Minutes of the

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

POLICY COMMITTEE

Thursday, February 15, 2007, 4:00 p.m.

City Council Committee Room 205

Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

Members Present:
Councilmember Nestor Garcia, Chair	Representative Marilyn Lee
Senator Will Espero, Vice Chair	Representative Ryan Yamane
Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz	Senator J. Kalani English
Councilmember Charles Djou	Interim DOT Director Barry Fukunaga
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi	Acting DTS Director Richard Torres
Councilmember Gary Okino

Members Absent: Representative Joseph Souki, Senator Carol Fukunaga

Guests Present:
Dennis Galolo (Councilmbr Cachola)	Glenn Yasui (DOT)
Robert Sato (Councilmbr Dela Cruz)	Mark Au (DTS)
Francisco Figueiredo (Clmbr Djou)	Frank Genadio (Comm. for Balanced Trans., CAC)
Darrell Young (Councilmbr Garcia)	Charles Carole (Neighborhood Board #10, CAC)
Pat Tom (DOT)	Patty Teruya (NB #24, CAC)
Scot Urada (DOT)

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

Chair ProTem Will Espero called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. A quorum was present.

I. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 15, 2006 MEETING MINUTES

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi moved and Representative Marilyn Lee seconded that the December 15, 2006 meeting minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously carried.

II. ELECTION OF FY 2007 CHAIR

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz nominated Councilmember Nestor Garcia to serve as the Chair for the remainder of FY 2007. Councilmember Kobayashi seconded the nomination. Councilmember Garcia was unanimously elected as Chair. Councilmember Garcia assumed the position of Chair.

[Councilmembers Gary Okino and Charles Djou arrived at 4:04 p.m.]

III. OAHU TIP FYS 2006, 2007, AND 2008

III.a. Approval of Amendment #9 (Administrative): Modification of 40 Projects

Gordon Lum gave a presentation on the Amendment #9 to the Oahu Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FYs 2006-2008. Mr. Lum explained that Amendment #9 is an administrative amendment that required the OahuMPO Policy Committee’s approval because it resulted in the reduction of federal funds programmed in the flexible funding categories on Oahu. Although the solicitation of public comments was not required for administrative amendments, public comments were received, which Mr. Lum summarized.

Chair Garcia asked if anyone wanted to testify of this agenda item. There were no testifiers.

Vice Chair Espero asked if the decrease in funding for project S58 (North/South Road, Vicinity of Farrington Highway to Interstate Route H-1, Phase IB) would affect Phase I of the project. Department of Transportation (DOT) Interim Director, Barry Fukunaga responded that it would not be affected.

Director Fukunaga moved and Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Acting Director Richard Torres seconded that Amendment #9 to the Oahu TIP FYs 2006-2008 be approved. The motion carried unanimously.

Chair Garcia introduced the new and returning Policy Committee members.

III.b. Approval of Amendment #10: Deletion of Nine Projects and Addition of One Project

Mr. Lum gave a presentation on the Amendment #10 to the Oahu Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FYs 2006-2008. Mr. Lum explained that Amendment #10 is a non-administrative amendment. Some projects are not ready-to-go, so they are deleted from the current TIP. For TIP purposes, “deferred” means shifting a project to a latter time period within the three-year TIP program period. “Deleted” means shifting a project outside of the three-year TIP program period; it does not necessarily mean a project will not be pursued.

Mr. Lum summarized the technical review – which included consistency with the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan 2030, compliancy with Title VI/Environmental Justice principles, consistency with the Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture, no change to the Congestion Management Program rankings, and a summary of other technical evaluations. Mr. Lum also summarized both the public and agency comments received. This resulted in several questions from Policy Committee members.

Vice Chair Espero asked how many families would be assisted by the $250,000 budgeted for FY 2007 for project S75 (Ways to Work Program). DOT Highways (HWY) Administrator Glenn Yasui stated that he did not have the figure available at that time; but DOT would get that information to the members.

In response to Chair Garcia, Scot Urada, of DOT HWY, stated that DOT is the pass through agency, but not the implementing agency, for Ways to Work Program funds.

With regard to project S57 (Nimitz Highway Intersection Improvements at Valkenburgh Street), Vice Chair Espero stated that the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) had identified this project as one that they would like expedited, primarily for safety reasons. Vice Chair Espero asked for the dollar amount for construction that was being deferred. Patrick Tom, of DOT HWY, stated that $1.5 million was being deferred for the scope of work. Mr. Tom added that the project was being delayed because the Navy is doing some improvements in that area. DOT is waiting for the Navy’s project to be completed, so they can assess what improvements would be needed to be added on to the Navy’s improvements.

Director Fukunaga stated that HBL has a general concern for bicycling projects overall. Mr. Tom confirmed that, per his conversation with the HBL, HBL would be in support of all projects that would help bicyclist and pedestrians, and, therefore, is in opposition of any deferral or deletion of such projects.

Testimony

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

Director Fukunaga moved and Acting Director Torres seconded that Amendment #10 to the Oahu TIP FYs 2006-2008 be approved. The motion carried unanimously.

IV. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING RETIREMENT OF OAHUMPO PLANNER

Chair Garcia stated that OahuMPO planner, Laureen Brennan, would be retiring after more than 27 years at the OahuMPO and offered a resolution acknowledging her tenure. Chair Garcia asked Ms. Brennan to say a few words. Ms. Brennan stated her appreciation for the resolution and for the rewarding experience of working at OahuMPO.

All members moved that the resolution be approved. The resolution was unanimously approved.

V. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Lum stated that a call for Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects has been released via mail and the OahuMPO website. DOT will also be issuing a Statewide call for TE projects. Mr. Lum stressed that these proposals must eventually have a project sponsor in order to be programmed in the TIP. The deadline for submittal of proposals is March 2, 2007.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:43 p.m.