HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 8Oct2013William P. Kenoi
Mayor
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
Duane Kanuha
Director
Bobby Command
Deputy Director
Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee
(AC) meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Kea "au Community Center and asked Madie Greene to
assume the role of chairperson in conducting the meeting. The following persons were present:
Action Committee: Madie Greene, Patti Pinto, June Conant, Oshi Simsarian, and Rene Siracusa.
Excused absentees were Dan Taylor, Farris Etterlee and Keikialoha Kekipi.
Staff. Larry Brown, PCDP Project Manager
Members of the public: 5
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA - None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rene announced the Puna Sustainability Expo will be held at Leilani on Saturday, October 12
from 11 am to 3 pm.
2. Oshi announced that she, Patti and June attended the HCPO Conference at the Sheraton
Keauhou a couple of weeks ago and that all three found it to be an interesting and rewarding
experience.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
1. Stephanie Bath testifying on Communication No. 2013 -59 requested on behalf of the Mass
Transit Subcommittee that the AC include a 2014 -15 CIP Budget request "to conduct a
feasibility study to connect each area mauka -makki subdivisions for further routes that will
increase mobility and provide accessible transportation alternatives and emergency response
capabilities to under - served the underserved Puna mauka. "
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Patti moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2013 meeting as submitted with the
corrections shown in red. Second by Rene. Motion passed with 6 votes aye.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
NEW BUSINESS
1. Communication No. 2013 -57: Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee
( CERSC) Reports.
Marlene Hapai reported that the subcommittee's two goals of highest priority are health and
safety and to establish connectivity locations throughout Puna. She also described objectives
identified to achieve these goals and the actions taken to reach the objectives. Volunteers
continue to analyze the mapping data collected at the PREP Fair. An additional $3,000 each
from Council Members Greggor Ilagan and Zendo Kern to support the 2014 PREP Fair was
confirmed.
2. Communication No. 2013 -61: Action Committee Mahalo Letter to Marlene Hapai.
Patti introduced the draft letter prepared by Farris.
Rene moved to approve the letter. Second by Patti. The motion passed with 6 votes aye.
3. Connectivity Mapping Data Report.
Public Testimony:
a) Marlene Hapai testified that even little connections in the Uka area of Puna often make
a very big difference to how many people would be affected.
Patti explained how the data mapping process was conducted at the PREP Fair and provided a
few examples of the information collected. She related the DPW preferences and the criteria of
the CERSC for selecting roadway connectivity locations and how they are being used to
prioritize connection locations.
4. Communication No. 2013 -60: Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee
( PRTCPSC).
Mark Hinshaw read his report on the progress of the PRTCPSC over the past several months,
which highlights some of the major events and proposals emerging in the planning process.
Charlie Maas explained the significant changes to the Pahoa Village District and Signs
ordinances and the Design Guidelines which will be undergoing review by Planning staff,
DPW staff and Corporation Counsel prior to submittal for adoption.
5. Communication No. 2013 -58: Puna Infrastructure Forum.
Patti reported on the meeting held on September 25 at W.H. Shipman, Ltd. offices in Kea`au
where Patti, Dan, Marlene, Larry, Bobby Command, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Council Member
Greggor Ilagan, Bill Walter and Kimo Lee discussed infrastructure needs and issues affecting
Puna communities. It was agreed that moving forward with the wastewater feasibility study
and hiring of a planning consultant for the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan should be the
highest priority at this time. The group agreed to write a letter to Mayor Kenoi in support of
these two projects and requesting that he approve the release of the funds already appropriated
for them.
Patti moved to send the letter to the Mayor. Second by June. Motion passed with
inclusion of the friendly amendments below with 6 votes aye.
2
Oshi moved to make several friendly amendments to the letter to make several grammar
and punctuation corrections. Second by Patti. Motion passed with 6 votes aye.
June moved to make a friendly amendment to have the Financial Impact Statements for
the two CIP Budget items included with the letter and listed as enclosures. Second by
Oshi. Motion passed with 6 votes aye.
6. Communication No. 2013 -63: Puna Community Medical Center (PCMC) Report.
Rene provided some background on the development of the proposed PCMC project just
outside Pdhoa and preparation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) required for the long
term lease of the State land for the project. She also reported on the status of the EA, the
funding received to date and identified funding sources that will be pursued.
7. Glenwood Park Discussion.
Sharon reported on local community meetings held on September 19th and 25th that included
attendance by Parks and Recreation and the Police Department where options were discussed to
address the inappropriate activity occurring at the Glenwood Park. Installing a video
surveillance system was considered. Sharon also read a personal letter, addressed to Police
Chief Kubojiri, recommending installing such a system. Sharon also mentioned the interest in
the park site as a possible location for a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)
learning center by the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC).
8. Mt. View Playground Equipment.
Sharon provided a brief update on the progress towards getting the new playground equipment
installed at the Mt. View Gym.
9. Communication No. 2013 -59: Budget Subcommittee.
Oshi and Patti summarized the proposed recommendations of the subcommittee for the AC
requests for the FY 2014 -15 General Operating (GO) and Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
Budgets. AC Members should carefully review and come to the November 12th meeting
prepared with comments and suggestions regarding each budget item.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Communication No. 2012 -49: PCDP Action High Priority List.
Rene noted that Hawaiian Beaches should be changed to Hawaiian Shores under #11 in the list.
Patti questioned whether the Kikala- Ke6kea New Park Development project should be on the
AC Priority List and questioned how it got on the list.
Corrections to the list should be forwarded to Farris.
AGENDA REQUESTS FOR NEXT MEETING (December 10, 2013):
1. AC requests for FY 2014 -15 Budget
2. Connectivity Mapping Data - CERSC
ADJOURNMENT: The Chair, without objection, adjourned the meeting at 5:21 p.m.