HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-01.HCDP.Minutes.Draft JNSYfoF N��
Mitchell D.Roth °'•�� '.�� Zendo Kern
Mayor i,,,
Director
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Lee E.Lord Jeffrey W.Darrow
Managing Director Deputy Director
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
HAMAKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Phone(808)961-8288 • Fax(808)961-8742
Thursday,July 1, 2021
DRAFT Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kurokawa called the Hamakua Community Development Plan (RCDP) Action Committee (AC) to
order at 5:03 P.M. Due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held via the
Zoom interactive video platform.
ROLL CALL
AC Members Present: Nicolette Hubbard, Tawn Keeney, Crystal Kua, Chair Brad Kurokawa, Vice Chair
Jeff McKnight, Robert Nishimoto, Rhonda Pollard
AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio
County Staff: Planners—Alexis Ching, Rob Leasure, Keiko Mercado
County Officials: Council Member Heather Kimball
Members of the public observed the meeting via the COH Planning Department YouTube Livestream.
The livestream is available at Hamakua CDP Action Committee Meeting July 1, 2021 -YouTube.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Action Committee Meeting Dates for 2021:
Ms. Keiko Mercado discussed future quarterly meetings occurring for the Hamakua Action
Committee on September 15, 2021 and November 16, 2021. The next joint AC meeting has been
set for August 12, 2021 via Zoom. The 2022 meeting schedule will be provided to AC members at
the November 16, 2021 meeting.
2. Update on General Plan:
Ms. Mercado shared that the administration is currently reviewing the 2019 draft of the General
Plan (GP). Once the review is completed, the administration will work with Long Range staff to
update the GP timeline. The updated timeline will include the next public review, Planning
commission hearings, and submittal to County Council for adoption.
3. Staffing Updates:
Ms. Mercado provided an update on the re-organization of the Long Range Division into three
main areas: Kamuela Plunkett (with Kevin Sullivan) primarily focused on Natural and Cultural
Resources, Robert Leasure (with Natasha Soriano) focused on Infrastructure and Design, and Alexis
Ching (with Keiko Mercado) focused on Community Planning (Action Committees). As all focus
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areas are intertwined, Long Range planners will continue to work as a team and provide a holistic
approach to better serve the community.
April and Bethany continue to lead the Long Range Division.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: One (1) member of the public signed up to provide oral
testimony.
Francine Roby, testifying on agenda item 3, expressed two overarching points regarding the CDP. She
advocated for effective actions over ones that merely check a box, and she called for agencies that
have mandated responsibilities to ensure they have met their duties before looking for assistance from
community groups. Ms. Roby referred to her work with the 'Ahualoa Neighborhood Watch (NW),
which has noticed illegal dumping of large items, green waste, and toxins along the gulches. Ms. Roby
brought attention to the lack of effective communication provided to the public in terms of County
signage (Honoka'a Transfer Station), as well as online resources, which may be exacerbating the illegal
dumping. Ms. Roby explained that it was difficult to navigate the County website for information on
which agencies to go to for assistance, like the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Committee Member Tawn Keeney moved to accept the meeting minutes from March 24, 2021. Second
by Committee Member Nicolette Hubbard.
Chair Kurokawa's clarified that agenda item 5 on page 5 should read "...the inability to renew the
temporary use permit for Hakalau School...).
Committee Member Keeney moved to accept the minutes as amended. Motion seconded by Committee
Member Nicolette Hubbard. Motion to approve the minutes as amended passed with 7 votes aye, 0
votes nay.
BUSINESS:
1. Action Areas for 2021 & 2022 CDP Implementation: Ms. Mercado and Mr. Leasure expressed that
the mapping exercise was initiated to reach a fuller understanding of what AC members have been
implementing in their communities. This exercise was intended to bolster AC members in their
efforts by identifying shared interests, and opportunities for synergy among implementers. Having
Council Member Kimball join in this effort has provided a good foundation for AC members to
continue to make strides within the working groups outlined during the March 24, 2021 AC
meeting.
Mr. Leasure displayed a graphic organizer that linked committee member's implementation of
community actions to items listed in the CDP. He then displayed another grid that centered the
connections between member's community actions/interests and the working groups introduced
by Council Member Kimball at the last AC meeting. Mr. Leasure encouraged the AC to think about
how they could use the information presented to create an action plan based on the mapping of
member's interests and links. He urged this time be used to discuss next steps in defining their
action plan and identifying implementable items for the coming months.
Council Member Kimball shared that the working group topics were derived from community input
around important CDP priorities. She clarified that the list was not meant to preclude other
priorities and described the working groups as an opportunity for interested AC members to
partner with her to work on implementing key CDP priorities.
Chair Kurokawa agreed that the working group topics were top priorities and shared that
improving roadway networks, and emergency preparedness & hazard mitigation were top of mind
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for him. He referred to a difficult roadway issue in Hakalau, and to the recent brushfire in Pa'auilo,
as magnifying the need for roadway improvements and emergency preparedness. Chair Kurokawa
stated that a broader discussion is needed, involving both Planning and Department of Public
Works (DPW), on how to approach island wide roadway issues (roads in limbo, alternate
emergency routes, roadway repairs).
Committee Member Jeff McKnight viewed the working groups as an opportunity to reach out and
get other community members involved. He shared an example of inviting Francine Roby to get
involved with the emergency preparedness working group, given her knowledge and experience
with the topic.
Committee Member Nishimoto spoke of his interest in the coastal zone setback issue, and stated
his uncertainty surrounding state and county boundaries and responsibilties. He expressed interest
in working with Planning staff to figure out what he can do to bridge this divide.
Committee Members Hubbard, Kua, and Keeney requested clarification on the process of utilizing
the working groups to address the various issues.
Ms. Mercado stated that the CDP's community action guide included steps on moving forward with
implementation. Some actions require only the effort of community groups, others require the
community to work with government agencies, while still other items in the CDP can only be
executed by the County. Mr. Leasure added to Ms. Mercado's statement by pointing out a specific
example of a community-based item for implementation versus one that would require
collaboration with government entities (i.e. improving roadways).
Ms. Mercado confirmed with Committee Member Keeney that it was appropriate to move forward
with identifying individuals for working groups (referring to his interest in public access trails).
Committee Member Keeney asked for clarification on what listed categories and working groups
members could get involved with, and whether the name groupings were defined as
subcommittees. Mr. Leasure said the names assigned to working group topics were not defined as
subcommittees, and merely served as a starting point from which to evolve. It should not dissuade
any member from getting involved in interest areas where they didn't see their names, or even
with topics not presently listed.
A discussion occurred on the various ways of organizing members to approach action items while
adhering to Sunshine Law. Council Member Kimball expanded on the confines of Sunshine Law,
mentioning the options of having two individuals work together versus forming an ad-hoc
committee or investigatory subcommittee.
Committee Member Hubbard asked how members should converse on issues, and when it's
appropriate to bring the issue forward as an agenda item. Mr. Leasure and Chair Kurokawa
recommended that members have one on one conversations about an issue to gather information
and perspectives, and then the AC can discuss if they want to agendize it.
The AC agreed to move forward with Committee Member Hubbard's suggested next steps: prior to
the next AC meeting, members should have met with their partners to discuss the working group
topic they are assigned to. Members should also try to connect with Council Member Kimball and
be prepared to report back.
2. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Recommendations: Council Member Kimball discussed the
approval of the CIP Budget FY 2021-2022, stating that it is essentially a wish list of projects. She
clarified that even though the CIP budget operates like a wish list, if a project is not listed and it has
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the opportunity for funding later, there would be no mechanism from which to provide funds for
that project.
The CIP Budget list includes: the Makea Stream Temporary Bridge (has funding), Ka'ahakini Stream
Bridge (has FEMA funding), and Papa'aloa Elderly Housing (has partial funding). She asked
members to provide input on CIP priorities that should be pursued next year.
Committee Member Hubbard inquired about funding for improvements to Papa'aloa Gym. Council
Member Kimball shared that gym improvements were related to ADA compliance.
Chair Kurokawa inquired about which Hamakua projects might receive funding related to bridge
repair and damages from Hurricane Lane. Council Member Kimball confirmed that Hamakua was
identified as an area that would receive funds, but specific bridge projects remain unknown. She
encouraged members to let her know of bridges in dire need of repair so she could communicate
priorities to DPW. Ms. Kimball will also request information from DPW on Hurricane Lane damage
and bridge repairs and provide it to Ms. Mercado to share with AC members.
Committee Member McKnight asked if there was a list of bridges that had been surveyed. Council
Member Kimball said State bridges go through regular analysis and review (information available
through Department of Transportation), but she is still pinning down information on County
bridges.
Chair Kurokawa shared that the Old Mamalahoa Highway bridges may be listed as an appendix to
the CDP. Committee Member Keeney stated that he had a copy of a study done on 400 Big Island
Bridges that he would share with committee members.
Ms. Mercado added that Planning will try to compile a comprehensive report of CIPS past and
present.
3. Opportunities to Advance CDP Implementation:
Council Member Kimball said the oral testimony by Ms. Roby zeroed in on the challenges we're
facing regarding solid waste, recycling and green waste disposal. She is looking for members to
take the lead on developing a game plan for addressing these issues. There are opportunities to
improve communication from DEM, enhance education around solutions, and provide feedback
about the effectiveness of the County website.
Council Member Kimball asked Planning Staff if it would be possible for all ACs to weigh in on their
interactions with the County website and provide feedback to the Department of Information
Technology. Chair Kurokawa suggested this be brought up at the next joint AC meeting.
Committee Member McKnight and Chair Kurokawa spoke of the importance of government
agencies (State and County) leading by example through legislation on waste and recycling.
Behavioral changes and community education remain a large part of the issue.
Rhonda suggested that disseminating information via the Hamakua Harvest e-newsletter would be
an effective way to share information with the larger community.
Moving forward, Committee Member McKnight and community member Francine Roby will take
the lead on the issue of solid waste, recycling, and green waste disposal, with Chair Kurokawa
contributing to their efforts.
4. Implementation Updates from Action Committee Members:
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a. Community Meeting with Planning Director: Chair Kurokawa and Committee Members
McKnight and Keeney gave positive feedback about the June 21, 2021 community meeting with
Planning Director Zendo Kern and staff. They expressed that it was a constructive meeting for
the community, and they were encouraged by the dialogue and districtwide community
interest shown at the meeting.
Committee Members Keeney and McKnight also stated the difficulty of Sunshine Law
restrictions allowing only two AC members to attend the community meeting. Committee
Member Keeney would like Planning to discuss with Corporation Counsel their interpretation
regarding Sunshine Law and informational meetings where no official board business is
discussed. According to his understanding, there could have been four AC members allowed at
the community meeting (less than quorum). Ms. Mercado stated she will re-inquire with the
Office of Corporation Counsel.
Minutes from the lune 21, 2021 community meeting are available for viewing and download here:
http://records.hawaiicountV.gov/Weblink/1/doc/112029/Pagel.aspx
b. Update on Council Member Kimball's Working Groups: The primary working group is the
emergency preparedness working group, which came into focus with the recent Pa'auilo fire.
The fire demonstrated the need for more effective communication, hazard assessments for
each coastal community, and establishing a NW and Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) within each community. Council Member Kimball stated she has an upcoming meeting
with Civil Defense to discuss strategy in conducting hazard assessments. She also spoke with
Planning Staff, April and Bethany, about climate change and hazard mitigation and
preparedness. These efforts are severely underfunded, and she wants to ensure that funding is
received for repairing shelters and creating emergency escape routes.
Committee Member Keeney spoke about CDP policies 55 and 56, and other items the open
space working group wants to tackle. These policies suggest performing a feasibility study for
the development of a scenic route from Waipi'o that connects to Mud Lane (Waimea), as well
as a scenic park with views of Hi'ilawe. One advantage would be to minimize visitor trips into
the valley. The working group will look at how to approach this possibility and other open space
potential with landowners to reach a common goal.
Committee Member Keeney also asked for recommendations from AC members for people
that are interested in joining the working group for public access trails.
Council Member Kimball, Committee Member Kua, Committee Member Pollard, and Jeannette
Gurung-Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, met
with Dennis Flemming from the Hamakua Institute who presented on their most recent
agricultural assessment. Council Member Kimball would like to connect with Committee
Members Kua and Pollard to talk about possible next steps. She is happy to help coordinate a
presentation for the AC by Dennis Flemming for the September meeting.
c. Ka'ahikini Stream Bridge Issue: Chair Kurokawa sent emails to DPW asking them to provide a
written response about their decision to not pursue a temporary bridge. No response has been
received thus far. They will continue to work with Council Member Kimball to get answers and
seek accountability, as it has been over nine months that the Ka'ahakini Stream Bridge closed
and no recent updates have been provided.
PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
1. Presentation by Dennis Flemming
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ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Member Hubbard motioned to adjourn the meeting. Second by Committee Member
McKnight. The motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 P.M.
All Action Committee information can be viewed and downloaded from our website:
https://www.hawaiicountvcdp.info/hamakua-cd p
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