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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (Draft)
MONDAY, MAY 18, 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 7:03 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note - This nine (9) member Board requires five (5) votes to have a quorum and take official Board action.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ben Acohido, Vee Chuensanguansat Joe Francher, Jeanne Ishikawa, Silvia Manley Koch, and Mary Jane Lee.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dean Harvest, Bob Lormand, and Jyun Yamamoto
GUESTS: Lieutenant Ben Ballesteros (HPD), ITI. Dave Watkins, Lieutenant Miguel Macias Captain Janet Stewart, Bill Stewart (NCTMAS-PAC), CSM Williamson, Kayla Overton, and Victor Lee (USAG-HI), John Chang (Mayor’s Representative), Keanu Young (Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz’s office), Senator Robert Bunda, Virginia Richards, Geri Tramontano (Wahiawa Satellite City Hall), Thomas Arizumi (Governor’s Representative), Hugh Lowery, John F.K. Pitts, Bobby Bautista, Richard Camara, Daniel Neyer, Alesia Au, Dayna Sanchez, Cindy DeCastro, Alicea DeGuzman, Patricia Tupino, and Peter Salbiejo (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).
Chair Acohido announced that there has been a proposed changed in the agenda format for Neighborhood Board meetings. In an effort to increase participation by residents instead of conducting Board business first as has been the norm, the City and State government represents will give their reports, followed by residents’ concerns, and then Board business.
MONTHLY REPORTS
HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) - No representative or report present.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) - Lieutenant Ballesteros reported the following:
Statistics for the month of April 2009 compared to March 2009: 13/12 burglaries, 14/13 unauthorized entrance to a motor vehicle (UEMV), 24/16 thefts, 4/8 auto thefts.
Referred to a pamphlet he passed out earlier announcing the enforcement of the new law effective July 1, 2009 relating to the banning of the use of any mobile electronic device while driving.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Lee referred to the pamphlet and asked for an example of one of the exceptions stated “drivers using two-way radios while in the performance and scope of their duties”. Lt. Ballesteros replied that an example would be bus drivers who need to be in communication with their base.
2. Chair Acohido pointed out that the Wahiawa Police Department is still under their approved personnel strength and they do a good job considering the large distances comprising the Wahiawa District.
3. Ishikawa asked Lt. Ballesteros if he had any information about some pipe bombs being found at a residence. Lt. Ballesteros reported that they had received information from a government agency that a residence on Karsten Drive may contain some pipe bombs. The police went to the residence and found three pipe bombs which they confiscated. He said he does not have any more information about the incident but said he will find out more and report back.
4. Ishikawa also relayed the concern that a resident observed some homeless individuals trespassing onto the property in the evening where the water tower is located at California Avenue and Puninoni Street in Wahiawa Heights and cutting branches from guava trees. When asked why they were doing that the homeless individuals said that they are able to sell the cuttings to one of the local farms for $1.00 per branch. Lt. Ballesteros said he will instruct his beat officers to be watching for this activity.
5. Senator Bunda asked Lt. Ballesteros if he had information regarding any significant numbers of homeless people who were moved out of the area near Wilson Bridge a couple of months ago and are now camping elsewhere in the district. Lt. Ballesteros replied that the only group of displaced homeless he is aware of is a group camping behind Wahiawa Middle School. They were discovered when there were complaints about them trespassing on school property. Francher reported that he has observed homeless living in that area for many months going occupying area all the way back into the East Range on Federal land. After the operation to clear the area by Wilson Bridge he noticed there were new homeless individuals in addition to the ones already there. Chair Acohido also mentioned that he has noticed homeless individuals congregating in the daytime behind the library between the civic center.
6. Senator Bunda asked what kind of action is taken by the police when complaints about homeless trespassing on private property are received. Lt. Ballesteros replied that complaints on land owned by the Federal, State, and City or County of Honolulu governments will be handled by the respective jurisdiction. The police will assist other jurisdictions, if requested to do so, in their enforcement actions. They will also take any action on City property such as park areas.
7. Lee commended the Police Department’s Chaplain Program for the effort and counseling they provide to the homeless. She feels that the compassion and empathy they provide while doing their job goes a long way in making them feel they have worth.
MAYOR’S REPRESENTATIVE - John Chang reported a response to the request from Virginia Richards to extend the bus service and hours into Whitmore Village beyond what is currently established. – DTS reports that they will conduct and evaluate a needs survey and report their findings at the July 2009 Neighborhood Board Meeting.
The meeting was called back to order by Chair Acohido at 7:31 p.m. with a quorum of eight members.
COUNCILMEMBER DONOVAN DELA CRUZ - Keanu Young from Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz’s office passed out his newsletter and highlighted the following:
1. The speed humps for Glen Avenue and Eames Street and for Lemi Street and Way were not included in the Executive Capital Budget. He will re-introduce it for the next fiscal year (2010- 2111).
2. Bill16 (The Budget Bill) will be up for third reading and public testimony on June 3, 2009 with the final deadline being June 16, 2009.
3. Bill4, relating to prohibiting the use of certain electronic devices whole operating a motor vehicle, was passed out of Council and signed by the Mayor, taking effect on July 1, 2009.
4. Resolution 09-121 – Urging the State Department of Transportation to install guardrails or barriers along those portions of all State highways and roadways that run adjacent to bike paths on Oahu was adopted by the full Council at their last meeting.
Update on the Wahiawa Transit Center – Final construction plans have been submitted and approved by the City Director of Transportation Services with the bidding set to commence this month and the “notice to proceed” estimated to be sometime in November 2009. The duration of the project is scheduled to take twelve months to complete.
Regarding the request to the Department of Facilities Maintenance to check the street lights on California Avenue near the Wahiawa Town Center – DFM completed their investigation and reported they will be upgrading four street lights in that vicinity with work expected to be completed in six weeks.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Lee commended Councilmember Dela Cruz for his inspiring speech he gave about two weeks ago at an event honoring the volunteers at Wahiawa General Hospital.
2. Ishikawa expressed her appreciation for the follow-up to the concern regarding the street light on California Avenue. She asked for clarification on the problem that was discovered. Young replied that DFM found the lighting to be too dim so their solution is to replace the current lights with stronger or brighter lights.
3. A resident reported that there are two field lights that are in the process of being repaired at the Wahiawa District Park that are not blocked off and that children are climbing on the poles and playing in the area surrounding the lights.
WAHIAWA SATELLITE CITY HALL - Geri Tramontano reported that with the summer months coming up camping permits for City campsites are in demand. Camping permits for City campgrounds can be obtained at any Satellite City Hall two Fridays ahead of the intended date of camping. There is no charge for the permits but because of the demand it is recommended that you obtain your permit as early as possible. Three day weekends in the summer are especially desirable with individuals camping overnight outside of the Satellite City Hall in order to be among the first in line to obtain those permits.
COMMUNITY BASED DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (CBDO) – Francher reminded everyone about the purpose and goals of the organization and introduced Howard Green, a businessman who recently purchased portions of the Galbreath Estate and will develop portions of it and use it to benefit the residents of the Wahiawa area through CBDO.
SENATOR ROBERT BUNDA – Sen. Bunda shared that in the budget passed by the Senate $500,000 was included to pay for fencing to be installed in the area around the Wilson Bridge to prevent trespassing and camping.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Lee asked if Sen. Bunda could provide information regarding the sale of the Galbreath Estate land. He was not able to provide information but Howard Green reported that in his dealings with Bank of Hawaii over the properties he purchased from them it is apparent that Bank of Hawaii would prefer to sell large tracks of the land as opposed to selling small parcels at a time.
2. A resident asked if money would be available to repair and upgrade the Leilehua High School football field and track. She pointed out that the community shares in the upkeep of the current facilities and community youth organizations use the field and track for their programs. Sen. Bunda said that there is money available for this project. It is just a matter of going through the budgetary process.
Governor’s Representative – Thomas Arizumi reported the following:
Regarding replacing the “No Left Turn” sign missing on Kamehameha Highway fronting Mr. Pitts’s building. – After investigating, the State Department of Transportation installed new “No Left Turn”, “No U Turn”, and “One Way” signs. Mr. Pitts reported that the signs were installed with a week after reporting this at the last Neighborhood Board meeting and expressed his appreciation for the quick action.
U.S. ARMY SCHOFIELD BARRACKS – Master Sergeant Williamson reported the following:
1. The 2nd Brigade will be holding a dedication service for soldiers were killed in action during this last deployment. The service is scheduled for Thursday May 21, 2009 at 11:00 am in Building 2097. The public is invited to attend.
2. The 130th Engineer Brigade will be holding its deployment ceremony on June 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The Brigade is scheduled to leave for deployment on June 15, 2009.
3. The 25th Aviation Brigade is scheduled to be deployed at the end of August 2009.
4. The 3rd Brigade is scheduled to be re-deployed during the second week of October 2009. There will be a big celebration when they return so more information will be forthcoming. The public is encouraged to attend.
5. The 100th Anniversary celebration for Schofield Barracks will be combined with the annual Fourth of July Celebration. Special invitations and letters will be sent shortly and the public is invited to attend.
Questions, comments, and concerns:
Lee announced that in honor of Memorial Day, the community provides lei and flowers to decorate the graves located in a cemetery on Schofield Barracks. She also said that volunteers are needed to help sew leis and pick flowers. The Rainbow Club will be meeting on Friday May 22, 2009 in the Hale Koa Room at Wahiawa District Park and anyone volunteering will be greatly appreciated.
U.S. NAVY NCTAMS PAC - Captain Janet Stewart reported the following:
1. The next Navy Central Oahu Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2009 at the Whitmore Village Community Center starting at 7:00 p.m. They will be receiving a brief that will be given to the community about the navy’s efforts to address known or potential areas of contamination.
2. Navy families began moving into newly rebuilt homes on base in mid-May and will continue to do so until mid-September. She also said to expect additional traffic from vehicles exiting the base.
3. 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.
4. They are about halfway through their food drive and have so far collected over five thousand pounds of food. A little over five thousand pounds was collected at the end of last year so they are on their way to a record-breaking total.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS: A resident passed out a letter to the Board which she read out loud pertaining to serious concerns regarding a disagreement between some members of the girls’ softball community in Wahiawa and the coaching staff of the Leilehua High School Girls Softball Team. After a discussion Chair Acohido invited all parties to stay after the Board meeting to communicate their concerns more fully.
The Regular Meeting minutes of May 18, 2009 were unanimously approved.
BOARD BUSINESS
A. Presentations:
1. Status of City/State Transportation Projects – Chair Acohido reported that the State Director of Transportation Breennan Morioka and City Department of Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka will both be present at the Board meeting on June 15, 2009 to address issues specific to their jurisdiction.
2. Ku Tree Resevoir Status Report – Kayla Overton of the Community Affairs Office, U. S. Army Garrison – Hawaii introduced herself and she in turn introduced Project Manager Victor Lee. Lee reported that the Emergency Action Report on the Ku Tree Dam is still being formulated and should be finalized shortly. He also said that there are existing plans to coordinate emergency warnings to the public through the Federal (military), State and County jurisdictions.
B. Unfinished Business
1. Extended Bus No. 72 service to Whitmore Village during the evening hours. – Hugh Lowrey reported that during a meeting with DTS officials involving a variety of topics they did say they are studying several ideas and that they will report more fully at the next Board meeting in June. They also said they are committed to find a solution to this problem.
2. Clean up of Wilson Bridge and placement of community “Welcome” sign. – Deferred to next month’s meeting.
New Business (discussion for agenda items for June meeting)
1. Invitation to agency proposing a housing and training “village” for the homeless in Kunia. – An invitation has been extended to an organization that is planning to build and run this project to appear before the Board and share their plans and address questions.
2. Recognition of Leilehua High School and feeder schools in the Central District. – Publicly recognize the various elementary, middle, and intermediate schools that feed directly into the only public high school in the district, Leilehua High School.
3. Acknowledge redeployment of (return) of 2nd Stryker Brigade to Schofield Barracks – announcement to raise community awareness of the return and impending return of various units back to Schofield Barracks between now and October 2009 and to invite public participation in their ceremonies and celebrations.
C. Permitted Interaction Groups and/or Committee Reports - deferred
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chair Acohido encouraged who received information in the mail from the Neighborhood Commission Office to exercise their right to vote and cast their vote in the Neighborhood Board elections. There are twelve people running for nine board seats so please vote. The voting ends this Friday May 22, 2009.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wahiawa Recreation Center Ceramics Room.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Submitted By:
Peter Salbiejo
Neighborhood Assistant