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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-79 CERS minutes 11-25-14 Communication No. 2014-79 PCDP Subcommittee on Connectivity and Emergency Response Meeting—November 25, 2014 Keaau Community Center 5:00 p.m. MINUTES Call to Order: 5:00 p.m. Call for Approval of Minutes as Circulated (No meeting in October, 2014, therefore no minutes presented for approval) Old Business: • Subcommittee actions post-Puna Regional Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Fairs 2013, 2014 Revision and Implementation Phase: put energies into budgeting and planning and implementation of alternative connectivity locations/emergency evacuation routes As presented during September 23 rd,s meeting, there will be no PREP Fair in 2015 as the CERS feels it has collected enough community suggestions to work with for improved the health and safety of Puna's subdivisions and surrounding areas. However, additional suggestions and community input are always welcome and will continue to be collected on an on-going basis. Although not in an official subcommittee capacity, members of the subcommittee are willing as individuals to share what they have learned in using a fair as a vehicle to more quickly prepare communities for emergency planning and evacuation. New Business • Creation of second response letter to Seaview Estates residents in response to their response to CERS A list of procedural points for making changes to the priorities lists for Connectivity Locations presented to the PCDP Action Committee on May 13, 2014 and further to the County of Hawaii were discussed to incorporate into a letter in response to Seaview Estates residents that have petitioned removing Connectivity Location#31, Kamoamoa to One Ele. The letter, attached to these minutes, will be presented to the PCDP Action Committee at its December 9, 2014 meeting for approval to be sent in response to the Seaview Estates residents. • Discussion of impacts of June 27th Lava Flow on present and future traffic should Puna be divided Subcommittee members shared concerns regarding the impact of Chain of Craters Road once again being open to lower Puna, not mainly for visitor travel as in the past, but to lower Puna residents as the only highway in and out of South Puna, cut off by the impending lava flow. It was shared that an additional 2000 cars may need to use Highway 11 (Volcano Highway) each day, placing additional demands on an already highly used highway adding lower Puna residents to the visitor and resident counts, especially between Volcano and Keaau. The May 13, 2014 CERS Report to the PCDP Action Committee prioritized the many Connectivity Locations suggested by community members using criteria provided by both the Puna Community Development Plan and the County of Hawaii. There is now even greater concern should a need for emergency evacuation occur with increased travel on Highway 11. Opening strategic CL's within and between subdivisions, from Volcano to Keaau, would be a cost effective way to decrease the load on Highway 1 I and provide alternate emergency evacuation routes in this geologically active district of Hawaii Island. • Discussion of Priorities with new lava flow challenges: Due to the need for often immediate response in the Puna District due to recent lava flow activity, the Subcommittee would like to offer a proactive approach to alleviating highway congestion on Highway 11 and thereby making many subdivisions and surrounding areas safer should the need for emergency evacuation occur. Below are recommendations provided as CL's from community input that the subcommittee feels would accomplish this goal. Recommendations for: Puna Uka/Waena: Volcano to Keaau (Connectivity through subdivisions) Kaleponi to Punahele (Eden Roc must clear barrier) Punahele to Apele Waimako O Pele to Orchid Pulelehua to Pohaku Alula to 40th Recommendation County improve 40th and Orchidland Volcano to Keaau (Connectivity between Subdivisions and Highway 11, Volcano Highway) Complete South Oshiro Road Connect South Lauko Road to Highway 11 (in progress) Waena: Hawaiian Beaches/Hawaiian Shores to Hawaiian Paradise Park via Railroad Avenue (Done) Hawaiian Beaches/Hawaiian Shores to Hawaiian Paradise Park via Government Beach Road (Done) Hawaiian Paradise Park to Hilo via Railroad Avenue to Keaau By-Pass Intersection, or possibly Milo Street Kai: No recommendations at this time. More information needed. Recommendation: Chairs of PCDP Action Committee and CER Subcommittee meet with Warren Lee, Director, County of Hawaii,Department of Public Works, to discuss above recommendations and PCDP section on Transportation 4.33,A.S. Next Meeting: December 23, 2014, Location: Keaau CC (Cancelled) January, 2015 Meeting to be determined Adjournment: 6:40 p.m.