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AIEA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETINGMONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2006AIEA PUBLIC LIBRARY CALL TO ORDER: First Vice Chair Jane Sugimura called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jane Sugimura, Tracy Arakaki, Robyn Blanpied, Ryan Distajo, Ruby Hargrave, Wilbert Ho, Sandra Thompson, Martha Aldinger, Monica Texeira, Sam Heth, Ron Mobley. MEMBERS ABSENT: Dave Arakawa, William Clark (excused), and Ross Lee (excused). GUESTS: Ross Tsukenjo (Senator Kim’s Office staff), Captain G. Lefcourt (HPD – Legislative Liaison), Georgina Kawamura (Governor’s Office staff), Blake Vence, Lt. K. Lima and Lt. G. Arakawa (Honolulu Police Department, Pearl City Station), Polly Yoder, Heidi Byrne (Hawaii Literacy), Representative K. Mark Takai, Tracy Burgo (Board of Water Supply), Sharleen Oshiro (Councilmember Cachola’s Office staff), Sean O’Keffe (Alexander & Baldwin), Marietta Canty and Dan Ford (Clayton Group Services), Mary S. Booth, Roy Abe (Hawaii Pacific Engineers), Gary Omori, Don Robbins (Leeward Current), Dane Wurlitzer (Hawaiian Cement), Michael Lyman, Rod Ohira (Honolulu Advertiser), Warren Munro, Tracy Kubota (Councilmember Okino’s Office staff), Suzette Adversalo, Susan Sheldon, Scott Ishikawa (State Department of Transportation), Reena Rabago and Ariel Martinez (Representative Oshiro’s Office staff), Councilmember Gary Okino, Lt. Keith Lima and Lt. Grant Arakawa (HPD – District 3,Pearl City), Nola Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff). ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS: Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Frank called the roll of Board members. A quorum was present with 11 members. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS – The guests introduced themselves at this time. PUBLIC SERVICE REPORTS: Honolulu Fire Department – No representative was present. Honolulu Police Department – Lt. Lima reported statistics for the month of November compared with the December included auto theft 43/30, auto theft recovery 19/27, burglary 22/20, criminal property damage 23/44, sex assault 2/4, theft 70/68, U.E.M.V. (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle) 63/54, and calls for service 2,160/1,952. Included with the written report were statistics listing street names where crimes had occurred. V. Chair Sugimura asked if HPD would look into a community concern raised by a resident (O’Sullivan email) regarding speeding on Aiea Heights Drive. There were no questions from Board member or guests. Lt. Lima and Lt. Arakawa were thanked for attending the meeting. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Tracy Burgo reported the following: 1) There were two water main breaks in the month of December. Both pipes are eight inches, one is cast iron and the other is PVC (plastic). The cast iron is 36 years old and the PVC plastic pipe is 15 years old. As the useful lifespan of the current water main ends, BWS is spending millions of dollars to replace them to insure reliability water service and help prevent main breaks. This is one of many ways BWS continue to be stewards of Oahu’s precious water. 2) General Announcements: o On January 3, 2006, Clifford P. Lum started his appointment as new Manager and Chief Engineer of the Board of Water Supply. As the chief engineer of the Honolulu BWS, Mr. Lum is responsible for providing the overall strategic direction and management of the BWS. A brief background on Mr. Lum’s experience was given. o Water Saving Tip – Limiting your shower to five minutes and replacing your old showerhead with water saving one can save up to 20 gallons of water per shower. There were no questions from Board members or guests. Tracy Burgo was thanked for attending the meeting. Board of Education – No representative was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 2005: The following corrections/additions were made:
Hargrave moved, seconded by Ho to accept the November 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes as corrected. The motion was adopted unanimously. The Board recessed in December. TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Thompson reported that the Operating Account expenditures were $221.36, leaving a balance of $$1,298.31; the Publicity and Refreshment Accounts reflected no expense. Leaving the balances at $2,540 and $120.00, respectively. The November Treasurer’s Report will be filed, subject to audit. COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor – Consultant Gary Omori, from Parsons Brinckerhoff, reported that he is contracted to do community outreach on this project by the City Department of Transportation Services. He requested to be placed on the monthly agenda to report findings and informational community results from meetings that were held in December 2005. The purpose is to educate the community and give a project update. First Vice Chair Sugimura replied that his request would be given to Chair Clark to be placed on the agenda. Best Buy Store – V. Chair Sugimura, asking for constituent Claire Tamamoto, why was the Best Buy Store allowed to open when they did not have a certificate of occupancy, and what is the City doing about it? Mayor’s representative David Tanoue (Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting) replied that Best Buy received a notice of violation and was fined. He explained that Best Buy opened aggressively without the proper notice of occupancy on November 18, 2005. The frontage improvements on Kamehameha Highway, with the stoplight needing to be installed were incomplete. At that time a notice of violation was issued. The store was warned that being it was the holiday period, the State does not allow construction on highways during this time.
Mobley commented that when the heavy rains occurred there was about a foot of water in the parking area. He questioned how is it that the store was allowed to open without proper drainage. Tanoue answered that all work should have been completed prior to opening. However, per the Aiea Best Buy store manager, instructions were received from the corporate office on the mainland to open the store on that date in November.
Rod Ohira of the Honolulu Advertiser stated that he did an article relative to the opening of Best Buy. He noted that he received over 50 responses/comments from the community island wide regarding the opening. He asked if the Iwilei Best Buy Store is paying fines to the City for violations. Tanoue replied that the Iwilei Best Buy store was never fined. The Iwilei store is currently in phase 2 stages of improvements, and is awaiting approval from the State. The Aiea Best Buy store continues to pay daily fines until all work is complete and approved by the City. COMMUNITY REPORTS: Aiea Community Association – The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 23, 2006, Aiea Intergenerational Center, at 7:00 p.m. (Across from Albero and Sakura Restaurants on Kauhale Street, Suite B3.) http://www.aiea-community-assoc.org/. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Proposed Nextel Partners Antenna Facility (98-277 A Kamehameha Highway) – No representative was present. Discussion followed: Blanpied mentioned that she emailed Nextel informing them that the proposed antenna was not included in the Primary Urban Center Development Plan, the Aiea/Pearl City Sustainable Livable Community Plan, or the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail Master Plan. The response received from Nextel was that they wanted to know how they could contact people. Her reply was that they would need to contact the Department of Planning and Permitting. Today she has received no other communication from Nextel. (2) Per the November 2005 minutes, Representative Takai encouraged the Board to take action on this issue. He noted that if no action is taken, Nextel might say that the Board had until January to take action, and proceed with the project. Blanpied moved, seconded by Ho that the Aiea Neighborhood Board No. 20 take a position against the establishment of the Nextel tower, not for health reasons but because the proposal as presented does not comply with the development plans which the City and County and State have already approved. Discussion followed: 1) A resident commented that he was previously in favor of the project, but after a group site visit he realized that the antenna should be moved to the opposite side of the proposed location, and is now in opposition. 2) Distajo mentioned that Nextel was previously given that opportunity to change the plans and relocate the proposed antenna. 3) Thompson commented that she is in opposition if the antenna is not moved to the opposite side of the property. 4) Mobley noted that whether the Board takes action or not tonight, Nextel would still have to return to the Board at a later date 5) Rep. Takai mentioned that this matter has been discussed for a long time and recommended that any Board action taken tonight be clearly stated. 6) Blanpied commented that the Primary Urban Center Development Plan process took many years and the antenna is not consistent with the intent and purpose of that plan. She noted that the sense of the community during the planning sessions was that along that trail would be designated as an economic resource to benefit everyone. If Nextel wants to return to the Board with another proposal does not keep them from doing that. There is always another opportunity to present another proposal. Blanpied, seconded by Ho amended the motion to read - The Aiea Neighborhood Board No. 20 does not favor the approval of Nextel because of the location and supporting structure is on the makai side of Kamehameha Highway, which falls within the Primary Urban Development Plan, the Aiea/Pearl City Sustainable Livable Communities Plan, the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail Master Plan, therefore it may be an inappropriate use. The motion was adopted unanimously. Air Force Environmental Restoration Project – Deferred. Waimalu Sewer Rehabilitation Update – Roy Abe reported the project has been delayed due to technicalities and budget. Approximately 9,000 feet of new sewer lines will be constructed between the H-1 Freeway and Kamehameha Highway. Major crossing will be at Kamehameha Highway, where tunneling will be done underneath the road. An Environmental Impact Statement was issued March 2005, and a copy is available at the Aiea Public Library for review. Plans were to install the new sewer lines prior to the repaving of Kamehameha Highway. Once the needed permits are acquired, construction should start at the earliest late this fall. The project is currently in the designing stage and the engineers are working on technical issues. Coordination is being done with HECO regarding overhead lines. The consultants are also working with the owners of the Waimalu Shopping Center. Updates will be reported to the Board, as the project gets closer to the start of construction. Questions, answers and comments followed:
Roy Abe was thanked for attending the meeting. Arakaki arrived during the above portion of the meeting (12 members present). H-1/Waimalu Freeway Widening Update – Scott Ishikawa reported the following:
Questions, answers and comments followed:
Scott Ishikawa was thanked for attending the meeting. Kam Drive-in Property Update – This item was deferred. Former Shell Service Station Property Update – Sugimura announced that she heard that a mini mall would be built on the property and the building is to be torn down. Aiea Sugar Mill Property, Lot 15 Environmental Update – Marietta Canty and Dan Ford of Clayton Group Services, on behalf of Alexander and Baldwin, presented the following:
The Aiea Sugar Mill was in operation from 1899 to 1947, with the refinery in operation until 1994. At this time it was sold for potential commercial development. Bank of Hawaii (BOH) acquired the property in 1994. In November 2001, BOH and the Department of Health (DOH) entered into a Volunteer Response Program (VRP). The VRP includes:
The next steps would be final remedial alternatives analysis, draft response action memorandum, 30-day public comment periods, a final response action memorandum, response action design, implementation of response action, and a letter of completion issued by the DOH. Questions, answers and comments followed:
6. Passmore asked who would be paying for the long-term upkeep. O’Keefe replied that Alexander and Baldwin has an agreement with Bank of Hawaii to take care of the costs. Marietta Canty, Dan Ford and Sean O’Keffe were thanked for attending the meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Honolulu Police Department Legislative Package – Captain Greg Lefcourt, Legislative Liaison for HPD reported the following:
h. Relating to traffic, provides part of the highway funds to be used to fund a Highway Patrol.
Captain Lefcourt was thanked for attending the meeting. Hawaii Literacy Program – Heidi Byrne presented the following: The Hawaii Literacy Program teaches reading and writing to adults on a one-to-one basis. A training program is available for volunteers. Free classes are offered to non-native English speakers at Mayor Wright Housing and Kuhio Park Terrace. The classroom on wheels visits housing projects on the Waianae coast to offer books, computers, and other literacy activities to residents of all ages. For more information call 842-0303, or log on to www.HawaiiLiteracy.org. Heidi Byrne was thanked for attending the meeting. Thompson left during the above portion of the meeting (11 members present). Hawaiian Cement (Concrete and Aggregate Division, Halawa Quarry) – Dane Wurlitzer, Manager of Engineering and Environment, presented the following update regarding a recycling application that was submitted to the Department of Health (DOH):
2. Hawaiian Cement is also trying to get a permitted by the City for the following: A) Height variance - allowing new and existing structures greater than 25 feet in height. Currently, all structures at the quarry are less than 100 feet. B) Use or zoning variance - justifying the existence of various sub-tenants on the companies leased property. Current tenants are related to the business, and are actively involved in the use of their products. C) Allow the installation of multiple signs on the large property parcel. Signs to be limited to one per street entrance and one per building structure. D) To allow a future concrete recycling operation that will be permitted by the DOH. Dane Wurlitzer was thanked for attending the meeting. REPORTS BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS: Representative Mark Takai – Rep. Mark Takai distributed his written report and highlighted/added the following:
Questions, answers and comments followed: Aldinger mentioned that the H-1 Freeway near the airport is in bad shape. Rep. Takai replied that this issue has been brought up numerous times and according to SDOT problems are with the thickness of the concrete between the road surfaces. The concern is that if the problem is not taken care of now, there is a risk of having to shut down the entire freeway in the future. Follow up will be done. Representative Mark Takai was thanked for attending the meeting. Councilmember Gary Okino – With his monthly written report distributed, the Councilmember highlighted/added the following:
Councilmember Gary Okino was thanked for attending the meeting. Governor’s Representative – Georgina Kawamura distributed the Governor’s weekly report and was available for questions. Questions, answers and comments followed: (1) Kawamura said that she would follow up with any Department of Transportation concerns. (2) Ho asked when would the abandoned metal structure on Kamehameha Highway be demolished. Mobley noted that the structure is located across from the cemetery and that he was told it belonged to the Navy. He noted that according to the City recorder the structure belongs to the State Department of Defense. He stated that the structured is an eyesore and hazardous. Blanpied introduced Outdoor Circle member Warren Munro who inspected the building. She suggested that the structure be put on the Pearl Harbor Historical Trail register, or it may be used as a community asset. Ho commented that removal of the structure would be best. Follow up will be done. Georgina Kawamura was thanked for attending the meeting. Mayor’s Representative – David Tanoue reported the following:
Questions, answers and comments followed: Mobley expressed concern regarding the Mayor’s comments about creating a rainy-day fund from the collection of real property taxes, that as a retired person he has learned to live within his budget and feels that the City should do the same. David Tanoue was thanked for attending the meeting. Senator Donna Mercado Kim – Ross Tsukenjo distributed the Senator’s written report and announced that the 2006 Legislative Session would be starting soon. He was available for questions. Ross Tsukenjo was thanked for attending the meeting. Representative Blake Oshiro – Reena Rabago distributed the Representative’s written report and highlighted/added the following:
Reena Rabago was thanked for attending the meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Community Relations and Publicity – Mobley reported that the Christmas Program was held with more in attendance than last year. Sugimura and Ho were thanked for being Master of Ceremonies that evening. There were no other committee reports. Mobley was thanked for his report. ANNOUNCEMENTS – It was announced that the deadline to submit articles has passed.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. Submitted by Nola J Frank, Neighborhood AssistantReviewed by First Vice Chair Jane Sugimura |
| Monday, February 06, 2006 |