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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PRPSC 2021/03/02 2020-2022Committee on Parks and Recreation and Public Safety 5th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii March 2, 2021 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Parks and Recreation and Public ORDER: Safety was called to order at 1:01 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair (via videoconference from Kona) Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: COMMUNI- C". A TTONS ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS: The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. The Chair called Kellie Miyazu, who registered to speak in support of Res. 58-21 (Comm. 133). CHR. INABA: Mahalo, for your testimony Ms. Miyazu. I believe that brings us to the end of our testifier list, so we're going to close public testimony at this time. Mr. Clerk, if we could move on to Resolution 47-21. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Communications. (There were none.) The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. PRPSC-5 March 2, 2021 Res. 47-21: APPROVES THE COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2020 TITLE VI PLAN PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION TITLE VI CIRCULAR 4702.1B REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES The Plan would fulfill the requirements set forth by the Federal Transit Administration to comply with the FTA Circular 4072.1 B related to public transportation and financial assistance. Reference: Comm. 119 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R) Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to recommend adoption of Res. 47-21. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. CHR. INABA: I believe we have Ms. Roanne Okumura outside Hilo chambers? If we could let her in please. MR. BROWN: Chair, I don't believe she's outside the chamber at this time. CHR. INABA: Okay, is there anyone from Parks and Rec who might be able to speak to this Title VI plan. MR. BROWN: We do have Deputy Corporation Counsel, J Yoshimoto outside. We'll see if we can bring him in, please hold. CHR. INABA: Mahalo. Mahalo, Mr. Yoshimoto, for being here. At this time I'd like to open the floor for any questions or discussion from Council Members on this agenda item. Anyone in Hilo? Alright, anyone here in Kona? Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Yoshimoto for being here. And just a brief, we understood that Roanne Okumura was going to be here. But could you just explain this Title FTA (Federal Transit Administration) 530, Title VI plan to us generally. (Note: At this time, Deputy Corporation Counsel J. Yoshimoto came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. YOSHIMOTO: Okay, will do. Good afternoon everyone. My name is J. Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel. I worked on this resolution, as well as the Title VI plan for Parks. And basically this plan is a federal requirement, because the Parks and Recreation, Elderly Activities Division received vehicles through a grant process. And the plan is, as you can see very self-explanatory in terms of making sure that we comply with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination. And it's a good program, we think the plan is good. And we're ready to answer any questions the Council Members may have. Page 2 PRPSC-5 March 2, 2021 MS. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Yoshimoto. That explains it, we're just being in compliance yes, with the Title VI. Thank you. MR. YOSHIMOTO: Okay. Thank you. CHR. INABA: Any other discussion here in Kona or Hilo? There being none, there's a motion on the floor, all those in favor please say "aye." Vote on Res. 47-21: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 47-21 was carried (Approved by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Mr. Clerk, Resolution 58-21. Res. 58-21: URGES THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH AS YOUTH ART MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND SUPPORTING ACTIVATION OF ART IN THE PARK ISLANDWIDE TO SHOWCASE YOUTH ARTWORK The designation would support opportunities to improve the well-being and holistic development of youth through artistic experiences. Reference: Comm. 133 Intr. By: Ms. Kierkiewicz and Mr. Inaba Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 58-21. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. INABA: Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. It gives me great pleasure to actually co -introduce this with you, I know that we are both a fan of the arts. Art has always been a fundamental aspect of my life, it's something that always nurtured my spirits. And I've always needed avenues of creative expression, and I just think its integral of who we are as a people. And art has played an especially important role, I think during COVID. Providing us pathways for us to just express these wild thoughts, and imagination that we've had. And so with that I reached out to East Hawai `i Cultural Center, to get a sense of how they were doing, how I could further support their efforts. And they let me know that they were working on a number of activations, throughout the month of Page 3 PRPSC-5 March 2, 2021 March to support our keiki. Kelly Miyazu, Executive Director of EHCC (East Hawaii Cultural Center), also happens to teach art at Waiakeawaena. And she did share with me, you know, active work, to distribute art kits to the keiki there. Engaging them over the zoom platform, and she just saw that kids really lit up when they had the opportunity to express themselves. And so really appreciated connecting with her, and understanding all the different opportunities they were curating for our keiki island -wide throughout the month of March. Wanted to find a way, in which I could in my role help support keiki. And find ways in which the county and community can collaborate. So we talked about ways, in which we could bring art to the park. And one way to do that was, through a series of stringing up hope flags that have been painted by keiki all around the island. And it's a chance for our keiki to really just lend a visual voice to what is on their heart and mind and express through paints. There are challenges, but also there's stories of overcoming and hope and resilience. And so with the help of Pomai Bartolome, and her volunteers, and Mayor's Office, and donations of linens from Grand Naniloa Hotel. We've been able to put together over a thousand fabrics, swatches for community members to pick up island -wide. They'll be available here at the County of Hawaii, West Hawaii Civic Center, and the Council Office in Waimea. If you're not able to get to any of those spaces, East Hawaii Cultural Center will also be distributing. Or if you've got fabric at home, just cut a one by one foot block for your keiki and have them paint. And you know, return it back to any of the locations that I mentioned. Throughout the month of March, we are going to be working with a volunteer army of seamstresses to sew this and hang these flags up in county parks all around the island. In a way to just showcase everything that our keiki are feeling, and the stories they want to tell at this point and time. So it's an invitation to contribute, to use art as a way to unify. And so just really, really excited about this project. We're going to be using the month of March, to have keiki paint the flags. They'll be installed the end of the month, for viewing throughout the month of April. And at the end we're going to be working with a number of artists to repurpose these into tote bags, pillows, and clutches, so every keiki that contributed can pick something up. But we also will be hosting Zoom events, to show how you can be repurposing this at home. So looking for everyone for their support on this, I have flags for all of my colleagues on the Council. Would love for you to lean into your networks, to engage your keiki to contribute. Again, big mahalo to Pomai. Thank you to the Mayor's Office, specifically Jean Miskovich for putting a proclamation together. And to Parks and Rec for wanting to collaborate on something like this, and being available to help us string up the flag. So just looking for everyone's support, and kokua for the arts and our keiki at this time. Thank you, Chair. I yield. CHR. INABA: Mahalo, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Any questions or discussion in Hilo? Page 4 PRPSC-5 March 2, 2021 MS. KIMBALL: Chair, Inaba? CHR. INABA: Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Hi. I just want to mahalo you, and Council Member Kierkiewicz for introducing this resolution. A parent of artist daughters, I'm just so excited to see the support behind the arts in our community, especially when they've been diminishing in our public schools. And I think this is a beautiful project, I can't wait to see all those flags out there. So mahalo to both of you for putting this forward. CHR. INABA: Mahalo, Ms. Kimball. Anyone else in Hilo? MS. LEE LOY: Yes, Chair, please. CHR. INABA: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Yes, I too want to echo the sentiments of Ms. Kimball. Congratulations to both you and Ms. Kierkiewicz. And as I sat here listening, you know, I was thinking oh, what is she going to do with it after. But you know, she's already thought through that. And so I really actually look forward to some of totes, and the clutches and how maybe we can even have a little auction. To you know, get more money, so that they can do it again. But again, congratulations, very well thought out and just touching all aspects of our community in just a positive way. So thank you, and congratulations Ms. Kierkiewicz and Mr. Inaba. Chair, I yield. CHR. INABA: Mahalo, anyone in Hilo? Here in Kona? Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Aloha. I also want to share that sentiment of gratitude for both Council Member Mr. Inaba, and for Council Women Kierkiewicz. For taking the initiative to bring this resolution forward. I just had a quick question. You mentioned sites for pickup for those flags in Hilo and in Waimea, will there be any location here at the Civic Center in Kona? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. I'm sorry if I didn't mentioned that, or maybe I spoke too quickly. But I did. mention West Hawaii Civic Center, yes. And we are looking to also connect with other local businesses around the island, to serve as distribution hubs. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, great. Do we happen to have anybody from Parks and Rec here today, to talk about the program and the installation in the parks of the vision for any of those locations? Page 5 PRPSC-5 March 2, 2021 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: No one from Parks is here. But if you would like to submit a suggestion, Council Member Holeka Inaba and I would welcome that. We are working with Parks, to refine the list of locations to hang the flags. MS. VILLEGAS: Fantastic. Okay, thank you. I yield. CHR. INABA: Chair David. MS. DAVID: Yes. I just wanted to say mahalo to both of you, Chair Inaba and to Council Woman Kierkiewicz. I think this is a great idea, and I think highlighting and showcasing our keiki is very important. And I think their participation in this will be such a benefit for them in the long run now, and they can look back on this event as something very special. And thank you, for making that happen for our kids on this island. So mahalo. CHR. INABA: Mahalo. Any last questions or discussion? MS. KIMBALL: Chair Inaba, one more question for you folks. CHR. INABA: Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. I just want to ask, is there a point of contact that people can reach out to, or a website with information such as the locations for drop-offs. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah. That's a great question, it's going to be posted to the East Hawaii Cultural Center website. And I think folks can give a call to either my office, or Council Member Holeka Inaba for more information. But the locations will be posted to East Hawaii Cultural Center's website. I believe that's EHCC.org. Yes, it is. You're welcome. CHR. INABA: Alright, mahalo. I just want to say, we always give credit where credit is due. And a lot of ground work and how this came together was through the efforts of Council Member Kierkiewicz. So mahalo Ashley for queuing this up, and working with the Mayor's Administration to get this done. Looking forward to everyone's support. So at this time I'll call for the vote, there is a motion on the floor to approve Resolution 58-21. All those in favor, please say "aye." Page 6 PRPSC-5 Vote on Res. 58-21: (Approved) RTT .T .q R()R ORDINANCES March 2, 2021 The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 58-21 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) CHR. INABA: This brings us to the end of our agenda. Is there a motion to adjourn? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:17 p.m., Ms. David moved to MENT: _ adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Villegas and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Meeting is adjourned at 1:17 p.m. Approved: Ctlw� 3 �f a� Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair (Date) Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee HI/rk Page 7