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March 29, 2017 Parks, Water & Roads Sub -committee meeting Attendance: Toni Withington, John Winter, Sarah Pule -Fujii, Carter Collins, Andi Longpre (minutes by Andi) DEPT. OF WATER SUPPLY: Toni reported that the County Water Commission has approved the budget for a 2017 rate increase. She reported that all users will face some rate change but, that the more water a customer uses the higher the increase will be. She noted that the standard commitment is 800 gals./day. As an example of increased usage Toni that Kohala Ranch owners have in the past averaged approximately 5,000 gallons/day. POLOLU DEVELOPMENTS: On April 12, 2017, Mr. David Smith, Director of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Representative Cindy Evans and members of Na Ala Hele (Hilo) will visit Pololu Valley. This visit is in keeping with our community's request to have the DNLR provide guidance regarding safety concerns for visitors/users of the Valley. Our sub -committee has also invited the Dept. of Transportation (which has jurisdiction/responsibility for the highway area )and a representative from Surety Kohala regarding their plans for any future developments of the area. The visit is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. followed by a lunch at the home of Mr. Steven and Yumi Hedlund at Pololu. At 2:30 p.m. there will be an open community meeting at a conference room at Hisaoka Gym to discuss the visit and answer questions from the community. MEETING WITH CAPT. CORTEZ RE: POLOLU VALLEY: Toni reported on a meeting she had with Capt. Jason Cortez re: safety and enforcement issues at Pololu. The Captain reviewed all the reports of break-ins during 2015 and 2016. There was one incident in 2015 of a car break-in where a laptop and wallet were stolen while the passenger(s) were camping overnight. There were no reports of break-ins in 2016. Captain Cortez noted that since there is no cell phone service communication in the Pololu area is the major problem. As an example, he noted that if there is a tsunami warning police officers have to go down the trail to determine if there are any visitors there. The suggestion is to research getting a wireless or some type of emergency phone for the area. He also noted that the police can be called on if there is congestion in the area due to increased visitors. WAIOHIA BRIDGE AT KAPANIA: It was noted that tourists coming to the Valley do not see the "yield" signage at this and other on -lane bridges. This has resulted in some "road rage" incidents between tourists and local residents. Our sub- committee discussed possible solutions, such as rumble strips, and agreed to meet with Capt. Cortez and the D.O. T to pursue remedies. NEXT MEETING: Our sub -committee meetings have been relocated to the Old Judiciary Bldg. and will now meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. April meeting is on April 191h.