HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-26 MTS minutes 26May15Communication No. 2015 -26
PCDP Mass Transit Subcommittee minutes, May 26, 2015
In attendance: June Conant, Rusty Jones, and Jon Olson. Hannah Hedrick and Stephanie Bath sent email
input.
Thanks to Danny Paleka, District 5 Councilman, the county mass transit study funds have been included in the
2015 -2016 Hawaii County budget. He took June's CIP request for a $200,000 study which had been submitted
in Jan, 2014, increased it to $500,000 and submitted it in the new budget. He is championing the MT study
and said he has received support from the other council members. He is very much aware that plans as stated
in the county's CDPs must be considered.
The committee decided that a letter should be sent to Danny with a copy to Ttiffany Kai regarding two
concerns before a consultant is chosen. Those two concerns are: a MT advisory group needs to be formed to
assist with the project and the consultant needs to be well versed in rural transit systems. Hannah and Steph
had submitted by email a number of items that are concerns to be considered, but it was decided to focus on
those in the next few meetings so they will be ready to present in the next few months.
During the meeting, a gentleman who had come for another meeting overheard what was being discussed and
he made a suggestion that we investigate creating an MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) in
conjunction with Maui and Kauai to have more clout on the federal level. He gave us information for the Oahu
MPO and how to contact its executive director to learn more. Also, on his IPAD, he showed us information on
a Rural Public and Intercity Bus Conference held last October in Monterey and sent the link to June. He had
experience and knowledge of how Hawaii County, state and federal governments work with subjects such as
this and strongly suggested that we contact Mitch Roth, County Prosecutor and Brian Schatz, US Senator for
assistance and guidance. He gave us some interesting tips for researching. Rusty said he will start searching
for a county or area similar to ours to learn how they establish transit systems.
June had the opportunity to follow the Keaukaha bus from the mall to the airport a week ago and verified that
the bus does drive down the Post Office service road, so our request to include that "detour" was heard. On
Monday, May 18, June did attend a special meeting of the County Council to testify as herself for the support
of Bill 29, Communication 144.4 which is the request for the traffic plan.
Going forward, the committee will begin the planning for possible hub and spoke routes so they will be ready
when a consultant is being considered. June will ask Bill Hansen at Civil Defense for maps and census blocks
for 4 main areas: 1.) Nanvale, Leilani, Kapoho, Kalapana and Pahoa, 2.) Hawaiian Beaches and HPP, 3.)
Ainaloa, Orchidland, and Hawaiian Acres, and 4.) Fern Acres to Volcano.
Even thought the PCDP will not meet in July, it was decided that our committee will meet Tuesday, June 23,
2015 at 3:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
June Conant