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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-20 Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes November 20, 2014 CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Jon Olson called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Jon Olson, Neal Herbert, Kenneth Obenski, Duane Hosaka, Paul Maddox, Alton Nosaka (absent) and Sonny Shimaoka, (absent,) Belinda Hall, Deputy, Corporation Counsel Betty Alcover, Transportation Commission Secretary Sari Kogasaka Cantor, Transit Assistant APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Kenneth Obenski moved to approve the agenda, Commissioner Neal Herbert seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 26, 2014 MINUTES Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the minutes, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS Applications for New Certificates of Public Convenience Bharatkumar Patel dba Ambay Taxi applied for one certificate. Ms. Kogasaka stated he currently has a taxi and is applying for another. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mavis Lum Ho dba Aiau’s Taxi applied for one certificate. Mavis Lum Ho did not appear at the meeting. Ms Kogasaka explained to the commissioners that at this time due to the cost of the insurance coverage Ms. Lum Ho will be withdrawing her application. Therefore, the certificate was not reviewed for consideration and application cancelled. Swope Conn dba Kalani’s Taxi applied for one certificate. Commissioner Olson moved to approve the application, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Jonathan Rafol dba EJ Taxi applied for one certificate. Ms. Kogasaka explained that applicant currently has a taxi and is applying for additional taxi. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Hosaka seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Sigrid Hinze dba Big Island Taxi applied for one certificate. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Md Asaduzzaman dba A-P Taxi applied for one certificate. Mr. Asaduzzaman did not appear at the meeting. Ms Kogasaka explained to the commissioners that the vehicle was sold so he will be withdrawing his application. Therefore, the certificate was not reviewed for consideration and application cancelled. John Breslin dba Kona Taxicab LLC applied for one certificate. Ms. Kogasaka explained that applicant currently has 5 taxi’s and is applying for an additional taxi. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Rodrigo Namnama dba Namnama Taxi applied for one certificate. Ms. Kogasaka explained that applicant currently has a taxi and is applying for an additional taxi. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Hosaka seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Roylin Kunishige & Maryjo Victorino dba KWIKI Taxi applied for five certificates. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Hosaka seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Phillip Portus dba Keauhou Taxi applied for one certificate. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Rhoniel Arenas dba Kayden Taxi applied for one certificate. Ms. Kogasaka explained that applicant currently has a taxi and is applying for an additional taxi. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the application, Commissioner Hosaka seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Patrick Sullivan dba Rakuen Taxi, LLC applied for one certificate. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve the applications, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Meeting our of order. Ms Holit Bat-Edit spoke out on her concerns regarding the lack of transportation for seniors. Meeting called back to order – next on agenda-Revocations Hearing on Revocation of the following Certificate of Public Convenience: CH483 – RJAY Taxi-Ronaldo Bocalbos. Ms. Kogasaka stated she received a call from the owner that though he was afforded a 30 day extension, he was not able to get this taxi on the road, and stated the vehicle was sold. Wishes to revoke this license. Commissioner Obenski moved to revoke CH483 seconded by Commissioner Maddox and it was approved unanimously. TRANSIT ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Administrator Tiffany Kai introduced new addition to the transit department Mr. John Andoh, Transit Specialist. He will be assisting with Planning/Re-designing/Mapping bus schedules and routes, and web designs for internet use. The Transit Agency is currently improving its website and updating bus schedules-making it transit user friendly. Adding to our transit fleet are 3 (three) 41 passengers new International busses. These are currently operating within the city limits. In addition a donation of 5 (five) ‘95 Gillig busses have been received by the Oahu Transit System. In December 2014 we will open up bids for 2 (two) 49 passenger busses with receipt of these new busses in November 2015. Our mechanics are scheduled to attend training for our new busses. Currently we are working on our new Transit Baseyard with anticipated completion within the next 2 years. Our Paauilo bus shelter will be completed March 2015, with plans for a bus shelter in the back of the Parker Ranch Shopping Center. We have provided the public with contingency plans regarding the current lava flow. Our busses will utilize the alternate routes when Hwy 130 is no longer accessible: Railroad, Government Beach Road, and the Chain of Craters road. We have performed a test run on Railroad and we will be able to continue services using that route. As for Govt. Beach road-as it is only one lane we are planning to utilize vans to facilitate transportation in between. We are also awaiting the consideration to re-enstate the Pahoa Village Road. Should it re-opened we will return to our normal schedule and service on the Pahoa Village Road. In addition, several Commissioners terms will be expiring and the Mayors office has been notified and are currently looking for replacements. And lastly we are looking to extend our bus routes to service the Hilo Airport by March 2015. An invitation to tour the baseyard/busses was offered as we were down at the Schultz baseyard. Further discussion : Addition to future agendas: Public Comment Section Shared Ride Program Future Technology Affecting Public Transportation/Taxi Industry NEXT MEETING The next meeting date will be in February date to be determined. It was recommended that the place of future meetings be determined by the majority applicants demographics. Commissioner Obenski moved to approve this determination, Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Olson at 11:30 a.m., Commissioner Herbert, seconded.