Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-2010 SKCDP AC Minutes 1 Meeting of South Kohala CDP Action Committee November 22, 2010 WVA Offices, Waikoloa Committee Members Present: Mike Fischer, John Hoover, Margaret Horwatt, Robin Absent: Inaba, Leonard Librizzi. Nancy Alvord, Jeannie Palermo, Achahn Schulze, Fran Tabor Others: Project Manager Allen Salavea; Recorder Judith Graham; County Councilmember Pete Hoffmann; Members of the public including: Anika Glass, Gail Jackson, Deanna Kackley, Harland Kroll, P. Pacheco, Bill Simonsma, Bobbi Walker, Jim Whillock Handouts: Permit Activity Report for October 2010 The meeting began at 5:05 pm. The chair announced that Achahn Schulze and Jeannie Palermo were out of state, and that Fran Tabor had withdrawn as a member, effective as of this meeting, for health reasons. Member Margaret Horwatt arrived following the presentations below. PRESENTATIONS 1)CIP Budget Development Process by Councilman Pete Hoffmann Councilman Hoffmann advised that the County has two budgets: the general operating budget which involves property taxes, salaries, personnel and other items; and the CIP budget which is mainly infrastructure, such as police and fire stations, etc. The CIP is a wish list that usually becomes reality when the County issues a bond float. In addition, the state revolving fund and occasionally federal loans provide funding. Impact fees imposed on developments would go into the CIP if impact fees were levied. The County has a good bond rating. Its outstanding bonds amount to about 11 percent of the County’s total assessed property value. Presently debt service, which is part of the operating budget, is about $30 million annually. CIP items can include: land acquisition, infrastructure and improvements, new buildings or additions, renovation of infrastructure, and planning studies related to such projects. The CIP will not cover maintenance. The appropriations are good for three years. Items listed in the CIP budget are described by location, schedule of expenses, tax key location, and other aspects. Councilman Hoffmann encouraged to work on infrastructure improvements for South Kohala. He explained that an impact fee cannot be levied unless a project already exists 2 as part of a prioritized list, e.g., on the CIP budget. He believes the current system of funding infrastructure will continue to have shortfalls and that the system is broken. Answers to Questions: Councilman Hoffmann believes floating a $56 million bond, recently proposed, would be beneficial to stimulate the economy. He said the County received federal stimulus money this year to reduce its debt service by one percent. The best process for putting something in the CIP budget is to get information from the County department that the project falls under, and then work with a council member to put the request into legislative form and sponsor it. He noted that projects were funded in increments to lessen debt service commitment. He advised that new roads are contracted out because the County road teams are not equipped to build new highways. With respect to the North Kohala AC, its chair has met several times with the Planning Director and has provided input to the Planning Department several times. He encouraged the South Kohala AC to be more proactive and take hold of its responsibilities. Allen Salavea noted that, previously, the public had not been much involved at all in the CIP process. Pete Hoffmann invited those present to attend the County inauguration ceremonies on December 6, 2010. Approval of Minutes The AC achieved a quorum with the arrival of Margaret Horwatt at this point. Minutes from the October 25, 2010 meeting were accepted as distributed. The chair welcomed new member John Hoover. PRESENTATIONS, CONTINUED 2) Five Mountains’ Proposal to Partner with the AC on Social Issues Deanna Kackley of the North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition, spearheaded by Five Mountains, spoke briefly as an advocate for youth. She asked the AC to consider protective factors for youth as it designed projects. She noted the skate parks included in the CIP budget. She believes post-secondary schooling diminishes drug-related, high-risk factors for youth. 3 3) SKCDP Action Committee Vacancy John Hoover has filled the long-standing AC vacancy of a ninth member. Two more vacancies are arising as Jeannie Palermo and Fran Tabor leave. Allen Salavea plans to submit applications for both vacancies together, drawing on the previous pool of applicants. County Council action on the vacancies might hopefully occur in January. 4) Land Use Permit Activity Report Allen Salavea highlighted several applications that had been agendized for the Planning Commission at its meetings of November 24 and December 15. Mike Fischer said the AC had received community input requesting that the AC speak out against an Edwin DeLuz Trucking and Gravel application for continued operation of the Pu‘u Hinai Quarry. Mike inquired if the AC might make a resolution that it believed the application contrary to the CDP. Allen responded that how the AC moves forward is part of the committee defining itself. Presently AC members would clearly identify any written comments or testimony as coming from themselves as individuals. The AC might want to discuss this matter with North Kohala’s AC. Regarding Planning Commission procedure, letters received one week in advance of a hearing are distributed to each Commissioner. Many people submit their comments in person. Individuals may ask for confirmation that their input has been passed along to the Commission. 5) Liaison Report from Various Meetings and Events Mike Fischer advised that Waikoloa Friends of the Library met with the State Librarian on November 18 to discussing funding and strategy. If a librarian from Thelma Parker Memorial Library comes two days a week, then Waikoloa’s project will be accepted as a library. The project needs constant public support. Mike and Achahn Schulze met with the president of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee in private session. Shuttle routes and strategies for Waikoloa are to be discussed with Tom Brown of the County Transit Agency. Mike also attended a Waikoloa Land Use Committee meeting. 6) Status Report on Draft Operating Guidelines The AC adopted its guidelines on September 17, 2010. No comment has been received thus far from Deputy Corporation Counsel Amy Self. 4 Status Report on the Ad Hoc Parks Committee for Waikoloa Village 7) The key contact on this is AC member Achahn Schulze who is out of state at present. It was noted that Waikoloa has less than five percent of the number of parks recommended by County guidelines. 8) Subcommittee Reports and Updates Puako: John Hoover put forth a question on behalf of the Puako Community Association. Apparently Rob Wessels of the ‘Aina L’ea project has claimed that the AC authorized or approved the project. Mike Fischer responded that the AC has taken no action whatsoever on the project and has not considered, for example, elements such as sewer, water, or the intersection. Mike Fischer had shared his own personal views with Mr. Wessels. The South Kohala AC minutes shall reflect that no AC endorsement or view has been provided. Kawaihae: Leonard Librizzi said the County Research & Development Department has studied potential aquaculture sites; the information will be available on their website next year. The study looked at variables as far as three miles out and concluded aquaculture might be possible in North or South Kohala, not along other coasts. Waimea: Margaret Horwatt said that PATH will be involved in helping to secure public access on the pu‘us but is very busy now. Keoki Woods of Parker Ranch had said the ranch was willing to ask for an extension of the present lease. However, the DLNR director received lease applications on November 12 from both Parker Ranch and Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The AC was not part of the loop. By statute, an easement request may be submitted later. The lease will be for 30 years. The easement request is a long process involving surveys, historical information, fencing, insurance and other issues. It needs to be taken one step at a time. Margaret will contact Pua Case about providing education about the pu‘u and their historical significance. After obtaining permission from the current lessee, the AC will need to get a temporary permit access agreement from the DLNR to enter the property. Allen Salavea advised that the AC can lead or help facilitate this idea, but it must be a community idea. The objectives need to be clearly defined and a cultural purpose as the basis for access sounds very good. Robin Inaba noted that projects considered by the Waimea Design Review Committee appear on the AC’s Permit Activity Report. She believes the committee is doing a good job. 5 District-Wide Matters: Achahn Schulze and Mike Fischer will meet with Councilman Pete Hoffmann regarding legislation proposed in the South Kohala CDP. Subcommittee Assignments: John Hoover will represent the Puako area. NEW BUSINESS 9) Discuss Date, Time and location of 2011 SKCDP AC Meetings Following a brief discussion the group determined on the following six-month schedule, which will then repeat for the remainder of the year: January, February – Waimea March – Puako (tentative) April May – Waikoloa June – Kawaihae (at macadamia nut facility in industrial area) The Puako meeting may be combined with a Puako Community Association meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Harland Kroll described a Waikoloa Village Strategic Planning Committee that hopes to develop a master plan. He wants to clarify for the committee the benefits of supporting existing recommendations in the CDP. Allen Salavea noted that this approach will strengthen the effectiveness of their work. DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Monday, December 20, at 5 pm at the Waimea Senior Center. SET AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING This meeting concluded with a brief discussion about how to access the CIP budget. Allen Salavea will provide copies at the next meeting. The electronic file is extremely large. Mike Fischer asked each subcommittee member to review possible items listed in the CDP for their area. The meeting concluded at 7:15 pm.