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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-15 HCDP Minutes DraftMitchell D. Roth Mayor Lee E. Lord Managing Director Zendo Kern Director Jeffrey W. Darrow Deputy Director County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Page 1 Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1 DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2 CALL TO ORDER 3 Chair Brad Kurokawa called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action 4 Committee (AC) to order at 5:01 P.M. Due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this 5 meeting was held via the Zoom interactive video platform. 6 ROLL CALL 7 AC Members Present: Brad Kurokawa (Chair), Nicole Hubbard, Tawn Keeney, Jeff McKnight, 8 Robert Nishimoto, Rhonda Pollard, Crystal Kua [arrived at 5:13 pm] 9 AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio, Desiree Cruz 10 County Staff: Planners – Heather Bartlett, Keiko Mercado, Jaslyn Nathaniel 11 County Officials: Director of Parks & Recreation Maurice Messina; Council Member Heather 12 Kimball 13 One (1) member of the public attended the meeting via Zoom. The meeting was also available 14 for synchronous viewing via the COH Planning Department YouTube Livestream. The Livestream 15 is available at Hāmākua CDP Action Committee Meeting - March 15, 2022. 16 ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 17 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 18 Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to approve the minutes for the November 16, 2021 meeting. 19 Second by Committee Member Tawn Keeney. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 20 [Committee Member Kua was not present for the vote] 21 Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to approve the minutes for the January 19, 2022 meeting. 22 Second by Committee Member Rhonda Pollard. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 23 [Committee Member Kua was not present for the vote] 24 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: One (1) member of the public provided oral testimony. 25 At the Chair’s discretion, the testifier chose to provide their comment when business item 2 was 26 up for discussion. 27 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 Community Member Romel Dela Cruz, representing himself, testified on agenda item 2, Message 28 from Parks & Recreation (P&R) Director Maurice Messina. Mr. Dela Cruz stated he was born and 29 raised on the Hāmākua coast and shared some of his lived experiences in the area. Mr. Dela Cruz 30 spoke fondly about different past activities and sporting events that took place in various gyms 31 and on fields in the area. Mr. Dela Cruz expressed that the coastal parks such as Pāpaʻaloa, 32 ‘Ōʻokala, Laupahoehoe, and Paʻauilo are very special to the community, that they hold 33 irreplaceable sentimental value, and should be preserved. 34 BUSINESS: 35 1. Information Sharing: Sharon Hirota, from the County Office of Housing and Community 36 Development, presented an overview of several programs and centers that were launched in 37 partnership with community-based organizations. She encouraged AC members to share 38 these programs with their networks: 39 • Emergency Rent Assistance – Provides financial assistance to help residents ensure 40 housing stability by helping them to get caught up on rent and utility payments. 41 • Landlord/Tenant Mediation Center – Provides landlord/tenant mediation services. After 42 the lifting of the moratorium, there was a temporary modification to the landlord-tenant 43 code that requires landlords and tenants to go through a mediation process before 44 entering into the court system. 45 • Coordination Center – Provides a free centralized service that helps residents navigate 46 critical financial, housing, and health-related issues. The Center’s objective is to ensure 47 that lack of knowledge about available resources does not stand between residents and 48 the help they need and is designed to help residents with one-on-one coaching and 49 connectivity to community-based and government-supported services. 50 • Homeowner Assistance – Provides Hawaiʻi homeowners who are experiencing financial 51 hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and have incomes at or below 150% of 52 the area median income with the assistance that will lead to long-term mortgage 53 resolution. The program grants up to $30,000 to assist homeowners with paying past-due 54 mortgages or reducing monthly payments. 55 • Financial Empowerment Centers – Provides free, one-on-one financial counseling as a 56 public service to all residents. Centers are staffed with trained counselors to help 57 residents manage money, decrease debt, improve credit, and access all other services 58 offered by the centers to find financial stability. 59 Presentation slides available here: 60 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/115422/Communication%20No.%202022-61 07%20OHCD%20Financial%20Empowerment%20Presentation%20by%20Sharon%20Hirota.pdf 62 Additional information available here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing 63 2. Message from Parks & Recreation (P&R) Director Maurice Messina: 64 Director Maurice Messina provided updates on upcoming maintenance projects for 65 recreational facilities in Hāmākua. These projects will be ongoing for ADA compliance, safety, 66 and overall improvements. Director Messina provided approximate timelines for each 67 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 project, identified barriers related to deferred maintenance, and outlined different 68 approaches that could be utilized to properly address said issues. 69 Committee Member Nishimoto asked about possibilities for community emergency centers. 70 He shared his affiliation with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and 71 recommended collaboration with Civil Defense to establish radio towers, emphasizing that 72 coastal communication is fundamental during emergencies. 73 Committee Member Keeney shared concerns he had heard from vendors within Honokaʻa 74 and near the Waipi‘o area about a significant decline of visitor activity and asked if the 75 “lookout authority” had been experiencing something similar. He suggested that information 76 be shared on the availability of the lookout area, despite the Waipiʻo road closure. Director 77 Messina shared that there has been an increased need to replenish supplies at the lookout 78 due to an increase in visitor numbers. 79 Chair Kurokawa shared his hope about the possibility of a Visitor Center type facility and 80 asked about the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation 81 Commission) restrictions. 82 Vice-Chair McKnight shared his concern about emergency shelter capacity being able to 83 withstand contemporary disasters. He questioned the probability of more facilities 84 becoming available to accommodate the public and offered to donate a radio repeater to 85 support safety. Director Messina assured him the concern is mutual and that Civil Defense, 86 along with the State HIEMA (Hawaii Emergency Management Agency), is working specifically 87 to address these types of issues. Director Messina will relay Vice-Chair McKnight’s generous 88 offer to Civil Defense. 89 Chair Kurowawa inquired on the whereabouts of existing programs that were previously 90 being held in the Pāpaʻaloa gym. Director Messina explained that although there is currently 91 no facility in Pāpaʻaloa, there has been an intense effort to continue offering recreational 92 activities by collaborating with the Laupāhoehoe facilities. He shared that he remains open 93 to creative solutions for bring the park up to adequate standards. 94 Committee Member Hubbard mentioned her affiliation to the steering committee for 95 Pāpaʻaloa Park. She requested support for Bill 2477, an ongoing petition to raise ten (10) 96 million dollars for match funding, and the need to raise additional financial support for the 97 overall planning process. More information on the Friends of Pāpaʻaloa Park can be found 98 here: 99 • Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612044369939864 100 • Email: friendsofpapaaloapark@gmail.com 101 Committee Member Keeney inquired about the possibility of a Visitor Center being 102 established on the PONC property (near Waipiʻo lookout). Council Member Kimball recalled 103 previous considerations for a visitor center, managed access, and tourist education.She 104 described the unlikelihood of a visitor center due to PONC limitations and suggested 105 exploring nearby parcels that might be amenable to the use. Council Member Kimball 106 indicated that although the road closure was unexpected, it allows time to identify other 107 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 needs associated with access to the valley. Council Member Kimball also expressed 108 appreciation for the community driven work being done regarding Pāpaʻaloa Gym. 109 Committee Member Kua asked whether Action Committee Members were able to use their 110 AC titles when advocating for Pāpaʻaloa Gym. Ms. Mercado explained that; unless voted 111 upon by the Board, each AC member would be representing themself. 112 Vice-Chair McKnight brought up some complaints he had heard from the Waipi‘o rim 113 community regarding trespassing. Council Member Kimball agreed to make it a priority to 114 seek mitigative methods from the Senate to address illegal parking with ongoing House Bill 115 1448. 116 House Bill 1448 available here: 117 https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1448&year=2022 118 3. Action Committee Support of Hawaiʻi Ports-of Entry Biosecurity Program (Communication 119 No. 2022-06) 120 Committee Member Hubbard made a motion for Communication No. 2022-06 to be approved 121 and sent to the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. Second by Vice-Chair McKnight. 122 Chair Kurokawa opened the floor for discussion and requested minor adjustments to the 123 letter. He requested to replace “addition” with “introduction” in the second paragraph, 124 delete “worst of the worst” at the end of the second paragraph, replace “strains” with 125 “burdens” in the last sentence of the letter, and insert “negatively” further in the same 126 sentence. 127 Committee Member Hubbard made a motion to accept Chair Kurokawa’s amendments to 128 Communication No. 2022-06. Second by Vice-Chair McKnight. Motion to amend the letter 129 passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 130 Motion to approve and send the letter as amended passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 131 Final letter available here: 132 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=1&id=115459&page=1&cr=1 133 4. Action Committee Priority Setting Exercise 134 Chair Kurokawa introduced the objective of the AC Priority Exercise as a way to identify 135 potential interests and create investigatory subcommittees and community liaison groups as 136 needed that encourage the advancement of the Hāmākua Community Development Plan. 137 Ms. Bartlett suggested using the Community Action guide as reference and helped to 138 facilitate the discussion through which the AC recognized the following: 139 • Given limited recreational resources, Shoreline/ Public Access should include open space 140 and bike paths. 141 • Hāmākua recreational Facilities (top of mind is Pāpāʻaloa Gym) are a priority 142 • Shoreline, Public Access, Open Space, and Bike Paths. 143 • Waipiʻo wahi pana 144 • Community outreach and engagement 145 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5 • Education around critical cultural significance of streams including indigenous terrestrial 146 and aquatic fauna 147 Committee Member Keeney inquired about the labeling of the groups and questions arose 148 around Sunshine Law requirements. Clarification was provided by Ms. Bartlett that with a 149 majority vote by the Action Committee, smaller investigatory groups could be allowed up to 150 a maximum of four (4) members per subcommittee to explore thesubject item, then report 151 back to the Action Committee with their findings. 152 Council Member Kimball offered to keep the AC informed on any opportunities for discussion 153 in community meetings regarding Waipiʻo. 154 Vice-Chair McKnight inquired if attendance at the Waipiʻo meetings is limited to two 155 members. Council Member Kimball confirmed that all members may attend informational 156 meetings. Committee Member Kua inquired about requirements on Sunshine Law regarding 157 participation. Council Member Kimball explained the differences between participation as a 158 Board, as opposed to participation as an individual, and the likelihood that a subject matter 159 could become a future agenda item. Council Member Kimball brought up recent legislation 160 related to board leniencies while still ensuring transparency. 161 Additional information on HB 2026 available here: 162 https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2026&year=2022 163 5. Framework for Action Committee Run Meetings 164 Ms. Mercado informed that some Action Committees have expressed interest in hosting 165 their own official meetings. She explained the possibility of the ACs having the option to 166 convene between the already scheduled quarterly meetings and provided high-level 167 framework for running these meetings. Sunshine Law would need to be adhered to and 168 Robert’s Rules followed. Ms. Mercado assured that Planning staff would provide templates 169 and resource packets and would continue to make connections as the AC needed. Staff 170 would also continue to post the agenda and minutes to ensure compliance with the Sunshine 171 Law. 172 Committee Member Keeney appreciated the support for AC hosted meetings. Committee 173 Member Kua was interested in continuing the conversation. Vice-Chair McKnight said it 174 provided more options for the AC especially when the AC was considering time-sensitive 175 matters. Chair Kurokawa added that more frequent meetings would help keep community 176 engaged. 177 Presentation slides are available here: 178 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/115460/Communication%20No.%202022-179 09%20AC%20Meeting%20Framework.pdf 180 6. Election of Action Committee Officers 181 Committee Member Keeney made a motion to nominate Jeff McKnight as Chair of the 182 Hāmākua CDP AC. Second by Chair Kurokawa. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 183 Committee Member Kua made a motion to nominate Nicole Hubbard as Vice-Chair of the 184 Hāmākua CDP AC. Second by Vice-Chair Jeff Mcknight. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 185 votes nay. 186 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 6 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: 187 1. Update on Shoreline Setback Project 188 ADJOURNMENT: Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to adjourn. Second by Committee Member 189 Hubbard. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 190 The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm. 191 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 192 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 193 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 194 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 195