HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2018 Public Safety & Transportation Committee minutes MINUTES
PUBLIC SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
April 18, 2018
A meeting of the Public Safety & Transportation Committee of the Council of
the County of Kaua`i, State of Hawai`i, was called to order by JoAnn A. Yukimura,
Chair, at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201, Lihu`e, Kaua`i, on
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 8:39 a.m., after which the following Members answered
the call of the roll:
Honorable Arthur Brun
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Mel Rapozo, Ex-Officio Member
Excused: Honorable Ross Kagawa, Ex-Officio Member
The Committee proceeded on its agenda item as follows:
PST 2018-01 Communication (03/27/2018) from Council Vice Chair Kagawa,
requesting the presence of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State
Chapter, Kaua`i County Director Padraic Gallagher, to provide a
presentation on the programs offered by the American Red Cross
on Kaua`i. (This item was Deferred.)
Councilmember Kaneshiro moved to defer PST 2018-01, seconded by
Councilmember Brun.
Committee Chair Yukimura: Before I recognize the motion to defer, I want
to say that the representatives of the American Red Cross have asked that this matter
be deferred due to the recent flooding and emergency response. I want to take a few
moments to say that we are grateful that there has been no loss of human lives in
this flooding that had occurred, but the loss of homes, cars, pets, and other life and
the disruption of lives has been heartbreaking. We want to express our deep concern
for those who have been affected. I want to express our appreciation to all of the
emergency response personnel from all levels of government, nonprofit organizations,
and community response teams for their efforts in responding to this natural disaster,
including the American Red Cross. There has also been an outpouring of citizen help
and friends, volunteers, and neighbors that has shown, again, that Kauai has so
much heart. I know that in the coming weeks we will be briefed by the
PST COMMITTEE MEETING 2 APRIL 18, 2018
Administration on storm recovery efforts, including the possibility of this Council
funding emergency appropriations to address infrastructure and emergency needs
around the island, but we want to let the public know that to get accurate
information, we want them to check out the County's website, the County's Facebook
page, and local media. If there is anyone affected by the flooding and storm who
needs assistance, they need to contact the Kaua`i Emergency Management Agency at
241-1800. We have the number and the link up on the overhead. I think there are a
lot of ongoing efforts and from what we hear from those who are involved, the most
important thing to remember is that the needs and the extent of damage are still
currently being assessed, so it is important to remember that if it is not absolutely
necessary, please do not overload the roads and visit the locations that were severely
impacted unless, of course, you are part of the assistance or you want to volunteer.
With that, are there any other comments? If not, Councilmember Chock.
Councilmember Chock: I just want to acknowledge that I know that
there has been a lot of work around the table—everyone here around the table has
been busy trying to assist the community as well. As we transition from emergency
mode to recovery mode, we now need to shift into how it is we are responding, and so
I think the communication is really key and continues to improve as we organize some
of the cleaning-up efforts and picking up of trash. I know that we should have those
things strategized and communicated, probably today. I just wanted to make sure
the community was aware that food, water, and all of the efforts that everyone has
been active with are now being replaced by a second phase. Then, there are still
people out there who are suffering, need help, and need to communicate and have
been through a lot of different means. Certainly, we can be of that source to make
sure that they get put on a list as we gain assessments. I just wanted to make sure
people were aware of that.
Committee Chair Yukimura: Thank you. You are right. I was out in the
field yesterday and I can see that the solid waste issues are going to be large because
of the debris, the green waste, the white goods, and just the amount of the flow of
things that are either going into the landfill or have to be diverted somehow. You are
right that we have several phases going on at once. We have both the immediate
response still trying to help people either get to safety or to deal with what is in front
of them, but as they do that, we also have these following issues of solid waste,
insurance, assistance, and recovery. Those all have to be addressed and you are right
that communication is key. It has been especially difficult on the north shore because
one of the main communication lines has been down, but I think it has been restored
in the last twenty-four (24) hours. Are there any other comments? If not, I will
entertain a motion to defer.
ALLISON S. ARAKAKI, Council Services Assistant I: We have a motion
and a second.
PST COMMITTEE MEETING 3 APRIL 18, 2018
Committee Chair Yukimura: Okay, thank you. I recognize the motion to
defer.
The motion to defer PST 2018-01 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Committee Chair Yukimura: The motion is carried. Next item, please.
The Committee proceeded on its agenda item, as shown in the following
Committee Report, which is incorporated herein by reference:
CR-PST 2018-01: on Bill No. 2695 A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 19 AND
ESTABLISHING A NEW
ARTICLE 26, CHAPTER 22, KAUAI
COUNTY CODE 1987,AS AMENDED,
RELATING TO WHIPS AND
WEAPONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY
(Approved as Amended.)
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 a.m.
Respectfully
��submitted,
"
Allison S. Arakaki
Council Services Assistant I
APPROVED at the Committee Meeting held on May 9, 2018:
UL
JO i.NN A. YUKI 01'A
C• .ir, PST Comm •e