HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-13 Arborist Advisory Committee Minutes
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742
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Minutes
Meeting on April 13, 2006
Planning Department Conference Room Aupuni Center Hilo, Hawaii
Present:
AAC members: Chairperson Leonard Bisel, Michael Kraus, Jan Anderson (in at
10:25 am), Sharron Stanbro & Esther Imamura (Planning staff)
State and County Agency Representative:
Diane Noda, Corporation Counsel
Pat Engelhard, Director of Parks & Recreation
Public: Elfie Wilkins
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 am.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
of the September 22, 2005, October 20, 2005 and
February 16, 2006 meetings:
It was moved by Jan Anderson and seconded by M. Kraus to accept the minutes as submitted.
Motion accepted unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Noneatthistime.
UNFINISHEDBUSINESS
1.TrafficSafetyRegardingtheBanyanTreeattheOldGreenOnionRestaurantsite.
ChairBiselspoketoRonThielatTraffic(DepartmentofPublicWorks).R.Thielwasgoingto
pull a traffic report for the last 5 10 years to see if there is any hard evidence of this being a
dangeroussituation.ChairBiselwillfollowuponthis.
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
2. Status on the Placement of the Mango Groves signs.
As mentioned at the last meeting, there is a new process to go through that involves getting
clearance from The One Call Center before the signs can be installed. Chair Bisel will check
with the Department of Public Works to see if they have the resources to help with the
installation of the signs.
Before Administrative Matters, J. Anderson mentioned that according to Council Person Gary
Safarik, before the tree sign could be used as County signage, it would have to go through the
County Council as a resolution. Chair Bisel stated that the sign still has to be designed
(incorporating the logo, deciding on the wording, etc.). Counsel Noda will check with Parks &
Recreation on the minimum requirement for such signs.
3. Display of Logo Contest Entries.
J. Anderson introduced the graphic design of the logo. She and S. Stanbro will set up the display
of the entries on the wall outside of the Department of Public Works Department before the next
meeting. The winning logo will also be displayed at the Mayors Office. These events will be
publicized in the newspaper.
4. Exceptional Tree Nomination by Mr. Shaun McElhannon.
The tree is located just below the Mormon Church and appears to be on S. McElhannons
property. M. Kraus reported that he spoke to S. McElhannon and told him that the Chinese
Banyan is not an appropriate candidate. Theres no historical significance to it. Its 40 years or
less old and only a moderate sized Chinese Banyan. Although nice, nothing that would warrant
exceptional tree status. Based on what M. Kraus saw in the field and the information on the
application, M. Kraus moved and S. Stanbro seconded that we not accept it for nomination.
Motion passed unanimously. Chair Bisel will follow up with E. Imamura in getting a letter back
to S. McElhannon.
5. Draft letter to Haili Church regarding the False Kamani Tree.
A letter containing all the facts and supporting material as well as before and after photographs
of the tree will be forwarded to the Planning Director for his determination as to whether action
is warranted for the trimming of the tree.
6. Hawaii County Planting Plan.
S. Stanbro researched the files for information on the approximately 30 exceptional tree
nominationsthatwerepreviouslyforwardedtotheCountyCouncilbutneveractedupon.She
will check on the condition of those trees and, if appropriate, followup on with the current
owners,takephotos,etc.inordertoresubmittheapplications.
ShealsomentionedthattherearenumeroustreesinKonasuchastheBanyanTreeonAliiDrive,
the Morton Bay Fig and Royal Palms that have historical significances.
J. Anderson reported that the archives are sorted into 3 boxes. She requested assistance in
identifying loose photographs of trees that have no accompanying information on them.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Publication of Meeting Notice.
Counsel Noda reviewed the current procedure of publicizing the date, time and place of the
meeting and agenda in the Hawaii Tribune Herald and the West Hawaii Today. In reference to
the expense, she mentioned that other committees have been using the free notice in the Date
Book of eachnewspaper. After discussion, the consensus was that we utilize the Date Book but
include information that E. Imamura is the contact person and that the County website can be
accessed for further specifics.
2. Inquiries Regarding the Removal of Non-Exceptional Trees on Private Property.
E. Imamura reported that shes been getting phone calls from both sides of the island and
responds by saying that this Committee doesnt have any jurisdiction for these types of trees.
She wanted clarification as to whether the members would like to be informed of these calls.
After discussion, it was determined that it was not necessary.
At this time, Chair Bisel allowed for Public Statements.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
E. Wilkins mentioned that she submitted a nomination of the Monkey Pod tree at Alae Cemetery
to the Mayor. He was hesitant to sign it because someone said that the tree cannot be pruned and
that the root system is not safe. She will submit a note to this Committee requesting that we
clarify for the Mayor the pruning and root question.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
None.
WORKSHOP
Overview of Duties & Responsibilities of Committee by Corp.Counsel Noda
.
AsrequestedbyCounselNoda,abindercontainingrelevantinformationontheArborist
Advisory Committee was distributed to each member. It included:
1.ContactListofmembersandsupportstaff.
2.Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section on County Arborist Advisory Committees and their
powers and duties.
3.Hawaii County Charter section on Advisory Commissions.
4.Hawaii County Code, Chapter 14, Article 10, Exceptional Trees.
5.Rules of Practice an Procedure.
6.Nomination Form.
7.Ordinances which amended Chapter 14, Article 10 of the Hawaii County Code.
During discussion, the following comments were made:
1.The Mayor should be receiving a copy of the minutes.
2.There is no consistency between the Charter and the Rules of Practice and Procedure as to
whether a majority of those present or majority of the membership constitutes a quorum.
3.The Rules of Practice and Procedure should be updated to reflect changes made to the HRS
and County Code as well as the regular meeting date and place.
4.The Nomination Form and the Acceptance Form for Exceptional Tree Status should be
revised. A procedure such as the draft prepared by C. Hendricks should also be attached to
the nomination form. Further, these documents should be placed on the Countys website.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.Counsel Noda encouraged everyone to attend the Sunshine Law Workshop on Tuesday,
April 18 in Hiloand Wednesday, May 10 in Kona, both 9:30 am for Sunshine Law and
1:00 pm for Public Records Law.
2.The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2006 in the Planning Department
ConferenceRoomat10:00am.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:38 pm.
APPROVED AS CORRECTED: May 18, 2006