HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 9Feb2016 DRAFTWilliam 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, February 9, 2016
DRAFT Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
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Duane Kanuha
Director
Bobby Command
Deputy Director
Members of the public: 5
turn down.
3. Hans also announced that the Budget Report and the Building in Puna Brochure were submitted
to the Planning Department, as requested at the last AC meeting.
4. Hans informed the Action Committee that there was a flyer from the County of Hawaii Office
of the Corporation Counsel included in their meeting packets. The memo is a reminder about
what is prohibited campaign activity for County Employees and Boards and Commissions
(Action Committee included).
5. Hans reminded the Action Committee that anyone interested in attending Sunshine Law
training on Friday, March 4th, should let Keiko know as soon as possible.
6. Patti announced that there will be a planning meeting for the Puna Regional Library tonight
(2/9/16), 6:00pm, at Mt. View Elementary School and tomorrow (2/10/16), 6:00pm, at the Girl
Scout Service Center off of HWY 130.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: None
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Elmer moved to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2015 meeting as submitted. Second by
Susan. The motion to approve the minutes as submitted passed with 5 votes aye, 0 votes nay.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC):
PONC Commissioners, Rene Siracusa and Willie Meyers provided a brief background on the
2% fund. Last year, Kohala was the only area that had any submissions to PONC. Puna did
not submit anything last year and Rene strongly encouraged the Action Committee to take
action and submit applications this year. Suggestions discussed were lands buffering the
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puna Coast between Pohoiki and Ahalanui, Wai`ele,
Hawaiian Paradise Park (17th St.). PONC has also now been placed in charge of selecting and
managing 501C stewardship of PONC properties. They will e accepting both land
applications and stewardship applications year round but reviewing them alternately. Land
applications need to be submitted by June to be considered on the current year's priority list.
Rene also informed the AC that the purchase of the ara property is beginning to move
forward after many unforeseen delays.
For more information please contact Alexandra Kelepolo mailto:alexandra.kelepolo e,hawaiicounty_gov or visit
the following website: htW: / /records.co. hawaii. hi. us /Weblink8Browse.aspx ?dbid =l &startid =13770
2. Communication Nos. 2016 -1, 2016 -2 & 2016 -3: Connectivity and.Emergency Response
Subcommittee (CERS): Marlene Hapai began by noting that the PONC information provided
by Rene and Willie was very helpful as CERS is considering cerfain parcels as linear parks
alongside potential connectivity routes. Marlene pointed out the recommended Connectivity
Locations on a map and shared new considerations (subcommittee minutes containing details
can be downloaded by following the links below). Also included in the minutes are
recommended actions based on research done by subcommittee members. The Ad hoc
committee continues to meet and Councilman Ilagan and Councilman Paleka are very much on
board. The next step for the subcommittee is to present the Ad hoc committee with a list of
questions for Corporation Counsel. Marlene also mentioned the possibility of federal funds for
highway improvements. Lastly, Resolution 351 -15 put forward by Councilman Paleka would
provide right and left turn lanes into and out of HWY 11 and Hawaiian Acres. At the next AC
meeting, Patti will present a slidesh6w on Upper Puna Connectivity.
Communication Nos. 2016 -1, 2016 -2 k 2016 -3 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website:
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bap: / /records. co.hawaii.hi.us/ W ebLink8/Doc V iew. aspx ?id =7 65 5 8 &dbid = l
bap:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us /WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 59 &dbid = l
3. Volcano Long Range Plan Subcommittee ( VLRPS): Pat Halpern and Lorna Jeyte presented
the AC with a brief history of the Volcano Long -Range Plan (originally Volcano Vison 2020)
and a number of questions related to moving the plan forward. They expressed frustration with
the level of County involvement and requested further engagement. Top priorities for the
VLRPS right now are; 1) a community wide survey and 2) a planner to help draft guidelines
and ordinances. There is concern about the enforcement of grubbing and grading permit as
well as efforts to prevent the continued spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Dealth. The main question from
the VLRPS is: What are the next steps be for the VLRPS? How does the VLRP move forward?
Leila shared that State Forester Forest Service is extremely overwhelmed and they are in the
process of hiring an Educational Outreach Technician. There are many aspects to preventing
the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death. Elmer shared his hope that the Building in Puna Brochure
might help to educate land owners as well as large equipment operators. Larry suggested that if
illegal grubbing and grading is suspected, it could be reported to the appropriate managing
agency.
Post Office Road is not considered a road -in -limbo and is being maintained by the County of
Hawaii. The subcommittee continues its work to widen/improve Post Office Road. June
suggested a subcommittee member go to the Planning Department and look at the old maps, it
mi 1p with determining the actual width of Post Office Road.
Patti shared that there are four people who have agreed to serve on the Design Review
Committee. One of those four, JofiffMcElveney, has agreed to recuse himself from any
deliberations related to projects ke is involved in. Draft policies and guidelines are still being
reviewed by the Planning Department.
Jon Olson is working on getting new signage to help direct visitors to the lava viewing area.
Discussion ensued regarding the Pahoa Park, the growing population and the lava viewing area.
Communication Nos. 2016 -5 & 2016 -6 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website:
htW: / /records.co.h vaii .hi.us/WebLink8/DocView.aspx ?id =76582 &dbid =l
htW:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 83 &dbid= l
5. Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTS): There have been no recent MTS meetings. Councilman
Danny Paleka asked the Subcommittee to submit their list of concerns relating to the Mass
Transit Master Plan. June stated that the subcommittee has submitted their concerns previously
but she will send Councilman Paleka an additional bulleted list. Hans confirmed that Mass
Transit is going through the process of selecting a consultant and assured June that stakeholder
engagement and public comment will probably be initiated at the appropriate times.
6. Town Hall Subcommittee: The subcommittee finds it very challenging to find the appropriate
venue and time that would allow for dispersal of PCDP information. Discussion ensued around
the possibility of having an annual outreach and the prospect of dissolving the Town Hall
Subcommittee. Hans suggested that the AC continue to think about the various rolls of the
different AC subcommittees as next month's agenda will have an item relating to this.
After some discussion, Susan moved to postpone the election of a new Chair and Vice -Chair of
the AC to the March 8th meeting. Second by Elmer. Motion passed with S votes aye and 0
votes nay.
11. Communication No. 2016 -4: USDA Cool & Connected Program: Patti asked the AC if this
is something they would like to be involved in. The offer is to help communities take
advantage of planned, new or existing broadband services. Hans and Larry are of the opinion
that this means readily implementable plans, of which there are none. Leila and Susan would
like to investigate and will let the AC know their findings.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (March 8, 2016)
1. CERS Report
2. VLRPS Report
3. MTS Report
4. MVPS Report
5. PRTCPS Report
6. Election of Officers
8.
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