HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 11March2014 FINAL William P.Kenoi JNTV OF 11 Duane Kanuha
Mayor Director
Bobby Command
Deputy Director
ATE OF'M•'�
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, March 11, 2014
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee
(AC) meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. in the Kea"au Community Center. The following persons were
present:
Action Committee: Patti Pinto, Oshi Simsarian, June Conant, Farris Etterlee, Susan Osborne, Leila
Kealoha, Rene Siracusa, and Elmer Solis. Sharon Daun arrived at 3:07p.m.
.Staff. Larry Brown- PCDP Project Manager, Keiko Mercado - PCDP Planning Assistant
Members of the Public: 10
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA-None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: All five persons who signed up to testify deferred their testimony until the
agenda item came up for consideration by the AC.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sharon moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2014 meeting as submitted. Second by
Elmer. The motion to approve the minutes passed with 7 votes aye, I nay (Rene).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC):
Alexandra Kelepolo, a representative from PONC, gave a brief overview of different land
parcels that have already been acquired by PONC and those that are currently in the process of
being acquired. She emphasized that land acquisition in Puna is a high priority for Mayor
Kenoi and they are currently working on 26 acres adjacent to Pohoiki Beach Park.
2. Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERSC):
Public Testimony:
1. Patrice Macdonald, resident of Hawaiian Acres, testified that she is concerned about
possible overdevelopment on roads that will be used as Emergency Connectivity roads as
she has seen this happen on Road 8 in Hawaiian Acres.
2. Glenda, Office Manager for the Hawaiian Acres Road Committee, testified that at their last
road committee meeting it was suggested that Road I and Road F be used for connectivity
and that they would like to suggest speed bumps to prevent speeding in these areas.
3. Hannah Hedrick, resident of Hawaiian Acres, testified that she would like for the PCDP AC
to acknowledge that social connectivity is also an essential part of this process.
4. Larry Bergner, resident of Hawaiian Acres, testified that he was surprised to have received
the questionnaire that was sent out to the communities by the CERSC. It is his testimony
that many people who move into the back areas of these subdivisions have done so for a
reason and that he is uncomfortable with the idea of new connected roads in his area. He
wanted to know specifically where and how this was going to happen.
Marlene Hapai (CERSC) reported on the minutes from their February 25th meeting
(Communication 2014-13) and restated that the CERSC meets at 5pm on the 4th Tuesday of
each month at Kea'au Community Center. Of importance was the question of who becomes
responsible for road maintenance should a privately maintained road be selected for
connectivity? It is the CERSC's opinion that access should come with shared maintenance.
The 2014 PREP Fair will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Kea'au High School from
9am-3pm.
3. Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTSC): Jon Olson reported that the MTSC is having a
meeting next week to confirm their new chairperson, and will then resume holding regular
meetings.
4. Communication No. 2014-12: Puna Subdivisions Connectivity Resolution:
Public Testimony:
1. Jon Olson, resident of Pahoa, testified on the importance of this issue due to the growth in
the Puna area.
Rene moved to approve the request by Marlene and Patty to testify before the County Council
in favor of a resolution allowing for an ad-hoc committee to be formed to address Puna
connectivity, second by Elmer. The motion passed with 9 votes aye.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Communication No. 2014-6: Puna Community Certified Kitchen:
Rene moved to accept the letter drafted in support of the Puna Community Certified Kitchen,
second by Oshi.
Rene moved to add a subject line reading "In support of the Puna Community Certified
Kitchen", second by Leila. The motion passed with 9 votes aye.
Patty moved to remove the last sentence of the letter "To that end we have placed it on our
CY2014 Projects List", second by Farris. The motion passed with 8 votes aye, I vote to
abstain (Elmer).
2. Action Priority List/Matrix/Work Plan: Larry presented a draft of the original matrix and
work plan that has been revamped to fit the needs of the current AC. A discussion ensued, and
new ideas were given as how to further edit and improve the information held in the matrix.
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Larry and Keiko will consult with Oshi on the specifics of a certain section (Pohoiki Swimming
Area) incorporating the suggestions from the AC and it will be presented at the next AC
meeting in April.
AGENDA REQUESTS FOR NEXT MEETING (April 8, 2014)
1. Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERSC).
2. Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTSC).
3. Action Priority List/Matrix/Work Plan.
4. Invasive Species (Oshi)
ADJOURNMENT: The Chair, without objection, adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.
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