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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 18Nov2014 William P. Kenoi Duane Kanuha Director Mayor Bobby Command Deputy Director County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE  Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee ' (AC) to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Keaau Community Center. The following persons were present: Action Committee: Sharon Daun, Elmer Solis, Leila Kealoha, Patti Pinto, June Conant, Farris Etterlee and René Siracusa. Oshi Simsarian and Susan Osborne were absent. Staff: Larry Brown and Hans Santiago – PCDP Planners and Keiko Mercado – PCDP Planning Assistant. Members of the public: 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: 1.Patti suggested adding to the agenda, the composition of a letter addressed to newly elected Council Person Danny Paleka, inviting him to future AC meetings. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None PUBLIC TESTIMONY: One person signed up to testify and chose to defer their testimony until their agenda items came up for consideration by the AC. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Elmer moved to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2014 meeting as submitted. Second by June. The motion to approve the minutes as submitted passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. NEW BUSINESS: 1.Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS) Report: Marlene Hapai reported on the activities of the CER Subcommittee since their last written report to the Action Committee. After the October 14 AC meeting a response letter was sent to the Seaview Community from the CERS via the AC addressing concerns. The Seaview Community responded to the CERS letter via email and an additional response letter will be drafted by the th CERS in time for the next AC meeting on December 9to address concerns outlined in the email. The CERS continues to work on compiling suggested connectivity locations and continues to receive input from communities. 2.Subcommittee Guidelines: Larry reminded the Action Committee of the minimal operational protocols that subcommittees should be following to be in compliance with the Sunshine Law. Although the question that started this conversation was articulated by Sharon regarding a Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer specific issue, the answer will be broader in offering some guidelines for the formation and operation of Subcommittees formed under Action Committees. Larry has drafted a list of guidelines and has presented it to Patti and Planning Department staff for feedback. Adjustments will be made as needed and then the guidelines will be presented to Planning Department Management and Legal Counsel. Additional adjustments will be made if necessary and then the guidelines will be presented to all the Action Committees for review and comment. These guidelines will then be adopted and applicable to all the Action Committee Subcommittees. Discussion ensued regarding different types of subcommittees (Standing vs. Investigatory) and clarity provided as to what roles and responsibilities each type of subcommittee holds. 3.Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTSC): June reported that there was no MTSC meeting held in October, as most members were occupied with situations related to the lava flow. The next th meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25 at Kea'au Community Center from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. 4.Communication 2014-74 – Budget Subcommittee: Members from the Budget Subcommittee presented their prioritized FY 2015-16 CIP list for approval by the AC to be forwarded on to the Planning Director. Public Testimony: 1.Jon Olson testified that the most critical issue that needs funding ASAP is the improvement of Post Office Road. Busses and vehicles not being able to drive through Pāhoa Town due to the closure of the road from about Longs up to Post Office Road is hurting the businesses of Pāhoa Town. It is also a safety issue with bus riders being dropped off on the bypass. René moved to approve the General Operating Budget request for a Community Planning Assistant. Second by Elmer. After discussion both René and Elmer withdrew the motion and the second. Leila moved to approve Communication No. 2014-74. Second by René. Farris explained the prioritized lists and accompanying documents. Action Committee members discussed the priority list and asked questions to clarify rankings and next steps. The AC authorized Planning Department Staff (Hans) to write a transmittal letter to accompany the Budget Report as it’s submitted to the Planning Department. AC members also requested that Farris be added into the transmittal letter as a contact person and that the budget report be copied to Puna District Council Members. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. é Ren moved to authorize Planning Department staff to write a transmittal letter to the Planning Director that will be approved by the AC Chairperson prior to transmittal. Second by Farris. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. 5. Draft Grubbing and Grading Brochure: Elmer continued the discussion on developing an information brochure for grubbing and grading based on the Volcano brochure. Clarification is needed as to what the main intent is for the brochure. How will it be distributed? How many and how often would they need to be printed? The brochure needs to be in alignment with the Puna CDP. After discussion, the AC initially decided that the brochure should be redone to suit all of Puna and would include information on native vs. invasive species and resource information. Ideally the brochure should be available at Puna Councilpersons Offices, the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works. All AC members are in favor of continuing the discussion and developing the grubbing & grading brochure. 6.Communication 2014-76 – Town Hall Subcommittee: Elmer presented the letter drafted by the Town Hall Subcommittee, that summarizes the information collected from Community Associations regarding village Town Center locations that may serve as appropriate sites for the relocation of businesses affected by the lava flow on either a temporary or permanent basis for approval by the AC to be forwarded on to the Planning Director. Elmer moved to approve Communication No. 2014-76. Second by René. It was suggested by Farris that the personal information (i.e. phone numbers and emails) included in the responses be blacked out or deleted from the report in the interest of protecting the individuals. Elmer briefly explained the report and the responses that were received. Over all the support for Village Centers is positive and encouraging. June moved to add the sentence “Any additional responses will be forwarded.” be added after the second to last sentence starting with “Attached are the responses….”. Second by René. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. Original motion as amended passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. 7.Impact of the Lava: The PCDP AC discussed the impacts that the lava flow is having on the Puna Community and the potential short term and long-range effects it may have on implementing the PCDP. Public Testimony: 1. Jon Olson testified again about his concerns with Post Office Road and the safety of the access roads. He has been talking with Senator Rudderman and Representative Joy San Buenaventura about the possibility of developing a small boat facility in Kapoho similar to the one in Hana, Maui. Discussion ensued regarding the moving around of Pāhoa businesses, the loss that many businesses are experiencing, concerns about how long a portion of the Pāhoa Road will remain closed, the progress that PCMC is making in being able to provide medical care on the South side of the flow and the issues of smoke and the effects it’s having on the community. So far there has been no news regarding the Pāhoa Village Ordinances. René shared that Kona Community Hospital donated a beautiful international medical mobile van that will benefit the community tremendously and will be used for outreach to the coastal communities. 8.ADDITONAL AGENDA ITEM – Letter to Danny Paleka and Joy San Buenaventura: At the start of the AC meeting, Patti initiated adding this issue to the agenda. Patti moved to add to the agenda, the writing of an invitation letter to newly elected Council Person Danny Paleka and newly elected Representative Joy San Buenaventura. Second by Sharon. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. Drafting of a letter to newly elected officials was added to the agenda. Patti moved that she draft a letter to Council Person Danny Paleka and Representative Joy San Buenaventura. Second by Sharon. Discussion ensued as to the content and intent of the letter. An open invitation to attend AC meetings and a copy of the PCDP will be included with the letter. The motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1.Communication No. 2014-63.1 – Draft Grubbing and Grading Bill Proposed by Mālama O Puna: The AC considered a draft bill presented by René that proposes stiff fines and penalties for land owners and heavy equipment operators who violate the existing grubbing and grading laws. René stressed the importance of the bill and described several lots that have been completely graded that are now affecting the roadways in Pāhoa. Leila moved to accept Communication No. 2014-63.1. Second by Sharon. é Discussion began with Ren verifying that Mālama O Puna is asking the AC to approve the draft bill agreeing that it is in conformance with the Puna CDP. June noted that there should be a letter accompanying the bill stating the Action Committees endorsement of the bill. The discussion continued regarding the need for the bill to be more comprehensive, the process the bill will go through to be seriously considered and the reality of getting the bill adopted. The group, in its entirety agrees that the grubbing and grading issue is important. They are divided in how this issue should be tackled and what role the AC should play in it. Elmer suggested that the AC write a letter in support of Mālama O Puna’s Grubbing and Grading Bill rather than the AC taking responsibility of the bill itself. Sharon moved to amend the draft bill by omitting the sixth paragraph – “WHEREAS, the responsible party is then in effect rewarded for this illegal behavior by being granted a meaningless permit retroactively, and”. Second by Patti. Motion passed with 5 votes aye and 2 votes nay. Main motion as amended failed with 3 votes aye and 4 votes nay. In light of the failed motion, Elmer suggested that the AC write a letter in support of Mālama O Puna’s Grubbing and Grading Bill rather than the AC taking responsibility of the bill itself. th René will draft a letter in time for the December 9 AC meeting. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (December 9, 2014) nd 1. CERS – 2 Response Letter to SNOVER 2. Grubbing and Grading Brochure 3. Support letter for Mālama O Puna re: Grubbing & Grading Bill 4. Town Hall Subcommittee 5. Subcommittee Guidelines 6. Mass Transit Subcommittee 7. Impact of Lava 8. Election of the Chairperson & Vice Chairperson of the AC for 2015 ADJOURNMENT: The Chair, without objection, adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.