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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2010 Public Hearing Transcript re: BILL#2363PUBLIC HEARING MAY 26, 2010 A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kauai was called to order by Tim Bynum, Chair, Public Works/Elderly Committee, on Wednesday,~May 26, 2010, at 2:07 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 3371-A Wilcox Road, Lihu`e, Kauai, and the presence of the following was noted: Honorable Tim Bynum Honorable Dickie Chang Honorable Jay Furfaro Honorable Daryl W. Kaneshiro Honorable Lani T. Kawahara Honorable Derek S. K. Kawakami Honorable Bill "Kaipo" Asing, Council Chair The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following: BILL NO. 2363 - A BILL FOR AN .ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25 OF THE KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, AS IT RELATES TO SEWERS, which was approved on first reading and ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kauai on April 28, 2010, and published in The Garden Island newspaper on May 11, 2010. Mr. Bynum: Is there anyone present in the Chamber who would like to speak on this matter? Mr. Taylor. The hearing proceeded as follows: KEN TAYLOR: Chair and members of the Council, my name is Ken Taylor. I have a question I hope that you can clarify this issue for me is. It's my understanding that some of the bond money that was just acquired or in the process of being acquired is what's paying for the sewer upgrades in Waimea, and my question is, is the community out there going to be repaying that debt service, or is it going to be an islandwide payback? Mr. Bynum: Normally public hearings aren't for questions and answers, but the wastewater treatment plant, as I recall, is both ARRA and county funded, and these sewer rates go, I believe, to the... are for all of the users and go for the ongoing maintenance of the system, not for this capital improvement. So...I 1 hope I answered your question, and that's to the best of my knowledge as we sit here. Mr. Taylor: I guess I was just trying to figure out, is it the people in Waimea that are on the sewer system repaying the debt, or is it going to be the whole...since it was bond money, as I understand, part of the bond money was generally a bond that covers many different things, takes care of everything in the county. Mr. Bynum: Getting assistance from our knowledgeable staff, the users of the sewer system pay for the sewer system, including the wastewater plants and... Mr. Taylor: Including the upgrade. Mr. Bynum: I believe so, but it's not just the ones on the Westside, because we have wastewater systems in other parts of the island. Mr. Taylor: I'm just getting at is I don't think it's right for the people in Kapa`a, for instance, that are on -sewer help pay for the sewer problem in Waimea. I think the Waimea folks should be paying for that sewer, and if that's not the case, then I -have a real problem with this whole process. Thank you. Mr. Bynum: Okay, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Furfaro: .May I help you, Mr. Bynum, just to... Mr. Bynum: Go ahead. Mr. Furfaro: Okay. The money for Waimea, part of it is federal moneys, and part of it, you're correct, has been attached to the bond. The bond debt is also. scheduled by reducing other expenses to save us about $300,000 of interest each year. But the people that are on the sewer system, and for the departmental operating cost, not only the operating cost but also the revenue stream that comes in, they are attached to a fee for the department. So I hope that answers your question. But you were correct, Ken, some of it is federal money, some of it is bond money. Mr. Taylor: Thank you for that clarification. Mr. Bynum: Is there anyone else in the Chambers that wishes to speak on this matter? Seeing none, this public hearing is adjourned. 2 There being no further testimony on this matter, the public hearing adjourned at 2:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ___----- PETER A. NAKAMURA County Clerk /ao 3 - 1_,