HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWMTC 005 2019/03/27 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: March 27, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 160/Res.No. 93-19
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit,to which was referred Resolution No. 93-19,
reports as follows:
Resolution No. 93-19, transmitted by Department of Public Works (DPW)Director David
Yamamoto, via Communication No. 160, dated March 8, 2019, authorizes the Mayor to enter
into an agreement with the Hawai`i Department of Transportation(HDOT) for the cooperation
and provision of assistance for various road and/or road-related projects on or for State or
County highways, subject to a limitation of$2 million by either party per project. The Council's
consent for such an action is required by Section 46-7 of Hawai`i Revised Statutes.
Director Yamamoto explained that the purpose of the resolution is to establish an agreement with
the Department of Transportation to strengthen State-County interconnectedness for various
roads and highways. In many cases, the County has work that is within the scope of HDOT that
is involved in the same contract, and this way there is a mechanism for the County to facilitate
the contract,pay for HDOT's portion of the work, and work out the reimbursement.
Director Yamamoto used by way of an example a flashing red light on a HDOT highway that is
inoperable and requires spare parts that the County has on hand, so the County would work with
the State to provide the spare parts and re-establish the light in a timely manner.
Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked for other examples of projects that could fall
under this agreement. Donald Smith, HDOT Hawai`i District Engineer, mentioned the current
practice of the County maintaining HDOT signals. Once the State takes back control of its traffic
signals, County resources might still be called upon to help with HDOT signals, or the other way
around. Another example he gave was an excess of cold planing materials recovered from
HDOT roadways that could be used on County roadways.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder commented that it sounded like an efficient, kind of smart agreement
that is mutually beneficial for both sides.
Director Yamamoto said another example of HDOT and DPW working together was the effort to
clean up vegetation between Kanoelehua Avenue and Old General Lyman Field Road to
eliminate illegal activity in the bushes.
PWMTC Report No: 5
PWMTC-5 Page 2 March 27,2019
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked whether County funds that are expended would then be
reimbursed by HDOT for material and labor. Mr. Smith said this was correct, as well as vice
versa.
Mr. Smith said that either County or the State, as the case may be, could use each other's price
term agreement contracts and be reimbursed for that amount.
Mr. Smith also clarified that eruption recovery projects would be funded through separate
processes, as well as roundabouts, although side streets connected to the project could be covered
by the agreement, subject to the $2 million limitation.
Council Member Tim Richards praised the ability of the State and County governments to work
together and to seek synergy and efficiency, and stated his support for the resolution.
Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy asked how projects receive priority for work. Mr. Smith said most
projects would still remain under the current programs, but that may change based on priorities
that arise based on what is best for the community.
Ms. Lee Loy asked about the $2 million limitation and how it was determined. Mr. Smith said it
was $2 million per project, and that that amount seemed reasonable for what HDOT and the
County wanted to accomplish.
Lastly, Mr. Smith said that a project such as the replacement of the Four Mile Creek Bridge
would fall outside the scope of the resolution, as the amount involved is more than$2 million,
although bridge maintenance work could fall within the scope.
Ms. Lee Loy said she supported the resolution as another opportunity and a tool to achieve
synergies within our County budget, and to work with our partner agencies.
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 93-19, and recommends its adoption.
ps
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
EOFF X - .,- MASS
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
LEE LOY X � _ .
POINDEXTER X �...,_ ► L. K. LEE 0', CHAIR
RICHARDS X PWMTC REPORT NO.
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: APR 1 0 2019