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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-18 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, September 18, 2008, 3:00 p.m. Prosecutor's Office (Hilo) and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Absent Members Don Bennett Carolle Brulee- Wilson Penny Fox Edward Lee George Mukai Delbert Nishimoto Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Antonio Gaspar Minoru Hanato Richard Highley Guests (Kona) David Carlson Boss Hanato Tom Leone Ex- Officio (Hilo) Patricia Engelhard, Director, P &R Joseph Flores (OVS) Also Present (Hilo) Nathalie Santos, Secretary Herbert Lum, State Veterans Advisory Board - WH Member Keith Ribbentrop Melinda Alles Wendall Kekumu Gilbert Sampaia Norman Stahl Richard Stevens Robert Welter George Yamamoto John Young Call to Order Chairwoman Penny Fox called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm - (9) members present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 September 18, 2008 PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES — July 17, 2008 (The August 21, 2008 Meeting was Cancelled - No Quorum) The minutes of the July 17, 2008 meeting were approved with one correction (Mr. Keith Ribbentrop was present, but not listed on the minutes). REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island - East Hawaii Representative Mr. Herring Kalua - Absent Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Mr. Herb Lum Mr. Herb Lum - Report Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Mr. Lum reported that eight (8) bids were received for Veterans Cemetery III - Phase II C. The successful bidder was Willocks Construction Corporation at 2.7 million dollars. There was one protest relating to the bids, but it was resolved by DAGS office. The recommendation was sent to Veterans Administration for approval to award project to Willocks. They expect it will take approximately two months for project to begin which is ahead of schedule. Mr. Lum said the bids were below estimate and restrooms were included. Mr. Highley asked if a copy of the contract is available online. Director Engelhard responded that contract is not available online and gave Mr. Highley the email address for Gina Ichiyama who is in charge of project: gina. e.ichiyamaghawaii.gov. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Reforestation Proiect Mr. Gaspar said Mr. Lum told him 67 volunteers helped last Saturday and Dr. Stevens told him 20 volunteers planted native Hawaiian trees last Sunday. The trees on the side of the road that he reported as drying are now green and have new shoots. Chairwoman Fox asked if anyone contacted Dr. Stevens to ask how long before the dryland forest becomes self - sufficient. Mr. Highley said Dr. Stevens is a member of this committee, but has been unable to attend meetings. Chairwoman Fox said Dr. Stevens could email a report stating when he thinks the trees can stand on their own without irrigation. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 September 18, 2008 Mr. Highley shared that he feels since DLNR provided grant to fund the reforestation project, they should also provide additional funding to pay the newly formed utility company for the excess water needed for plants. The water that the county is receiving for free or is paying for should only be for the cemetery. Reforestation Project is a Friends of the Park type program and not a part of the cemetery so Dr. Stevens should be responsible for that water. P &R Director Engelhard responded that she doesn't know if that is necessarily the case, however, from what she's been able to determine from her discussions and emails, the usage of the water at the cemetery is predicated on our being conservative. The first 5,000 gallons cost a lesser amount, the next 5,000 gallons cost a higher amount and the final 5,000 gallons cost the most. If we have to use all of the water that is allocated to us, it will cost the County approximately $3,000 a month if these per thousand gallon charges are approved. If price goes up, it will cost more than that. We would like to try to get the dryland forest to exist as a dryland forest rather than water it. Mr. Highley said he's in agreement with that. Director Engelhard said that if the County has to cut the water to the forest, all of the people who worked so hard on the project would be very upset. We don't want to be the bad guys, we want the dryland forest to be just that. Mr. Highley said project is fine, but plants should be financially supported by the source that provided funds for project. Mr. Lum said this is a non -issue because water priorities have been established. Priority 1 - Watering burial plots Priority 2 - Toilets Priority 3 - Reforestation Project Obviously if there is no water, you know which one goes. If we run out of water, its up to us to try to get the water in some way, shape or form, but he would not go so far to say the reforestation is completely divorced from the cemetery - no way. A lot of what was done in the cemetery, is partly attributed to the public support for the reforestation project. He believes we'll get the water somehow. P &R Director Engelhard commented that the County has been known to stop irrigation when there's no money. It hasn't happened in the last eight years, but it has happened before that. Chairwoman Fox will contact Dr. Stevens just to find out what's going on and when he estimates the dryland forest can be self - sufficient. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 September 18, 2008 NEW BUSINESS Request for Veterans Advisory Committee to Coordinate Events Director Engelhard said that Mr. Dan Kama has requested that the Veterans Advisory Committee take on the responsibility to annually coordinate the following events: Veterans Day Parade/Memorial Services, Memorial Day Event, and other Veterans Memorial events. Chairwoman Fox said that she didn't think it falls under committee's responsibilities. P &R Director Engelhard said the main responsibility is to take care of the veterans cemeteries. After that, the ordinance says, "you can advise the Mayor or the Council on actions or issues that they ask you directly to take care of." Neither the Mayor or the Council has asked you to do this, Mr. Kama has. Chairwoman Fox said then Mr. Kama could go to the Mayor or County Council and request them to have us look into doing events and if the Council feels that its appropriate. Director Engelhard said you could say no. Chairwoman Fox asked if anyone had comments. Mr. Nishimoto said just say no, the County Code specifically says it is strictly for the veterans cemeteries in the County of Hawaii, but at the request of the County Council or the Mayor they can look in and recommend, but not chair and organize a parade or memorial service. Liability for the County is also a concern. Chairwoman Fox said we wouldn't be able to get liability insurance and asked for any more comments. Mr. Highley said he feels it's not the committee's kuleana to coordinate events, committee is just concerned with the veterans cemeteries. The veterans organizations should help support Mr. Kama with the veterans parade. Chairwoman Fox said she wouldn't have a problem with Mr. Kama attending the meeting to request help from representatives of the different organizations and to make announcements, but the committee will not coordinate events. Director Engelhard will let him know. ( *Following the meeting, Director Engelhard reviewed an opinion from Deputy Corporation Counsel Craig Masuda dated July 12, 2004 relating to a 2004 request to the Veterans Advisory Committee to coordinate /help plan a Veterans Day Parade - Opinion states that any wording of a Veterans Day Parade being sponsored by the County of Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 September 18, 2008 Hawaii or the Veterans Advisory Committee should be avoided - due to liability concerns). Veterans Day and Memorial Day Programs in West Hawaii Mr. Minoru Hanato shared that annually the responsibilities to coordinate these events are rotated between the West Hawaii Veteran Organizations. American Legion is taking care of both upcoming Veterans and Memorial Day Events and DAV did it last year. Other organizations, Boy Scouts, and ROTC assist the organization that is in charge. Rule 7 vs. National Memorial Cemetery Rule (Artificial Flowers) Chairwoman Fox read a memo she received from Committee Member Delbert Nishimoto dated September 15th relating to cemetery rules. (Copy of memo attached) A Veterans family requested for re- evaluation of Rule 7, Section 2, Decorations and Offerings with the National Memorial Cemetery Floral /Grounds Regulation. Issue of artificial flowers. Requesting the County include artificial flowers with conditions in Rule 7, Section 2. Chairwoman Fox said right now Rule 7, Section 5.02 does not allow artificial flowers. Basically this person is requesting that we allow artificial flowers at the county veterans cemeteries and change Rule 7. She asked for comments. Mr. Highley commented that he feels sometimes artificial flowers are nice, but the families should understand that artificial flowers along with cut flowers will be discarded in the same way when the caretakers cut the grass. The families should understand that the artificial flowers would not remain. Chairwoman Fox said she thinks that is what the family is hoping, that the artificial flowers will remain and that would create a problem for the groundskeepers. The other concern is that artificial flowers are made out of non - recyclable products so if they get run over and they get in the soil, its not good for the environment. P &R Director Engelhard shared that although some people do put out really nice artificial flowers and some people would be able to maintain them so they always look nice, there are just as many people who do not maintain them and leave them until they get tattered, tacky, faded and ugly. At what point is it okay to throw them away. Right now its easy to know when they can be thrown away because artificial flowers aren't allowed, but also because cut flowers when they dry can be thrown away and right now there is practically a war going on with people who think that our staff is throwing away flowers before they're suppose to. I would vote for a continued ban on artificial flowers. I don't think that the National Cemetery of the Pacific allows any flowers. Chairwoman Fox said their regulations are a part of the memo and read the following "artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance, potted plants and artificial flowers will be permitted on gravesites only during the period of five days before to five days Veterans Advisory Committee Page 6 September 18, 2008 after Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and Hana Matsuri (April 8). They will also be permitted from July 12 to August 15 in observance of "O- BON ". Christmas trees, no matter what size, are not considered potted plants and will not be allowed. Floral items and other types of decorations will not be secured to markers or Columbarium walls. Floral items and other decorations may be secured at a gravesite but may not be secured to headstones or markers. Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves." Chairwoman Fox said the rule for the National Cemetery outlines when items can be on the grave and asked if there is a motion to allow artificial flowers in Rule 7 with the same restrictions listed in the regulations for the National Cemetery? Mr. Ribbentrop asked if it addresses safety issues for maintenance employees. Mr. Flores said there are concerns for safety if glass vases are used and either employees or someone visiting the cemetery gets cut. Mr. Nishimoto said request was brought up by a constituent and he spoke to Gene Castagnetti, Director of the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Mr. Castagnetti said that artificial flowers are allowed. Maintenance crew cleans it up and throws it away on Friday afternoons. If you put artificial flowers out on Thursday, you lose it on Friday. They have a cycle for maintenance. The restriction time is because some people wanted to keep for a longer period of time, they leave it there. They also use a lot of silk flowers which are nicer and sometimes looks even nicer than cut flowers, they are recyclable, but fade. Glass issue has not been enforced here and its very dangerous. There are headstones with gallon containers which are hazardous, getting rid of glass should be priority one. He would like to see Rule 7 match the rules of the National Cemetery of the Pacific to be standardized and not say "no plastic flowers ". He checked rules nationwide which is the same as Punchbowl. P &R Director Engelhard said she knows who requestor is and she wants to leave artificial flowers there all the time. Mr. Minoru Hanato said in West Hawaii, maintenance crews cut the grass on certain days and they erect a sign to notify people when that will be so they can bring flowers after that day. By the next week all flowers are thrown away both fresh and artificial. At their gravesites, they have vases on every headstone that is level with the ground. When groundskeepers cut grass, the mowers can go right over it. The vases were purchased by the organization, which was funded by a County Council Member's contingency funds. It looks really nice and better than having bottles on the graves which is dangerous for the public and employees. P &R Director Engelhard commented that West Hawaii has around 170 to 180 graves and Veterans II has 2,500 graves and West Hawaii Veterans are much more active then East Hawaii. She thanked West Hawaii for their involvement and volunteer efforts. Lots of Veterans Advisory Committee Page 7 September 18, 2008 people are much more cooperative over there. The reason they want artificial flowers is that they want them there all the time. Mr. Hanato suggested the County enforce their rules about cleaning the graves, what is allowed and that it will all be thrown away, whether its fresh or artificial flowers. He observed on the Hilo side lots of the headstones are above the ground, its just put there, its not sunk in which makes it harder for groundskeepers. There are a lot of headstones and they are heavy, but it looks much nicer when it's sunken in and it's also safer. It will also be easier for controlling the flower problems. Ms. Brulee- Wilson commented that she loves artificial flowers, in this case though there are so many factors that have been stated and should be considered. When you expose artificial flowers to sun, wind, rain, and the other elements and gnats and flies, no matter how expensive they are, they will lose their luster and beauty. She feels we need to form a consistent rule to eliminate artificial flowers. Chairwoman Fox said if we decide to change this rule to include artificial flowers, we have to go to Public Hearing. She asked if there is any motion to put artificial flowers in the rule. There was no response. Mr. Nishimoto said matter is moot, he will inform requestor that the rules for Hawaii County do not allow artificial flowers. Chairwoman Fox said the matter is tabled for the time being and person is welcome to come to talk to committee at a future meeting. EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Veterans AJA Memorial Service Mr. Nishimoto announced that the AJA Veterans Memorial Service would be held at Veterans Cemetery I on Sunday, September 28th at 10:00 am. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on October 16, 2008 at 3pm. Meeting will again be held in Hilo at the Office of the Prosecutor and in Kona at the Mayor's Office. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:55 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Santos, Secretary