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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PRC 2020/02/04 2018-2020Committee on Parks and Recreation 4th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i February 4, 2020 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Parks and Recreation was called to ORDER: order at 1:36 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Chair Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Ms. Karen Eoff, Member (via videoconference from Kona) Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Mark Koppel: Thomas Gehweiler: Keith Nehls: (representing Basic Image, Inc.) Jaerick Medeiros: Ricky J. DeMello: Comm. 715, comment. Comm. 715, comment. Comm. 715, in support. Comm. 715, comment. Comm. 715, comment. CHR. POINDEXTER: Aloha. Thank you for your testimony. And that seems to be the end of our statements from the public, so I'm going to close that portion of the agenda and we're going to move into Communications. Mr. Clerk, Communication 715, please. PRC -4 February 4, 2020 COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 715: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE CLOSURES OF HAKALAU BEACH PARK AND KOLEKOLE BEACH PARK From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated January 14, 2020. Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to close file on Communication 715. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. CHR. POINDEXTER: Thank you. At this time, I'd like to bring up our Parks and Recreation Deputy Director to give us a brief overview of what's happening. And I brought this forward basically because it wasn't just getting calls from people in my district and where the beach parks are, but I was getting calls from around the island. And with the new press release from DOT (State Department of Transportation), that has now stated that there's yet another study that needs to be done. I just want to know, because they include Parks and Rec on this, so I want to hear Parks and Rec'sI guess the public wants to hear Parks and Recreation's side of the story on how this evolved to this point and why has it now moved over another year. So go ahead, James. (Note: At this time, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director James Komata came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. KOMATA: Good afternoon, James Komata, Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation. So at Kolekole—well take them one at a timeKolekole Gulch Park, where we stand currently is the County is about to issue our draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for our accessibility improvements project proposed at that facility. That should be issued by the end of this month for public comment. From that point in time, we'll take comments and go through the necessary permitting processes to get our accessibility improvements project taken care of. We anticipate that project to start in the latter part of this year, and so the park is currently closed. We are working with the State DOT and the State office here on opening the park on an interim measure, which is anticipated for March, so next month. At that time when we open the park, DOT has put in some temporary fencing to fence off some areas that have determined to have high lead content in the soil. And they are currently fabricating warning signs that they'll post in the park and in the fenced areas. Also, we're working with Public Works to reestablish safe access to the park from the highway, because that road, the old highway is under the jurisdiction of Public Page 2 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 Works. So in speaking with them, they anticipate in the next two weeks they should be able to get that road cleared and safe for public access. So again, we seem to be on target for opening the park on an interim measure by March. When our accessibility improvement project does come through in maybe October or November of this year, the park would be closed because we are proposing major improvements there. As part of the project, we have been working with State DOT to incorporate the lead soil remediation. So in the hopes of being able to close the park and address all of the needs; the accessibility improvements, the necessary repairs, as well as the soil remediation all at once. And we're working with the State to make sure funding is in place on their part. know most people aren't necessarily aware nor do they really care who the responsible party is, whether it's State Government or County Government, but the lead in the soil is predominantly from the highway bridge structure—is what we all suspect. And so the responsibility for remediation lies with the State. So, yeah, we're working with them to get that project going. At Hakalau, I guess the same situation. The park is closed. The park was closed by Parks and Recreation when it was brought to our attention by the State DOT, as well as the State office here, that there were high concentrations of lead in the soil there. Initially the State had put up some barricades around the bridge support, the foundations, anticipating that would be sufficient. But the recent development, talking with the here office representatives yesterday, they feel that the lead results that they do have right now are so high that they would probably prevent us from reopening the park at this point in time. Until the State can do additional testing to determine the horizontal extent and also the vertical extent of the lead contamination in the soil. So we currently don't have a timeframe for reopening Hakalau, although we are continuing the conversation with the DOT in the here office. But again, it seems like even if we were moved at this point to open the park, the State would step in and disallow that. So that's as brief an overview I can give you, if you guys have any questions. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay. I'll open it up to the Council Members, if you have any questions? Council Chair? MR. CHUNG: I'm glad Val brought this up, because you know, about eight months ago I did ask her, I said, "Hey, by the way, Val, what the hell is going on with Kolekole?" Exactly like that, that's how I talk that's why. And she explained to me about the lead and all of that. And, you know, because every Page 3 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 time I pass that way it's been closed for a really long time. And you know, I have fond memories of that place because I grew up around the Honomu area. But, you know, we're talking about the high concentration of lead in the soil, yeah? How much—even if it's the State's responsibility, how much does that cost to correct, you think? MR. KOMATA: I don't have an engineer's cost estimate, but we suspect it would be close to a million dollars just for the soil. Because some of that, the lead content is so high that it'll have to be bagged, containerized and shipped to the mainland, possibly. And that's why the additional testing is important, because they can determine whether it meets or exceeds thresholds for certain type of handling requirements. MR. CHUNG: And again, you know, it's not the Parks and Recreation responsibility. But why was it taking the State so long to do this? Or if you cannot answer that, that's alright too. MR. KOMATA: Yeah, I don't want to speak for the State, but MR. CHUNG: It is what it is, right? Okay. MR. KOMATA: Yeah, but we have been in constant contact. I know they've had a change in leadership recently at the State DOT locally, the Hawaii District Office. MR. CHUNG: Okay. MR. KOMATA: I know the here office has also saw the departure, the retirement of one of your long-time officials who was working very closely with the State and with us. So, we've got some relatively new players that may or may not have the history on the project. So it's just a matter of keeping the ball rolling. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, and I know Jaerick (Medeiros) and another gentleman— maybe Jaerick outside, he mentioned this. But you know, about the lead at the schools. Did you hear that testimony about the lead at the schools? MR. KOMATA: Yes. MR. CHUNG: So is there really lead at the schools? MR. KOMATA: Again, that's a State question. It's possible, I would think so. MR. CHUNG: I'm just wondering why it's—but this lead contamination is really bad, dangerous? Page 4 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 MR. KOMATA: Yeah, there's one section, there's lead in varying levels throughout say, Kolekole. Throughout the entire park, more or less, there are certain areas where it's very high concentration, to the point where it exceeds a certain threshold where the Department of Health requires special type of handling. So at Kolekole, that's where the area has been fenced off by DOT in anticipation of reopening so that the public can come in. The balance of the park meets a lower criteria, a lower threshold for lead concentration which allows people to use it for park purposes, but their advisement is that we have to post safety warnings and advisements on, you know, wash your hands; you know, rinse the mud off your feet or no pounding of stakes in the ground, etcetera. MR. CHUNG: And then so, what, the State goes around and they do lead testing throughout the island? Or how did this come about? MR. KOMATA: Yeah, my understanding is when the State DOT was executing their project at the Umauma Bridge; repairs or whatever the scope was, that they had done some testing and they had required the contractor to remove a certain amount of soil in anticipation that it would have lead content in it. As they did the testing, they did subsequent testing, and they found that as they dug deeper the lead just permeated the soil all the way down. So the here office, I think took it upon themselves to go and look at similar bridge steel structures around the island. And Kolekole and Hakalau were two of the ones that were identified. I think more so, it became important for them because of the public use associated with the underside of the bridge. MR. CHUNG: So the source of the lead contamination, the bridge, it's been corrected? MR. KOMATA: Again, that's a DOT question. I believe so, that's what they've told me, yes. MR. CHUNG: Okay, alright. Well, but thanks for the update though, I appreciate it, James. (Note: At this time, Thomas Gehweiler came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. GEHWEILER: The bridge was completely stripped of lead, taken out by the Environmental Agency and disposed of. That bridge doesn't have no lead paint on it. Page 5 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 CHR. POINDEXTER: So, sorry for the—during the, yeah, usually there's order and decorum and I didn't hear a point of order. But yeah, he can look into that and I'm sure, you know, that Mr. Komata, you have always been a part of the conversation even if you weren't in the position you are currently, as a Planner and with Maurice Messina, you know, dealing with him with that. And Roxcie (Waltjen), I'm sure you're caught up to date on what's going on. And I thank you for the opening of the beach park for March, because that gives some place to go. The reason why I'm concerned isoh, first of all, let me ask any other Council Members if they want to speak. Yeah, before I speak, I'm sorry, I apologize. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. This is for Kolekole, projected to open in March, but you also mentioned the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, right? You guys are going to move—the park can still open without us performing the ADA compliance, or are they going to be worked together? MR. KOMATA: Yeah, no, the park can be opened because the park is on our transition plan. And so we're in the process of accomplishing the architectural barrier removal scope projected for October -November of this year. So until that time, it can continue to function the way it always has. MS. LEE LOY: And then in the meantime, you guys will do the request for proposals to rehabilitate the park to be ADA compliant? MR. KOMATA: Yes. MS. LEE LOY: Okay, perfect. And then you mentioned the permitting process for that. What does that permit process look like? MR. KOMATA: So once we complete the EA process, the land is zoned conservation, so we're working with DLNR, OCCL (Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands) on the permit; or we will, on the permit. We also deal with planning for, you know, SMA (Special Management Area Permit) and shoreline setback issues, if there are any. And then the standard, you know, building permit process. MS. LEE LOY: So who's doing the phase clean-up part of the soil? Is that being handled by the State, or is that something that the County also has to because I know there's like a Phase One, Phase Two soil remediation cleanup, all that other stuff. Who's doing that part? MR. KOMATA: Yeah, so as part of the scope that the County has, we are impacting some of the contaminated soil areas. One, I guess the most invasive work we're going to do with respect to that contaminated area is the insulation of a new leach field for a new restroom building that we're going to do. There's also Page 6 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 some minor grading and some minor improvements we have to put in that would disturb some of that soil. So, what we had spoken with DOT about is coming in together with a shared project, so that we can, I guess, use the efficiencies of one contractor. If they can come up with funding for the soil remediation, we put in all under one project rather than having to repeat the process like an environmental hazard management plan and the public input that's required in that process. MS. LEE LOY: Actually that's where I was headed, as if there's a way to, you know, do the scope of services together. Only because I speak of Kalaniana`ole. We were going to do sidewalks, and then DOT came in wanting a waterline which pushed that project back for many, many months. And so, that's exactly where I was headed. I was hoping that the State and you MR. KOMATA: Yeah, and sorry just further to that, where we're coming from is, you know, we're mandated to do our accessibility improvements projects, so that's something that we put in the State's ear is that we don't have the luxury of being able to push the project back. So if in theI guess if the situation doesn't come about where they're not able to get funding or whatever it is for the soil remediation, we may just have to go ahead and do the ADA project. And then they'll have to come back later and do the remediation. So that would require, you know, double closure of the park longer time of inaccessibility for the public and something that we're trying to avoid by working together at this point. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you for that, James. And I think also setting that expectation, right? So closing the park is one thing, opening it is another; but then there's going to be this ongoing work. It could result in even many more months of portions of it still being closed. So yeah, communicating that with Val and her community would be ideal. Yeah, thank you, I yield. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay, thank you. Council Chair Chung. MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I've got one more question, and this really has nothing to do with the remediation or anything like that. But, you know, Jaerick (Medeiros) brought up something, because you know, we haven't been down there for a long time, right? What's the Albizia situation down there? MR. KOMATA: Yeah, there's several Albizia trees and even trees of other species that as part of the scope of work, we had the consultant bring in an arborist to assess the conditions of the trees and give a recommendation on what should be done. The recommendation for safety of the park users as well as the nearby residents is to remove much of those large trees. Page 7 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 MR. CHUNG: Oh, terrific. Great, great news. And thank you very much, Val, for bringing this up. CHR. POINDEXTER: Thank you. Any other discussion? Council Member Kaneali` i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So the lead was just from the bridge? That's the only thing, that's the only source of lead for the area? MR. KOMATA: I don't think anybody can make that statement a hundred percent accurately. I know we had some soil testing at Kolekole associated with the building, because the buildings have been there since the `50s or `60s or something along those lines. And so there is some lead associated with the paint on the buildings. But, yeah, the high concentrations, the ones that are out on the fields, closer to the bridge, it's suspected that it came from the bridge. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That'll take a lot of paint to bring lead levels in the soil up to a threshold where we won't let the public back in. MR. KOMATA: Well, Kolekole again has that situation or that circumstance in one grassy area of the park. DOT has since fenced that off. Hakalau again, the State is saying that they need to do additional testing both at the park site and also on the easements that provide public access to the park. So, that's where they are at the moment. I believe at the end of this month, they're anticipating doing the additional testing and analysis. Soil sampling and analysis, but they're also reaching out to some of the private land owners, whose land the easements go over, to determine the horizontal extent of the soil contamination. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That's strange. Then one of the testifiers brought up the conservation land. The conservation land extends all the way back up along the riverbeds? On both sides of the river? Because there's a house back there, I'm just remembering. MR. KOMATA: Which site? MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Kolekole. MR. KOMATA: I don't know the extents of the conservation issue, but I do know the park is in the conservation district. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: This really isn't new, this is what, the Department of Health? MR. KOMATA: Well, the Department of Health is involved because of again, the high levels that are recognized there, especially at Hakalau. But I think it's Page 8 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 DOT, that's the lead agency on assessing and determining the extent of the lead contamination. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Were they aware of this communication today? MR. KOMATA: Well, I called them to try to get an update on where they were on it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: They didn't want to come down? MR. KOMATA: I can't speak for them. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, James. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay, Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Just a quick question. Is there a house being built in the middle of the waterway, as a testifier? MR. KOMATA: Not by the County. MS. VILLEGAS: Oh, not by the County. MR. KOMATA: There was a residence across the stream under construction, I believe, the last time I looked from Kolekole Park. But I don't know the owner or if it's in the stream, I don't know. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, perhaps that's something that could be MR. KOMATA: It's outside the park property, so I would presume that it's being built with permits and all that. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, maybe something that could be checked into, because there would be health concerns for them as well if there's lead contamination. Would it be safe to assume then if the paint has all been removed, that maybe the lead is somehow inside the metal that was used to build the bridge because of this high level or no? MR. KOMATA: Well I believe the paint was what contained the lead, not the steel itself. And it probably has to do with the methods in which they had done repainting or repairs in the past. MS. VILLEGAS: And just the years of continued MR. KOMATA: Right. Page 9 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 MS. VILLEGAS: Okay thanks, those were just quick questions I had, thank you. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay, seeing no other lights. And I'll go but, you know, that bridge was built I think during the time of the railroad. I think the footings and everything is that—so we'll never know what's in that steel itself as well and how it was made, so that's in question. But I know I heard Jude Mattos' name being mentioned, and he was definitely an advocate, God bless his soul. But I've got to also mention Jacinto Fiesta. I mean Jacinto was calling me on a weekly basis. Calling me on my cell phone, my home phone; called my office and was just adamant about how difficult it was for the families and the children in that area because it was coming summertime, and they had nowhere to go. So my concern was, too, besides the parks being closed and it's taking so long, ridiculously long I think they said in the paper. All of that traffic now gets moved to Laupahoehoe point, most of them. Okay, my concern is because we're still working on Kolekole and Hakalau, and the impact on the Laupahoehoe area and the condition of that road is one of the worst conditions I've seen on this island. Because you have a bridge that's been washed out, that people have to traverse over very carefully because there's no sides to it, right? It's a drop off in that area. You're coming around, the road is falling into on the cliff -side. You can see where it's failing they put cones on it. God bless Neil Azevedo who has been pushing so hard to get that road fixed and a rock that's ready to fall and will take down that road, right? And I know that's DPW (Department of Public Works), but when we talk about the impact of that park and the maintenance and things that have to happen more additionally on that park. You know, we need to start looking at, if we close these beach parks, what other beach parks are going to be impacted because of the loss of these parks? And what are we doing differently there to make sure that we can adjust our maintenance crews or maintenance period on everything that's on the site that's now being impacted? And then how do we work with DPW to make sure that the people can traverse that road safely to get their families in and out safely? So I don't know if you're looking at that as well, and can you just talk a little bit about that? MR. KOMATA: No, the conditions of the access road to Laupahoehoe Point Park have been brought up. But like you said it is a Public Works responsibility, their jurisdiction. You know, they support us, we support them in varying projects, but that one specifically, there's nothing that's been asked of our department to address with respect to the road. So we're focused on the maintenance of the park, and until that ask is made or if there's something we can help with, it's going to continue that way. Page 10 PRC -4 February 4, 2020 CHR. POINDEXTER: Yeah, and if we could work with them on pushing for that road to be worked on, because that does impact the users, right? Of that park? And that's part of, I think, Parks and Rec; our kuleana as well in Parks and Rec too, because we're closing a couple places and then we're having to send people down to Laupahoehoe. We need to make it safe, so I would hope that we can push DPW. And I will continue to work with DPW on that. I know Neil is pushing as hard as he can. And you know, from the top down—got to give the kala, the money. And I think things are being done as far as the engineering—getting down that big rock and whatever. But back to the parks and again, when it opens, I feel like buying picnic tables and naming them after Jude and Jacinto. I mean putting their—in memory of, because they were the ones and they passed away before this even—you know, before they could get back into the parks and really enjoy it. And they've lost all that time with their families and all, so my heart goes out to the families there. But all we can do is just keep working with the State to make sure their end they're meeting, you know, their target dates. And I'll work with you on that too; how do we bird-dog that to make sure that they're on time, on schedule. Because from previous reports, they said it was going to be done last year. MR. KOMATA: Right, and like I mentioned earlier, the people that we have in place at DOT and in the here office are different; are new people and we've had excellent communication with them on both of these sites and will continue to advocate for funding that they need to assist us to get the parks reopened. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay, thank you. And we'll keep working at it. So, any other discussion? No? Seeing or hearing none, all those in favor of closing Communication 715 say "aye." Vote on Comm. 715: The motion to close file on Comm. 715 was carried by (Filed): the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Poindexter – 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards –1. Excused: None. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. (There were none.) Page 11 PRC-4 February 4,2020 BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) CHR. POINDEXTER: Can I have a motion to adjourn? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 2:20 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Villegas and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Poindexter— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Richards— 1. Excused: None. CHR. POINDEXTER: Okay, meeting is adjourned. Approved: i '� .�,,, ,," � FebruarY 24, 2020 Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Chair (Date) Parks and Recreation Committee VP/dt Page 12