HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWMTC 006 2019/04/23 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: April 23, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 211/Res. No. 120-19
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 2:07 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. 120-19, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 120-19, transmitted by Planning Director Michael Yee, via Communication
No. 211, dated March 27, 2019, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the
Hawai`i Department of Transportation(HDOT) for the acceptance of the Sugar Access software
license(s)to the County of Hawai`i Planning Department, Department of Public Works, and
Mass Transit Agency. HDOT has purchased the software to help quantify the scoring of
performance measures for transportation projects, and will distribute two licenses to the County
to assist in meeting requirements established by the federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21St Century Act (MAP-21). The Council's consent for such an action is required by Section 46-7
of Hawai`i Revised Statutes.
Public Works Director David Yamamoto explained that the software is mandated by the Hawai`i
Department of Transportation to get projects on the Statewide Transportation Improvement
Program list. The software is needed to assess and prioritize the various road projects that are
competing for available federal funding, in regards to criteria for determining ranking that
includes transit, bicycle and pedestrian benefits, and access to various land uses.
Council Member Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III asked if this software is different from the
program used to rank County roads according to maintenance needs and asset management.
Director Yamamoto replied that he is correct.
Council Member Rebecca Villegas asked if this technology would be helpful in upgrading the
timing of traffic lights. Director Yamamoto said he did not believe that to be the case. Council
Member Villegas said she understood the intent of the resolution is for the County to work more
efficiently with the federal and state governments.
Council Member Maile David questioned Director Yamamoto about the difference between the
Sugar Access software license and the Mandli Communications survey for asset management.
She asked that once this is completed whether the County would be able to prioritize what is
needed to be done first, and whether that information would then become available. Director
Yamamoto said that is correct. He said both systems could provide reports, which would be
sorted by districts.
PWMTC Report No: 6
PWMTC-6 Page 2 April 23,2019
Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked about the performance-based measures. She noted
that it was a requirement as part of MAP-21, and said she was curious about whether the metrics
used by the department are similar to what is being proposed as part of the mandate. Director
Yamamoto said he would have to check on that.
Council Member Kierkiewicz also asked whether Director Yamamoto thought the Sugar Access
software will help make operations at DPW more efficient, or whether it will result in more
paperwork. The Director said he was not sure at this point, but noted it was mandatory
participation regardless. He also said training would be provided to the County prior to the
launch of the software licenses.
Council Member Richards asked whether the software will allow the County to look at roads,
mass transit, street lights, and transportation systems in context with each other, rather than being
stuck in silos. Was the intent, he asked, to get a better assessment of the County as a whole, so
we can make better decisions? Director Yamamoto replied that this particular software will be
used to identify the projects the federal government will need to fund using the limited money
that they have to distribute among the various counties. Council Member Richards said that
makes sense because it will help them understand our asset needs going forward, which explains
why the Mass Transit Agency and the Planning Department are also a part of it.
Committee Chair Lee Loy said that the discussion resolved any questions she had about the
software, and proceeded to the vote.
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 120-19, and recommends its adoption.
ps
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
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KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
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RICHARDS X PWMTC REPORT NO. 6
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: MAY 0 8 2019