| You are here: Main / Neighborhood Commission Office / nb21 / 08 / Pearl City NB March Minutes |
|
Printable version (copy and paste into browser):
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2008HIGHLANDS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAFETERIA CALL TO ORDER: Acting Chair (Vice-Chair) Cruz Vina, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m., with a quorum of nine (9) members present. Note This 13-member Board requires seven (7) votes to adopt a motion. MEMBERS PRESENT: Stanley Ching, Alfred Coleman, Sol Ray Duncan, Kevin Furutani, David Howton, Antoinette Lee, Chris Lum Lee, James Pickard, Sr., Amoreena Rabago, and Cruz Vina, Jr. MEMBERS ABSENT: Albert Fukushima (notified absence) and Larry Veray (notified absence). VACANCIES: There are two (2) vacancies. GUESTS: Firefighter 1 C. Carvalho, Acting Capt. P. Fukuda ( PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Lee led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. RULES, REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Acting Chair Vina indicated that smoking is not allowed on school grounds, summarized the time limit policy listed on the agenda and asked government representatives to please limit their oral reports to one subject matter. FILLING OF TWO (2) VACANT BOARD SEATS: James Pickard, Sr. came forward and introduced himself as a previous Board member who has worked with the community for many years. The motion to appoint James Pickard, Sr. to the Board was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0) (Aye: Ching, Coleman, EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS [1]: The report of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) was moved up in the agenda without objection. Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [1] Sgt. K. Miyazaki noted a mix-up with their usual report and was available for questions. A detailed report was given later in the meeting. 1) February 2008 Statistics There were 10 structure, 3 rubbish and 1 vehicle fire; there were 88 medical emergencies, no search/rescue and 22 miscellaneous calls. 2) Fire Safety Tip Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. If you are cooking and must leave the kitchen, even for only a few minutes, turn off the stove. Avoid distractions while cooking. Keep ignitable items at least three feet away from the range top. Keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher near the kitchen and learn how to use it. ELECTED OFFICIALS [1]: Councilmember Gary Okino's report was advanced without objection. Councilmember Gary Okino Councilmember Gary Okino circulated his report and touched on the following items: 1) Rail Transit System The expert panel chosen to select the transit technology had no need to "juice" the results; the panel chose steel wheel on steel rail because of its cost and efficiency. More buses to maintain would be a burden on the City, since the City already subsidizes TheBus system with $123 million. Regarding the noise of steel on steel, the noise is actually similar to rubber on concrete, and it's easier to diminish the effects of the steel noise. Magnetic levitation hasn't been thoroughly tested, and the federal government doesn't always fund untested technology. The main selling points of the steel system are that: (a) it won't mix with traffic; (b) it has low maintenance needs; and (c) it has a lower cost than the other alternatives. It's possible that the steel rail could be constructed at no cost to the City. Rust should not have an impact on this steel rail project. 2) Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Waiver The EPA is threatening to take away the waiver for secondary treatment for Questions, comments and concerns followed: 1) Maintenance of Steel Rail The steel rail system will be maintained by a private company, not the City. 2) Steel Rail Cost to Taxpayers The average taxpayer will end up paying $125 per person per year for the rail, while saving around $10,000 per year in transportation costs (car, gasoline, etc.) 3) Steel Rail's Impact on Environment The scientific community has stated that the steel rail will not impact the environment. PRESENTATIONS: The following items were added to the agenda without objection (a) Awarding of Certificates; (b) Development Plans of Irrigation Systems Warehouse Property on Kuala Street; and (c) Waiawa Correctional Facility Functions and Operations. Adult Group Living Facility at 942 First Street Conditional Use Permit (CUP); Leeward Community College (LCC) Second Access Road; Hawaii Army National Guard Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan for Waiawa Gulch Facilities; U.S. Marine Corps Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan for the Manana Housing Area; and Manana Navy and Marine Corps Housing Reconstruction The reports were not yet ready/available. Awarding of Certificates Publicity/Refreshment committee (P/R) Chair Lee presented the following people certificates of recognition and acknowledgement: 1) Kelly Nakasone She received two certificates for winning two Scholastic Art Awards: (a) Gold Key Award for her drawing "Self Portrait"; and (b) Silver Key Award for her drawing "Surreal Drawing". 2) Karol Desendschon She received a certificate for receiving a National Board Certified Teacher Award for 2007. 3) Jamie Young She received a certificate for receiving a National Board Certified Teacher Award for 2007. 4) Catherine Jayne She received a certificate for winning the title of Miss Narcissus 2008. Development Plans of Irrigation Systems Warehouse Property on Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) Functions and Operations Acting Warden Jodie Maesaka-Hirata introduced Lt. Scott Harrington and gave the following presentation on their offender reintegration program: 1) Pilot Reintegration Program The WCF will begin a pilot reintegration program effective Monday, May 5, 2008. The purpose is to: (a) proactively address the overcrowding and lack of bed space overburdening the State's prison's system; and (b) address the needs of the offenders and prepare them for their re-entry back into communities by partnering with the local Trade Unions and other work establishments in the area. 2) Program Focus The reintegration program will focus on: (a) developing career pathways by enhancing technical and/or vocational skills of the offenders; (b) developing life skills (e.g., positive work ethics, learning and coping skills as law-abiding citizens); (c) establishing stable employment prior to parole and/or release; and (d) establishing partnerships for vocational/apprenticeship training and employment with the local Trade Unions and employers in the area. 3) Offender Criteria There are specific criteria for the type of offenders that will be allowed into the reintegration program, including but not limited to: (a) sincere interest and positive attitude; (b) good behavior for last six months; (c) within two years of expiration of sentence; (d) medical clearance; (e) high school equivalency; and (f) completion of all recommended programs (drug, education, etc.). 4) Community Support The WCF is looking for community support of their program; Ms. Maesaka-Hirata noted that she also lives in the Questions, comments and concerns followed: 1) Industrial Areas The WCF chose the Pearl City industrial area, rather than another industrial area (such as Kalihi) because the facility is closer to 2) Offenders' Residences The offenders will still return to the WCF when not working. 3) Program Capacity The pilot reintegration program will take time to build up to even 10 offenders in the program. It's a six-month project, and the maximum program capacity now is up to 23 offenders, although the WCF wants to implement the program gradually. 4) Support The WCF has in the past done well with their programs, and many support this one completely. COMMUNITY REPORTS: Board of Water Supply (BWS) Lan Yoneda circulated handouts relating to water system improvement projects and their priorities, and water main breaks, and presented the following information: 1) Main Break Report There were no main breaks in February in the 2) Water Main Replacement Program BWS takes pride that the water pumped to homes and businesses is of the highest quality. Many Leeward Community College (LCC); Board of Education (BOE) No representatives present. RESIDENTS CONCERNS:
Road Repairs Acting Chair Vina noted that Mayor Mufi Hannemann requested $77 million for road repairs. ELECTED OFFICIALS [2]: Governor Linda Lingles Representative; Mayor Mufi Hannemanns Representative Acting Chair Vina relayed that neither representatives would be able to attend the meeting. Questions, comments and concerns followed: 1) 2) 3) 4) Waimano Ridge Lab The Board was thanked for its support to help the Waimano Ridge Bio-Safety Lab receive its Level 3 certification. Operations are moving forward to try to keep up with infectious diseases. 5) Graffiti Near Senator Clarence Nishihara [1] Sen. Clarence Nishihara reported later in the meeting. Sen. David Ige; Representative Roy Takumi No representatives present. Rep. K. Mark Takai Rep. Takai emphasized the following points: 1) New Board Member Appreciation was expressed to Pickard for returning to the Board. 2) March 12, 2008 Town Meeting The town meeting held on March 12, 2008 focused on traffic and transportation issues, with many City and State agencies represented. 3) 4) Federal "Stimulus" Checks Everyone needs to complete and mail a federal tax return by April 15, 2008 in order to receive their federal "stimulus" checks. COMMUNITY INPUT: Pearl City Community Association (PCCA); Manana Community Association (MCA) No updates provided. Pacific Palisades Community Association (PPCA) Howton reported that the PPCA manager and longtime former President, Osame Kobayashi, fell seriously ill following a fall and was obliged to resign; he requested people send their prayers. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 26, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: The February 26, 2008 Regular Meeting minutes were APPROVED AS CIRCULATED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (10-0-0) (Aye: Ching, Coleman, Duncan, Furutani, Howton, Lee, Lum Lee, Pickard, Rabago, Vina). FEBRUARY 2008 TREASURER'S REPORTS: The February 2008 Treasurer's Report, which was mailed with the January 2008 regular meeting agenda, was filed. Treasurer Howton noted that the Board is in good fiscal shape. COMMITTEE REFERRALS FOR ACTION/DEFERRAL [1]: Executive Fiscal Year 2008 (FY 2008) Board and Committee Goals and Objectives / Proposal to Create Separate Publicity and Refreshments Committees; Ratification of Regular Meeting Policies: These items were deferred, due to the absence of Chair Fukushima. Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) HEW Vice-Chair Lum Lee offered the following information: 1) 2) Neighborhood Board Web Site The Sunshine Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92) prevents Board members from responding to website posts, since it could be construed as discussion outside a meeting. 3) Proposal for Monthly Notification Report by the City Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Disappointment was expressed that no representative from DEM attended tonight, since there were two questions posted on the website regarding the emergency management planning process. The hope is for a DEM representative to attend the Board meetings quarterly. 4) Pearl City Base Yard Dewatering Facility Furutani noted that residents completed a walkthrough of the proposed dewatering facility located at the State Department of Transportation's (DOT) Traffic and Transportation (TT) TT Vice-Chair Coleman distributed a report and highlighted the following (except for item no. 6): 1) 2) 3) Separate Traffic Signal Phasing of Left Turns on 4) No Left Turn Proposal for Westbound Traffic on 5) Extension of Left Turn 6) Bicycle Safety Resolution (attached) Patricia Neils, of the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL), was recognized to present information about the bicycle safety resolution. Ms. Neils introduced herself as a professor at LCC and avid bicyclist. The point of the bicycle safety resolution is to promote awareness, by both bicyclists and motorists, and to improve and extend the safety of the roadways. For more information, visit HBL's website at www.hbl.org. Coleman moved, and Pickard seconded, to adopt the bicycle safety resolution (attached). Discussion ensued: Pickard noted that the OMPO CAC identified bicycle system improvement as top priority for 2008 to 2011. Ching expressed concerns over the maintenance budget being able to handle bikeways and roadway shoulders. He asked where there would be room for additional bike paths, since many roads are congested, and inquired about funding. Ching added that the City may not have the resources to satisfy all of the clauses in the resolution. He provided that education for bicyclists and motorists is paramount. Ms. Neils responded that the intent of the resolution is to raise consciousness and encourage a sincere effort to improve the bicycle system, as funding and time permits. Pickard related that there are already bike paths, but the City and the State need to maintain them. Ching appreciated the answers and clarified that he was not opposed to the concept of the bicycle safety resolution. The motion to adopt the bicycle safety resolution (attached) was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 10-0-0 (Aye: Ching, Coleman, Development, Plan and Zoning (DPZ) DPZ Chair Furutani summarized the following, except for item no. 3: 1) Status of Development for Remaining Manana Warehouse Properties All of the properties are "spoken for" on 2) Transportation Issues and 3) Power of Aloha Workshop Ching urged everyone to attend a Power of Aloha Workshop, which showed positive and negative ways to look at everything. The workshop presented methods for people to improve themselves. Ching didn't like the religion mixed in with every topic, and noted that Hawaiians had "aloha" long before they were converted to Christianity. 4) Participation in Legislative and Capital Improvement Programs (LCIP) LCIP Chair Rabago circulated a report and detailed: 1) Sunshine Law Legislation Senate Bill 2201 (SB 2201) was recommended by the House Judiciary committee to be deferred. House Bill 1512 (HB 1512) was deferred by the Senate Judiciary and Labor (JDL) committee. HB 1968 was referred to the JDL committee. HB 2730 was recommended by the JDL to be passed, unamended. 2) Adult Residential Care Homes Legislation Rabago noted that this shouldn't be on the committee report area of the agenda. 3) Pearl City Public Library (PCPL) Expansion of Parking Lot and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Renovations The two requests for the PCPL (expansion of parking lot and ADA improvements) were included within SB 2398 and HB 2995, relating to Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). 4) Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Input The CIP requests for the 2009 legislature will not be addressed until December 2008, following the November 2008 elections. Two CIP requests for the area are: (a) Questions, comments and concerns followed: Senator Clarence Nishihara commented that he is sure that some legislation will be passed to support the Boards by releasing them from some of the obligations of the Sunshine Law, like not being able to hear reports or community input if the Board does not have a quorum. ELECTED OFFICIALS [3]: The report of Senator Clarence Nishihara was taken up without objection. Senator Clarence Nishihara [2] Sen. Nishihara distributed his report and emphasized the following: 1) Street Lights Needed Between Sam's Club and H-1 Freeway DOT studied the traffic conditions along Kamehameha Highway fronting the Sam's Club area, and concluded that installation of 10 street lights (at an estimated cost of $500,000) is warranted. The funds needed will have to be requested during the next legislative session. 2) Hawaii Granted Extension on "Real ID" Act Residents approached Sen. Nishihara concerned that they will be required to acquire a U.S. passport since the current Hawaii state drivers' license does not comply with the Federal "Real ID" Act. The Federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) granted an extension to 3) EMERGENCY AGENCY REPORTS [2]: The report of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) was taken up without objection. 1) February 2008 / January 2008 / December 2007 Statistics: 16 / 8 / 14 auto thefts, 7 / 7 / 6 auto theft recoveries, 16 / 13 / 19 burglaries, 33 / 28 / 27 criminal property damages and 20 / 20 / 29 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). There were a total of 6,341 / 6,517 / 7,857 calls for service in District 3, with some 1,431 / 1,462 / 1,716 calls (22.57% / 22.43% / 21.84%) from the 2) Gang Activity and Graffiti HPD has noted the increase in graffiti around the PCHS, along with some gang activity. HPD is working on programs to identify and catalog "taggers". Graffiti is increasing island-wide. Questions, comments and concerns followed: 1) 2) Lack of Turn Signals by Motorists There was a complaint that motorists don't signal at intersections anymore. Officers do address the issue when they see it. Publicity/Refreshments (P/R) PR Chair Lee supplied the following update: 1) Policies for Yard of the Month and Certificates of Recognition Awards There is no need for the Board to give Yard of the Month awards, since each community association can pick their own award-winning yards. The yard awards were making the certificate presentations take too long. 2) Email Newsletter / NB#21 Website No update. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) Next Committee Meetings The next committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at the Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria. 2) Next Board Meeting The next regular Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 6:30 p.m., at the Highlands Intermediate School Cafeteria. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Submitted by: Rachel M. Glanstein, Neighborhood Assistant Reviewed by: David Howton, Treasurer, and Bicycle Safety Resolution WHEREAS, the voters passed City Charter Amendment 8 in the 2006 general election by approximately 77%, so that Honolulu become a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city; and WHEREAS, there are a large number of bicyclists that ride through WHEREAS, many of the roads used by bicyclists and residents are poorly maintained; and WHEREAS, it is the duty of the state and county to ensure that the roads and paths that are marked as bike routes are safe and well maintained; and WHEREAS, there has been an increase in traffic in Pearl City and the surrounding communities bringing a greater chance of accidents occurring with bicyclists; and WHEREAS, the year-round good weather makes it possible to commute to work and school by bicycle, thus decreasing the number of cars on the road, clearing the air, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and WHEREAS, the Primary Urban Center Development Plan states key components of livability include residences within close proximity to . . . recreational amenities, with facilities integrated in a manner that enhances accessibility and convenience, encourages walking and bicycling as alternative forms of mobility and promotes sidewalk activity and one of the objectives stated in the Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan is to strive to make Honolulu one of the worlds most bicycle-friendly cities; therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 requests the Mayor of the City and 1. Developing new bike paths, routes or bikeways in all communities. 2. Maintaining and improving all existing bike lanes, routes and paths in the urban center. 3. Placing bike racks in all city, county and state parks and increasing the number of them on sidewalks. 4. Implementing procedures for the safe placement of temporary construction signs and equipment so as not to intrude into bike lanes and shoulder areas of bike routes. 5. Enforcing existing parking regulations. 6. Restriping, painting and cleaning existing bike lanes and routes on all major streets and roads. 7. Regularly trimming trees, bushes and grass and clearing sand and gravel that encroach on bike lanes and shoulders along all major streets and roads. 8. Including input from the bicycling community on ways to improve safety for bicyclists during construction projects and the final design. 9. Maintaining and not re-paving over traffic sensor loops at intersections in order to allow bicyclists to easily trigger a change in signal lights. 10. Including additional bicycle safety questions in the state drivers license exam. 11. Continuing funding for the Hawaii Bicycling Leagues BikeEd program, which has been educating fourth grade students how to ride bicycles safely since 1988. 12. Implementing Bike and Walk School Buses under the federal Safe Routes to School program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Bicycle Safety Resolution be transmitted to: Governor Linda Lingle; State of Hawaii Department of Transportation; Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, Senators Clarence Nishihara and David Ige; House Speaker Calvin Say, Representatives Roy Takumi and K. Mark Takai; Mayor Mufi Hannemann; the City Department of Transportation Services, Department of Planning and Permitting, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Facilities Maintenance; City Council Chair Barbara Marshall, Council members Todd Apo, Romy Cachola, Donovan Dela Cruz, Charles Djou, Nestor Garcia, Ann Kobayashi, Gary Okino, and Rod Tam; the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; all Neighborhood Boards and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Introduced by: Cruz J. Vina, Jr., Traffic and Transportation Committee Chair Adopted by the
|
| Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |