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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-10 NKCDP Minutes Final NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING DATE January 10, 2011 TIME 4:30 pm PLACE Kohala Senior Center, Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755 ATTENDANCE 1. Members Present: Joe Carvalho, Marlene Ching, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman, Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, Richard Liebmann, Bob Martin 2. Planning Department: Allen Salavea 3. Public Attendance: Alan Axelrod, George C. Bush, Linda Wallach APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The following corrections were made to the December 13, 2010 minutes: under Public Access delete nonprofit and add State to the Land Legacy commission and add 2 out of the 3 lots at Kaiholena. Minutes were then approved. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none REPORTS Land Use Permit Review Timelines: Allen gave an overview and clarified the document he circulated regarding Planning Department timelines and Planning Commission permit applications. He stated it is not possible to draw up a chart of the required timelines for all applications for the process is too complex with multiple codes. He asked that we review the document and bring our questions to the February AC meeting. Land Use Permit Activity Report: Most of the activity is under the Planning Commission. Bobi Moreno still has further requirements needed to complete her application. Joe noted that Keokea Park was listed and Richard commented that it was the only new item. NEW BUSINESS Restructuring: A meeting was held on December 30 with Bob, Joe, Pete Hoffmann, BJ Leithead-Todd and Amy Self in attendance. They recognized that the Sunshine Law is difficult and challenging, though its intent is good. If we do away with our current structure there is a concern that we will not be viewed as a legitimate body and not recognized as such by the County government. Hilo and Waimea Community Associations are good examples of doing their work without the Sunshine Law and are respected by the Planning Department. It was recommended that we not dissolve at this time. Amy Self will conduct further research to identify what exceptions can be made to help us increase our efficiency. Pete Hoffmann will research current code to see if it is possible for us to be exempt from the Sunshine Law as he would prefer we not change our current structure. BJ is facing budget restraints and eliminating the need to support AC’s might help in that regard. It appears likely that she will go along with whatever is decided. Amy is definitely on our side and will try to find a solution and aims to have an answer by the end of January. Richard wondered about us pursuing the idea of our own Community Association. It was decided to wait and see what Amy comes up with and invite Sherm Warner, President of the Waimea Community Association to our next meeting to talk about how they are handling land use issue and their relationship with the Planning Department. Succession Planning and Election of New Officers: Bob stated the need to have a new chair in place by April. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to nominate a new chair at the February meeting and decide on a new chair by the March meeting. Allen suggested that we go through an informal process to obtain new applicants. Bob said that we could speak with interested people at our annual meeting and encourage applications to the Planning Department. It was also suggested this issue be part of our article in the Kohala Mountain News. Proposed Subcommittee Restructuring:Bob’s proposal was reviewed. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to split the Infrastructure Subcommittee into two groups. Bob clarified his rationale for splitting Ag and Growth was to sharpen our focus on land use issues. Hermann requested 1.8 ‘identify and protect important ag lands’ be moved from Growth Management to Agriculture. Susan spoke in support of 1.8 remaining as proposed by Bob. She explained 1.8 is a Growth Management tool to retain the ag character of Kohala, which was supported by the community throughout the CDP process; additionally, Agriculture Subcommittee members have expressed that they have no interest in discussing or deciding on land use issues. It was moved and seconded to split Agriculture and Growth Management, with 1.8 moved to Agriculture. It passed with 7 yes and 1 no. Explaining her no vote, Susan said 1.8 needs to be started asap and she moved to amend the previous motion to address 1.8 immediately as a high priority. It was so moved, seconded and carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Proposed Website: Joe stated the new website is up and running and that we need to bookmark this page and view it frequently. We need to inform the community of the website via the Kohala Mountain News and at the community meeting. 2010 Annual Report: Will not be published and will not be a part of the community meeting. NKCDP Subcommittee Reports Still awaiting the winner of the People’s Garden School Pilot Growth Management: Program Grant, Ming Wei is confident that Kohala School will win and we should hear by the end of this month. Kohala Elementary School received a $5,000 grant from Hawaii Community Foundation to fund the roof catchment and water transmission system. Ming Wei and the Kohala Center are working on additional grants and stated that future funding needs to move away from grant base funding to DOE funding. The County’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Public Access: Preservation has recommended Keawenui Access Easement as priority #2 and Hapu’u to Kapanaia Historic and Cultural corridor as priority #4 on their list of purchases. Kohala Maika’i Kamakani O Kohala is to be the title holder of Kauhola Point and are developing management plans with other groups and the Trust for Public land. : Collin will be meeting Affordable Housing and Rural Infrastructure and View Plane with Pete Hoffmann regarding possible changes to the median price of affordable housing. The subcommittee met to schedule the polling dates and locations and Infrastructure: the balloting will end on January 16 and all ballots need to be submitted to Giovanna by January 17. The group has started its assessment of the restrooms at the parks and hopes to have a report by March. COMMUNITY MEETING: The investigatory subgroup met and decided that the meeting would be from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm with lunch being provided. Pete Hoffmann has offered $500 to cover the food. The location will be at the school cafeteria and we will be asking the senior halau to perform and asking if Takata’s will be willing to provide gift certificates. We will ask Kealoha to do the opening chant and pule. Given that the Cherry Blossom Festival is on Saturday February 5, the community meeting date has been changed to Saturday, February 19. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none NEXT MEETING Date: Monday, February 14, 2011 Place: Kohala Senior Center Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Agenda: Waimea Community Association – Sherm Warner Planning Department Land Use Permit Review Timelines - Allen Land Use Activity Report – Allen, Hermann and Richard Action Committee Restructuring – Bob and Joe Succession Planning/Nomination of new Chairperson Website – Joe Subcommittee Reports Community Meeting Update ADJOURNMENT – there being no further business, it was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the meeting be adjourned at 6:15 pm.