2016-01-027 NKCDP Minutes Final - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of Parks,Water & Roads Sub -committee January 27,2016 Attendance: John Winter,Toni Withington,Carter Collins, Captain Jason Cortez,OfficerK.Kauahikaua,Jr., Andi Longpre(minutes by Andi) On January 8th,2016 our sub -committee (Parks,Water & Roads) invited representatives from the State Highway Division(DOT),County Public Works Dept.,Civil Defense and the Police Dept. to attend a forum on preparing Pratt Road to act as an emergency bypass should Akoni Pule Highway again become blocked. Civil Defense informed us that they were unable to attend because they were focused on the dengue fever outbreak; DPW cancelled the day before (Jan.26) and DOT was a "no show". Our sub -committee reviewed our work to date and John Winter provided a power point that showed the current state of Pratt Road. Most of the road is passable but needs maintenance (grass cut and maintenance) while other sections need repairs (the washed out bridge) In our discussion regarding emergency access Capt. Cortez inquired if there was a Home Owners Association. He said that at Kohala Ranch their Association responds to any police/emergency requests by unlocking the upper and lower gates. He informed us that the police are overwhelmed with keys to various businesses and homes and that providing the police with keys to private gates was not a practical solution. In our discussion re: repairs and maintenance Capt. Cortez noted that we needed to have an estimation of costs from the Dept. of Public Works. Toni Withington referred to the Open Space Land and noted that to date 348 acres along the coast has been purchased for $18 millhon. Currently the three top priorities for purchase are: Hapua to Kapania,the "Vipassana" land at Halelua and Niulii. She noted that one of the parcels within the Hapua to Kapania section includes the washed out bridge. If the land were purchased by the government or a non-profit,chances for re -constructing the bridge would be enhanced. During our discussion of owners/residents concerns about Pratt Rd. access we noted that in the community meetings the most favored option was to leave the road gated and have it maintained. Due to residents concerns about break-ins, and other illegal activities there is strong opposition to having the road wide open. There is some interest in having an area by every gate that would allow for bicycle and pedestrian access. We agreed that participation by the DOT and DPW would be improved if sub- committee members could meet with them in Hilo. Capt. Cortez offered to participate in such a meeting in the near future. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday,February 24,2016: Sp.m. @Senior Ctr. Kapa'au