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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2009
WAHIAWA RECREATION CENTER
OPENING CEREMONIES: Chair Pro Tem Mary Jane Lee 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 Pro Tem Mary Jane Lee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of seven (7) members present. Note - This nine (9) member Board requires five (5) votes to have a quorum and take official Board action.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Lormand and Hugh Lowery.
GUESTS: Officer Wendy Attaby (HPD), ITI. Dave Watkins, Lieutenant Miguel Macias, Bill Stewart (NCTMAS-PAC), Kimberly Ribellia (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Virginia Richards, Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), John F.K. Pitts, Jan and Vernon Smith, Chad Nugal, Marie Garrido, Lizl Navarrete, Barbara Ladao and Peter Salbiejo (
BOARD ORGANIZATION – The following officers were all elected by UNANIMOUS CONSENT 8-0-0 (Acohido, Bauer, Francher, Havest, Ishikawa, Koch, and Lee).
Chair –
Vice-Chair – Joe Francher was ELECTED vice-chair.
Secretary – Sylvia Manley Koch was ELECTED secretary.
Treasurer – Dean Harvest was ELECTED treasurer.
Chair Pro Tem Lee relinquished the gavel to Chair Acohido who proceeded to Chair the rest of the meeting.
Chair Acohido reported he requests taking the agenda out of order and transfer “VII. Reports, items A – H” up in the agenda to “III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS, after item G.” VII. Reports, item “I” Treasurer’s Report would become “A”, “J” Chairs Report would become “B” and Permitted Interaction Groups 1-6 would become “C”.
MONTHLY REPORTS
HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) - No representative or report present.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) – Officer Wendy Attaby from the Community Policing Team based at the Wahiawa Police Station reported the following:
- She is the designated HPD representative to the Wahiawa area. Questions and concerns may be referred to her regarding enforcement matters and for information about HPD sponsored community events. She can be reached at 621-0785 ext. 269.
- Statistics for the month of July 2009 - 18 burglaries, 4 graffiti offenses, 23 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV) offenses, 34 theft offenses, 8 auto theft offenses and 31 warrant arrests.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Chair Acohido noticed a lot of officers at the parking lot at the old Wendy’s Drive-In on Friday July 17, 2009. He asked what happened. Officer Attaby replied she had no information about that particular incident but she did point out that HPD has had to respond to a lot of calls recently about the homeless who congregate at that location.
2. Harvest reported last Thursday evening he heard a helicopter flying above the Wahiawa Heights area and asked if that was connected to any HPD operation. Officer Attaby said that she remembers hearing the helicopter also because she lives in that area. She monitored her HPD radio but did not hear any noise traffic related to the helicopter so she surmised that it may have been an HFD or military helicopter.
3. Officer Attaby said that the Community Policing Team is trying to bring back the Citizens on Patrol” program which died down in the Wahiawa area sometime in the 1980s. Two groups have so far been organized with more groups from various neighborhoods planned.
4. Bauer asked what kinds of activities are being planned by the Community Policing Team. Officer Attaby replied that a senior citizen’s fair is being planned for sometime in October. They are hopeful it will become an annual event. She also said if anyone has any ideas of community oriented events that the team could plan and coordinate to please contact her.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE – No representative and report.
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY – No representative and report.
COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ – Kimberly Rebellia from Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz’s office passed out his newsletter and highlighted the following:
1. Real Property Tax Exemptions for those under 65 years of age is $80,000. For those older than age 65 the amount increases to $120,000. An exception to this is for those who are age 75 or older whose household qualifies as low-income. These home-owners qualify for up to $200,000 in exemptions. There are other exemptions for blind, deaf, and totally disabled individuals and veterans. Contact the Real Property Assessment Honolulu Division at 768-3799, Kapolei Division at 768-3169 or Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office at 768-5002.
2. A request to inspect a tree at the corner of California Avenue and Dole Street. – The City Department of Parks and Recreation, Urban Forestry Division determined that the tree in question is not City owned so the maintenance for the tree is the responsibility of the private property owner.
3. The Office of Economic Development will work in partnership with the Hawaii Farm Bureau to create a farmer’s market in Wahiawa.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Harvest asked if a response was ready for the concern he brought up at the last meeting to Keanu Young regarding why online voting wasn’t used in the special elections for Council District III and Council District V. Rebellia indicated that a response was not yet ready but she did say that Councilmember Dela Cruz asked the City Clerk’s office if online voting could be an option in the special election for the Council District seats. He was told that the Ordinance which covers elections in the State of Hawaii would need to be changed to allow this kind of voting. She will make sure that information pertinent to Harvest’s request is communicated to him.
2. Francher expressed his appreciation to Councilmember Dela Cruz for including the Wahiawa homeless issues in his report.
WAHIAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL - Geri Tramontano reported the following:
- Real Property Tax payments may be made at any Satellite City Hall from July 20, 2009 to August 20, 2009.
- Bus Pass prices have increased except for senior citizens which remain the same. Senior citizens bus passes costs $30 for one year with the option to purchase a two year pass for $60.
Harvest raised a point of order that Chair Acohido’s earlier request to take the agenda out of order needed to be in the form of a motion and be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Board. Chair Acohido called for a vote on the change in the agenda. The motion passed 6-1-0 (Aye: Acohido, Bauer, Francher, Ishikawa, Koch, and Lee. Nay: Harvest. Abstain: None).
U.S. ARMY SCHOFIELD BARRACKS – No representative and report.
U.S. NAVY NCTAMS PAC - Captain Janet Stewart reported the following:
1. This the 20th year that U.S. Navy NCTAMS PAC has supported “Operation Aloha” , a program which provides food on Thanksgiving for needy and less fortunate individuals on the North Shore. Nine thousand pounds of canned and boxed food as well as almost $4000 which will be given to the North Shore food bank as well as providing the Operation Aloha feast on Thanksgiving. 330 items of clothing have also been collected for donation. The collections will continue until November 2009. The amounts collected will break all previous records and set a new standard to measure future collections.
2. About a dozen sailors have been donating their time at Helemano Elementary School helping them get ready for the school year. They have been unpacking library books, cleaning up the landscaped areas, and installing cut tennis balls on the feet of the chairs. She expressed the Navy’s appreciation for the patience showed by the community with the lane closures connected with the very successful Pineapple Run fundraising activity. 782 runners participated and the proceeds collected from entry fees goes to fund “Operation Aloha” and other outreach programs during the year.
3. Construction of underground sewer lines is being done on Whitmore Avenue from today until September 30, 2009.
Questions, comments and concerns.
Chair Acohido asked if a visit to NCTAMS PAC base can be arranged for the benefit of the new board members sometime within the next two months. Capt. Stewart replied that she will coordinate the date with him and make the necessary arrangements.
COMMUNITY BASED DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (CBDO) – Francher reminded everyone about the purpose and goals of the organization which is to encourage economic revitalization in Wahiawa and the surrounding communities by applying for grant money from the Federal Housing and Urban Development Department through the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Development. The money would be used to create jobs and new businesses as well as support for current businesses. CBDO’s application has been submitted to the City and is now awaiting City Council approval. Chair Acohido reported that the Army and Navy will be invited to send representatives to sit on the CBDO board of directors.
Governor’s Representative – Chair Acohido reported Larry Lau may be late but read responses to questions from the board meeting on June 15, 2009:
1. Harvest asked if an old landfill or “hardfill” at Schofield Barracks had been excavated and contaminated soil/items sent to PVT landfill. DOH is not aware of any landfill materials being transported to PVT from Schofield.
2. Francher asked when the Governor would release funds for the Wahiawa Transit Center. The request was made by the City to the State and was returned to the City without State action, because State funds are unavailable.
3. Police officer had an interesting comment: he though most homeless in Wahiawa (about 90%) know about programs and shelters but did not want to accept them. Some were hard core alcoholics. A few were moms and kids who were sleeping at a building on Center Street because it was “more” secure – not isolated, close to the Police Station. These are the people who would take help. Can the State help? – The homeless are a state and county concern, however, as you know, there are current economic and budget restraints. There is housing for the homeless available on the Leeeward side of the island and in town, but many prefer not to use it.
Questions, comments and concerns:
James Burke, Chief of the Paratransit Division, City Department of Transportation Services, updated the Board of the status of the Wahiawa Transit Center. He said that a scaled down version of the project has been funded and is expected to take about twenty months to complete. He emphasized that it will still be a parking structure with a bus terminal on the ground floor. It may not have all the “niceties” that was originally planned but it will still meet its purpose and comply with all rules and regulations of safety and function. Burke said that he will provide drawings or sketches of the scaled down project at the next Board meeting.
SENATOR ROBERT BUNDA – No representative and report.
REPRESENTIVE MARCUS OSHIRO – No representative and report.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS
1. Ishikawa reported the concern of a resident who requests the street lights in the Wahiawa be checked because they seem, to her, to be too dim. Maybe the lenses need only to be cleaned instead of replacing the lamp.
2. Chad Nugal, a resident of Whitmore Village, expressed his opinion that there must be a more fair and equitable process for anyone to obtain camping permits from the Satellite City Hall. He said that he went to the Wahiawa Satellite City Hall on Friday at 5:30 a.m. to stand in line to obtain a camping permit. There was only one other person in line with him. At 6:30 a.m. people who were sleeping at near the Police Station told him that they were in line first. When the Satellite City Hall opened at 8:00 a.m. the camping permits were all taken before he could be serviced. Wahiawa Satellite City Hall Manager Geri Tramontano replied that obtaining camping permits during the summer months is very competitive. She said that people are already standing in line when she leaves for the day on Thursday. She also said that all the Satellite City Halls as well as the Parks permits office at the Fasi Municipal Building have people standing in line. There just aren’t enough campsites to accommodate the demand from the public. Nugal also inquired why people are not allowed to stand in line at the door earlier. If he know that there were already that many people in line he may not have stayed to try and obtain a permit. Officer Attaby replied that, because of city ordinances, the doorway to the building cannot be blocked. Police have notified the “regulars” that they cannot camp out in front of the entrance to the Satellite City Hall. Nugal said that he chose to raise awareness of this issue because he felt that the City needs to try and find another procedure for issuing camping permits. Chair Acohido agreed with Harvest that this issue needs to be raised with the City Department of Customer Services.
Governor’s Representative Larry Lau arrived at this time and was told by Chair Acohido that his report was read to the Board and if he had anything to add. Lau indicated he had nothing to add but would accept questions or comments.
At 8:15 p.m. a five minute recess was called by Chair Acohido.
At 8:22 p.m. Chair Acohido called the meeting back to order. MEMBERS PRESENT:
Harvest moved that VI. B New Business, items 1-3 be taken out of agenda order and be addressed at this time. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY (Aye: Acohido, Bauer, Francher, Harvest, Ishikawa, Koch, and Lee. Nay: None. Abstain: None).
BOARD BUSINESS
A. New Business
1. Designation of nine meeting months – Lee moved to designate August 2009, December 2009 to recess and to reserve designating a third recess month sometime later. Discussion followed. Hearing no objection Chair Acohido called for a vote on the motion. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY Aye: Acohido, Bauer, Francher, Harvest, Ishikawa, Koch, and Lee. Nay: None. Abstain: None).
2. Designation of meeting places for regular, special and committee meetings – Francher moved and Lee seconded, that the Committee of the Whole meeting will take place on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Ceramics Room of Wahiawa District Park. Discussion followed. Harvest informed board members he would not be able to attend Committee of the Whole meetings on that date because of other commitments. Chair Acohido replied that as long as there is a quorum of members Harvest’s absence would not be a distraction. After further discussion Chair Acohido called for a vote on the motion. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY Aye: Acohido, Bauer, Francher, Harvest, Ishikawa, Koch, and Lee. Nay: None. Abstain: None).
3. Other item(s) placed on the table for consideration by NB 26 members. – Chair Acohido asked Harvest to conduct research on the cost of videotaping the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board meetings and having it shown on Olelo. Rebellia of Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office said that more than half of the Boards that they attend do videotaping of their meetings. Harvest agreed to do so and present his findings to the Board.
B. Unfinished Business
1. Homelessness in Wahiawa – Special Meeting Report (7/6/09) – Chair Acohido asked Koch to read her report from the Homelessness in Wahiawa Special Meeting on July 6, 2009. Koch highlighted the following:
A. The Wahiawa Bridge area “sweep” conducted earlier this year displaced the homeless to other parts of Wahiawa.
B. It was reported that some of the homeless are now congregating on Civic Center property.
C. Complaints have been received by businesses and people in that area that they feel intimidated and trash and sanitation problems are escalating.
D. All agreed that the homeless needed to be removed from this location.
E. Signs are scheduled to be erected informing everyone that the area is closed at night. Law enforcement personnel can then come in and sweep the area.
F. Focus groups were formed to identify the problems and provide solutions.
G. Future meetings will be scheduled with other groups not present at this meeting including representatives from the homeless population themselves.
Bauer has developed a questionnaire that will assist in determining what the needs of the homeless are from their perspective. She asked for people to review it and to give her their input. She also has teams of people ready to go out and conduct the survey, which she hopes can be done in two months.
Three task force groups were created with the following Board members asked to head them: Residents/Community Resources (Hugh Lowrey), Social/Civic Resources (Cindy Bauer), and Government Resources (Joe Francher).
2. Extended Bus No. 72 service to Whitmore Village in the evening hours.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 15, 2009 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Deferred.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Harvest reported a beginning balance of $3756.00 with expenses totaling $52.16 leaving a current balance of $3703.84.
CHAIR’S REPORT – Deferred.
PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUPS (P.I.G.) and/or committees – Deferred.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wahiawa Recreation Center Ceramics Room.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Submitted By:
Peter Salbiejo
Neighborhood Assistant