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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-2012 SKCDP AC Minutes - Final SOUTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING Held March 19, 2012 A regular meeting of the South Kohala Community Development Action Committee was held on March 19, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. at Hokuloa Church, 69-1600 Puako Beach Drive, Kamuela, pursuant to notice. The following members of the Committee were present when the meeting was called to order: Loreli Eberhardt Mike Fischer John Hoover Margaret Horwatt Robin Inaba Chris Roehrig Achahn Schulze There were no members of the Committee absent. Also present were Project Managers Rosalind Newlon and Terry Dunlap from the Office of the Hawai’i County Planning Department. The Chairman called the meeting to order and noted that a quorum of the Committee was present. Peter Hacksetdde delivered a statement as a member of the public and thanked the Committee members for their efforts on behalf of the community. The members of the Committee then considered the draft of the minutes of the meeting held on February 27, 2012. Mr. Hoover offered a correction regarding the spelling of an entry in the draft and, in the absence of any further comments or proposed amendments or modifications, the Chairman deemed the minutes approved in the form distributed to the members in advance of the meeting, subject to the spelling correction noted by Mr. Hoover. Mr. Dunlap then delivered the Land Use Permit Activity Report. He distributed information summarizing recent land use permit activity and responded to inquiries from the Committee members. Mr. Fischer inquired as to which phase of the Aina Lea project was the subject of the application referenced in the Land Use Report and Ms. Newlon stated that she would obtain an answer to that question for the next meeting. Ms. Inaba requested that maps be provided to accompany the Report so that the location of the land which is the subject of each reference in the Report can be identified more easily. The Committee members asked if they could be provided with more information concerning each item in the report and were advised 1 that they would have to visit the Planning Department offices to review the files to obtain additional information, although specific questions about any item in the Report could be directed to the Project Manager who would respond to reasonable inquiries. The Committee then heard Subcommittee reports. Mr. Hoover reported for the Puako Subcommittee and indicated that a meeting had been held to discuss the process for the study of the waste water treatment plant that is being planned for Puako. County Council member Pete Hoffmann suggested utilizing the “Project District” concept and having the County of Hawaii issue bonds to raise funds for the waste water treatment project. In such circumstances, the residents of the designated Project District are taxed to provide funds to enable the County to make payments to the bondholders on the bonds as such payments become due. A meeting is to be held on April 4 for further discussions regarding the project. There was no report from the Kawaihae Subcommittee. Mr. Fischer then reported for the Waikoloa Subcommittee. He advised the Committee that the County Mass Transit Administrator, Tom Brown, will be holding a meeting to discuss the routes and stops for the shuttle bus service that is to be initiated in Waikoloa. He also indicated that the County Mayor and the County Department heads were appearing in Waikoloa in March to discuss community issues. Ms. Inaba then reported for the Waimea Subcommittee. She stated that the Waimea Design Plan is to be updated to address the issues of sustainability and to reflect the new school and hospital facilities in Waimea, to incorporate landscape concepts, and to establish new standards for signage and architectural requirements. She added that the subject of “complete streets” (such as the need for sidewalks and such) will not be addressed in the updated Plan. Ms. Inaba advised the members that a consultant is needed to assist in the process. There was some discussion of the role of the Action Committee in the process of approving the proposed changes to the Design Plan and the Project Managers indicated that they would obtain guidance from the Planning Department for clarification. Ms. Inaba also indicated that the construction of the Long’s Drugs facility in Waimea is being delayed. Ms. Eberhardt then reported for the District-Wide Subcommittee. She has continued gathering information regarding the water sources and distribution systems in the South Kohala District. Mr. Schulze indicated that he is continuing his efforts with Steve Bowles regarding the possibility of a distribution system that differentiates in the water that is made available for agricultural usage as opposed to home consumption usage, which could result in a reduction of water pumping costs. The Committee then considered priorities and goals for the Subcommittees for 2012. Mr. Hoover stated that the Puako community is setting the agenda for the Puako Subcommittee priorities and that the waste water treatment facility, firebreak maintenance and makai watch (which includes ocean quality and use matters) are the leading subjects of concern 2 at this time. Ms. Eberhardt indicated that the harbor task force that will coordinate efforts regarding modifications to the Kawaihae harbor area is the focus of the Kawaihae Subcommittee. Mr. Roehrig and Ms. Horwatt will continue efforts regarding the protection and preservation and enjoyment of the pu’us above Waimea, and Ms. Horwatt stated that a Committee website should be created. Mr. Fischer indicated that the Waikoloa Subcommittee will continue efforts for the construction of a second paved road connecting Waikoloa to the rest of the island and for the extension of Paniolo Avenue northward to connect to the new recreational facilities and the new work force and affordable housing. Ms. Eberhardt and Mr. Schulze indicated that water sources, supplies and distribution will be the focus of the District Wide Subcommittee, ad Ms. Eberhardt stated that she wanted to give attention to the need for a high school in the South Kohala District and also wanted to learn more about archeological sites in the District. Mr. Fischer then noted that the South Kohala Community Development Plan includes mandatory directives that call for the organization of a community based non-profit entity that is to partner with the County Office of Housing and Community Development and others to provide affordable housing in the District. Ms. Inaba suggested that the Office for Social Ministry Catholic Charities might be such a non-profit entity and Mr. Fischer indicated he would get more information on the subject. Mr. Fischer also noted that the South Kohala Community Development Plan directs the Planning Department, in consultation with the County Department of Parks and Recreation, to prepare and submit proposed legislation to the County Council amending Chapter 8 to standardize requirements for new developments to provide park space in the District. He asked if the Project Managers had any knowledge of the progress that the Planning Department might have made toward fulfilling this directive and Ms. Newlon stated that she would provide a response at the next meeting of the Committee. There were no proposals for additions to the CIP budget. The Project Managers were asked if the proposal by Ms. Inaba regarding walkways and bikeways in Waimea had been added to the CIP budget. Mr. Dunlap stated that he would get an answer for the next meeting. Note - A review of the minutes of the Committee meetings disclosed that the [ proposal by Ms. Inaba was referenced at the April 2011 meeting, at which time it was indicated that the proposal would be considered at the May 2011 meeting. The minutes of the May 2011 meeting include the following excerpt: 3 There are no further references to the proposal in the minutes of any subsequent meetings.] The Chair then invited comments from the public. Peter Hacksetdde discussed the difficulties arising from the County’s decision to eliminate mulching from the Puako waste facility and stated that the community might get a mulcher and handle such services itself. The Committee then noted that the next meeting is scheduled for April 23. It is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. and will be held in Waimea. A discussion of the agenda for the April meeting followed. The following items are to appear on the agenda for the April meeting: (1) the frequency of Committee meetings; (2) the cross walk near the new Long’s Drugs facility in Waimea (to be part of the Waimea Subcommittee report); (3) a Committee website; and (4) procedures for the Committee to ensure follow-up regarding items to be added to the CIP budget. The Project Managers agreed to provide information at the next meeting regarding the position of the Planning Department regarding a website for the Committee. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. ______________________________ Michael B. Fischer Chairman 4