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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PWMTC 2021/08/03 2020-2022Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit 9th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii August 3, 2021 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit ORDER: was called to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member (came in later) Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Ms. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather Kimball, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member (came in later) Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Recess: Reconvene: STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: CHR. LEE LOY: I'm going to put a meeting in recess, just for a few minutes, while we fix our mics. This meeting is in recess. At 1:02 p.m., the Chair called for a short recess. The meeting reconvened at 1:03 p.m. CHR. LEE LOY: I'm calling this meeting out of recess. With that, Relley, if you could please introduce our first testifier. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. The Chair called Rabbi Rachel Short, who registered to speak in support of Res. 172-21 (Comm. 335), and came forward when called. MR. ARACELEY: Thank you so much for your testimony. Madame Chair, that is the all the testifiers you have. I will note that Deputy Director of the State Department of Transportation was listed to provide testimony, and that Harry Takiue is signed, and is possibly in his place. PWMTC-9 August 3, 2021 CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Relley. With that, I'm going to be closing public testimony. But just to let my fellow colleagues know, when we do get to that particular resolution, we're going to invite Harry Takiue into that, for that conversation. With that, Mr. Clerk, if you we could move on to Communications, please. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 334: NOMINATION OF KRISTY CRUZ TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated July 15, 2021, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Motion to Approve: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Kristy Cruz to the Transportation Commission. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.) CHR. LEE LOY: Relley, is our applicant in the Zoom. MR. ARACELY: Chair, she does not seem to be in the Zoom room. CHR. LEE LOY: Normally at this time, we invite the applicant to share a little bit about her passions for being nominated to this Committee. However, I did actually have an opportunity to talk to her last night, just to help her understand what the process was. It was a wonderful conversation. And for the rest of my colleagues, it really is her desire to serve the community. You know, as a member of the PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association) up in Mountain View, she's already engaged in community. I know oftentimes we would like to hear from the candidate, and I will just kind of follow the will of this body. I am very comfortable with moving Kristy forward to the Council meeting with a favorable recommendation, with the understanding she will be available for us. With that, any comments, questions? Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. Yeah, the question I would have asked, or Council Member Richards would have asked if she was here, is why Transportation? Did you get any sense of that from her in your conversation? Page 2 PWMTC-9 August 3, 2021 CHR. LEE LOY: I did not, but I told her that's what would be asked of her, because I wanted it to be genuine and authentic. I did tell her that would be the question, but I didn't get the response. MS. KIMBALL: And did you get any sense that she was pretty knowledgeable about a Mass Transit Plan and had done a little bit of her homework? Again, I appreciate that it's better coming from her, but I just want to get your take on it. CHR. LEE LOY: So to answer that question, no, but the eagerness to learn and the skillsets that she did share with her work with the PTSA was actually incredibly valuable; and we all know we don't know everything, right? But the ability to read, understand, take input, and then provide a fair and objective response, you know, that was my takeaway from Kristy. MS. KIMBALL: Okay, thank you, Chair. And, Ms. Bartolome, she'll be available at the next Council meeting, yeah? MS. BARTOLOME: Yes, I hope so. I don't know why she's not in the meeting today, but I'll definitely follow up and find out why not, why she wasn't on. MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, I'm happy to move this forward and having us hearing from her next time. Thank you. I yield. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Ms. Kimball asked all the questions I was going to ask. And Sue, I look forward to talking to her. I know there's an interest in kind of retooling Mass Transit Committee—or Commission as it is now, so I look forward to hearing that perspective. I see Mr. Andoh is on the line, as well. Anyway, I look forward to the next meeting. I'm happy to move her along to keep the process going, and have the talk -story at Council. Thank you. I yield. CHR. LEE LOY: Anyone else? Alright, seeing none. And I do want to recognize this is Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder's district and so, Pomai, if you could please just double-check to have Kristy here at the next meeting. You know, we're really going to follow the lead of Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder. But with that, I have a motion to move Ms. Kristy Cruz to the Council with a favorable recommendation, all those in favor please say "aye." Page 3 PWMTC-9 Vote on Comm. 334 The motion to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Ms. Kristy Cruz to the Transportation Commission was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Chung, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Lee Loy – 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder – 1. Excused: None. August 3, 2021 CHR. LEE LOY: Pomai, thanks so much. With that, Mr. Clerk, Order of Resolutions, please. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 171-21: ACCEPTS THE DEDICATION OF ROADWAY LOT A, AREA 2,086 SQUARE FEET, BLOCK 46, WAIAKEA HOUSE LOTS EXTENSION, BEING IDENTIFIED AS A PORTION OF TAX MAP KEY 2-2-050-0431 SITUATED AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, ISLAND AND COUNTY OF HAWAII FROM TREVOR L. RODRIGUES The landholder seeks to dedicate the roadways and all improvements for public roadway purposes. Reference: Comm. 335 Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Richards moved to recommend adoption of Res. 171-21. Seconded by Ms. David. (Note: At this time, Deputy Corporation Counsel Dalilah Schlueter came forward to address the members of the Committee.) CHR. LEE LOY: We have with us Dalilah Schlueter. Ms. Schlueter, if you could, please? I know this is actually coming from the administration, and actually checks the boxes on the dedication process. If you could please introduce this resolution for us? MS. SCHLUETER: Yes, thank you, Council Member. Dalilah Schlueter, Deputy Corporation Counsel. Before you, there's a resolution to accept a roadway along with the exhibits showing you the legal description and the diagram as well as your departmental approvals and the actual—a copy of the actual deed itself, unrecorded. If you've got any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Page 4 PWMTC-9 August 3, 2021 CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Schlueter. Anyone, any questions? Seeing none, I'd like to take the vote. We have a motion to forward Resolution 171-21 to the Council with a favorable recommendation, all those in favor please say "aye." Vote on Res. 171-21: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 171-21 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Chung, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Lee Loy – 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder – 1. Excused: None. CHR. LEE LOY: Mr. Clerk, our next resolution, please. Res. 172-21: SUPPORTS THE NAMING AND DEDICATION OF THE PAHOA ROUNDABOUT IN MEMORY OF RENE SIRACUSA TO HONOR HER LIFE, LEGACY, AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUNA Requests the State Department of Transportation to officially name and dedicate the Rene Siracusa Pahoa Roundabout. Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 172-21. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. (Note: At this time, Mr. Harry Takiue, Hawaii District Engineer, came forward to address the members of the Committee.) CHR. LEE LOY: Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead take the lead. We do have—Relley, is Harry still in the chat for us? He's in the chat. He wasn't able to provide testimony, but he's available for you now. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, great. Thank you, Chair. I really appreciate that. You know, it's a real honor and humble privilege for me to be able to introduce this resolution at the request of a number of constituents that thought what an excellent way to be able to honor the life and legacy of Rene Siracusa, Executive Director of Malama O Puna. I mean, you can just read through the resolution and just see quite the life that she has lived and the many contributions to Puna and Hawaii Island. And so I happened to have a conversation with Ed Sniffin, with Department of Transportation, and let him know that this was a request by our community, and he said, "Ashe, just put something forward at the Council level, and we'll see what we're able to do." Grateful to have our Hawaii Island liaison for the Page 5 PWMTC-9 August 3, 2021 department, Harry, on board to kind of talk story, to see if the Department of Transportation can support and accommodate this request. But again, Rene was an incredible person, and know anything was too big or too small for this woman. If there was a way in which she could make community better and brighter, she was going to do that; and she was going to it herself, if it came to that. You know, some of my first sort of interactions with her were at Mainstreet Pahoa Association monthly meetings. She would always give reports on things that she was working on, and this one thing, getting an agreement between Malama O Puna and the State Department of Transportation for beautification and upkeep of the Pahoa Roundabout was something that she was so passionate about doing, and it took some time, but she was able to get that agreement in place. And, she would organize monthly beautification efforts with community. And I remember being there with her, 7:00 o'clock in the morning, she's literally pushing cinder to the roundabout to the different medians, you know, weeding, planting, and she was there consistently, and so this is just one small gesture in which we can honor her life and legacy. I know that there are lots of incredible people that have also contributed to this work. But again, just doing it at the request of a number of residents that work in different circles in Puna. But it was just so wonderful for them to all kind of come together in agreement around this request to honor Rene. So just looking for feedback and support from my colleagues. Thank you, Chair. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. You know, we do have Mr. Takiue in the chat. I don't know if you wanted to provide any thoughts around this, Mr. Takiue? MR. TAKIUE: Yes. Thank you for having me. It is with immense honor that the Hawaii Department of Transportation support the meaning and dedication of the Pahoa Roundabout in memory of Rene Siracusa. It was her devotion and—tireless devotion to beautifying the Pahoa Roundabout and her positive impacts to our Pahoa community, who will always be remembered. And we ensure that—want to ensure her legacy continues, you know, by naming and dedicating the Pahoa Roundabout in memory of her. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Takiue. With that, any of my other colleagues? Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. I just want to mahalo Ms. Kierkiewicz for putting this forward. You know, what a wonderful way to recognize a really special woman who really devoted so much of her time and energy to this island and her community, in particular. It's going to be wonderful to have that daily Page 6 PWMTC-9 August 3, 2021 reminder of her folks coming into Hilo from Puna, or just being in the area to see her name there and just remember all the wonderful work that she did. So thank you for putting this forward, and I gladly support it. I yield, Chair. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Go ahead, Ms. David. MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. I also want to say thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. I first met Rene in the Redistricting Commission ten years ago. And she was such a firecracker, I mean, she was so into community. Everything you said, Ms. Kierkiewicz, about her is so true. She never stopped till the last day, you know. So I totally support this resolution in honor of her memory, and all that she's done for Puna. So, thank you. Aloha. CHR. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. David. Anyone else? Well, I'm going to clean this up. Oh, go ahead, Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, thank you. I just wanted to mahalo Harry and the department for their presence today. I'm really grateful to have the State's support and willingness to work with the County on this measure. And Chair David brought up, just a spitfire and firecracker that Rene was, I mean, that is so true. And if she were still alive, she would want to be serving on the Redistricting Commission, for sure. She was really looking forward to contributing in that way again. You know, just in working with her, I always thought, "Man, when I'm in my 80's, I want to be like this woman," right? So amazing. Waking up every day, figuring out, "How can I make a positive contribution?" So, that's a wonderful example. Thank you, Chair. I appreciate the latitude. CHR. LEE LOY: Absolutely. And I'm going to follow up with that. I actually met Ms. Siracusa when she was on the Planning Commission, and she spoke up, that was one thing you got from Ms. Siracusa. So I really do believe this is actually a perfect way to honor all of the community work. And that you've actually gotten the State Department of Transportation to stand alongside with you in support really speaks volumes to you, Ms. Kierkiewicz, on the work that you're doing for community, but also honoring individuals in the community and their legacies. So with that, we have a motion on the floor to send Resolution 172-21 with a favorable recommendation to the Council, all those in favor please say "aye." Page 7 PWMTC-9 Vote on Res. 172-21: (Approved) BILLS FOR ORDINANCES: A T N Tl -%T TT) AT MEN 1: August 3, 2021 The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 172-21 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Chung, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Lee Loy — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kdneali `i-Kleinfelder — 1. Excused: None. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) CHR. LEE LOY: That being said, I think we are at the end of our agenda. Motion to adjourn, please? There being no further business, at 1:22 p.m., Ms. David moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Chung, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Lee Loy — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder — 1. Excused: None. CHR. LEE LOY: This meeting is adjourned at 1:22 p.m. Thank you everyone. A ved: KEbli:�,- Zt K. Lee oy, andMas SL/na i>\Committee (Date) Page 8