Meeting Minutes of the
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization
POLICY COMMITTEE

Thursday, April 17, 2003, 3:30 p.m.
City Council Committee Room
Room 205, Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

Member(s) Absent: Councilmember Romy Cachola, Representative Joseph Souki

Staff Present: Gordon Lum, Shevaun Low, Michelle Kurisu, and Pamela Toyooka

Chair Nestor Garcia called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. A quorum was present.

I. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 27, 2003 MEETING

Vice Chair Cal Kawamoto moved and Representative Kirk Caldwell seconded that the minutes of the March 27, 2003 meeting be approved as circulated. The minutes were unanimously approved.


II. ITS REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE
Handout:
· OMPO ITS Plan: ITS Regional Architecture & Integration Strategy
· Summary of Public Comments Received on the ITS Plan
· PowerPoint presentation on OMPO ITS Plan

Gordon Lum, OMPO Executive Director, gave an overview of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Regional Architecture (RA). He went over what a regional architecture is, gave examples of important ITS activities for Oahu, and explained why OMPO is creating a regional architecture.

Glen Fromm, OMPO's ITS consultant, gave a presentation on the OMPO ITS Plan, including the following aspects: Oahu ITS Vision · Project Purpose · Brief History · Oahu ITS Architecture Process · Project Milestones · What Does the Plan Provide? · ITS Policies - a Sample · ITS Initiatives · Emergency Routing · ITS Initiatives - Strategic Costs · Emergency Agency Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Integration · Data Fusion for Dissemination · What's Next? · Requested Policy Committee Action.

Mr. Lum reported that the Technical Advisory Committee had recommended that the Policy Committee endorse the ITS RA. Mr. Lum also went over the public comments received. In particular, Mr. Lum noted two public comments:

• As part of assessing proposed ITS projects, the sponsoring agency needs to demonstrate the commitment to adequately staff and budget for operating and maintaining the ITS deployments.
  
• A neutral entity needs to assess the consistency of Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects with the ITS Architecture.

Vice Chair Kawamoto asked how far along Oahu would be if they had gone ahead with the Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) - how many of the concerns would be addressed in terms of interagency coordination with that center. Mr. Fromm responded that the RA supports working together regardless of the technology.

Cheryl Soon arrived at 3:58 p.m.

Councilmember Mike Gabbard asked if the RA would mitigate the congestion after a major traffic accident (e.g., where there is a death). Mr. Fromm explained that incident management plans set up by cooperating agencies could be used to clear the incident more efficiently. The RA supports the establishment of working groups to develop the incident management plans.

Mr. Lum added that, if there is no traffic fatality, then the primary thrust is to clear the incident. However, when a traffic fatality is involved, the Honolulu Police Department wants to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. A memorandum of understanding (MOA) could be developed by the various parties to setup up procedures to clear up the crime scene and restore rights-of-way to traffic. These parties must be comfortable with the procedures.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz asked if such an MOA was in place. Mr. Lum responded that there is an understanding between emergency responder agencies that addresses control of the scene. To free up an accident site quicker when a fatality occurs is a more difficult issue.

Representative Mark Moses left at 4:01 p.m. A quorum was still present.

Representative Caldwell moved that the ITS RA for Oahu be endorsed and adopted. The motion was seconded.

Councilmember Dela Cruz left at 4:05 p.m. A quorum was still present.

In response to a question from Vice Chair Kawamoto, Mr. Lum stated that a key element of the Policy Committee's endorsement of the ITS RA is agreeing to the initiatives and policies contained in the report. ITS projects supporting these initiatives and policies will eventually be submitted to the Policy Committee for inclusion into the TIP. It is assumed that there will be general support for these projects, assuming funding availability and other concerns are addressed. Mr. Lum noted that the ITS RA could be amended later, such as when new technology warrants a change or a desire to pursue another ITS area.

Vice Chair Kawamoto stated that he would vote to endorse the motion with reservations.

Referring to yesterday's situation (a fatal traffic accident), Ms. Soon, City Department of Transportation Director, stated that it is misleading to think that the long wait to clear the incident would not have happened if the RTMC had been in place.

Chair Garcia stated that he was pleased that the ITS RA was ahead of schedule.

The motion was approved, with reservations voiced by Vice Chair Kawamoto noted.

III. PRIORITIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
Handout:
· Draft Prioritized List of Eligible Oahu Proposals Requesting Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Enhancement Funds in Fiscal Years (FYs) 2003-2006
· Summary of Eligible Oahu Proposals Requesting HDOT TE Funds in FYs 2003-2006

Mr. Lum gave an overview of the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program for Oahu, including the following aspects: What is a TE Project? · OMPO Process · Call for Enhancement Projects (timeline) · Evaluation Panel (membership) · Draft Prioritized List of Eligible Oahu Proposals Requesting HDOT, TE Funds in FYs 2003-2006 · TE Funding Assumptions · TAC Recommendations · CAC Recommendation.

Mr. Lum reported that the CAC had recommended that the Policy Committee endorse the list. He also reported that the TAC had:

• Recommended that project number 7 (Temporary Pedestrian Activated Traffic Light) be deleted because HDOT will be implementing this project in the Summer of 2003 using other funds;
  
• Recommended that a footnote be added to the list stating that "HDOT will not pursue projects number 5, 10, and 12 (Repair OR&L Tracks - Fort Weaver Road to Kahe; Railroad Crossing Gates for State Roads; Railroad Crossing Gates for County Roads, respectively) until pending Oahu Railway and Land (OR&L) right-of-way (ROW) issues are resolved"; and
  
• Recommended that the Policy Committee endorse the list with the above actions.

Councilmember Charles Djou asked about the funding for TE projects. Mr. Lum responded that there is currently $10 million available, with an additional $5 million available by FY 2006. At the present time, it looks like there will be enough TE monies to fund all the projects on the list.

Councilmember Gabbard asked about the resolving of the OR&L issues with regard to projects number 5, 10, and 12. Glenn Yasui, Highways Administrator for HDOT Highways Division, responded that HDOT is scheduling a meeting with the Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS), Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), and Chevron Oil to resolve the ownership and liability issues.

In response to Councilmember Gabbard's question, Mr. Lum stated that the TE program funds are for projects in the FYs 2004-2006 TIP. Hopefully, the issues raised by Mr. Yasui can be resolved within those three years.

Testimony
Tom Berg, Senator Willie Espero's office, on Project #8 - Fort Weaver Road Underpass
Mr. Berg testified that, for safety reasons, the community is in favor of a Fort Weaver Road Underpass. He stated that it would desirable to have the underpass constructed at the same time that Fort Weaver Road is being widened from 4 to 6 lanes. With regard to security, he suggested that, in addition to the emergency phone (that is currently in place) and lighting, closed circuit cameras could be installed to monitor the underpass. He also stated that Child and Family Service is willing to entertain contracting their security forces to periodically rove the underpass.

Vice Chair Kawamoto left at 4:25 p.m. A quorum was still present.

Gale Treiber, Director of Public Relations for HRS, on Projects #5, 10, 12
Mr. Treiber testified in favor of projects number 5, 10, and 12. He stated that these were safety items. Right now, the trains run across Kalaeloa Boulevard and Fort Barrette Road. The trains have to stop; then a flagman needs to be sent out to actually stop the cars. When it's clear, then the train can go across. The crossing gates proposed in projects 10 and 12 would add more protection to prevent accidents at the crossings. Mr. Treiber explained that crossties hold the rails together. For safety purposes, HRS would like to have all good crossties on the rails.

In response to Chair Garcia's question regarding liability, Mr. Treiber stated that the HRS has a $5 million insurance policy for the trains. Mr. Treiber also stated that he is willing to work with HDOT on resolving the outstanding issues Mr. Yasui spoke of.

CC Curry, Interagency Coordination Councils Organization (CAC), on Project #8
Ms. Curry testified in favor of project number 8. She stated that there is no way for the communities at West Loch Village and West Loch Fairways to safely get across the street to Child and Family Service.

Chair Garcia asked if there was an assurance that project number 7 would receive another type of funding, so that it could be dropped from the list. Mr. Yasui responded that, to expedite installation of the temporary span wire signalization pedestrian-activated traffic light, HDOT is using State operation and maintenance funds. That work will be done in late-May.

In response to a question from Chair Garcia, Mr. Lum stated that, if the issues regarding projects 5, 10, and 12 cannot be resolved, the projects would not be ready-to-go and could not receive Federal funds if they were included in the TIP. Mr. Lum added that, if these projects could not proceed, OMPO would hope that HDOT would have another call from projects, so new projects can replace those projects that do not go through. HDOT's TE Program states that a call for projects be done annually.

Ms. Soon asked when the next call for projects would occur. She felt that it would be good for the agencies to know what month they could plan on submitting projects. Mr. Lum responded that, since the TIP works on a Federal fiscal year, it would be best to schedule the next call for projects in May or June so that the projects could feed into the TIP process.

Councilmember Djou moved and Representative Caldwell seconded that the prioritized list of TE projects, as recommended by the TAC (with project #7 deleted), be approved.

Senator Brian Kanno stated that he would like to keep project number 7 on the list. Rodney Haraga, HDOT Director, reiterated that an alternate funding source for the project is available.

The motion was approved, with reservations voiced by Senator Kanno noted.

IVA. CAC - MEMBERSHIP REQUEST

John Sato, OMPO Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Chair, explained that the Pearl City Neighborhood Board (NB) No. 21 had attended the required four meetings in a 12-month period to qualify for membership on the CAC. He added that their membership and involvement would enhance the CAC. Mr. Sato introduced Albert Fukushima, Chair of the Pearl City NB #21. Mr. Fukushima stated that the Pearl City NB was requesting membership on the CAC. Mr. Haraga stated that he has worked with the Pearl City NB for three years, and that they are one of the most active and involved neighborhood boards.

Mr. Haraga moved and Councilmember Djou seconded that the Pearl City NB #21 be appointed to the OMPO CAC. The Pearl City NB #21 was unanimously approved for appointment to the OMPO CAC.

IVB. CAC - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FYS 2004-2006 TIP
Handout: CAC Recommendations to the FYs 2004-2006 TIP

Mr. Sato outlined the process the CAC took to come up with their recommended list of Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects for FYs 2004-2006.

Senator Kanno stated that the community would not like the Kapolei Parkway from Renton Road to Kapolei Intermediate project built until after the North-South Road and its interchange are built. There is currently too much traffic going through the school area, with people trying to get to H-1 town-bound. If the recommended project was built and completed before the North-South Road and its interchange are completed, then that would further increase the traffic through the school area. Senator Kanno also voiced his support for the Roosevelt Avenue to Kamokila Boulevard Connector Road project recommendation. Ms. Soon suggested that HDOT should consider improving Roosevelt Avenue before doing a connector road.

Senator Kanno moved that the CAC Recommendations to the FYs 2004-2006 TIP be approved with the deletion of the Kapolei Parkway from Renton Road to Kapolei Intermediate project recommendation.

Chair Garcia noted that CAC recommendations were presented to the Policy Committee for their review before forwarding them to HDOT and DTS for their consideration. Mr. Lum suggested that Senator Kanno's comments be forwarded to HDOT and DTS along with the CAC Recommendations.

Senator Kanno withdrew his motion.

Councilmember Djou moved that the CAC Recommendations to the FYs 2004-2006 TIP be forwarded to HDOT and DTS along with Senator Kanno's comments. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. BRIEFING ON THE PIIKOI-PENSACOLA COUPLET
Handout: Map of affected area around the on-ramp at Pensacola Street and H-1 Lunalilo Freeway

Mr. Haraga stated that he had met with Ms. Soon to discuss the viability of reversing the flows of Piikoi and Pensacola Streets. He then went over the initial assessment of what could be done to improve the traffic flow in the area around the on-ramp at Pensacola Street and H-1 Lunalilo Freeway. In addition to reversing the flows of traffic on Piikoi and Pensacola Streets, the following related issues would be looked at:

• Re-routing the exit at the Makiki post office
  
• Addressing the location of the entrance at Kaiser Hospital
  
• Addressing the concern regarding the driveways of apartments/condominiums around the on-ramp area
  
• Studying the area mauka of the H-1 Lunalilo Freeway, going up to Wilder Street and, perhaps, up to Piikoi Street
  
• Looking at the impact of extending Queen Street into Pensacola Street*, since this was not considered in the 1991 Primary Urban Center Traffic Circulation Plan. (*This is being done, per the Hawaii Community Development Authority.)

Mr. Haraga stated that HDOT would be appending a consultant contract with R.M. Towill to study the Piikoi-Pensacola couplet. The current contract with R.M. Towill is to study the on-ramp at Pensacola Street and Lunalilo Freeway. Once the study is completed, then HDOT will go out to the affected community and property owners to discuss the proposals and obtain their input. HDOT will report back to the Policy Committee.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

1. Federal Certification Review of the Metropolitan Planning Process - Mr. Lum announced that there would be a Federal Certification Review of the metropolitan planning process on April 29-30. The meeting for the Policy Committee members to discuss OMPO's planning process with the Federal representatives was set for April 29, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in room 5-204 of the Federal building.
   
2. Next Policy Committee Meeting - Mr. Lum announced that the next Policy Committee meeting was scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, May 27.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.