HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0037.000 1996-1998 ~YY OF
~J~
Stephen K. Yamashiro Richard Wurdeman
Mayor Cp~.~~ption Co~mel
• r:•~.•• .~iJ ULU lv 1 11 1 Utl
~TI OF,M,,~l•
~I11Y1'[~'~1 II~ ~2iflT2Ttt •.,Ol~ r~ i
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
IOI Aupuni Street, Suite 325 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262 • (808) 96(.825( • Faz (808) 961-8622
12 December 1996
Honorable Aaron S. Y. Chung
Chair and Members
Committee on Finance
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Chung and Members:
This is a response to your request of December 5, 1996 for
procedures taken by the County to inspect properties which are
offered for donation by citizens who wish to be relieved from
further tax burdens. As I understand it, the majority of these
properties have either been covered by lava are in areas which
have been made inaccessible by lava flows.
The Council has adhered to a policy of accepting such properties
for at least the past four (4) years. The argument espoused by
those members supporting this policy was that they would be an
asset to the County someday when roads and other infrastructure
would be restored.
The County has no procedure to inspect these properties for the
presence of hazardous waste. Neither, does the County have a
procedure to ensure that natural hazards, such as lava tubes, do
not exist on the property, so as to create a risk for unwary
hikers.
Should we wish to continue our present policy of accepting these
properties, at the very minimum, we should require an onsite
inspection by a suitable official to identify potential
hazards. We should also see that the property is staked out and
posted, so that we know where it is, a not always easy task
where landmarks have been eradicated by lava.
G-mx~ Ala ~7 .
j.41f. L(O.
ttl 'Po: C i ~ ~ Presented
i~ 13
Yet. C1ate
Honorable Aaron S Chung
12 December 1996
Page 2
I would further recommend that an "environmental audit" be
conducted by an independent eapert, except that the estimated
cost of such an audit ($7,000) would make the program
impractical.
In most cases of this kind, I feel that the risk of hazardous
waste contamination (under 40 feet of lava:) is minimal. The
risk does exist, however, and should be considered by you in
making your decision to accept such properties.
Sincerely,
r~ ~~~7
~i--
"RICHARD D. WURDEMAN
Acting Corporation Counsel
RDW:1577L
AARON S.Y. CHUNG '
' et,;; Phone: (808) 961-8396
Councilmember 1~
f'
1rf 4/•M~~
'96 UEC i3 f 7 3 33
COII,~j`I~l' COII,~CIL
vFFli;i_
County oJHawaii ~ ~ C. Er.
Hawaii County Building COIIP{Ty ~_,F fr "fill
25 Aupuni Street
Hifq Hawaii 96720
December 5, 1996
Richard ll. Wurdeman
Corporation Counsel
Office of the Corporation Counsel
101 Aupmti St., Ste. 325
Hilo, I11 96720
Dear Mr. Wurdeman:
SUBJECT: Resolutions Authorizing the Acceptance of Donations of Real
Pro e~rty~Resolutions 412-96 [C-1468] and 413-96 [ -14 911
At its tneeting of November 26, 1996, the Committee on Finance recommended the
approval of Resolutions 412-96 and 413-96. In conjunction with such recommendation,
it was also requested that you provide us with procedures for the inspection of properties
to be donated in order to ensure that such properties do not contain hazardous waste and
thereby protecting the County from substantial liability exposure. If no procedure has yet
been established, please provide us with a draft procedure before our next County
Council meeting which is scheduled for December 18, 1996.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
/ ~
Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chairman
Committee on ['finance