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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 11Aug2015William 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, August 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes Duane Kanuha Director Bobby Command Deputy Director CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee (AC) to order at 3:01 p.m. in the Kea`au Community Center. The following persons were present: Action Committee: June Conant, Leila Kealoha, Patti Pinto, Susan Osborne, Rene Siracusa, Elmer Solis, Oshi Simsarian, Sharon Daun and Farris Etterlee. Staff. Hans Santiago — PCDP Planner and Keiko Mercado — PCDP Planning Assistant. Members of the public: 15 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Rene announced that PONC (Public Access and Open Space Commission) is still working on the Vacationland Trust property and noted there were no property applications from Puna for this year. She encouraged the AC and the public to start working on their applications now to be ready for next year. 2. Rene also announced that Puna Community Medical Center (PCMC) is still awaiting confirmation on the new lease conditions and continue to work with the Department of Health in accessing grant monies that were approved. Senator Ruderman and Representative SanBuenaventura are aware of the issues and are trying to exert some influence. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Two people signed up to testify; one chose to testify at the start of the meeting and one chose to testify at the of their agenda item. 1. Councilman Paleka introduced Mass Transit Administrator Tiffany Kai and asked her to speak to the Mass Transit Masterplan. Tiffany explained that there would be lots of public outreach to access the wants and needs of the community. A consultant has not been selected yet but the process has begun. June asked Tiffany what her thoughts were on their request for an island wide task force or advisory group to start work prior to the consultant being hired. Tiffany stated that they are looking into it. Rene asked how the Mass Transit Masterplan will line up with the General Plan Update. Councilman Paleka informed the AC that he recently introduced a resolution that the Mass Transit Masterplan will be included in the General Plan Update even if it is not completed at that time. Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Councilman Paleka also wanted to update the AC on the parking lot acquisition in Pahoa. They are moving forward to get appraisals on the suggested parcels because previous negotiations were too high. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rene moved to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2015 meeting as submitted. Second by Susan. The motion to approve the minutes as submitted passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay, and I vote to abstain (Sharon was not present at the June 9rh AC meeting). NEW BUSINESS: 1. Communication Nos. 2015 -32 and 2015 -33 Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS): Marlene Hapai reported on the activities of the subcommittee, reiterating that the subcommittee is now in its implementation phase and will not be organizing another PREP Fair. There will be a Council meeting on August 18, 2015 where Councilman Ilagan plans to introduce the formation of the Ad hoc committee. Marlene and Patti have met with Representatives San Buenaventura and Onishi, and Senator Ruderman all provided possible options to aid in implementation and expressed support. The subcommittee will reach out to US Representative Gabbard, US Senator Schatz and State Senator Inouye for additional support. The CERS continues to meet on the 4t' Tuesday of every month at Kea'au Community Center. Communication Nos. 2015 -32 and 2015 -33 can be viewed and downloaded from the following bap: // records .co.hawaii.hi.us /Weblink8 /l /doc /75373/Electronic.aspx and bap: // records .co.hawaii.hi.us /Weblink8/ 1 /doc /75374/Electronic.aspx 2. Communication No. 2015 -30: Volcano Long Range Plan Subcommittee ( VLRPS): Dan Taylor reported that the Volcano Long Range Plan continues to be a work in progress and has just been updated to include significant community input. The top priority of the VLRP right now is to ask for County support in establishing a Village Design District. Dan and other members of the VLRPS showed the AC (on maps) the area that they would like to designate a Design District and explained the communities reasoning behind the selection of this area. At this point the VLRP feels that they do not have the necessary tools to move forward without the assistance of the Planning Department and are requesting the AC forward their request for assistance (Communication No. 2015 -30). The AC asked for clarification on who the communication was coming from, Volcano Community Association or the AC. Discussion ensued as to whom the letter should come from and what roles the AC and the VCA play with regards to the VLRPS. They AC decided that they could either submit a letter of support, supporting the VCA and its efforts, or they could amend the current letter to be the voice of the AC. The AC continued discussion. Rene suggested removing the second line "Through: Ms. Patti Pinto, Chair, Puna CDP Action Committee" and send the letter strictly from the VCA. In addition the AC will draft a letter expressing support of the VCA's letter. Susan questioned some of the content regarding zoning in the draft proposal for a Volcano Village Design District. Dan reiterated that this is the exact reason they need assistance from the Planning Department, to tighten up the draft. Extensive discussion continued with AC members working to figure out the best way to address this. Sharon moved that she, Hans and the Volcano Village Design District Committee get together to edit and tighten up the content of the letter and bring it back to the next meeting. Second by Leila. Motion failed with 4 votes aye and 5 votes nay. Farris moved that the AC write a letter congratulating the VLRPs efforts and supporting the intent of the VCA letter asking that the Planning Department review the draft plan and offer guidance and advice. Second by June. Patti added a friendly amendment that the AC authorize Hans and herself to draft a letter supporting the intent of the VLRP letter. Second by Oshi. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay and 3 votes to abstain (Susan, Sharon, Leila). Main motion as amended passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay and 3 votes to abstain (Susan, Sharon, Leila). Communication No. 2015 -30 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: htW: / /records.co. hawaii .hi.us /Weblink8 /l /doc /75178/Pa eg l.aspx 3. Communication No. 2015 -29: Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee (PRTCPS): Patti announced that Larry Brown has agreed to serve on the PRTCPS. Oshi announced that the PRTCPS meeting scheduled on Labor Day has been moved to Monday, August 31St. Meetings will continue to be on the first Mondays of each month starting again in October. Oshi stated that the committee has tried to divide up tasks in an effort to keep things moving forward. The subcommittee still awaits information regarding the consultant. Patti shared the subcommittee's view that the benefits of having a consultant come on board in Pahoa would spread across the planning area. It is the subcommittee's belief that the Pahoa consultant would be the one to bring in a wastewater consultant. Work continues on the lava viewing area and the Kuwahara development continues. Communication No. 2015 -29 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: htW: // records .co.hawaii.hi.usiWeblink8 /l /doc /75177/Pa eg l.aspx 4. Mt. View Village Center Plan Subcommittee (MTVS): Patti reported the subcommittee continues to work and struggles with the question of "what comes next ?" The MTVS would like to bring their report as it stands to the Planning Department to ask about advantages and disadvantages regarding different parts of their report. 5. Communication No. 2015 -31: Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTS): Public Testimony: 1. Hannah Hedrick testified that she continues to be concerned about the Mass Transit Agencies failure to create a plan. For the past two decades they have failed to act on recommendations by the PCDP and other agencies. Two questions on the information provided on Mass Transit in the Draft Annual Report regarding the Mass Transit Facility in Puna and its CIP funding, and what the AC's plans are for the hub and spoke system. Hannah wonders why there is no reference to the PCDP AC Mass Transit issues in the Statewide Mobility Management Plan Report when both Tiffany Kai and Larry Brown served on the taskforce. June introduced Jesse Floyd (State Council on Developmental Disabilities) and spoke about his instrumental role in the August 20th Disability Forum. Mass Transit is critical in this area. In May a letter was sent to Councilman Paleka requesting the formation of an advisory group for the Mass Transit Masterplan. At their next meeting the subcommittee will begin to identify possibilities for hub and spoke routes. Hans clarified Sunshine Law for the subcommittee in regards to attending the August 20th Disability Forum. Be clear while stating that you are a member of the Action Committee, that you are not there speaking for the Action Committee. Patti acknowledged that while she can sympathize with the frustration of non - responsive departments, the AC needs to remember that they (subcommittees included) are representing the Planning Department and that they are working partners so please be respectful and tone down accusatory language. Communication No. 2015 -31 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: bap: / /records.co. hawaii .hi.us /Weblink8 /1 /doc /75179/Pa eg l.aspx 6. Communication No. 2015 -34: Preliminary Draft Annual Report May 2014 -April 2015: Hans briefly described the work that has gone into preparing the preliminary draft report. He asked for the AC to review the preliminary draft and send him any revisions, especially project updates in the table at the end of the report. The AC will have the chance to review the revised draft annual report at the September 8 AC meeting. Communication 2015 -34 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: bap: // records .co.hawaii.hi.us /Weblink8 /l /doc /75244/Pa eg l.aspx 7. Building in Puna Brochure: Elmer explained the changes that were made to the original draft and asked the AC to email him any additional edits, additional resources and appropriate photos. Elmer also asked the AC to begin thinking about the best way to distribute the brochure once it's completed. Patti suggested a lighter background color. Leila suggested adding albizia to the list on the brochure. The AC will have the chance to review the brochure at the September 8a' AC meeting. 8. Alternating locations of AC Meetings: Patti asked what AC members thought about alternating AC meeting sites between Kea'au and Pahoa. The AC was unanimously in favor of alternating meeting sites. Farris moved to alternate meeting locations monthly between Kea'au and Pahoa. Second by Leila. Farris amended his original motion to state that just the October 13th AC meeting be held in Pahoa as a trial. Second by Leila. Motion passed with 9 votes aye, 0 votes nay and 0 votes to abstain. Main motion as amended passed with 9 votes aye, 0 votes nay and 0 votes to abstain. 9. Administrative Discussion on the Implications of AC Decisions: Susan opened a discussion around AC decisions, letters of support and recommendations, and the implications of those decisions. Susan revisited a recent recommendation that the AC made and the precedence that it could have set. There needs to be thoughtfulness when thinking about what the AC has been tasked to do. The AC took time to reflect and talk through some previous decisions on applications and proposed ordinances. Hans advised the AC to be clear in their role and ensure that all their decisions are reflective of the Puna CDP. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (September 8, 2015) 1. CERS Report 2. VLRPS Report 3. MTS Report 4. MVPS Report 5. PRTCPS Report 6. Building in Puna Brochure 7. Budget Subcommittee 8. Draft Annual Report 9. Wastewater and how it relates currently to the CDP (Sharon) 10. Bond update (Farris) 11. Hurricane Hilda (If applicable) 12. New member recruitment ADJOURNMENT: The Chair, without objection, adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.