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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-2010 SKCDP AC Minutes 1 Meeting of South Kohala CDP Action Committee May 24, 2010 Waimea Senior Center Committee Members Present: Mike Fischer, Margaret Horwatt, Robin Inaba, Leonard Absent: Librizzi, Jeannie Palermo. Nancy Alvord, Achahn Schulze, Fran Tabor. Others: Project Manager Allen Salavea; Councilman Pete Hoffmann; members of the public Anne Field-Gomes, Patrick Sullivan, Margaret Wille; Recorder Judith Graham Handouts: Top Ten Priorities Compilation Draft IV; Permit Activity Report May 2010 The meeting began at 5:10 pm. Mike Fischer served as interim chair. Robin Inaba served as timekeeper. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Anne Field-Gomes expressed that she would like to see the AC take a strong stand against pressures from the Planning Director and Planning Department. The idea is that the AC is an entity valid in this County. Margaret Wille identified herself as overseeing the Planning and Design Review Committee for South Kohala. The committee considers the consistency of projects with the Waimea Design Plan of 1986, and the South Kohala CDP. Developers provide information voluntarily and are also requested by the Planning Department to contact the committee. She touched on these items: 1. The State is currently renegotiating with Parker Ranch a lease of 420 acres with pu‘u on it. She recommended that the AC request to be kept informed. 2. She described how to see transcripts of Planning Commission meetings and described web access. 3. An environmental assessment is underway for the Trails and Greenways project; public input is due by June 14. 4. She provided to the interim chair a copy of the appeal being taken on a recent approval for Parker School, as well as other copies. 5. She has recommended to the Charter Commission, which is doing outreach, that it contact the AC. Approval of Minutes Minutes from the meeting of April 26, 2010 were approved. PRESENTATIONS 2 1. CIP Budget Development Process by Council Pete Hoffmann Councilman Hoffman gave a carefully structured presentation. There are two budgets: Operating and CIP. The CIP budget comes to the County Council in March. It has no appropriations associated with it and is basically a wish list of projects various communities want to see happen. Projects get on the list via the area’s County Council representative. Each project has a detailed page devoted to it showing requirements from design to completion. The CIP is funded primarily by issuance of general obligation bonds, and also by grants or stimulus funds. Projects could be funded by developers’ fair share contributions; but this county still needs an impact ordinance. A possible other source of funds would be a facilities improvement district, not done here but utilized on the mainland. CIP priorities are compiled by districts and reviewed by the mayor and finance staff. A Councilmember who argues strongly can help a project rise up the list. Some projects are mandated, such as ADA improvements. Last year a $114 million bond issue funded a number of projects. The County of Hawaii has a very good bond rating. This year the County will fund about $50 or $60 million worth of projects. Presently debt service costs the County about 10.6 percent of total expenditures; he suggests the limit could be increased to 12 or 13 percent. Eligible projects may include land acquisition (but not solely to preserve land), infrastructure improvements, new buildings or additions to existing buildings. One-time renovation can be included, but not ordinary maintenance. Planning and feasibility studies are usually funded through general obligation bonds—for example, a plan to make the Waikoloa mauka/makai road three lanes with a roundabout. The impact on the Operating Budget is the debt service. If planning and design are on the CIP list, it doesn’t mean the project will necessarily be completed. Once a bond is floated, it must be completed. The CIP is a six-year program. The deadline for floor amendments this year is June 7. Submittals from the community need to be relatively cogent with a TMK and map, and some budget information. Pete Hoffmann looks to the AC as a catalyst, a group that will seize the initiative. The current CIP budget is online. He encouraged the AC to initiate and take action on a regular basis during a fiscal year. He would much rather have requests come from the AC than from himself. He wants to have the community see the AC as an active body working in this area and helping to get the CDPs validated. Allen Salavea stated that, in terms of developing priorities for the 2011-2012 CIP budget, it’s best to begin as soon as possible. REPORTS 3 2. SKCDP AC Vacancy There is no news on this topic. 3. Land Use Permit Activity Report Allen Salavea reconfirmed with the Planning Commission the most updated report, and will soon be able to add an address column for the AC’s reference. 4. Liaison Report from Meetings and Events There were none. OLD BUSINESS 5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair The committee had a quorum. Robin Inaba nominated Mike Fischer as chair; Jeannie Palermo seconded. By a show of hands Mike’s election was unanimously approved. Margaret Horwatt nominated Jeannie Palermo as vice chair; Robin Inaba seconded. By a show of hands Jeannie was unanimously elected. 6. Develop 2010/2011 Implementation Work Plan for SKCDP The AC was able to determine its initial priorities relatively quickly. Page 150 of the CDP has a concise summary. Jeannie Palermo had drafted her list focusing on infrastructure, health and safety. Her list was: Waimea: Kawaihae bypass, or as an alternative, walkways and bikeways Waikoloa: Emergency access to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Puako: Evacuation route out of Paniau Kawaihae: Development of well fields, or as an alternative, ocean water quality and marine life By consensus most AC members liked this list. Leonard Librizzi noted that the Kawaihae Road project was already well along in the hands of the Department of Transportation, and might not need input from the AC. He continued to recommend an approach by subject, for example, transportation; however he agreed to go with the majority approach. The group also discussed the Waikoloa access in terms of a northern and southern route. The private developer at Ainalea has proposed a more southern route which might be built with the developer’s funds. 4 In general, the list above was agreed upon. 7. Create Subcommittee Structure Jeannie Palermo summed up that there were eight AC members. Two could address each project as a subcommittee. Each individual might have one project and one alternate. The chair called for members to express their preferences. The results were: Palermo – Puako Horwatt – Kawaihae wells Librizzi - Waimea Inaba – Kawaihae water Fischer – Waikoloa Margaret Horwatt noted that the Kawaihae wells are a long term project, and that coastal water quality is extremely important and hard to put off. Margaret also advised the AC that, acting as an individual, she would draft a letter to the Department of Land and Natural Resources stating that State lease of 420 acres will be on the AC agenda at its June meeting. Therefore, would the DLNR provide her with information to present? The concerns relative to the pu‘u are public access and protection of view planes. It is possible pu‘u preservation could become a priority. 8. Review Draft Operating Guidelines (Prepared for Kona CDP as a Template) The chair asked AC members to carefully review the draft before the next meeting and be prepared to suggest any changes. Allen Salavea will re-send a clean copy to members. 9. Discuss Sending Liaisons to Community Meetings/Events Jeannie Palermo had prepared a list of community meetings and contacts, and offered to pass it around for others to make additions. Patti Cook and Uvonne Lindsey as contacts were added. A Kawaihae group meets on the first Sunday of the month. Allen Salavea will send out a list of AC members to be distributed to contacts. Leonard Librizzi will attend the next Waimea Community Association meeting. Mike Fischer will attend the Waikoloa Village Association board meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC 5 Anne Field-Gomes asked if the AC could act as a committee of the whole. Mike Fischer clarified that Roberts Rules of Order allows this. Margaret Wille reported that she has had difficulty getting the agenda and minutes in advance. The Puna AC does a better job, she said. Allen Salavea noted that the Puna AC has an administrative assistant assigned to it. Margaret encouraged the AC to utilize the County website. Patrick Sullivan had attended a North Kohala AC meeting. He recommended developing more connection and cooperation with the public. Date, Time and Location of Next Meeting The next meeting will be Monday, June 28, 5 pm at the Waimea Senior Center. Set Agenda for Next Meeting These are among items for the next agenda: Four subcommittees and their representatives AC member vacancy Pu‘u and State lease Land-use permit activity report, continued Draft operating guidelines Liaisons and discussion of a website Information from Margaret Wille about the Planning and Design Review Committee Mike Fischer proposed a special learning session, similar to the AC’s previous retreat, about the land-use approval process. He knows an expert on the subject and can try to set up a session. The AC members liked this idea. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.