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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (Draft)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER
OPENING CEREMONIES: Chair Acohido welcomed everyone to the meeting, opened with a moment of reflection of the past week, and led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Acohido called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note this nine (9) member Board requires five (5) votes to adopt a motion.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Vee Chuensanguansat Joe Francher, Dean Harvest, Jeanne Ishikawa (arrived at 7:12 p.m.), Silvia Manley Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Bob Lormand, and Jyun Yamamoto.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sheri Bentley.
GUESTS: Lieutenant Ben Ballesteros (HPD), Capt. Richard Ochoa (HFD), William Stewart, Capt. Janet Stewart, Commander James Vanderkamp and ITI. Dave Watkins (NCTAMS PAC), John Chang (Mayor’s Rep.), Keanu Young and Kim Ribellia (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office) Dr. Kioni Dudley and Doris Dudley (Friends of Makakilo), Hugh Lowery, Alesia Au, Daniel Neyer, Lance Yoshimura, John Fitts Barry Bunch, Greg Reyes, Kate Butts and Peter Salbiejo (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
RESIGNATION OF SHERI BENTLEY AND APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY – Chair Acohido reported that Sheri Bentley has officially tendered her resignation of her seat on the Board. He read her resignation letter aloud and shared that she is currently at Hawaii Medical Center West in Room 418 and will be transferred to the hospice unit shortly. As a result of Bentley’s resignation Chair Acohido declared her seat vacant and asked if anyone present was interested in completing the rest of her term ending June 2009. Hugh Lowrey, Dean Harvest and John Pitts expressed interest. Chair Acohido asked them to provide a little background for the benefit of those in attendance. After answering questions about their qualifications from board members Chair Acohido called for a vote.
Dean Harvest received seven votes (Acohido, Chuensanguansat, Francher, Ishikawa, Koch, Lee, Lormand)
Hugh Lowrey received five votes (Chuensanguansat, Francher, Koch, Lormand, Yamamoto)
Joseph Pitts received one vote (Chuensanguansat)
Dean Harvest was elected to fill the vacant seat. Chair Acohido called a recess at 7:25 pm for the purpose of administering the Oath of Office and called the meeting back to order at 7:36 pm with a quorum of nine members.
THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 2009 WERE ADOPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS:
Page 1, Guests section, change “Lt. Dave Watkins” to “ITI Dave Watkins”, add “Capt. Janet Stewart” after “ITI Dave Watkins”, delete “Linda Huddy”, change “Alisa” Au to “Alesia” Au.
Page 2, U.S. Army Schofield Barracks: section, #2, change “Kaukona” stream to “Kaukanahona stream”. U.S. Navy NCTAMS PAC, insert “ITI Jones” between “that” and “she”. Delete “she” and replace with “him”. Replace “Lt. Dave Watkins” with “ITI Dave Watkins”. Delete “her” and replace with “his”.
Page 3, CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT section, bullet 3, change “isa” to “is a”. Delete “knocking down” and replace with “demands”.
Page 4, Wahiawa Community Business Organization, insert “and” between ‘Community” and “Business”. Delete “Organization” and replace with “Association”.
The motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2009 with corrections was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Chair Acohido asked Harvest read the treasurer’s report. Harvest highlighted the report for January 2009, noting a beginning balance of 3,406.26, an incurred expense of $35.30 due to printing and postage leaving a current balance of $3,370.96. Chair Acohido informed the Board that he is submitting a request for reimbursement for the amount of 27.20 expended for flowers and a card for Sheri Bentley.
The Treasurer’s Report of January 2009 was UNANIMOUSLY accepted subject to audit.
DEFENDERS & FIRST RESPONDERS
HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD): Captain Butch Ochoa from #16 Wahiawa Fire Station reported the following:
Statistics for the month of September include: 25 total fire runs, with 3 structure fires, 1 brush fire, 2 rubbish fires, 76 medical emergencies.
Fire Safety Tip: Although cooking at home can be a fun family activity, please ensure care is taken to adhere to the following fire safety tips to avoid accidents in the kitchen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires and fire injuries nationwide.
1. Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even briefly, turn off the heat and take as spoon or oven mitt with you to remind yourself of the food on the stove.
2. Do not become distracted. Attending to children, answering phone calls, watching television and answering doorbells can have devastating results when the stove is on and unattended.
3. Keep ignitable items such as dishtowels, paper plastic bags, or curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
4. Keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher near the kitchen, and learn how to use it.
Questions, Comments, Concerns: None
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD): Lieutenant Ballesteros reported the following information;
Statistics for the month of January 2009 compared to December 2008 include; 12/21 burglaries, 11/8 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV), 19/33 thefts, 14/9 auto thefts. Lt. Balleteros was asked to clarify a comment made at the Board meeting last month while addressing concerns. There currently is a shortage of personnel at the Wahiawa Station. There are four officers on injured leave or light duty, two officers on special assignment to other divisions, one officer on military leave, and thirteen vacancies. This means their manpower is at 90% filled.
Questions, comments, concerns:
1. A resident asked why there are thirteen vacancies. Lt. Ballesteros replied the vacancies come from officers retiring or leaving the department. Any vacancies department-wide are filled through the recruit classes. Because there are manpower shortages in almost all departments the recruits are spread out to all districts and departments.
2. Lee reported that a pick up truck parks on the walkway at the intersection of Hauola Ave. and Loko Dr. every day for the past few months. The students from Wahiawa Middle School have complained about this because the truck blocks the walkway and forces them to walk around it and onto the roadway. Lt. Ballesteros promised to have an officer check out the location and take appropriate action.
3. Harvest asked about the possibility of having reserved police officers supplement the current officers on duty or temporarily replaces those who are not available? Lt. Balleteros replied that the reserved police officer program is run separately from the regular duty officers with its own policies, procedures and command structure. He would need to talk to the people in that division to see if that could be done.
4. Yamamoto asked if the reserve police officers go through the same training program as the ones that go through recruit school. Lt. Balleteros said that they go through a similar program but attend on their own time, usually on nights and/or weekends.
5. Sen. Bunda asked if there is a department wide policy concerning the homeless. Lt. Balleteros answered that they are not allowed to address them as homeless per se. If they violate any laws on the books they will take enforcement action, just like against any member of the public. They cannot be singled out as homeless. Sen. Bunda asked if the owner of a private property called and reported a homeless person trespassing on would they take action. Lt. Ballesteros replied that they would take action regardless if the person was homeless or not.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS): No report available at this time.
U.S. ARMY SCHOFIELD BARRACKS: No report available at this time.
U.S. NAVY NCTAMS PAC: Capt. Stewart introduced Commander James Vanderkamp, Chief Staff Officer, who came on board late last year and Petty Officer Dave Watkins, Public Affairs Officer. She acknowledged that corrections needed to be made to her report from last month’s meeting and that someone will meet with the Neighborhood Assistant tonight to go over them. She thanked Lee for bringing this to her attention. She also highlighted the following:
1. On February 25, 2009 at 7:00 am a partner 5K walk/run will be held on base. Entry fees from the run will go towards supporting the Animal Care Foundation. Base access can be arranged for those who want to participate.
2. The 34th Annual Pineapple Run is scheduled for May 9, 2009. Information is included on the applications which have been placed at the table near the entrance. The entry fees collected are used to support many year round events such as “Operation Aloha” which feeds many of the hungry and needy on the North Shore.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT: Chair Acohido reported the following information:
1. Chair Acohido announced that he has been representing Wahiawa in his role as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in participating in activities greeting returning troops from overseas deployments these past few weeks. Over one thousand solders have returned home to their families with gifts prepared and given to them by organizations such as these.
2. Chair Acohido said that he had the opportunity to ride in a zodiac boat to survey the north and south banks of Lake Wilson with DLNR Director Laura Thielen, Sen. Robert Bunda, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, and the Director of WCBA. He observed colonies of homeless people camped out on the North Bank under canopies of trees. He commented that there is a tremendous homeless problem. They can be observed when entering Wahiawa through the Wilson Bridge but there are many more located on the north bank. Sen. Bunda and DLNR Director Thielen are working some initiatives to help deal with the homeless situation in Wahiawa.
3. The Kunia Orchid Society will be holding the 55th Annual Kunia Orchid Show at Leilehua High School Cafeteria. Chair Acohido has complimentary tickets available. Please see him if interested.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS:
1. Francher requests that CBDO (Community Block Development Organization) be added as a regular agenda item reporting monthly at Board meetings. Chair Acohido asked Francher to explain to everyone what CBDO is. Francher replied that CBDO will be the non profit organization that will have the ability to request grants from HUD through the City and County of Honolulu for the purpose of economic revitalization. These funds are available because a federal census as identified some of Wahiawa as “low” to “moderate” income areas. They have met three times with their next meeting will being on March 18, 2009. They will be forming a board of directors and articles of corporation. The public is invited to attend the meetings.
2. Ishikawa relayed the request of two residents to ask the shopping center to leave their lights on longer in the evening or make them brighter because when they are waiting at the bus stop it is very scary for them to be there with no lights or very dim lights. Chair Acohido said that the request should be referred to the WCBO (Wahiawa Community Businessmen’s Association). Lee said that adjusting or adding street lights can also make the area brighter. Chair Acohido suggested talking to Councilman Dela Cruz’s office regarding the street lights.
PRESENTATIONS: Verizon Wireless Honolulu-Mililani MSC. Mike Beason from General Dynamics outlined a proposal from Verizon Wireless to build an 80 foot antenna and switching station in the Mililani Tech Park. The area will be surrounded by an 8 foot security wall which will protect the antenna base and switching unit. Because it is a self supporting structure for antennas there is a requirement for the company to make a presentation to the affected neighborhood and answer questions and take note of any comments and include them in their application to the City and County of Honolulu for zoning approval. They are also seeking a height waiver for their permit. The height limit for that area is forty feet. They are seeking permission to build an 80 foot antenna. The reason for the request is that the coverage area includes Wahiawa, Mililani Mauka, Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Airfield. The ridgeline along Mililani, Schofield and Wahiawa along with the tree line along the military golf course requires an 80 foot antenna to overcome these obstacles. This location is central to their three existing antennas which could help spread the load among four antennas instead of three.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS:
1. Koch asked if there were already three antennas in the area what would be the purpose of a fourth one. Beason replied that even with three antennas there are portions of the area where reception is poor to non-existent. The fourth antenna would try to alleviate these problems in those areas.
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2. Chair Acohido asked if the is any opposition from the tenants at Mililani Tech Park? Beason said he hasn’t heard any but he mailed a letter to all tenants in the park about the meeting tonight and invited them to come to hear the presentation and ask any questions. Chair Acohido also asked if has made similar presentations to other neighborhood boards. Beason stated that after driving around the area the only location where you might be able to see the antenna would be the dip just before entering Wahiawa. That is why he chose this neighborhood board to present to.
3. Chair Acohido said that Beason shared with them the advantages such as improved reception. He asked what they are doing to address safety concerns such as exposure to electromagnetic waves. Beason said that Verizon Wireless is committed to safety and they keep all their signal strengths within the Federal guidelines.
Chair Acohido motioned that Verizon Wireless has met its obligation of appearing before the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board and making a presentation. Discussion followed:
4. A resident asked if Beason has contacted the military and notified them of its plans. Beason replied that Verizon’s filing with the FCC that would be one of the things that will be discussed especially because of the presence of an airfield close by.
5. Someone asked if he had made a presentation to the residents of Launani Valley through their association? Beason replied that he hadn’t. A suggestion was made that he do so.
6. Harvest asked if an effort be made to have the antenna blend in with the surrounding area. Beason noted on the plan there is a statement indicating that they will do so.
7. Ishikawa asked if there are other 80 foot antennas out there or is this the only one? Beason said that there are other 80 foot antennas out there. He observed that the maximum height that they seem to approve is 120 feet.
7. Chair Acohido stated that at this point in the permit process Verizon Wireless only obligation is that they appear before the Neighborhood Board and present its plan.
With discussion concluded Chair Acohido called for a vote on the motion that Verizon Wireless has met its obligation by appearing before the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board and making a presentation. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY.
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (3 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER)
Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz: Keanu Young from Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz’s office passed out his newsletter and highlighted the following:
1. Bill 67 relating to the use of electronic devices while operating motor vehicles was vetoed by Mayor Hannemann. It will be brought up before the Council for possible veto override on Feb 25, 2009.
2. The Dept. of Design and Construction responded to Councilman Dela Cruz’s request for the total cost to install the speed humps on Glen Avenue and Lemi Street. They replied that the amount will be $50,600.
Questions, Comments, Concerns
1. Chair Acohido requested a face to face meeting with a representative from Dept. of Design and Construction and the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board and residents. Perhaps a face to face meeting will bring a better understanding of the frustrations of the Wahiawa Community.
2. Harvest asked if Councilman Dela Cruz is for or against Bill 67 relating to the use of electronic devices while operating motor vehicles. Young replied that Councilman Dela Cruz is one of the introducers of the bill so he is definitely for the bill. He did not that Councilman Dela Cruz would welcome hearing other opinions on the bill.
3. Lee asked if Councilman Dela Cruz can request the appropriate agency to examine the fencing around the Wahiawa Botanical Garden especially on the Eames Street side and make the necessary repairs to bring it up to par safety-wise.
4. Ishikawa noted the Mayor’s request to make funds available to create a culinary type of open market at the Blaisdell Center. She asked if something could be done to make it a “traveling” type of operation. An event like that here in Wahiawa would be welcome.
5. Yamamoto asked if any small, vacant City and County of Honolulu land could be made into mini-parks.
Mayor’s Representative: John Chang introduced himself and reported the following:
1. Bentley’s request to have the Mayor visit the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board has been noted. It is his desire to visit all of the Boards at some time. A scheduled date to visit the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board will be announced in the future.
2. The bid for the repaving of California Avenue is scheduled to be put out to bid in the summer of 2009.
3. The flashing light on California Avenue between Iliwai and Makaweo is not working.
Governor’s Representative: Larry Lau passed out the Governor’s report and was available to answer questions.
1. Ishikawa noted that the response to an earlier request she made to the State of Hawaii to check for homeless under the Wahiawa Bridge reported only one homeless family there. After the report from Chair Acohido about the great number of homeless he noticed on his zodiac boat tour she is asking the State of Hawaii to again check for homeless in that area.
2. Harvest requested that No Trespassing signs be posted in the area to assist HPD in their enforcement.
Senator Robert Bunda: No representative. No report.
Representative Marcus Oshiro: No representative. No report.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
Lee requested that correspondence be passed out at the beginning of the meeting so it can be reviewed by the members. Chair Acohido agreed to do so.
NEW BUSINESS
Community participation in O’leo Media Center at Leilehua High School. Lee encouraged the residents of Wahiawa to attend the Hawaii Regional Scholastic Arts Awards at the Hawaii State Art Museum. There are many examples of art from Wahiawa students. She felt proud and gratified that the talent of the young people from Wahiawa are exhibited in such a positive fashion. Lee also said that she feels that Olelo should produce a program that would show the young artists and their work to everyone island-wide.
Resolution Re: Ewa Development Impact on Freeways – Chair Acohido read the proposed resolution from the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board aloud and invited comments from board members. He reminded everyone that this resolution was drafted during a special meeting held on February 9, 2009.
1. Yamamoto stated that he favors the language of the Mililani Resolution as opposed to the Wahiawa version that was discussed at the special meeting
2. Lee stated that although she sympathizes with the issues regarding development that the residents in Ewa are dealing with she does not feel that Wahiawa should dictate to them what they should do. Testifying individually would be acceptable but she does not feel a resolution in support would be appropriate.
3. Harvest observed that other Neighborhood Boards that are directly affected by the Ho’opili project such as Kapolei and Waipahu have not taken any action. He feels that it would be appropriate for the Wahiawa Board to deal with development issues directly affecting them such as the development North of Wahiawa.
4. Chair Acohido noted that the Neighborhood Plan allows for Boards to deal with regional issues. Increased traffic as a result of the Ho’opili development is a regional issue that can affect Wahiawa commuters so it is proper for the Wahiawa Board to consider this resolution.
5. Harvest concurred with Chair Acohido but commented that their regional issues should be the Koa Ridge development if anything.
6. Francher explained that the only reason they are considering this resolution is because traffic is a regional issue. Whatever happens there will affect us here.
7. Lee opined that a letter recognizing their concern and giving general support for them would be appropriate. She also feels that people want affordable homes irrespective of where it is.
8. Ishikawa suggested that we clarify what our priority should be whether it is traffic or saving prime agriculture land when dealing with development in our area. Once this is done it would be easier to determine what action to take: letter or resolution.
9. Chair Acohido asked that a committee be formed and tasked to:
a. Review the Friends of Makakilo proposal.
b. Study the issues that affect us.
c. Report findings to the Board.
Chair Acohido asked Yamamoto to Chair the committee and asked for three people to form the committee. Chuensanguansat, Lee, and Hugh Lowrey volunteered.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Several announcements were made at this time;
- A special meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Wahiawa Recreation Center to discuss the resolution presented by Dr. Kioni Dudley for the “Friends of Makakilo”
- The next regular February Board meeting has been rescheduled to March 16, 2009.
- Chair Acohido requested that “Certificates of Appreciation” be made for Sheri Bentley and Eugene Lee
- Chair Acohido announced that he is a member of the Salary Commission
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Submitted By:
Peter Salbiejo
Neighborhood Assistant