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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PSMTC 021 2016/08/16 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND MASS TRANSIT DATE: August 16, 2016 Re: Bill No. 229/Comm. No. 985 PLACE: Council Chambers Kona, Hawai`i TIME: 9:18 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Kona, Hawai`i 96740 Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 229, reports as follows: Bill No. 229, transmitted by Mass Transit Agency (MTA) Administrator Tiffany Kai, via Comm. No. 985 dated July 25, 2016, is an ordinance to amend Chapter 18, Article 4, Section 18-90 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) relating to Hele-On bus fares, introduced by Council Member Paleka by request. A total of six testifiers were present, three in Hilo and three in Kona. Though much appreciation to the County of Hawai`i, County Council and MTA was expressed by all testifiers, Hilo testifiers shared concern for the cost of the fare at $4 one-way/$8 round-trip. After the close of public testimony and deliberation for a prior agenda item, Deputy County Clerk Jon Henricks read Comm. No. 985 into the record, preceding a motion made by Mr. Onishi and seconded by Ms. Poindexter. Your Committee held a lengthy discussion. Ms. Poindexter shared that she would look further into this matter. Mr. Onishi requested MTA Administrator Tiffany Kai and Paratransit Program Specialist Karyle Yamane to provide further background regarding the Paratransit Service program costs and how MTA based their decision on the fares. Ms. Kai cited Section 37.131(c) of the American with Disabilities Act(ADA) federal regulations, allowing the transit provider to charge up to twice the amount of the current full fare. Mr. Onishi continued on to question the discounts currently made available to persons with disabilities. Ms. Yamane responded that the Paratransit service program is for persons who lack the physical functional ability to ride the regular public transit system. She continued on to share that if MTA were to apply the current discounts in place opposite of Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) regulations, then the program ridership would explode. MTA advised Your Committee that it costs $150 to assess each applicant, whether the outcome is eligible or not. The cost projection is based on the maximum amount of riders possible at any given time. After further questioning by Your Committee, MTA shared the qualifications process. Mr. Ilagan commended MTA for having a third party make this determination. After much confusion of the situation was expressed, especially due to the concerns with costs, ridership eligibility and areas being serviced, Deputy Corporation Counsel William Brilhante came before Your Committee to share the background behind this proposed bill. Mr. Brilhante explained that the County of Hawai`i had received a law suit due to lack of this service. As a result of the lawsuit, the County of PSMTC Report No.: 21 PSMTC-21 Page 2 August 16, 2016 Hawai`i must comply with the conditions of the settlement. Under these current circumstances, this service began on July 1, 2016, in Hilo and Kona as these are the only current fixed-route systems in place. Mr. Brilhante continued to share that eventually MTA hopes to expand this service island wide, especially for rural areas such as Kohala and Ka`u. After Mr. Brilhante spoke, Chair Paleka relinquished the chair to Vice Chair Ilagan, preceding a motion made by Mr. Paleka and seconded by Mr. Kanuha, to approve and discuss his proposed amendments transmitted via Communication No. 985.1. Mr. Paleka explained the reasoning for introducing the proposed amendments is to bring into compliance with FTA and ADA regulations. Mr. Paleka extended the opportunity to explain further to MTA. MTA shared that the amendments proposed in Comm. No. 985.1 would allow MTA to have flexibility with the fares without having to propose amendments to the Hawai`i County Code in the future. The language is not cost specific but more so provides a range and cap not to exceed twice the current full fare. Comm. No. 985.1 was adopted with seven ayes, one no and one absent vote. Moving forward on to the main motion, discussing Bill 229 as amended by the contents of Comm. No. 985.1, Mr. Onishi expressed he would not support this bill unless language was changed to reflect to discounts currently in the Hawai`i County Code. Ms. Poindexter recommended increasing the scope of duties and responsibilities for the Transportation Commission, to include reviews such as these. Ms. Wille was still unclear as to why the service served only Hilo and Kona. Mr. Brilhante responded, "Ms. Kai decided to start as a pilot program in the required areas of Hilo and Kona, and then a better idea and handle of how to perform best with providing this service to the public and then of course use what's current and expand from there. Until we get there, we must take small steps." Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 229, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage at first reading. nm AYES NOES ABS EX REC Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY EOFF x AND MASS TRANSIT ILAGAN X KANUHA X ONISHI XDANNY PALE • i' ' • IR PALEKA X PSMTC 'i POR NO.: i 21 POINDEXTER X ADOPTED: FP 7 Lli fS WILLE X AYES—Affirmative;NOES—Negative,ABS—Absent;EX—Excused Absence;REC-Recused