AC Minutes 14Oct2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mahalo for your consideration and all the valuable work you do. The motion passed with 9 votes aye and 0 votes nay. 10. Impact of Lava: The PCDP AC discussed the impacts that the lava flow is having on the Puna Community and the potential short term and long-range effect it may have on implementing the PCDP. Rene started by clarifying that neither she nor Malama O Puna were responsible for the planned removal of the Monkey Pod trees. Puna Community Medical Center is working with several County agencies to ensure medical service south of the lava flow. It is looking like the old Neighborhood Place of Puna building will be the new location for PCMC with room for Clinical Laboratories also. Both Councilperson Ilagan and Councilperson Kern have committed to providing monies to support these efforts. There has been talk of a possible vending machine type medication dispenser, a mobile dental van for Bay Clinic patients, and the possibility of Kaiser allowing their patients to seek services at PCMC. Farris expressed concern about the fact that 4 AC members live on the south side of the flow and that may impact future meetings of the AC. Oshi verbalized her appreciation of this agenda item being added. It's a way for the AC to inform each other and stay abreast to everything that is happening during this time. It's comforting to hear the different supports being set up for the south side of the flow. Leila shared that right now the smoke is probably the biggest problem. Everyday has been extremely smoky, and she's been keeping all of her windows and doors closed with the air purifier going constantly. Poor air quality may be the reason people move sooner than later. Patti asked if the Planning Dept. has received any requests from businesses to relocate. Larry said that he hasn't been informed of any such requests, however there have been several permits requested to move homes from one property to another. There have also been reports of renters moving out and not paying their owed rent or water bills, squatters, and a possible increase in crime. Farris reported that Puna Beach Palisades is trying to organize a Neighborhood Watch but is having difficulty getting signs to be put up. Elmer announced that the VFW has partnered up with the VA to have a doctor available on the south side of the flow should it cross HWY 130. Through all of the uncertainty, communities are coming together and there are some positive things coming out of all of this. At this point many people are intending to stay on the south side of the flow and are doing their best to work together. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Communication No. 2014-63—Draft Grubbing and Grading Bill Proposed by Malama O Puna: The AC considered a draft bill presented by Rene, proposing stiff fines and penalties for land owners and heavy equipment operators who violate the existing grubbing and grading laws. Rene explained that she added a really big penalty because she knows that it will get whittled down. The idea is to create a strong disincentive to improper grubbing and grading. Farris suggested that new regulations and standards be listed in the bill. Larry suggested that the bill needs more specificity. For example, specifically address what changes are being asked for in the code.