2015-29 PRTCSC corrected minutes 6July15

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Communication No. 2015 -29 Pahoa Regional Town Center Steering Committee Meeting July 6, 2015 The steering committee convened at 8:00 am at Luquin's and in response to the Mayor's request, re- convened at the Mayor's office in Hilo at 9:00 am. At the Luquin's portion of the meeting we addressed (1) the formation of the Design District Review Committee. Mark agreed to work with Mainstreet Pahoa to expedite the recruitment of Review Committee members. Hans Santiago has offered assistance. (2) Evident development on the Ogasuwara property, has anything come before Planning? The question arose, is the Steering Committee still being made aware of permit requests in the Pahoa Village area? Mayor Kenoi's Office, 9:15 am Present: Mayor Billy Kenoi, State Representative Joy San Buenaventura, Planning Director Duane Kanuha, Deputy Planning Director Bobby Command, Mark Hinshaw, Madie Greene, Patti Pinto, Jon Olson. By telephone: Environmental Management Director Bobby -Jean Leithead -Todd, County Representative Danny Paleka. Agenda 1. Pahoa Planning Consultant /Waste Water Study: The recent history of the planning consultant hiring was discussed as well as the letters from the Planning Department stating the hiring of the consultant was on hold, primarily due to staffing issues. The concerns of the PRTCSC ( Pahoa Regional Town Center Steering Committee) are that Pahoa remains without a guiding plan for development and waste water treatment; development is on- going, possible future projects such as the Regional Library could be impacted. The community members have gathered the data, a professional planner is needed to create the Plan and the waste water feasibility study is necessary. It was pointed out that the planning study area has been impacted by lava inundation which makes certain circulation alternatives unfeasible so a re- assessment of the study area and objectives is necessary. It was agreed that a re- allocation of both planning and feasibility funds may be in order and that we would meet to firm up those priorities. 2. Luquin's Parking Lot and Parking Alternatives: Discussion about the stalled efforts to negotiate the purchase of portions of Luquin's parking lot. Danny and Greggor will pursue the negotiations for the project. 3. Post Office Road Extension /Widening: Discussion of widening of Post Office Road to pave the shoulders on the available right of way to allow for safe pedestrian traffic between Highway 130 and Village Road. A relatively small project estimated to cost $50,000- $90,000. Joy agreed to investigate State DOT willingness to install a traffic light at the intersection. Extension of Post Office Road into the new Park is part of phase II of the project. Could the Planning Department please initiate this project with Public Works? 4. Lava Viewing and Education Center: Discussion of the need to provide a lava viewing area in Pahoa, tourist demand, Pahoa merchant request. Joy agreed to approach the land owner at the lava /road junction on Apa'a Road to see if he is willing to provide space for a