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City Council members are taking up a slew of money-related measures in committee meetings this week. Expect to hear debate over funding for rail, the new transit agency’s budget, relocation of trees for the transit project and more.

We’ll also find out how Honolulu officials plan to cope with a cap on TAT revenue, which both Mayor Peter Carlisle and council Chairman Nestor Garcia warned would hurt the city’s ability to balance its budget. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.

Environmental Group Raises Concern About Trees Along Rail Line

12:07 p.m.
Representatives with the say they are concerned about how trees along the city’s proposed rail route will be affected by the system.

The environmental group’s CEO, Mary Steiner says about 900 trees that will be affected by rail, but the city has only detailed trees that are in the first of four proposed construction segments.

“The city has provided a draft tree-disposition plan for the Farrington Highway portion of the project,” Steiner said in testimony to the city’s Parks and Human Services Committee. “We have not seen anything on the rest of the project. So there are three other segments.”

The committee took testimony about that would require rail planners to provide status updates to City Council on tree relocation.

Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka said his department has complied with requirements regarding tree location.

Steiner also complained that her meetings with the city “haven’t been really totally productive.”

”We don’t appreciate having to get (information) through 92-F or Freedom of Information requests,” Steiner said. “We don’t appreciate being told on Thursday that (on) the following Monday, the first 24 trees are being removed and relocated… We’re really just asking that thought be given in advance.”

Committee Chairman Tom Berg was passionate on the subject of tree well-being, and said he was “offended” that the city’s arborist did not attend the meeting.

“You put that tree in boiling water, you hear it scream,” Berg said.

Carlisle to Sign New North Shore Plan

10:52 a.m.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle will sign an updated version of the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan into law this afternoon.

The Council recently passed an update for the plan that many residents touted as being an example of how government should collaborate with the community. City Council member Ernie Martin, who represents the North Shore, even convinced his colleagues to join him for a special meeting at the Historic Haleiwa Gym in February.

The five-year review will limit development and maintain the North Shore’s rural character, community members have said. Tourism — particularly a proposed “country inn” and the prevalence of illegal bed & breakfasts — were a major part of the conversation.

— Michael Levine

Planning Director Questions Shipping Containers Converted to Homes

9:31 a.m.
A resolution that would encourage the use of converted shipping containers as homes has City Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue worried.

aims to help the homeless population by providing more housing options. But Tanoue says the resolution is too broad, and contradicts basic zoning priciples.

“This type of residential housing would be allowed in every single zoning district, that’s what the proposed bill says,” Tanoue said to the Zoning Committee this morning. “I think more discussions as far as density, as far as what kind of zoning districts, need to take place.”

Tanoue said his department is “supportive of the intent of trying to provide low-cost housing” but said he worries about the safety of the units and how they would affect property values, preservation land and other areas.

City Council member Tom Berg, who introduced the measure, acknowledged it’s not perfect but said he is not giving up.

Council Members

8:22 a.m.
After staying at Honolulu Hale late into a stormy Monday evening, City Council members return today for another busy round of committee meetings. Here are some of the items that will come up before the , and committees:

• Relocation of trees along the line of the city’s rail route
• Regulations related to Segways and other “personal mobility devices”
• Urging the Planning and Permitting Department to strengthen penalties against violators of building code
• An update on the status of pending land use ordinance amendments
• Thousands of dollars in gifts to the city for February’s rail groundbreaking ceremony

Read Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu

May 2, 2011: City Council member Stanley Chang takes on managing director; Ann Kobayashi defends yelling at testifier; Romy Cachola calls testifier “stupid;” Tom Berg proposes horse racetrack for Kapiolani Park; Bill to eliminate scrap yard subsidy advances; Council member miffed that rail leaders skipped special council meeting.