HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWPRC 040 2016/04/19 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
PARKS AND RECREATION
DATE: April 19, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 807/Bill No. 185
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Bill No. 185,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 185, transmitted by Council Member Daniel K. Paleka, Jr.. via Communication No. 807
dated March 23,2016, amends Chapter 24, Article 11, Division 1, Section 24-298 and
Section 24-300 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), relating to speed
limits on private streets.
The bill adds unpaved and portions of unpaved roads to Schedule 2 (15 mile per hour limit), and
paved and portions of paved roads to Section 4 (25 mile per hour limit), in the Fcrn Forest
Subdivision, Subsection (g), Puna.
Council Member Paleka stated that he was contacted by the Fern Forest Community Association
(FFCA) seeking help with complaints submitted by a resident to the State Department of Health
in reference to air quality issues in their subdivision and violations that may be imposed to the
FFCA, if not resolved. He worked with Public Works Traffic Division to find a solution that
would satisfy the Department of Health and the community.
Traffic Division Chief Ronald Thiel appeared before Your Committee for questions. He
explained that an extensive traffic study was done to determine the recommended speed limit
changes proposed in the bill. Mr. Thiel stated that the law provides that all roads are 25 mph
unless otherwise designated by the Council. The Traffic Division is advisory to inform what is
safe. To address the dust issues, changing the speed limit to 15 mph was found to be the best
solution to resolve this matter.
William K. Watkins, current president of FFCA, stated that this bill would assist with police
enforcement in their subdivision as well as help citation tickets hold up in a court of law. This
would show the Department of Health reasonable efforts made by the FFCA in mitigating the
dust and air quality problems in the subdivision.
PWPRC Report No. 40
PWPRC-40 Page 2 April 19, 2016
Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Bill No. 185, and recommends its passage on first reading.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNC X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
LOPP X PARKS AND RECREATION
!LAGAN X
KANUHA X
ONISHI X4,e)(j9-csstASI:v
PALEKA x VALERIE T. POINDEXTER. CIIAIR
POINDEXTER X PWPRC REPORT NO.: 40
WILLE X ADOPTED: MAY 14 au16