HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 138 03/11/1986 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Date: March 11 , 1986 Re: Comm. 457
Place: Councilroom
Time : 9: 00 a . m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance , to which was referred Bill 144, reports as
follows:
The purpose of Bill 144 is to amend Ordinance 85-52, the Operating
Budget , by increasing revenues in the Fund Balance from Previous Year
Account #3609 .10 , General Fund, by $18 ,500 and appropriate same to
the Miscellaneous , Provision To Purchase Generators For Emergency
Broadcasting Purposes account.
The funds will be used to purchase the necessary generators for
broadcasting during times of emergency.
During public testimony, a spokesman for KIPA stated that they have
purchased the necessary equipment to become an emergency broadcast
station (EBS) . The only thing they lack are the generators which, if
funding is approved , would be purchased and owned by the County, and
loaned to KIPA. The station will maintain the generators and make
sure that they 're in operable condition at all times . Because it
might possibly take two years to obtain funding from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , KIPA felt that the best and
faster way would be for the County to finance the generators now so
that they can proceed with plans immediately to become the EBS and
submit application to FEMA for reimbursement . In the meantime, the
County would have the EBS capabilities in the event of a disaster .
KIPA also noted that the Civil Defense Administrator is in receipt of
a letter recommending KIPA as the designated EBS. The spokesman
expressed his feeling for rationalizing KIPA as the EBS station
because logistically the other two AM stations are located in tidal
wave zones and KIPA's broadcast area stretches further than any of
the other AM or FM stations .
In further public testimony, a representative of the proposed KAHU
radio station spoke against using taxpayers ' money for private
enterprise.
FC REPORT NO, 138
ADOPTED: MAR 19 1986
1
p_ ..._
411 111
FC- 138 Page 2 March 11 , 1986
In Committee discussion, the importance of filling a critical void of
emergency communication was expressed. It was recommended that the
Civil Defense Agency come up with some plan to provide communities ,
such as Naalehu to South Point who do not have emergency broadcast
capabilities , to be able to receive this service .
The Committee also recommended that the Finance Director and the
Civil Defense Administrator work on the necessary criteria for the
expenditure of the funds to comply with Federal guidelines and County
bid procedures .
The Chair noted for the record that the following communications were
received: 1 ) Copy of letter to Councilman De Luz from Major General
Alexis T. Lum, State Director of Civil Defense , stating that the
Hawaii Emergency Communications Committee is coordinating with KIPA
to effect such measures as necessary to make KIPA a temporary EBS
station; 2) From Wendell J. Kaehuaea stating that any emergency
equipment provided by government should be on a loan basis and
maintained by the radio station; and 3) Copy of letter to the Civil
Defense Administrator from Joseph Ruble, Operations Manager , KKBG-FM,
requesting that they be considered for the County 's emergency
broadcast generator .
Pursuant to Section 10-8, Hawaii County Charter , the Council , by
ordinance , may make supplemental appropriations for the year up to
the amount of available revenues .
Your Committee on Finance concurs with the intent of Bill 144 and
recommends that it pass first reading.
(ABSENT & EXCUSED)
FRANK DE LUZ III, CHAIRMAN
w
(ABSENT & EXCUSED)
LORRIIN JITCHAKU- NOUY , V. C.11PF
JAMES L. K. DAHLBERG, MEMBER
thottee‘ei 4goass:oser— / / Jr:
�TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEMBER SSELL S. KOKUBUN, (Ii
MBER
(ABSENT & EXCUSED) A��,
MERLE K. LAI, MEMBER SPENCER K. SCHUTTE, MEMBER
LA/MS