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 http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/nb26/09/26200911Min.PDF
Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
WHITMORE COMMUNITY PARK GYM
OPENING CERMONIES: Vice Chair Joe Francher welcomed everyone to the Board meeting and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER: Vice chair Francher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) present. Note—this (9) member Board requires five (5) members for a quorum and to take official Board action.
Board Members Present: Cindy Bauer, Joseph Francher, Dean Harvest, Jeanne Ishikawa, Silvia Koch, Mary Jane Lee, Robert Lormand, and Hugh Lowery.
Guests: Doris Warr, Solomon David, Michael Lyons (North Shore Neighborhood Board chair) Thomas S. Young (Board of Water Supply), Kayla Overton (U.S. Army), John and Lois Eiting (Top Hat Bar), Lieutenant Miguel Macias ( U.S. Navy), John Chang (Mayor’s Office), Robert Oliveira, Jr., Collette Wilhelm, Charlie M. Kaaiai, Maria Chi, Jyun Yamamoto, State Representative Marcus Oshiro, Marian Tsuji (Lanakila Pacific), Randy Gillespe, Colonel David Snodgrass and Major Andrew Dewees (3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division), Keanu Young (Councilmember Dela Cruz’s Office), Jackie Lynn Burke (WPRMC), Ron Menor, Ernie Martin, Councilmember Dela Cruz; Marie Richardson, Leland S.M. Ribac, and Gloria Gaines (Neighborhood Commission Office).
Vacancies: There are no vacancies at this time.
CITY MONTHLY REPORTS:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – A representative was not present.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – A representative was not present.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – A representative was not present.
Mayor’s Representative – John Chang reported the following:
1. Synchronize Traffic Lights – The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and State Department of Transportation (DOT) have adjusted the timing of the traffic signals along Kamehameha Highway through Wahiawa town. Vice Chair Francher requested for an update of the comprehensive study from the traffic engineering consultant at the next Board meeting.
2. Repave California Avenue – Deferred concern to the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) for response.
3. Increase Lights for Crosswalk at California Avenue/Kilani Avenue – DDC/Mechanical Electrical Division will analyze lighting levels and report back to Board.
4. Improve Sidewalks for California Avenue – Deferred to the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) for response.
Board of Water Supply – Thomas S. Young provided construction details of the water line connection at Rose Street and California Avenue and that it will start after the Christmas parade, weather permitting. Young will also review whether there are plans for additional construction crossing California Avenue to Rose Street.
Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz – Keanu Young distributed councilmember’s monthly newsletter and highlighted the following legislative concerns:
1. Bill 51 – City council passed this bill which creates a homeowner’s classification for real property tax in order to distinguish owner-occupants from non-owner occupants. Tax rates have not yet been set. In response to a concern that the tax increase would be passed on to the renters, Councilmember Dela Cruz also introduced Resolution 09-286 urging Mayor to include a bill that will provide tax relief to low-income renters through the State’s renter tax credit program.
2. Resolution 09-50 CD-1 – This resolution was adopted, establishing a City policy to increase the use of recycled water. The City shall have a goal of increasing the use of recycled water by ten percent in the next ten years.
3. Resolution 08-269 CD1 – This resolution was also adopted, requesting Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to carry out its responsibilities for stream monitoring and maintenance.
The following are responses to Request for Investigation and Service Reports:
1. California Avenue Rehabilitation Project – Construction of the new pavement requires a 3-layer structure and is expected to last a year. The project includes two concrete bus pads, curb and gutter reconstruction, manhole frame and cover adjustments, and the restoration of the pavement striping, markings, and markers. Yang will follow up on Board member Lormand’s concern for additional bus pads on California Avenue.
2. Wooden Planks on the Banyan Tree at Koa Street – A concern rose regarding several wooden planks on a banyan tree on Koa Street.
3. Camping Permits Distribution Problem – Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will look at a fee-based system for camping permits. Also, an online camping permit process, that includes a fee for camping, and may be available in early 2010.
4. Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – The project is underway with a completion date of December 2010.
5. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ramp – The City Administration are purchasing a new ADA ramp for the Wahiawa District Park swimming pool.
6. Former Wendy’s Site – The Honolulu Police Department is working with the landowner in removing the trespassers from that site.
7. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) – Young suggested that the Board submit three CIP request as soon as possible.
8. Wahiawa Satellite City Hall – Representative was not present.
RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS
1. Pedestrian Crosswalk Signal Pole – A resident identified that the crosswalk signal pole located at the South side of the crosswalk fronting Tamura’s Warehouse on California Avenue is unstable when pressing button for a walk signal.
2. List of Wahiawa Contractors – Marion Tsuji of Lanakila Pacific is seeking a list of Wahiawa contractors to secure a contractor soon. Interested contractors are reminded of the timeline for submitting a Request for Proposal.
3. Plaque Presentation to the Board – Col. David Snodgrass announced the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division are back home from Iraq and presented the Board a plaque in appreciation for the Aloha flag gifted to them while in Iraq. Vice Chair Francher accepted the plaque for the Board.
4. ”Island Athletes Store on Cane Street –There was a grand opening celebration on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2009: Harvest moved and Lowery seconded to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2009. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0-0, (Aye: Bauer, Francher, Harvest, Ishikawa, Koch, Lee, Lormand, and Lowery.)
BOARD BUSINESS:
Western Fishery Management – Jackie Burke and Charlie Kaaiai circulated a report and introduced Western Pacific Council (WEPAC) to the community to encourage participation in preserving the eco-system. WESPAC is one of eight regional councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) in 1976 to manage offshore fisheries. In 2006, the Hawaii commercial fishing industry overall generated $496 million in sales, $254 million of income and over 11,000 jobs. One of the National Standards of the MSA (abridged), states that the conservation and managements measures shall “take into account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities to provide for sustained participation of, and to minimize impacts to such communities (consistent with conservation requirements).” WESPAC also abides by a council’s guiding principles. Burke encourages residents to look at the website: www.wpcouncil.org. On the site, the 2009 Advisory Committee noted the best practices WESPAC can have is community involvement.
Questions, comments, and concerns:
1. Involvement of Long-line Fishermen – Kaaiai stated that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) was not receptive after several attempts to contact them regarding long-line fishermen.
2. Use of Fish Ponds – Every community is different in regard to how a fish pond will affect the area. It may be used for agricultural purposes or to keep run off from going to the ocean.
3. Act 39 Managing eco-system – Other communities have supported Act 39 by utilizing cultural management fishing practice.
4. Gathering info for Data Base – A questionnaire will be mailed out to all Neighborhood Boards. Board member Ishikawa added that Wahiawa fishing clubs should also be contacted.
After discussion, Vice Chair Francher stated that Burke and Kaiaiai communicate with Board member Lowery as he is the Board’s point of contact for environmental affairs.
Status of Bus Transit Station & California Avenue Repaving – City Councilmember Dela Cruz stated that the Bus Transit Station project is being held up by funding from the State, and that the California Avenue repaving project was delayed because of concerns about the stability of the underlayment.
North Shore Board Matters of Regional Interest – North Shore Neighborhood Board Chair Mike Lyons identified how community issues link the Wahiawa community to the North Shore community and how we would accomplish more if they work together.
Responding to a resident’s concern, Lyons suggested the Weinberg Village as a possible transitional site for homeless people with tents; for those without tents, possibly the military could provide large tents to accommodate families. Lyons also added that each community should identify State lands as possible transitional sites.
Vice Chair Francher reminded residents that the Board has formed a task force to address homeless concerns in the Wahiawa community.
Top Hat Bar License Application – John Eiting informed that the public hearing for a liquor license application will be held on December 10, 2009. Forward concerns to the City’s Liquor Commission for early testimony.
A discussion followed and noted that the establishment is located in a commercial-mixed business zone and that the community’s youth may be at risk when utilizing the baseball field nearby, and that there may be a need to upgrade Cane Street to accommodate pedestrian’s safety.
Vice Chair Francher summarized that the Board is neither for nor against the liquor license application.
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
City Councilmember Dela Cruz reported on the Transit Orient Development (TOD) – Councilmember Dela Cruz gave a power point presentation of the proposed transit stations focusing in the urban core. TODs include a mixed use development of commercial businesses below and residential housing above. This plan will increase transit ridership. The development will maximize resources according to the City’s green development guideline standards (City Ordinance 90-04).
Responses to questions:
1. Each transit site will determine how much accommodations are needed to park vehicles, taking into consideration the resident parking, and City bus “park and ride”, etc.
2. Transit stations will consist of condemnation/development and/or redevelopment of transit sites.
3. How bus feeders affect the transfer of people in this elevated design will determine what kind of metro security is needed.
4. The first transit station will start in Kapolei.
5. Affordable housing design will be according to Federal Housing and Urban Development standards.
6. Development of urban core will help to keep the country, country; otherwise, the country zoned areas will turn into an urban sprawl.
Vice Chair Francher thanked Dela Cruz for the update of the Transit Orient Development.
Closing Hours for City Parking Lot at Kamehameha Highway – Board member Harvest circulated a letter (see attachment) to the City’s Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) supporting the Honolulu Police Department’s recommendation for daily closure of the municipal parking lot and to post sufficient signage.
It was also discussed that the Board will review the continued enforcement of the parking lot closure signs, if the vagrant problems still exist.
Videotaping of the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board – Harvest moved and Ishikawa seconded to accept vendor Dave Omoto as the videographer for Wahiawa Neighborhood Board meetings.
A discussion followed:
1. Besides videotaping, mailing out a newsletter can also be considered as publicity fund; and if not utilized, $2,116.00 publicity fund will be removed from the Board’s budget.
2. A concern rose whether or not publicity funds should be spent without polling community to find out if enough residents are and would watch televised neighborhood board meetings.
3. The televised Board meetings will keep State and City representatives accountable to the community.
After discussion, Vice Chair Francher called for the vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED, 4-3-1, (Aye: Harvest, Ishikawa, Lormand, and Lowry), (Nay: Francher, Koch, and Lee), (Abs: Bauer).
Recognizing Wahiawa Business for Years – Ishikawa circulated a draft letter recognizing Kilani Bakery. Vice Chair Francher suggested that Ishikawa and Koch search other well- deserving long-time Wahiawa businesses.
Community Welcome for the Redeployment of the 25th Infantry – No report at this time.
REPORTS:
Treasurer’s Report: Harvest read the October 2009 Treasurer’s Report, highlighting a current expense of $72.90 for printing and postage of agenda and minutes, leaving a current operating account balance of $1, 313.70. The report was filed.
Committees:
Transportation Committee: No report available at this time.
Dam/Waterway Committee: Lowery reported that the North Shore Neighborhood Board’s (NSB) flood control committee is ongoing and share similar concerns regarding Lake Wilson as well as water quality issues. Lowery recommended that the Board endorse North Shore Neighborhood Board’s initiatives for Lake Wilson – water quality issues, to seek funding and collect information. Lowery will attend NSB and clarify correlating community issues.
U.S. Army – Kayla Overton announced that the November 19 Welcome Home Ceremony for the 3rd Brigade and that there will be entertainment by a noted country singer at Schofield Barracks.
U. S. Navy – Lt. Miguel Macias also announced that on November 26, at 10 a.m. there will be free food and entertainment at Waialua Community Center in North Shore.
Elected Officials – A Governor’s representative and State Legislators were not available.
Community Organizations:
Wahiawa Community Base Development Organization (Wahiawa CBDO) – A report was not available.
Wahiawa Business Community Association (WCBA) – A report was not available.
Whitmore Village Community Organization – Ishikawa stated that Board meeting announcement flyers were not distributed earlier enough to encourage residents’ attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
2. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Wahiawa Recreation Center. The Board will recess in December.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Submitted By:
Gloria J.P. Gaines
Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed By:
Joseph Francher
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