Minutes of the

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

 

POLICY COMMITTEE

 

Monday, October 22, 2007, 10:00 a.m.

Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 309

415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

 

Members Present:

Senator Will Espero, Chair

Representative Joseph Souki

Councilmember Nestor Garcia, Vice Chair

Representative Ryan Yamane

Councilmember Todd Apo

Senator Carol Fukunaga

Councilmember Gary Okino

DOT Director Barry Fukunaga

Councilmember Rod Tam

DTS Director Melvin Kaku

Representative Marilyn Lee

 

 

Member(s) Absent: Councilmember Charles Djou and Senator J. Kalani English

 

Guests Present:

Francisco Figueiredo (Councilmember Djou)

 

Katsumi Tanaka (E Noa Corp., CAC)

Robert Sato (Councilmember Okino)

 

Darci Evans (HHUA, CAC)

Tom Berg (Representative Cabanilla)

 

Charles Carole (NB #10, CAC)

Mary Protheroe (AARP, CAC)

 

Michael Golojuch (NB #34, CAC)

John Valera (APA HI Chapter, CAC)

 

Philip Blackman (Akamai Research)

Dale Evan (Charley’s Taxi, CAC)

 

Cliff Slater (HonoluluTraffic.com)

Tom Dinell (E Noa Corp., CAC)

 

 

 

OahuMPO Staff Present:  Gordon Lum (Executive Director), Marian Yasuda, and Pamela Toyooka

 

Chair Espero called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.  A quorum was present.

 

I.          MINUTES OF THE JULY 17, 2007 MEETING

Vice Chair Garcia moved and Representative Joseph Souki seconded that the July 17, 2007 minutes be approved as circulated.  There being no objections, the motion was unanimously carried.

 

Chair Espero noted that today’s meeting was being taped for broadcast on Olelo.  Chair Espero asked all the members to introduce themselves.

 

II.        CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)

Gordon Lum stated that Charles Carole, CAC Chair, will present the CAC-related agenda items.

 

II.A.    CAC:  Membership Request

Mr. Carole introduced Mary Protheroe, head of State Livable Communities Statewide Project, who was present to represent the AARP.  The AARP has attended the required number of meetings in the 12-month period and is requesting membership to the CAC. 

 

Senator Carol Fukunaga moved and Representative Marilyn Lee seconded that the AARP be appointed to the CAC.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

II.B.    CAC:  Recommendations on the FY 2009 Overall Work Program (OWP)

Handout:  CAC FY 2009 OWP Subcommittee Suggested Work Element Proposals

 

Mr. Carole stated that the CAC had approved the CAC subcommittee’s recommendation on the FY 2009 OWP.  Chair Espero acknowledged receipt of the CAC’s recommendations.

 

Vice Chair Nestor Garcia moved and Senator C. Fukunaga seconded that the Policy Committee accept the CAC’s recommendations on the FY 2009 OWP.

 

Mr. Lum noted that acceptance of the recommendations does not commit the Policy Committee to the recommendations.  Instead, it is an agreement to forward the recommendations to the appropriate participating agencies for their consideration when they develop their proposed work elements for inclusion into the FY 2009 OWP.

 

A vote was taken.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

II.C.    CAC:  Reminder of Public-Private Partnership Guidelines

Handouts:  Letter from CAC Chair Carole to the Policy Committee re. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Guidelines; Federal Highway Administration definition of PPPs; written testimony re. PPP

 

Mr. Carole stated that the CAC had approved a motion to address a letter to the Policy Committee, reminding them of the Federal guidelines that are in place regarding public-private partnerships.  Chair Espero acknowledge receipt of the CAC’s letter.

 

[Councilmember Gary Okino arrived at 10:17 a.m.]

 

Testimony

·        Tom Dinell and Katsumi Tanaka (both of E Noa Corporation) testified in support of public-private partnerships.

 

In response to Senator C. Fukunaga, Mr. Dinell stated that E Noa Corporation’s recommendation would be to have the State and City agencies consult with the private carrier industry, early on in the project development process, on where they can fit in and where they can be a supplemental provider.

 

II.D.    CAC:  Requesting the Policy Committee to Urge the Senate Transportation Committee to Hold a Hearing on House Bill 70 House Draft 3 (HB 70)

Handout:  Letter from Senator J. Kalani English to Policy Committee responding to the CAC’s request to the Policy Committee to urge the Senate transportation committee to hold a hearing on HB 70; written testimony re. HB 70

 

Mr. Carole stated that the CAC approved a motion to request the Policy Committee to urge the Senate Transportation Committee to hold a hearing on HB 70.  This bill will allow the State to enter into agreements with private entities to build, operate, own, or finance transportation facilities, including toll highways.

 

Chair Espero stated that the Policy Committee had just received a response to the CAC’s request from Senator J. Kalani English, Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, explaining why he would not be hearing HB 70.  Chair Espero noted that Senator English was unable to attend the Policy Committee meeting, since he is on his way to Maui to attend the Superferry hearings. 

 

[A copy of Senator English’s letter was placed at the sign-in desk for the public to read.]

 

Testimony

·        Phillip Blackman (private citizen) and Cliff Slater (Chair, HonoluluTraffic.com) testified in favor of public-private partnerships.

 

Chair Espero read the part of Senator English’s letter that gave the crux of his argument on why he does not feel a hearing is necessary.

 

Chair Espero reminded everyone that this agenda item is not to talk about the pros and cons of HB 70.  It is a request from CAC that the Policy Committee ask the Senate transportation committee to hear HB 70.

 

In response to Representative Ryan Yamane, Brennon Morioka, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division Deputy Director, stated that there were two provisions contained in HB 70.  Regarding the first, HDOT’s belief is that State laws already allow the department to enter into public-private partnerships.  Regarding the second, counties currently have the ability, through statute, to exact a toll on County highways; the State does not. HB 70 would allow the State to assess a toll fee for use of a toll facility, as well as, outline a much more defined process for the development of a public-private partnership specifically for transportation infrastructure. 

 

In response to Representative Yamane, Deputy Director Morioka stated that HDOT, when lobbying for a bill, normally meets with various legislative members, especially the chairs of the respective committees, to explain to them the pros and cons of each issue, rather than coming to the Policy Committee for support.  In response to an additional question from Representative Yamane, Mr. Morioka responded that HDOT does not come to the Policy Committee to ask for its support with regard to HDOT’s agenda, issues, or their matrix on priorities for any projects; HDOT just typically goes through their regular budget process.

 

With regard to tolling a road, Deputy Director Morioka stated that HDOT would be required to do an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the tolling component of any road, whether it’s new or existing.  Participation by a number of stakeholders, including private service transportation providers, would be a part of the EIS consultation process.

 

Barry Fukunaga stated that the HDOT is a proponent for that particular legislation and noted that the CAC’s request was primarily to allow the public to comment on this bill at the Legislature, rather than taking a specific position. 

 

In response to Chair Espero’s call for Policy Committee direction, Representative Souki stated that, in respecting the traditions of the Legislature and being a member of leadership for many years, he would recommend that this body not advise the Senate transportation committee chair as to whether he should hear the bill or not.  He stated that he believes the Senate leadership and the Senate chairmanship are already aware of the problems that Oahu has on the highways, and that it is the Senate’s decision not to go with the toll and look for some other alternatives.  He stated that he did not think the Policy Committee should try to override the will of the Senate.

 

Chair Espero stated that the minutes will reflect that this item was brought up by the CAC.  He mentioned that it was brought up by the Ewa neighborhood board, as well.  As a member of the Senate transportation committee, he had introduced a bill on this, and had had several intimate discussions with the Chairman of the Senate committee.  Chair Espero believed that the Senate transportation Chair will understand that there is a vocal group of individuals out there that would like to have HB 70 heard.  Chair Espero noted that, in the State Legislature, some bills pass quickly, some bills take many years; it is a worthy bill that is worth pursuing; and, with the proper discussions in the proper places, the Chairman may change his position. 

 

II.E.     CAC:  Requesting that the Citizen Advisory Committee Chair Sit at the Policy Committee Table

Handout:  Letter from CAC Chair Carole to the Policy Committee re. request to have CAC Chair sit at the Policy Committee table

 

Mr. Carole stated that the CAC passed a motion to request that the CAC Chair sit at the Policy Committee table.

 

Chair Espero stated that the CAC is already able to participate in the discussions at the Policy Committee meetings.  He recommended that the CAC’s reporting of CAC activities be made a regular part of the Policy Committee agenda.  Senator C. Fukunaga agreed with the Chair’s recommendation.

 

Representative Lee noted that the Policy Committee Chair already has the discretion to invite people to sit at the table with the Policy Committee; so, there is no need for a vote.

 

III.       PRESENTATION ON SOLUTIONS TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION – OAHU:  KAPOLEI TO UH CORRIDOR

Handouts:  Solution to Traffic Congestion Oahu: Kapolei to UH Corridor

 

Dr. Panos Prevedouros, University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) Civil Engineering Professor, gave a presentation on Solutions to Traffic Congestion on Oahu, from Kapolei to the UHM corridor.  Dr. Prevedouros feels that the solution to Oahu’s traffic problems is high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, as well as an intra-island ferry system, underpasses, and later starting times for UHM classes.

 

Chair Espero noted that, for today, the Policy Committee was presented with just one viewpoint. Councilmember Gary Okino stated that there is a lot of documentation that supports other viewpoints.  Representative Souki noted that it is not the responsibility of the Policy Committee to make changes to the City’s choice of transit modes.

 

IV.       OTHER BUSINESS (ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY)

Mr. Carole presented the CAC’s meeting highlights from their past four meetings.

 

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m.