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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PWPRC 2017/12/04 2016-2018COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS AND RECREATION 121h Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii December 4, 2017 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Public Works and Parks and ORDER: Recreation was called to order at 9:16 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Maile David, Acting Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Acting Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Karen Eoff, Member Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Eileen O'Hara, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Absent & Excused: Ms. Jennifer Ruggles, Member STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Acting Chair David directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by Acting Chair David: Virginia "Ginny" Aste: (representing the Skate Park Coalition) Bill 81 (Comm. 601), comment. Alapaki Nahale-a: Bill 80 (Comm. 596), in support. (representing Kamehameha Schools) COMMUNI- Acting Chair David directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of CATIONS: business, Communications. (There were none.) PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 ORDER OF Acting Chair David directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of RESOLUTIONS: business, Order of Resolutions. (There were none.) BILLS FOR Acting Chair David directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of ORDINANCES: business, Bills for Ordinances. Bill 80: AMENDS CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE 10, DIVISION 2 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO MOVING VEHICLES Amends Section 24-267, Schedule 15 (One way streets), Subsection (c), South Hilo, by adding "Keaukaha Road, from Kalaniana`ole Street to Kamokuna Street." The new one-way traffic pattern through James Kealoha Beach Park is intended to increase safety in and surrounding the park area. Reference: Comm. 596 Intr. by: Ms. Ruggles (B/R) (Note: Comm. 596. 1, from Council Member Jen Ruggles dated November 22, 2017, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 80, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 80 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. If I could take a moment to call up Alapaki Nahale-a, and then Officer Matt Lewis back to our table? (Note: At this time, Alapaki Nahale-a, Senior Director of Community Engagement and Resources at Kamehameha Schools; and Community Policing Officer Matthew Lewis came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. LEE LOY: If I could, just provide the Council with a little bit of a back -drop? James Kealoha Park, we saw this a few months ago, in which we had a number of testifiers. What we were moving forward was a strategic plan to address a lot of the crime and alcohol that was being consumed at the park. At that time, we came up with some strategic steps to really begin to transition that park to a more of a passive park. Page 2 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 We started with Parks; landowner, Kamehameha Schools; the Police Department; and then the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, to really collect the data and understand how to move this forward. Then we introduced a bill for the prohibition of alcohol at that park, and that became in effect—Officer Lewis, that was in October? MR. LEWIS: October, I think. MS. LEE LOY: It was in October. And then the next step was to slow what was a lot of racing and speeding through the park. So it was at that time we also revisited the leadership at Kamehameha Schools, to work with them on what their long-range Master Plans were for Honohononui, which is the adjacent properties to Kealoha Beach Park. If I could just take a minute and ask Mr. Nahale-a to just share briefly what the larger vision is for Honohononui as the adjacent property owner, and how this traffic pattern actually complements and enhances their long-range goals and plans, and then their educational opportunities over there. So, Mr. Nahale-a, if you could? Thank you. MR. NAHALE-A: Thank you, Council Woman. I'll keep it brief. It's hard to encapsulate all that's in that plan. I think I'll start off by saying that it's a plan that we did with the community from Keaukaha. So, we're proud of that, that it's trying to take into consideration not just our trust interest but also what's best for that community. It includes continuation of many of our `aina based education programs there, basically the two fishponds that are adjacent to that property. A lot of the cultural activities we do at the Lae Hala Point. Also, many of you who know Keaukaha, know we just took down that old Tropical Dreams site. Because it's an SMA (Special Management Area), it took a lot of time. But we have in the plans some commercial generation concepts. It is conceptual right now that we want to do it in conjunction with the community. So, that's kind of an overview. I think certainly being adjacent to that wonderful beach park makes it a rich area for community. Having been born and raised in Keaukaha, I know how important that area is to all of Hilo. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Nahale-a. And now, Mr. Lewis, if you could share a little bit about how the previous bill with the prohibition of the alcohol at that park, and some of the gangs that we're already beginning to see at that beach park, and how this is just a real natural and real strategic step as far as switching the traffic pattern over there. Page 3 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 MR. LEWIS: Okay, good morning. Good morning, Council, Chair Poindexter. I'm Officer Lewis. I'm the Community Police Officer for the Keaukaha area, from the Suisan river mouth all the way down into King's Landing. Working with the community and the Council Member here, trying to restructure that park to make it more user-friendly. One of the aspects we're seeing was to get the alcohol prohibition, which was done couple months ago. Relooking at the park as a whole, the traffic pattern that goes through the park is one-way; up until the gate, where it meets a two-way traffic pattern with no turnaround point, no parking. So we run into some safety issues; cars going against each other, traffic going both ways on what's more designed as a one-way road. Meeting with the community members there, residents in the area, with Kamehameha Schools, we all sat down and thought that's one of the things to help the safety out there, is to continue that one-way through so we don't have cars coming to that abrupt stop. It makes a little bit more sense when you look at it on paper, as well. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Officer Lewis. Thank you, Mr. Nahale-a. I'm going to be urging my Council Members to go ahead and support this bill. It really is, I think, a model of some public-private community partnerships, to really listen to what the community needs are and then march through the policies and the legislative process to give them what they're asking for. So, I yield at this time. Thank you. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Council Members, anyone else? Ms. O'Hara. MS. O'HARA: If I'm not mistaken, we have an amendment to this bill, correct? Bill 80, in terms of language in the Section 2 of the bill? This bill came to us by request, as I understand it. MS. LEE LOY: 596.1. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Exactly, Communication 596.1. Yes, are you going to make an amendment? Motion to Amend: Ms. O'Hara moved to amend Bill 80 with the contents of Comm. 596.1. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Ms. O'Hara or Ms. Lee Loy. MS. O'HARA: I stand in support of this. I think this amendment is just a change in language, from deletion to addition. So, it's not substantive but it needs to be included in the bill, obviously. So, I fully support this. Page 4 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 ACTING CHR. DAVID: Thank you. And thank you for bringing that up and making that amendment to this for our formatting. Point of Order: MR. KANUHA: Point of Order. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Yes, sir. Mr. Kanuha. MR. KANUHA: Can someone just tell me what the amendment is because I don't have it in front of me? I know it's not substantive. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Kanuha, it just adds the language that states "New material is underscored. In printing this ordinance, underscoring need not"—it's a formatting, our drafting. MR. KANUHA: Okay, thank you. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Thank you. Sorry. And if you need something, please shout out, like you just did. Okay, good. Mahalo. Thank you. So there being no further discussion, all those in favor of amending Bill 80 with the contents of Communication 596.1 please say "aye." Vote on Motion to Amend: The motion to amend Bill 80 with the contents of (Approved) Comm. 596.1 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, and and Acting Chair David – 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Ruggles –1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. DAVID: All those in favor of approving and forwarding a positive recommendation of Bill 80 to the Council with a positive recommendation, as amended with Communication 596. 1, please say "aye." Vote on Bill 80: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 80, as amended Draft 2 to Draft 2, on first reading was carried by the following (Approved) voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, and and Acting Chair David – 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Ruggles –1. Excused: None. Page 5 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 ACTING CHR. DAVID: Bill 80, as amended, is forward to Council with a positive recommendation. Now, Mr. ClerkI'm sorry, go ahead. Bill 81: AMENDS THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO NAMING THE SKATE PARK AT THE PAHOA NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITY IN PAHOA, THE "GINNY ASTE SKATE PARK" Names the skate park in honor of long-time community advocate Virginia Brautigan Aste, in recognition of the significant contributions she has made in her community. Reference: Comm. 601 Intr. by: Ms. O'Hara Motion to Approve: Ms. O'Hara moved to recommend passage of Bill 81 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Eoff. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Ms. O'Hara. MS. O'HARA: It gives me great pleasure to introduce this bill. While Ginny Aste, who is with us today, is not a skater herself and I'm not either, she has one of the original skatepark t -shirts. Just to give some background, the skate park in Pahoa was initiated through Main Street Pahoa and a group of dedicated people, including Ms. Aste who championed the park as a great way for our kids to do a productive recreational activity, which is actually turned out that our Pahoa skaters are now becoming renowned throughout the State for their style. The park in Pahoa that was built through those efforts and contributions of lots of private business as well as grant money, and it was Ms. Aste who wrote those grant applications and received the money to get this started. She remained its champion until it was on the ground, and eventually dedicated to Parks and Recreation. It's going to be reaching its ten-year anniversary this year. I'm working with the newly formed Friends of the Pahoa Skate Park to have some kind of memorial activity. We were thinking maybe over Spring break, when the kids can all be there. Parks and Rec., who I met with last week—hopefully we'll be able to get a plaque or a sign done by then. We can have a little memorial Page 6 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 event, and I'm sure Ginny will be there. I'm going to get her on a skateboard, just so we can take a photo of her on a skateboard. I just want to acknowledge what a great asset Ginny is to our community, and in particular, her work to get the Pahoa Skate Park launched. It isn't over yet, meaning we need to have a flat -ground course. Right now, we have an obstacle course with lots of whoop -de -dos, and very challenging but fun. But we also need a flat -ground course. There's a second phase to the Pahoa Skate Park that the new group will be pursuing. So, it's a real positive addition to Pahoa and we want to keep it going. I was really happy that the Pahoa skaters were able to march with me in the Pahoa Christmas parade this year. So, it's all good. I'm really happy to recognize Ginny, so I ask for your support on this bill. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. O'Hara. Ms. Eoff. MS. EOFF: Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to, without repeating everything Ms. O'Hara just said, but to thank you for being so persistent throughout the years. Somebody mentioned 35 years; you said it's been 40 years, your work in the community and your vision to make a healthier place, especially for the children. I understand how fast that time can go by. But no, it takes someone like you to always be involved, and be there and be advocating, writing grants and keeping that vision alive so that you canI'm glad you're here today, and that we can do this in your honor so that the memory will always live on, of someone who's persistent and done something so wonderful for the community. So, thank you very much. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Anyone else? Mr. Kanuha, do you want to say something? Okay, that's a go. Thank you. No one else? Ms. Aste, I got that correct. I really want to thank you for all that you've done, and echo what Council Member Eoff has said. I'd really like to commend you on your service to all the organizations and furthering women's initiatives. Thank you so much. There's a whole list of things that you've done that is very impressive to me. I think you're a great role model for our young people. I congratulate you, and it's our honor to have you here today. So, thank you very much. On that note, no one else? All those in favor of forwarding Bill 81 to the Council with a positive recommendation please say "aye." Page 7 PWPRC-12 December 4, 2017 Vote on Bill 81: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 81 on (Approved) first reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, and and Acting Chair David — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Ruggles - 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Mahalo so much. And I believe that ends our Public Works Committee. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 9:39 a.m., Ms. Poindexter moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Eoff and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, and and Acting Chair David — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Ruggles - 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. DAVID: Public Works is adjourned. Mahalo, Council Members. Approved: L3 r Ms. Maile David, Acting Chair Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee MD/na (Date) Page 8