Minutes of the
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

POLICY COMMITTEE

Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 1:00 p.m.
City Council Committee Room
Room 205, Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

Members Absent: Representative Marilyn Lee, Chair (FY 2006), Edward Hirata (DTS Director)

Invited Guest(s) Present: Mary Lou Kobayashi (for Laura Thielen, DBEDT-OP)

OMPO Staff Present: Gordon Lum (Executive Director), Lori Arakaki, Laureen Brennan, Pamela Toyooka

Chair Nestor Garcia called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. A quorum was present.

I.    ELECTION OF FY 2006 CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Representative Mark Moses nominated Representative Marilyn Lee for the office of Chair for fiscal year (FY) 2006. Representative Joseph Souki seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, Representative Lee was elected Chair by acclamation.

It was noted that Representative Lee was excused from today’s meeting because she was attending her Mother’s funeral services.

Councilmember Charles Djou nominated Councilmember Todd Apo for the office of Vice Chair for FY 2006. Councilmember Gary Okino seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, Councilmember Apo was elected Vice Chair by acclamation.

In the absence of Chair Lee, Chair Garcia passed the gavel to Vice Chair Apo.

On behalf of the members, Chair Apo read and presented a resolution to outgoing Chair Garcia. Following the presentation, Councilmember Garcia left the meeting.

II.    MINUTES OF THE MAY 26, 2005 MEETING
Representative Moses stated that the minutes did not contain anything regarding the $40,000 for railway ties. Chair Apo noted that, since the $40,000 was not discussed at the May 26, 2005 meeting, it would not be included in the minutes.

Chair Apo asked if there were any objections to not including this in the minutes. There being no objections, the May 29, 2005 minutes were accepted as circulated.

III.    AMENDMENT #12 TO THE FYs 2004-2006 TIP
Gordon Lum gave a PowerPoint presentation on Amendment #12 to the FYs 2004-2006 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Mr. Lum went over the projects that would be deleted, the projects that would be added, the technical reviews the amendment went through, and the public comments received (none).

[Senator Lorraine Inouye arrived at 1:10 p.m., during Mr. Lum’s presentation.]

Representative Moses moved and Senator Inouye seconded that Amendment #12 to the FYs 2004-2006 TIP be approved.

Testimony
Tom Berg, Ewa resident
Mr. Berg requested that Phase II of (Leeward Bikeway) be included in the FYs 2004-2006 TIP. Mr. Berg also requested that, if the $40,000 in federal funds for project S83 (Oahu Railway and Land (OR&L), Repair Tracks, Fort Weaver Road to Kahe Point) will not be released by September 30, 2005, the project be included in the FYs 2006-2008 TIP.

Charles Rosa-Coleman, Executive Director, Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) (CAC)
Mr. Rosa-Coleman stated that the minor right-of-way issues for the Leeway Bikeway project could be addressed through minor adjustments to the bikepath infrastructure. Therefore, the HBL requests that project S65 be kept in the TIP.

[Senator Brian Kanno arrived at 1:14 p.m.]

Scott Snider, HBL (CAC), Central Oahu resident
Mr. Snider testified in support of project S65. He stated that he commutes to Downtown via bicycle out of necessity, and having the bikeway is a safety issue.

Representative Rida Cabanilla
Representative Cabanilla testified in opposition of the deletion of Phase II of the Leeward Bikeway project. The bikeway would improve the quality of life for the entire Ewa Beach neighborhood. Representative Cabanilla also requested the release of $40,000 in federal funds for project S83.

Questions and Answers
In response to Representative Moses, Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Rodney Haraga stated that the design consultant for the Leeward Bikeway project is expected to be on board by the end of July. Construction is anticipated to be in FY 2008. Phase II will follow in the next TIP. Director Haraga stated that Phase I is ready-to-go; therefore, it is in the TIP. Phase II is not ready-to-go; therefore, it would not be included in the current TIP. Representative Moses stressed that the phases should be continuous, with no gap between the completion of Phase I and the start of Phase II. Director Haraga stated that he strongly agreed with that statement.

Senator Will Espero asked if construction could be moved into FY 2007. Director Haraga responded that it could, depending on the design consultant’s proposal. Director Haraga believed that the right-of-way issue could be resolved by the consultant. DOT will ask the design consultant for an expeditious handling of the project.

In response to Senator Espero, Ron Tsuzuki of DOT Highway Planning Branch stated that the bikeway is a high priority project; however, due to many staffing changes, getting the project ready-to-go has been a problem. Mr. Tsuzuki noted that DOT’s former bicycle coordinator has been hired to work on procuring the consultant.

Both Mr. Lum and Mr. Tsuzuki stated that an amendment to the TIP could be done at anytime, should the project be ready for construction at an earlier date.

Having seen this project on the books since the late 1990s, Councilmember Okino stated his strong support for moving this project forward as soon as possible.

A vote was taken on the motion to approve Amendment #12 to the FYs 2004-2006 TIP. The motion carried unanimously.

IV.    FYs 2006-2008 TIP
Mr. Lum gave a PowerPoint presentation on the FYs 2006-2008 TIP – including background information; technical reviews (including the Technical Advisory Committee recommendation and Intergovernmental Review comments); the public involvement process (including the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Recommendations to the FYs 2006-2008 TIP and a summary of the public comments received); the results of technical evaluations (including technical analysis for consistency or compliance with the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan, Oahu Regional Intelligent Transportation System Architecture, and Title VI/Environmental Justice principles); the Congestion Management System evaluation and project rankings; and the transit criteria. Mr. Lum noted that two projects had been added to the project list as a result of the May 26, 2005 Policy Committee meeting: project S63 (Interstate Route H 1, Addition and Modification of Freeway Access, Makakilo Interchange to Palailai Interchange (Kapolei Interchange Complex)) and project C24 (Salt Lake Boulevard Widening, Phase 2B). Mr. Lum described the project evaluation criteria that was developed and applied to transit projects proposed in the TIP. He noted that the deadline to submit comments on the transit criteria is August 22, 2005.

Councilmember Djou moved and Senator Inouye seconded that the FYs 2006-2008 TIP be approved.

Testimony
Donna Goth, Kapolei Property Dev. LLC & Aina Nui Corp. (Estate of James Campbell (EJC))
Ms. Goth testified in support of the project S63 (Kapolei Interchange Complex).

David Mueller, Hawaiian Railway Society (HRS), Board of Directors
Mr. Mueller asked for assistance in getting the release of $40,000 in federal funds for railroad ties to repair the tracks. Mr. Mueller also testified in support of the Leeward Bikeway project.

Director Haraga stated that Brennon Morioka is working on securing the $40,000. The Governor still needs to sign the agreement.

In response to Senator Espero’s question, Director Haraga assured him that the funds would not lapse. Senator Espero asked Director Haraga to report the progress of this effort back to the members.

Frank Genadio
Mr. Genadio testified in support of project C9 (Makakilo Drive Extension).

Senator Carol Fukunaga (on behalf of herself and Senator Fred Hemmings)
Senator Fukunaga advised the Committee that she and Senator Hemmings are actively pursuing a potential flyover solution at the Lunalilo on-ramp and Vineyard Boulevard off-ramp, in order to separate traffic exiting at the Vineyard off-ramp from the traffic entering at the Lunalilo on-ramp. They are in contact with the State DOT about this proposed project. Senator Fukunaga proposed an amendment to include such a project in the FYs 2006-2008 TIP after the TIP document has been adopted. She noted that project S14 (Interstate Route H-1, Lunalilo Street Off-Ramp and On-Ramp) is a temporary solution which installs popup poles in order to modify the weaving movement of traffic in that area. In response to Senator Espero, Senator Fukunaga stated that the 1995 estimate was $32 million. She noted that, today, there may be other technologies that may also be appropriate; so they are open as to the type of technology to be used.

Tom Berg
Mr. Berg questioned why monies need to be spent for land acquisition, when the federal government gave a 40-foot wide right-of-way for the project S52 (Leeward Bikeway).

Paul Schwind, Land Use Research Foundation (CAC)
Mr. Schwind testified in support of the project S63. Mr. Schwind noted that, in addition to the funding by EJC, the Ewa impact fee funds are, in part, designated to cover some of the local match for this project.

Questions and Answers
In response to Councilmember Cachola, Toru Hamayasu of Department of Transportation Services (DTS) stated that the design phase of project C24 (Salt Lake Boulevard Widening, Phase 2B) will commences around FY 2007. Due to the complexity of the project, Department of Design and Construction (DDC) does not know how long the design will take to complete. Councilmember Cachola requested a projected timeline for the completion of design, so he can report back to the community. Mr. Hamayasu stated that he would request that from the DDC.

In response to Representative Moses, Mr. Hamayasu stated that the project C9 (Makakilo Drive Extension) is a priority project. Since the terrain will be a factor in how the area can be developed, it would be difficult to determine what to design until the planning and environmental disclosure is completed.

In response to Councilmember Okino, Director Haraga stated that design for project S18 (Interstate Route H-1 Widening, Eastbound, Waiau Interchange to Halawa Interchange) will take at least a couple of years to complete. The impact on the neighboring community would be addressed in the environmental impact statement. Community meetings will be held in the Aiea and Pearl City areas to inform them of what will be done.

In response to Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Director Haraga stated that project S14 would be kept in the TIP because it would result in a large amount of time savings. Director Haraga stated that Senator Fukunaga’s proposal is a viable alternative; however, it is a long-term solution. It would need to be ready-to-go before it can be added to the TIP.

In response to Senator Espero, Mr. Tsuzuki stated that the OR&L tracks are not in the center of the right-of-way; it meanders within the 40-foot right-of-way. For safety reasons, there needs to be a setback – the edge of the bikeway needs to be so many feet away from the edge of the track.

In response to Councilmember Cachola, Mr. Tsuzuki stated that DOT is planning on working around the tracks, rather than moving them. The tracks are historic, so DOT would have to work with HRS and the State Historic Preservation office if it wanted to move them. Once the consultant works on the design and plan, DOT will have a better idea of how much land will be needed to be purchased. Director Haraga stated that DOT would let Councilmember Cachola know what the cost will be as soon as figures become available.

A vote was taken on the motion to approve the FYs 2006-2008 TIP. The motion was unanimously carried.

V.    CAC MEMBERSHIP REQUEST
Mr. Lum stated that Castle and Cooke had attended the required number of meetings and requested membership on the CAC.

Representative Moses moved and Senator Espero seconded that Castle and Cooke be appointed to the CAC. The motion was unanimously carried.

VI.    RESPONSE TO PUBLIC’S LETTER ON PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
Chair Apo noted that this agenda item was for discussion only and no action would be taken. Mr. Lum responded to Dale Evans’ June 15, 2005 letter directed to the Policy Committee and the CAC. Mr. Lum stated that communications from the Department of the Attorney General, State Ethics Commission, and Office of Information Practices supported his position that Ms. Evans’ charges were false and without merit. He added that it was the duty of the Legislature to provide public notice on legislative bills, the duty of the City Council to provide public notice on council bills, and that both bodies have provided the required public notice.

Ms. Evans continued to express her desire to have OMPO notify CAC member organizations about legislative and council bills affecting the transportation planning process.

Chair Apo stated that he heard Ms. Evans desire to provide as much public notice as possible, and acknowledged the difficulty in doing it. He added that OMPO can look at how this situation could be reasonably improved, but first needs to identify its purpose. In response to a question from Representative Moses, Chair Apo stated that it was not his intent to have OMPO notify people of all legislative transportation matters.

VII.    OTHER BUSINESS

Senator Espero announced that there would be a meeting on the Super Ferry on July 28, 2005.

Chair Apo announced that Council Bill 40 would be heard by the joint Budget and Transportation Committee on August 2, 2005 at 9:30 a.m., and would be heard by the full Council on August 10, 2005.

In reference to the discussion (in item IV) about the historic railway tracks, Representative Moses stated that he had heard that the HRS had authorized the slight moving of railway tracks.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.