and bikeways. Repairs/Improvements to Parks & Recreation Facilities - $4,100,000 These funds provide for repairs and improvements such as re-roofing, repainting, structural repairs, plumbing work, and repairing insect and weather damage islandwide. Work will target repairs at the most heavily used recreational sites that need immediate attention. Parks & Recreation Department ADA Compliance - $3,800,000 This administration is committed to making our Parks &Recreation facilities accessible to all residents of Hawai`i County. These funds will be used for the design and construction of projects identified in the County's plan to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Kamehameha Avenue Resurfacing- $2,600,000 This project will reconstruct Kamehameha Avenue from Ponahawai Street to Waianuenue Avenue, including drainage improvements, sidewalk and curb ramp reconstruction. Project Listing Page 2 Waimea District Park Phase 1 - $2,500,000 This funding will match $2.5 million in appropriated state funds to complete design and begin construction of the first phase of Waimea District Park. This initial investment includes groundwork for the park, offsite drainage work, construction of a driveway connecting to Ala `Ohi`a Road, and utilities to support the project. When completed, Phase 1 will include a softball and youth baseball field, a soccer field, and football field with nighttime lighting and spectator seating. Later phases will include a covered play court, a community center, a comfort station, and an outdoor picnic and recreation area with pavilions. Honoka`a Rodeo Arena Improvements - $2,500,000 Major improvements to this rodeo arena will include a new concession building and two-story judges' booth with overhangs. An accessible comfort station and covered bleachers will replace existing structures, and the existing concession building will be converted to a pavilion. The arena's parking and walkways will be made ADA accessible, and drainage will be improved to address runoff and safety concerns. Playground Development- $2,000,000 We continue to invest in playgrounds as safe places to keep our children active and positively engaged. These funds will be used for the construction of new playgrounds, enhancement of existing playgrounds, and replacement of aging playground equipment. Playground sites to be developed include Honoka`a Complex, Kailua Park, Waiakea Uka Park, and Carvalho Park. Hilo Municipal Golf Course New Clubhouse and Improvements - $1,500,000 The existing plantation-era clubhouse at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course has extensive termite damage, and a thorough renovation is required. This funding will cover the design of a new clubhouse and related facilities to include adequate staff working areas, more concession space and a multi-purpose room. This project will also replace dilapidated cart storage and maintenance facilities, and will relocate the practice putting green and chipping area. Repairs to the water system and accessibility issues will be addressed around the entire course. Pahoa Town Center Land- $1,260,000 This land purchase will allow the County to acquire nearly four acres in central Pahoa Village for development as a possible town square. When fully developed, the area will include a public parking lot, restrooms and other pedestrian-oriented enhancements. Ponahawai Street Improvements - $1,100,000 This road improvement project will include cold planing and resurfacing the roadway,partial pavement reconstruction, and traffic signal improvements along Ponahawai Street from Kamehameha Avenue at the makai end to Kapi`olani Street on the mauka end. Project Listing Page 3 Ali`i Kai Subdivision New Park Development- $1,000,000 Funding will be used for construction of a park in the heart of an older neighborhood in Kona that is without park amenities. This will supplement Fair Share funding currently available to finance the project, which has strong support from the community. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District- $600,000 The County is assisting residents of over 140 properties in the Lono Kona subdivision to establish a sewer system improvement district to satisfy a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandate to close large capacity cesspools. These funds will finance improvement district start-up costs including a feasibility study, design and easement acquisition. The County will be reimbursed upon closing of a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan to finance the project. Hazardous Materials Abatement for Parks & Recreation Facilities - $600,000 Parks & Recreation facilities across the island have been inspected for hazardous materials that are often found in older buildings, including lead, asbestos, arsenic and mercury. These funds will allow the department to mitigate or remove these materials to assure continued safe public use of all facilities. Kealakehe Regional Park- $500,000 The master plan for the Kealakehe Regional Park has been completed. Funds are now needed for research, studies, and the preparation of an environmental assessment for the 193-acre park. Plans include a soccer complex, football stadium, covered play courts, a tennis complex,baseball complex, archery range, golf driving range, and a central great lawn with an amphitheater. Bike and walking paths are planned throughout. Kailua Park Second Canoe HAlau Structure- $400,000 This halau is identified in the Kailua Park Master Plan to promote canoe paddling as a positive recreational opportunity with a strong cultural heritage. This halau structure will provide more canoe clubs with a place to meet that supports learning and teaching, and provides secure equipment storage. Pahoa Sewer Feasibility Study- $300,000 This will fund a feasibility study for the development of a sewage collection and treatment system to serve the Pahoa Regional Town Center area. The study will include recommendations for financing strategies, phased development, and locations of a treatment plant and lines. Reed's Bay Beach Park Landscaping Improvements - $250,000 This Hilo beach park has become a popular gathering spot for families since major improvements were completed in April 2013. Funding will be used to develop additional lawn areas to allow more families to picnic and play. Project Listing Page 4 Public Works Land Acquisition- $200,000 Funding is needed to acquire land for Public Works roadway projects, including the Kapi`olani Street Extension(between Mohouli and Lanikaula Streets) and additional right of way along Ali`i Drive near `Oneo Bay (between Hualalai and Walua Roads) and along Manono Street. Pahoa Regional Town Center Master Plan- $150,000 The master plan for the Pahoa Regional Town Center will be developed with public participation to prepare for a sustainable,pedestrian-oriented town center. The plan will define appropriate commercial and residential growth to provide goods, services, employment and educational opportunities for the surrounding communities. It will address the need for improvements including wastewater, water and traffic infrastructure required to support growth. Papa`ikou Mill Beach Trail- $100,000 Access to Papa'ikou Mill Beach is currently through private property on a trail maintained by the owners. Differing expectations of access have created tension between the landowners and the public. The Hawai`i County Council last year authorized the purchase of this trail, using eminent domain if necessary, to ensure perpetual public access. Kaipalaoa Landing New Park Development- $40,000 This small park on Hilo Bay at the gateway to Downtown Hilo was recently acquired from the state via executive order. Volunteers will design the project, apply for permits, and complete improvements. This funding will purchase materials and rent equipment to support this volunteer effort.