HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWMTC 002 2019/02/04 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: February 4, 2019 Re: Comm.No. 72/Res.No. 38-19
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:42 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit,to which was referred Resolution No. 38-19,
reports as follows:
Resolution No. 38-19, transmitted by Chair Sue Lee Loy, via Communication 72, dated
January 11, 2019, adopts the goals, strategies, and policies of Vision Zero to prevent traffic-
related fatalities and injuries.
Immediately preceding discussion on Resolution No. 38-19, your Committee received a
presentation from Tina Clothier, representing the Mayor's Active Living Committee, to introduce
the Vision Zero principles to your Committee. This report incorporates the discussion that
followed the presentation, which was made a part of the record as Communication No. 71.1.
Committee Member Chung expressed his concern about the safety hazards of pedestrians
crossing intersections when vehicles have the green light. Ms. Clothier responded that it is illegal
to enter an intersection when that is the case.
Committee Member Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder asked about funding for Vision Zero. Ms.
Clothier said Kaiser Permanente has granted $20,000 in seed money to the Vision Zero task
force, and they will apply for other grants.
Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy asked whether an increase in hospital-treated nonfatal bicycle-
related injuries had any correlation with the rise of bike share programs and the corresponding
increase in bicycle riders. She asked what can be done to educate visitors who may not have an
understanding of the roadway conditions in Hawaii County. Ms. Clothier said there have been
no bike share serious injuries or fatalities. Ms. Clothier's other organization, Peoples Advocacy
for Trails Hawaii, conducts educational outreach that includes working with Hope Services
Hawaii to give out helmets to bicycle commuters, to do a bicycle safety check, and bike safety
instruction sessions.
Chair Lee Loy asked Planning Director Michael Yee to come forward and share his thoughts.
Director Yee began by recognizing Ms. Clothier as the "Champion" of Vision Zero, and said the
project that has been in the making for many years as part of a broader push to focus on mobility
issues. Director Yee referenced the three bills pending in the Hawaii State Legislature(SB 1390,
HB 757, and SB 565). While a state mandate on Vision Zero is coming, Maui County and
Hawaii County are ahead of the curve,he said.
PWMTC Report No.2
PWMTC-2 Page 2 February 4,2019
In the discussion on Resolution No. 38-19,Director Yee said that while a resolution is not
always necessary depending on the jurisdiction, in this case it was good to have a buy-in from
everyone, beginning with the Mayor's proclamation on February 1, 2019, and then continuing
with a resolution from the County Council. In the future, as projects impact public safety and
public works, it is important to the Administration that the County Council is aware and
supportive of Vision Zero, he said. The Administration supports the resolution and is hopeful for
the Council's support, he said.
Committee Member Karen Eoff thanked Director Yee and Ms. Clothier, and said that a
collaborative effort supporting a great initiative is important to the County.
Chair Lee Loy said that approval of this resolution will be"another tool" for Director Yee to use
in providing testimony in support of the Vision Zero bills pending in the Legislature—that the
County of Hawai`i is on board and looking forward to implementing some of the changes that
Vision Zero has.
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 38-19, and recommends its adoption.
Ps
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
EOFF x D MASS TRANSIT
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER x •` . K. LEE LOY, HA:;'
RICHARDS X PWMTC REPORT NO. 2
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: FEB 2 0. 201