HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-14 NKCDP Minutes Final
NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES
MEETING DATE March 14, 2011
TIME 4:30 pm
PLACE Kohala Senior Center, 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway,
Kapaau,
Hawaii 96755
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Marlene Ching, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman,
Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, Richard Liebmann, Bob Martin.
Joseph Carvalho was excused.
Planning Department: Rosalind Newlon
Public Attendance: Jesse Wells
County Corporation Counsel: Amy Self arrived at 5:06 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approved with the following changes under Growth
Management - The Mayor met with the Agriculture Advisory Commission to consider
their top three priorities; we were waiting to see if Important Agricultural Lands is one of
the priorities.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none
NEW BUSINESS:
Community Meeting Discussion - The consensus was better attendance is needed,
along with a better cross-section of the residents. Bob suggested an investigative
subcommittee assess the annual community meeting and report back at the next AC
meeting. Giovanna, Bob and Joe will make the assessment.
Administrative Matters - Infrastructure Subcommittee restructuring
It was asked who made the decision to remove Ron from the Infrastructure
Subcommittee. Bob said his recommended restructured subcommittee assignments
were discussed in December and January, and voted on in January, whereby Ron was
removed from the subcommittee. Prior phone calls were made in October and
November about how to break up the infrastructure subcommittee into two parts. Ron
said he didnt understand the omission of his name to mean he was no longer on the
subcommittee. Bob said he was getting complaints for over one year about Rons
membership in the subcommittee as being disruptive. Bob said he asked to go to an
infrastructure meeting to clarify the Capital Improvement Project process prior to the
subcommittee meeting with Bob Fitzgerald, the Director of Parks and Recreation. Bob
added he does not want to be a permanent member of the infrastructure subcommittee.
Recently elected AC Chairman Joe Carvalho will recommend new subcommittee
assignments. Hermann pointed out the ongoing issue of how to control the number of
AC members to show up at subcommittee meetings. Bob said this item will need to be
on the agenda for the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Planning Department Land Use Permit Review Timelines - No further report on
timelines.
NKCDP Subcommittee Reports
Growth Management: While there is no new development activity, pending
applications include an additional farm dwelling on Akoni Pule Highway and a ten lot
subdivision on Union Mill Road. Hermann cited census results in newspapers showing
rates of growth in the various areas of North Kohala. Rosalind will invite someone who
worked on the census to be a guest speaker at one of the next meetings.
Public Access: no report
Infrastructure A: Giovanna reported Bob Martin came to the subcommittee meeting to
clarify the CIP process. Boat Ramp Survey results will be posted in the Kohala
Mountain News. Joe, Giovanna, and John Winter will be meeting with Bob Fitzgerald,
Director of Parks and Recreation, at 10 am Tuesday March 29 to discuss the boat ramp,
parks, and restrooms. Jim Peterson will be coming to the next Infrastructure
subcommittee meeting to discuss the Zero Waste Project.
Infrastructure B: Susan distributed copies of a letter from Helco explaining new
batteries for regulating windfarm power for the electric grid will not enable the windfarm
to be backup power for Kohala. As soon as a study underway of North Kohala power is
completed, Helco will be sending a representative to speak to the AC. The Kohala
Scenic Byway has been named Ke Ala 'O Kohala, or the way of Kohala. The route is
between Pololu Valley and Honokoa Gulch, near Kawaihae.
Affordable Housing: Collin announced the first meeting is set for Monday at 4:30 pm,
March 21, at the Kohala Senior Center. Main areas of concern include self-help, rentals
and fee-simple affordable housing.
Agriculture: Hermann's report summarized school garden and community harvest
projects. A mission statement will be developed to help guide the subcommittee. The
Important Agricultural Lands program is awaiting funding for a consultant to establish
criteria to identify qualifying parcels and incentives for land owners to join the program.
Ron announced a Kohala Ranch Community Association representative would like to
make a presentation to the AC in hopes of gaining support for efforts to keep our coast
free of offshore fish farming. Giovanna questioned if there is a role for the AC in such
efforts. Corporation Counsel Amy Self stated the role of the AC is to advise the Planning
Director. Richard added the group Sustainable Kohala had held two fish farm meetings
and were written up in the Kohala Mountain News. Ron moved to put the fish farm item
on the agenda for 15 minutes during the next meeting. Hermann seconded. Bob and
Giovanna voted against the motion. Six votes passed the motion.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Rosalind stated the need for AC meetings to change to bimonthly after May, due to
budgetary constraints on staff support.
NEXT MEETING:
Date: Monday, April 11, 2011
Place: Kohala Senior Center
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Agenda:
Speakers:
Kohala Ranch Community Association on Fish Farm (15 minutes)
Land Use Activity Report Rosalind
Community Meeting Debrief
Subcommittee Structure and Participation
Subcommittee Reports
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved, seconded, and
unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 pm.