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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2011 Public Hearing Transcript re: Bills #2416, #2417, #2418PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order by Tim Bynum, Chair, Finance /Parks & Recreation !Public Works Programs Committee, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at 1:34 p.m., at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Room 201, Lihu`e, Kauai, and the presence of the following was noted: Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura Honorable Mel Rapozo Honorable Tim Bynum Honorable Dickie Chang, Ex-Officio Member EXCUSED: Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura Honorable Jay Furfaro, Ex-Officio Member The Interim Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following: 1. Bill No. 2416 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5A, KAUA`I COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAX (For the Tax Year 2012), 2. Bill No. 2417 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5A, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAX (For the Tax Year 2013), 3. Bill No. 2418 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. B-2011-733, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2011 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2012, BY REVISING THE SURPLUS AND APPROPRIATIONS ESTIMATED IN THE BOND, GENERAL (CIP), AND HIGHWAY FUNDS (CIP), which were passed on first reading and ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kauai on September 21, 2011, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on September 29, 2011. The following communications were received for the record: j1. Petition to restore the Historic 1911 Hanapepe Bridge J~. Juan Wilson, dated October 17, 2011 ,3. Elsie Godbey, dated October 19, 2011 The hearing proceeded as follows: Committee Chair Bynum: Thank you Mr. Clerk, and the intention of this public hearing is to take testimony from the public, do we have any written testimony? 2 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 Mr. Watanabe: Yes we do, we have... well we have three (3) registered... four (4) registered speakers. Committee Chair Bynum: Okay, can you call the first one? Mr. Watanabe: No written. The first speaker that signed up to testify on the Hanapepe Bridge is Elsie Godbey. Oh okay, sorry... Dorothy Hayashi speaking on the Hanapepe Bridge restoration project. DOROTHY HAYASHI: For the record Dorothy Hayashi from Hanapepe, on the 1911 bridge restoration. First of all, I guess before I begin, I would like to hand in this petition that we have about approximately five hundred (500) names. We began this last week Tuesday, this petition, because a lot of people have their desire to express but then they don't have the time. This is the opportunity we felt, we opened it up to have them give this chance to sign in about... okay this is what the petition says... We, the residents of Hanapepe and Kauai would like the Hanapepe Bridge built in 1911 restored to its original state, including the iconic elevated walkway. That is the expression of the westsiders because at this time the Administration is saying that we cannot have that walkway because of the ADA weight, what the strength of this is, what they're saying to us but we would like them to look into having a dual walkway if possible. I shouldn't say if possible... do it. While I'm at it, one (1) of a, the residents of Hanapepe Juan Wilson has sent in this letter and may I read it? Committee Chair Bynum: Yes you may. Ms. Hayashi: Oh, is that okay? Committee Chair Bynum: Yes you may. You know our rules allow three (3)'minutes and we can extend that by three (3) minutes more. Ms. Hayashi: I've lived in Hanapepe Valley for a decade and use the 1911 Bridge over the Hanapepe River daily. I am an architect and planner and in my opinion the County has a bad plan to renovate the bridge. If implemented it will diminish the bridge's usefulness to the Westside community. In 2007, an inspection of the 1911 Bridge revealed that the structural had several problems due to metal corrosion and concrete spalding. This included cracks in concrete and erosion of steel knee-braces that supported the raised pedestrian walkway on top of the south wall of the bridge. Shortly afterwards the County put up barriers of wooden pallets and locked gates to restrict access to the walkway. They placed soft plastic bollards in a line to mark a walkway. This clumsy attempt to make the bridge less of a danger was certainly a result of some bean counters risk manager's calculations with the help of the County Attorney. These two (2) steps have actually made the bridge more dangerous to the drivers and fishermen who use the bridge. But at least the County won't be sued successfully. The County made proposals for fixing the bridge. They will make structural repairs, replace roadway and then provide a walkway. They presented three (3) alternative plans for the walkway. One (1), narrow the roadway to one (1) lane and 3 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 place a five (5) foot wide sidewalk along its south side. Two (2), build a new walkway at the roadway level outside the south wall of the bridge. Three (3), repair the existing walkway on top of the south wall of the bridge. Mr. Watanabe: Three (3) minutes, Mr. Chair. Committee Chair Bynum: That's your first three (3) minutes, and you may take three (3) more now. Ms. Hayashi: Okay. Now the County has reduced its options to just Scheme one (1) and wants to move ahead. Scheme one (1), narrow road, relocate walkway. The first scheme is the worst and cheapest. This solution proposes to provide ADA compliance for pedestrians on a five (5) foot wide raised sidewalk. This is disingenuous. The approaches to the ADA compliant sidewalk are not ADA compliant. This effort would truly narrow the road to one (1) lane. The sidewalk would need reinforced bollards to protect pedestrians. This will reduce the car traffic lane to thirteen (13) feet. The bridge is often called the one (1) lane bridge, but the truth of the matter is the bridge has always accommodated two (2) cars passing slowly. This has been crucial when a driver gets onto the bridge roadway and an approaching driver does not heed the yield sign and enters the bridge. With its original width, cars can pass one (1) another carefully. That will not be true if the roadway is narrowed to thirteen (13) feet. Four (4) years ago, soft plastic bollards were placed to provide a temporary walkway. Those that use the bridge frequently now that even this temporary narrowing of the road has made it more dangerous for drivers and fishermen. The second scheme would require extensive ramps on the east ends to achieve its goal of allowing ADA approved handicapped access. This scheme would be hard to justify in the historic context of the bridge. It also is the most expensive scheme. Scheme three (3), the last proposal is the only reasonable one (1). Before the 2007 inspection, the walkway was used by crabbers and fishermen daily. They still do but have to stand in the narrow roadway, walk on the narrow to the north bridge wall or climb up unto the barricaded walkway to fish and crab. Local people still bring coolers and folding chairs to the west end of the bridge and will spend a whole day relaxing and fishing with the family. Only restoring the existing walkway will maintain the cultural and historic use of the bridge as a recreational feature of the town. Do I have more time? Committee Chair Bynum: Go ahead. Ms. Hayashi: There is no doubt that the hundred (100) year old concrete span across the Hanapepe River needs a major restoration. The County knows this and will spend quite a bit of money to restore the integrity of the bridge's structure and roadway. That's fine with everybody concerned. Exactly how that is done is important not only to the residents of the town, but to surrounding community as well, especially people living up the west side of Hanapepe Valley 4 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 and those living in Hanapepe Heights. It is also important to communities beyond on either side of the bridge who use Old Hanapepe Town and the recreational facilities at Salt Pond Beach Park. All together the bridge is used frequently by thousands of people. Most people that don't live in these immediate communities stick to the main Kaumuali`i Highway 1938 bridge a quarter mile to the south. However, several times a year, for one (1) reason or another, the main highway bridge will be shutdown and the 1911 Bridge is used by all highway traffic as the only alternative detour to access the Hanapepe River. Mr. Watanabe: Committee Chair Bynum: Six (6) minutes Mr. Chair. Go ahead and continue. Ms. Hayashi: Looking at the effort on the accommodate recreational pedestrian traffic over the Wailua River and other points along the Eastside Bike Path, it would seem a reasonable thing to restore the existing walkway on 1911 Bridge for use of westsiders. We're only talking about a four (4) inch concrete slab with railings and supported on steel knee-braces. This is recommended by Juan Wilson. Committee Chair Bynum: Ms. Hayashi: Committee Chair Bynum Ms. Hayashi: breather? Okay, thank you. May I hand this in? Yes please. Anything else Ms. Hayashi? I would like to but right now may I take a Committee Chair Bynum: Ms. Hayashi: Committee Chair Bynum: Mr. Watanabe: Yes. Thank you. Next registered speaker. Elsie Godbey. ELSIE GODBEY: For the record my name is Elsie Godbey. It is sad to me that the integrity of this bridge has to be compromised. Let me read the history of this one (1) of a kind bridge for the public. The Hanapepe Bridge, a reinforced concrete deck girder structure, was constructed in 1911 to carry Hanapepe Road over the Hanapepe River. The Kauai belt road was constructed in the 1930s bypassing the town and the majority of traffic utilized the new Hanapepe Highway Bridge. Thus Hanapepe Road became a secondary transportation artery. The Hanapepe bridge retains its integrity of location. The setting has undergone moderate change, with the erection of levees along the Hanapepe River. In 1927, a reinforced concrete sidewalk was added to the original structure. Since this change is more than fifty (50) years old, it is considered part of the design, and does not impact the historic integrity of the 5 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 original bridge. The original reinforced concrete material of the bridge remains intact; however, there has been some deterioration in the concrete parapet walls as a result of collisions. The workmanship of the original bridge is quite high and is not substantially obscured by additions or repairs. The historic quality of the bridge is obvious to travelers due to its early twentieth-century design and narrowness, as well as its physical relationship to the new bridge constructed downstream. The Hanapepe Bridge is significant for its contributions to the fields of transportation and engineering in Hawaii. The bridge is an excellent example of early twentieth-century reinforced concrete deck girder bridge. The Hanapepe Bridge is eligible under Criterion A as a prominent product of the early territorial government's public works program, and for its significant contributions to the development of Kaua`i's transportation system and the early history of Hanapepe town. The bridge is eligible under Criterion C for its association with early developments in concrete bridge construction in Hawaii. The bridge is also representative of the work of a master -Joseph Morange of the County of Kauai Engineers Office. The Hanapepe Bridge is one (1) of the early examples of the progressive Territorial Highway System in Hawaii and is one (1) of the first examples of the use of formal engineering expertise in bridge making by the new territorial government after the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Mr. Watanabe: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair. Committee Chair Bynum: Excuse me, your first three (3) minutes are expired but you can continue for three (3) more. Ms. Godbey: The -1911 Territorial Legislature had appropriated, in Act 166, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for Kaua`i's Belt Road and bridges. This bridge was the first erected on Kauai with these funds. The road bridge played a major role in the development of the County's belt road plan which connected the previously isolated communities with a paved highway and a series of concrete bridges. The 1911 Hanapepe Bridge is the third (3rd) bridge erected in that location, replacing an earlier metal truss. The Hanapepe bridge is an excellent example of bridge construction in the early twentieth-century period on Kauai, employing new reinforced concrete technology. The bridge is one (1) of the oldest reinforced concrete deck girder bridges in the islands and the longest bridge of its type in the state. With a maximum span of forty-eight (48) feet and a total length of two hundred (200) feet, the bridge was significantly larger and more technically complex than other bridges constructed during this period. County Engineer J.H. Moragne was instructed to draw plans and specifications and call for bids for the bridge's reinforced concrete structure and piers. The contract was awarded to George R. Ewart, Jr., and T. Brandt for the Iow bid of eleven thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars ($11,950.00). The 1927 sidewalk addition was designed by the County Engineer of that time, K.L. Garlinghouse, at a cost of two thousand six hundred and forty-two cents ($2,600.42). You would think that the Engineering Department would want to keep this historical aspect because it's really their record, their history. 6 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 In our meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2011, we were informed by Ms. Pilkington that the reason for ADA requirement was that when the elevated walkway was barricaded about six (6) years ago, and the pedestrian walkway coned on the road requiring cars to take turns crossing the bridge, at that moment, ADA requirement was inevitable. Care should have been taken when that road walkway was implemented. It reminds me of the entire way our discussions went in these past three (3) years to get this bridge restored. Nobody really knew or cared of the proper way to approach the project so as to keep its integrity. When we said we wanted the elevated walkway preserved, we were told at the meeting on Thursday with Lyle, the lawyer, architect, and ADA consultant was that the walkway would be too heavy for the pilings. In this day when we've been to the moon and back, and with technology to Mars, why can't we strengthen that bridge? Last week's Council Meeting, Jay, when the discussion of the Council's front lawn was discussed, he mentioned the "sense of place" of the historic district of the area. I had forgotten that phrase of the "sense of place" when it was so popular six (6) years ago. Mr. Watanabe: Six (6) minutes Mr. Chair. Committee Chair Bynum: How long do you think it will take you to finish up? Ms. Godbey: I just have a little more. Committee Chair Bynum: Okay, please continue. Ms. Godbey: I had forgotten the phrase of "the sense of place" so popular thirty (30) years ago when main street programs were all over the Nation. Certainly, Hanapepe is that place and it is now with our hundred (100) year old bridge. At the Kapaia Bridge hearing, these statements made us realize how inadequate our inquiries to preserve our bridge were. From the Committee on Finance /Parks & Recreation, Ms. Nakamura questioned whether Ms. Westfall had stated on page three (3) that she did not believe ADA exemptions were required, to which Ms. Westfall responded that it is not within SHPD's jurisdiction to make that decision; however, a precedence for historic structures has been set by other projects in which they .were not required to comply one hundred percent (100%). Ms. Nakamura stated that having a contractor who is sensitive to historic preservation is critical to the project. On page four (4) Mr. Rapozo thanked Ms. Westfall for recognizing the difference between a regular general engineer versus a historical preservation 7 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 engineer. He questioned whether SHPD offers technical assistance or estimates, to which Ms. Westfall responded that it is not in SHPD's scope but she can provide the Committee with a list of architects and engineers with historic preservation backgrounds. On page five (5), as it relates to the process for ADA exemptions, Mr. Trask stated the following... DCAB... what is DCAB? Committee Chair Bynum: Disabilities and Access, Communication Board, so the specialist on ADA issues. Ms. Godbey: Okay, DCAB will only grant ADA exemptions if SHPD says that the proposed ADA improvement would change the historical character of the bridge. So, where are we? Committee Chair Bynum: Ms. Godbey: Committee Chair Bynum: Mr. Watanabe: Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you. Do we have another registered speaker? Harmon. Yes, next registered speaker is Linda LINDA HARMON: Hi, my name is Linda Harmon. Actually the two (2) preceding speakers have said it all. I mean I would just be repeating but adding the... I just want to highlight a few things that caught my eye when I read the article, adding the sidewalk on this proposed improvement to allow for ADA compliance. In the article it was stated ingenuous because it doesn't do that and putting that sidewalk in would actually... it's going to make it harder for crabbing and fishing. The other thing I think that's important is a good example of a bridge in the period of the earlier twentieth-century and it can be made right by bracing it and make it sound. Thank you. Committee Chair Bynum: Thank you Linda. Is there anyone else here that would like to? Mr. Watanabe: The last registered speaker, Mr. Benjamin Kali Senior. BENJAMIN KALI, SENIOR: I came to this meeting today for my concerns of the 1911 bridge. All I want to say about the bridge is the same by my neighbors and the speaker before me, since I moved into Hanapepe Valley and she's new there 8 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 and I'm very happy to say that her concerns of the 1911 bridge. (inaudible) citizen of Hanapepe Valley and I Lived in the Valley all my life and I was attached to this bridge for seventy-one (71) years of my life. I wasn't born when they built the bridge but I know every walk of life was yet to the bridge, Japanese, Filipino's, Chinese, Koreans and everybody. To me, I feel that this bridge is historical and we are responsible of generations of today... are responsible to protect the bridge for the next generation to come. I'm very concerned about the destruction of the walkway but they had when the Hanapepe River was deep and clean, plenty fish and everything, crab and everything, and we used to dive off the bridge and we couldn't touch the bottom because the River was so deep. But since then Robinson diverted the water to the Westside to water the cane fields and the river got filled with mud. Today you can just stand up and your head is above the water, that's how shallow the river is. I know today I'm responsible as the last generation but a new generation that will be coming to enjoy this bridge, the way it is and it's our responsibility to protect it or repair it to its original condition. I remember when we had the big rains, the bridges to Polihale got washed away and the State didn't have the money to put it back, the people dedicated their time and efforts, the contractors went there with the equipment to help the people rebuild the bridge and that's why the bridge is there. And on the walkway, is the County cannot do it... we can do it to keep the bridge to its original way of life. (inaudible) live a hundred (100) years, the force of mother nature, the floods that hit it, the bridge didn't wash away and it's solid. Mr. Watanabe: Committee Chair Bynum: but you can continue. Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair. You've completed your first three (3) minutes Mr. Kali: Committee Chair Bynum: are you finished? Mr. Kali: Committee Chair Bynum: Mr. Kali: Yes? You can continue for three (3) more minutes, I can continue? For three (3) more minutes, yes please. Okay. Actually I guess I said what I had to say. Committee Chair Bynum: speakers? Thank you very much. Any other registered 9 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 Mr. Watanabe: Committee Chair Bynum: No registered speakers. Anyone in the audience? Please come up. DAWN TRAINA: Hello, my name is Dawn Traina and I live and work in Hanapepe. I wanted to thank the County for finally getting around to fixing the bridge. I think that's really a great thing and a good idea and it's been long overdue and everybody has been patiently waiting but I think the plan as it stands now needs some fine tuning. It seems like when I was asked to get some signatures to kind of get the sense of what the community felt about the situation, it became very apparent that there were some very, very strong sentiments. A lot of people like Uncle Ben have very strong emotional attachment to the bridge. Not only because they're used to seeing it there but also that it plays a very important part in their lifestyle as far as feeding themselves. I learned a lot when I get involved in these projects and so I learned about the crab fishermen and that there's throw net fishermen as well; I didn't know that. People actually use throw nets off of the bridge to catch fish as well and when we were talking about what it would be like without the walkway up there, they were explaining to me how dangerous it would be because when you're throwing a throw net, you have to have room to wind up behind you and if you got cars right at the same level that you're at, it's likely you'll get tangled up with a truck going by and so forth. Plus myself, I've had the occasion to be invited to go crabbing many years back when the bridge was still open and I've seen people there on a regular basis and possibly when you don't live on the Westside, you don't realize how used it actually is. A lot of the activity takes place right after sunset, so anybody that would be there for business purpose would be long gone and wouldn't see that, more often than that, every evening there's a group of families and they bring the kids and multi-generation and it's a social place to gather and all the friends come by to say hello and it goes on to the evening as they're pulling their crab nets up and down and the kids are participating. The thought o£.. they were saying that if they were down on the same level of traffic going by, even if there was a bright post or fence, or something, that it would still be dangerous because if the dads are busy pulling up the nets and the kids are scrambling around and looking in the bucket, you know you can't keep track of everybody where their heads and arms are and if they're hanging over the railing, which separates them so closely from cars and trucks going by right behind them because sometimes people go faster than they should on that bridge, it's very likely that some child could get seriously hurt while they're crabbing with their family. Mr. Watanabe: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair. Ms. Traina: Also a lot of people that just drive on the bridge were very concerned. 10 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 Committee Chair Bynum: Your first -three (3) minutes have expired, but continue... Ms. Traina: Okay, thank you. A lot of the folks that drive on the bridge were concerned about the fact that the driving path would have to be narrow to widen the actual walking path and they said that it's already dangerous and difficult as it is because often times that bridge when you're approaching it, it's hard to see the other end. So if it stays as a single lane bridge and especially if a narrower single lane bridge, two (2) cars end up on the road at the same time and one (1) of them has to reverse and back off of it and so you're already committed and on the bridge, it's just it's very difficult. They all have said that in addition to wanting the sidewalk, many of them said is it possible to get the two (2) lanes back again because that made it safer. Most times one (1) car will pass but if there's an occasion where there's two (2), you can pass each other if you go slowly and that's usually what occurs when it used to be open. I understand also that the issue with ADA access, that because the bridge is as old as it is and what I was reading is that if the ADA requirement would compromise the historic character of the bridge that there could be an exemption granted for that. I think in this case because of all things that they were suggesting in previous meetings on what has to be done to make it an ADA compliant bridge that with all kinds of ramps and things to go over the walkway, that that would probably compromise the historic nature of the area. The path that is there now on the sidewalk is definitely not ADA compliant so I don't think that should be an excuse to say that it has to become ADA because that was kind of an afterthought on the County's part to just put that there temporarily when they barricaded the upper walkway. There's severe dips in the incline, it's way too steep for it to ever be considered as having it be ADA for these last three (3) years. I would hope that like the Kapaia Bridge, I understand that there was some kind of finding by the Attorney Mr. Trask that was involved with it about the fact that they would grant an exemption for ADA when construction would compromise the historic nature of the bridge. So I would like somebody to weigh in on that that could give an official opinion about it. Also it may be a good idea because we have a lot of architects and builders on the Westside, in particular Mike Faye and his company, that are very familiar with historic restoration and maybe the County project manager of engineers might want to consult with somebody that is really steep in the historic knowledge of how... because some of the buildings have been restored very beautifully in an historic way and it would be nice to have that same approach of the bridge since it is... it's such a landmark for the town. I mean people really identify with that. If it is fixed too, it will help with the... Committee Chair Bynum: Your six (6) minutes has expired. Ms. Traina: Oh. I just wanted to make one (1) more statement. That I think when that bridge is finally fixed and it looks as beautiful as 11 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 it could, that it will help to possibly draw attention and traffic and revitalize the other end of the town which is suffering severely. It looks like it's been .abandoned and that's sad because that was actually the first section of the town that was the original part of Hanapepe. So that would be nice to see those places get a little bit more traffic and activity and right now the bridge looks a little scary for visitors to want to cross over. Committee Chair Bynum: Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to testify? (inaudible) Ms. Hayashi: On a personal level, may I? Committee Chair Bynum:. Yes. Because the audience is not full. Ms. Hayashi: Dorothy Hayashi from Hanapepe for the record. I wanted to just give a bit of history on our part that we had a 1911 Hanapepe Bridge Committee. The purpose of the Committee at that time was in 2009 I believe, we began because we wanted to have a celebration of this 1911 bridge and that's how we came together. At that time it was just a few of us, I think eight (8) of us and we approached the Administration to see if they would be able to spruce it up a bit and here we are today and this is how many years. First of all I would really like to just say that during that three (3)... going into the fourth (4th) year period, we did have three (3) like I mentioned last week, what do you call them... Committee Chair Bynum: Engineers? Ms. Hayashi: No, they were not engineers, they were from Public Works that... so we had three (3) different individuals working with us, so can you imagine you know miscommunications, the ideas everyone has... I don't care who... everyone have different interpretations. But last week Tuesday we were able to have a meeting with Lyle Tabata who is our present contact and at that time we were able to have a meeting with them and we were able to.., we met with Sammy (inaudible) structural engineer, Amy Esaki an Attorney, Christina Pilkington from ADA, so they were there to answer our questions. However, when they answered our questions, it still didn't satisfy some of us. Because for one (1) thing, as you can see that many of people are concerned about the removal and the destruction, like what Ben said, the walkway and this is so vital, this is part of our Hanapepe culture, it is our culture actually. We all grew up with this feeling that we could go any time to this walkway and go do our crabbing and our fishing and even river gazing which was brought up by many of the people or persons that we approached for our petition. The thing is that we want it preserved and you know it was mentioned prior to that, we've advanced so... technologically, we've advanced so 12 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 far, that there is so many new materials available and we would like this to be looked into. There was also a suggestion of a dual walkway, which would be the bottom and the top but when we spoke to Christina, she couldn't... and I'm just saying what she told us that there was one (1) person that uses the bridge that she spoke to, an ADA person... so we asked that that person couldn't be able to use the other bridge which is close by, you know the State because it's already ADA compliant, so that was our suggestion but I don't know how much they would look into it, that's the only way I can say it and we'd like because we know you hold the financial moneys to finance all of these projects, at this time we'd like to leave the door open for the future if at this time and I hate to say it because I don't, I would really like them to pursue this walkway at this time. If not, the future we would like them to restore this walkway with... Mr. Watanabe: Four (4) minutes Mr. Chair. Ms. Hayashi: ... technology is available. That's the only way I can try to keep it like open... so I'm trying to be, I'm sorry, I'm just trying to express what others have said too that's why. For my personal... oh, I have three (3) more .minutes? Committee Chair Bynum: No, can you wrap it up now please? Ms. Hayashi: Oh okay. Committee Chair Bynum: And let me just remind you that this is public hearing and this will be going to Committee and then there will be more opportunity for dialog, not just receiving your testimony but questions and answers. So if you could wrap it up now, I'd appreciate it. Ms. Hayashi: Okay even the walkway I wanted to mention, I have it documented, you know that walkway when they had that Filipino massacre, there was... I have it documented where a person, I have a name and everything where he was buried and was killed right in front of this person's eye right on that walkway and to me it's like a memorial also. Because that whole area was part of the massacre, our side of the river, so because of that that walkway would be a connection in that sense but thank you very much. Committee Chair Bynum: Thank you for your testimony. -And this will be at Committee I believe next week Wednesday. Ms. Hayashi: Okay. 13 PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 19, 2011 BILLS NOS. 2416, 2417 and 2418 Committee Chair Bynum: Is there anyone else in the audience who would care to testify on any of these three (3) matters? If not, seeing no one, this hearing is closed. There being no further testimony on these matters, the public hearing adjourned at 2:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ RICKY WATANABE Interim County Clerk /ds