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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-09 NKCDP Minutes Final NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING DATE January 9, 2012 TIME 4:37 pm PLACE Kohala Senior Center, Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755 ATTENDANCE 1. Members Present: Joe Carvalho, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman, Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, 2. Members absent: Marlene Ching and Bob Martin 3. Public Attendance: John Winter, Sam Dean, Arden Dean, Jesse Wells, Toni Withington, Linda Wallach, Margaret Wille, Maydean Bowman STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Margaret Wille has attended meetings regarding the proposed military operations at Upolu Airport and Waimea Airport and tapes of these meetings are available on her blog at Margaret Wille.com. She announced that she is running for County Council for District 9 to replace Pete Hoffmann and believes that the CDP process is very important and she is supportive of it. Regarding the shoreline issue, the County Council does not have a say because it is a state issue though we need to look at working together on this and other issues. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: Minutes of the December 12, 2011 meeting, Motion for approval was made by Collin Kaholo and seconded by Giovanna Gherardi and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS: 1. UPDATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR UPOLU AIRPORT Various groups are working of the issues defining the pros and cons to the military using the airport for helicopter training. Committee members stated that the report was poorly written, contained outdated information, did not address the cultural sites located in the area and did not include any input from the public. It was moved by Giovanna Gherardi and seconded by Susan Fischer that Joe Carvalho would draft a letter that would go to the military. The motion passed unanimously. 2. USE OF LARGE LIGHTED SIGNS FOR DISTRIBUTING IMPORTANT INFORMATION Ron Friman gave a detailed report on his research into lighted signs. He referred to strategy 4.4, page 77 of the CDP which states that one of the best communication tools for responding to emergencies would be to have a large lighted sign to post important information. The plan suggested that an ideal location for the lighted sign would be at the Kohala High School. Ron questioned how large could the sign be. Some people were concerned that the sign could be a distraction and also be subjected to vandalism. Ron would like to contact community organizations to solicit their support and input. Joe will provide him with a list of the groups and contact 1 information. Ron will include the fire and police department and he will set up a subgroup comprised of members of the various organizations to develop a plan for this project. Joe requested to be included in this planning group’s first meeting. It was suggested that Ron contact Ron Thiel of the County Traffic department and Civil Defense. OLD BUSINESS: The subcommittee recommends that the Planning Director hire Growth Management: an Important Agriculture Lands consultant and that this be an agenda item for our February meeting. Kohala Estates Lot 40 and 41 subdivision proposes consolidating two lots, the smallest of the lots is a roadway. Hermann will check with the Planning Department regarding the reasons for this subdivision request. L-Three Holdings, Inc. subdivision application proposed creating five 20+ acre lots from the current 118,844 acre lot. The land is located close to Hawi town. It is currently defined as Ag land and is viewed as important Ag land though the conversion to residential lots does fit the CDP recommendation that residential density be located close to town. The subcommittee will continue to monitor this project and Hermann will find out which County Planner is assigned to this subdivision application. The Kauhola Lighthouse deadline for obtaining the necessary funds has Public Access: been extended to February 15; an additional $76,000 is the amount remaining to be raised. Flyers have been distributed and Ocean Warriors are selling T shirts. Toni Withington reported that Kohala Lihikai, Native American Research Ohana and Ala Kahakai have submitted letters to the military regarding the use of Upolu Airport for military training. Toni will send Joe copies of these letters. Joe reported on the status of priority land acquisitions which include Hapu’u to Kapanaia corridor, Mahukona to Kapaa Park, Keawenui, and Kapaa Park to the Ranch at Puakea. The money for these acquisitions is doable with the exception of the Hapu’u to Kapanaia corridor. The State Legacy Land Conservation Commission has nominated the southernmost of 6 lots at Kaiholena to the State's priority list for purchase designating 90 per cent of the $1.6 million appraised value. The Ala Kahakai Trail Association will be fundraising the remaining amount. The other 5 parcels of Kaiholena have been purchased or are in the process of being purchased by the government. Ron Friman asked how these lands would be managed. Toni Withington said that liability needs to be covered and that it will be the legal entity of the people of North Kohala to maintain the parcels and sees the land as low maintenance. Giovanna Gherardi reported on the recommendations for improving Infrastructure A: communication to the community. Priority approaches include establishing a master email list of community members including all community organizations, fire department and police department; brief fact sheets describing activities of the AC and subcommittees; AC and subcommittee representative to speak to local organizations; increasing dialogue between the AC and neighborhoods; and, periodic articles in the Kohala Mountain News. The investigatory subgroup comprised of Joe Carvalho, Hermann Fernandez, Giovanna Gherardi and Collin Kaholo will review these recommendations and prepare a proposal for review at the next AC meeting 2 : no report Infrastructure B Collin Kaholo reported that they are exploring self help housing Affordable Housing: and have found that there is a very low demand for this type of housing in North Kohala and stressed the need to educate the community on how to prepare themselves to apply and qualify for self help housing. Currently, HICDC has 31 acres of land here in North Kohala to support this project. Hermann suggested Collin check with HIFCU regarding a course that is geared to educating people on this no report Agriculture: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Hermann Fernandez stated that funds are available for subcommittees from the North Kohala Community Resource Center. Hermann Fernandez moved that any subcommittee needing funds from the NKCRC must first receive approval from the Action Committee The motion was seconded by Susan Fischer and passed unanimously. Susan Fischer announced there was a Kawaihae Local Resource Council meeting on January 8 with Derek Chow of the US Army Corp of Engineers concerning improvements to Pelekane Bay, as well as feasibility study updates for a boat ramp for Mahukona, Kapaa, or other potential site. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: Important Agricultural Land consultant EIS letter Lighted Sign report Community Communication proposal Subcommittee reports NEXT MEETING: Date: Monday, February 13, 2012 Place: North Kohala Senior Center Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm. 3