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  • Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of August 20th, 2008 Posted



REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lili'uokalani Elementary School Cafeteria
 
I.      Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Vernon Tam at 7:02 p.m. with a quorum of nine members.  Note:  This board of 11 needs a quorum of six (6) members.
 
Board Members:  Daniel Carvalho, John Cater, Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, Sharon Schneider, Dori Smith, Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam, Lori Yamada.
 
Members Absent:  Randolph Hack.
 
Guests:  Jay Ishibashi (Mayor’s Representative); Lieutenant Maurice Asato, Sergeant Alan Rivers, Officer Jason Hendricks (Honolulu Police Department, District 7); Fire Fighter left on emergency (Honolulu Fire Department, Kaimuki Station); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Stan Fichtman (Staff of Charles Djou);,  Representative Calvin Say, Representative Lyla Berg, Lydia Chock (Leahi hospital), Caron Wilberts, Rayma Lee, John Kobayashi (Kaimuki Professional Business Association), Chester Kanehira, Joan Shinn (Representative Barbara Marumoto), Charles Schuster, Michael Forman, Chester Kanehira, Ray Terada, Eunice Terada, Glenn Yamasaki, S. Sonoda, Julia Allen, N.C. Tinebra, Lynn Nakagawa, Candace Van Buren, Richard Speen, Margaret Lau, Eugene Azuma, Gail Sugita, Debbie Sekine, Susan Jackson (Governor’s Representative), Gordon Tam, Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, Ken Loui, Bill Kominek, Reid Ranslam, John Lane (Neighborhood Commission Office).
 
II.          Filing Vacancies:  There were no volunteers for the open seat in Sub District 1
 
 
III.    PUBLIC SAFETY/ COMMUNITY AGENCY REPORTS:
 
A.          Honolulu Police Department (HPD):  Sergeant Lee, District 7, distributed the July statistics sheet and noted there is comparison sheet that covers different neighborhoods in this district for the last six months. Burglaries 11, Thefts 16, unauthorized entry in to a motor vehicle (UEMV) 12.
  
·         For solutions to longstanding problems, report it on their website, www.honolulu.org/patrol/d7 and they will respond within 48 hours.
 
Questions, comments, and concerns:  None
 
 
B.     Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Fire Department had to leave unexpectedly due to emergency. Chair Tam reported from handout:
 
·             The July statistics were 2 structural, 0 rubbish and 1 vehicle fires; 75 medical calls, 3 search and rescue and 25 miscellaneous calls. There were no major incidents.
 
·             Safety Tip: The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) investigates reports of smoke to determine if a fire exists. While some fires are allowed or authorized under state and county regulations, most are unauthorized. When the HFD encounters an unauthorized fire, the Fire Captain will request that the fire be extinguished or have the fire crew extinguish it. If the fire is allowed, the Captain must determine if the fire is safe and properly contained and not a nuisance to others.
                   
        Examples of fires allowed when conducted safely and contained properly include: Cooking fires – such as barbeques, grills, or imu; or bathing fires such as a fire to heat a furo.
                   
        Examples of unauthorized fires include: bonfires on public beaches, burning of household refuse and burning of yard waste.
 
Questions, comments, and concerns: None.
 
 
C.       Board of Water Supply (BWS):  Lorna Heller distributed, “How does water get to your tap” brochure and made the following announcements:
 
There were 2 main breaks in the month of August, one on Kokua Street and the other on the bottom of Sierra Drive.
 
The BWS, along with the Department of Environmental Services and the Commission on Water Resource Management, has extended the Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Rebate program to at least June 30, 2009. If you are connected to the City’s sewer or water system, and replace an existing non ultra-low flush toilet (1.6 gallons or less per flush), you could qualify for a $100 rebate. For more details about the program, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com
 
Did you know:
1)   The BWS pumps an average of 150 million gallons of water every day?
2)   The BWS maintains a water system that includes approximately 2,000 miles of pipes, four shafts, 12 tunnels, and 84 well stations?

Questions, answers and concerns:
 
1)   Leonard Tam mentioned that when the fire hydrant across the street from his house went out of service for an extended period of time he called the BWS trouble line and they told him that, yes we are going to fix it and hung up on him. It’s the same issue that Smith asked about last month. Lorna Heller answered that she would check on it and the answer would be forthcoming.
 
 
IV.  Public Input and Concerns
 
A.       Resident from 16th Avenue has brought pictures of the house across the street from where she lives. Her neighbor has recently finished up renovations and added a two-car driveway. she would like to find out if this person has a permit and how can someone get a permit that takes away a public parking spot. The address of the property in question is 744 16th Avenue. she would like to stay anonymous and will leave her pictures as evidence.  
 
 
V.     Unfinished Business:   None.
 
VI.    New Business:
 
A.       Application to re-zone property located at 1049 12th Avenue from R-5 Residential to B-2 Business District – Lauri Clegg, Donald Clegg, Analytical Planning Consultants, Incorporated.
 
            The owner/applicant would like the 7500 square foot property zoned to match the other properties in the area. Presently it’s a single family dwelling that is being used as an early preschool daycare center. If it was zoned B-2 then they could have 6-12 kids instead of 2. They could also add one more parking space. The Department of Planning and Permitting has agreed that it is a good choice.
 
            Resident John Kobayashi is the owner of the parking lot next door, and the Office building next to it. Kobayashi made the following statements, the proposed property is located in a cull-d-sac and parking is illegal there because emergency vehicles would not be able to turn around. The residents of the street feel there is too much traffic there already and not enough street parking. The business plaza had an issue with mango’s encroaching onto the center and falling onto the cars. When they were asked to cut the branch’s back the owners refused. They park boats on the street and use all the street parking. He knows that there is asbestos and lead paint that has just been covered in recent years and not removed. He was asked to purchase this house by the owners and when they were in negotiations all this information was disclosed.
 
            Resident Lynn Nakagawa did not come prepared to speak but she knows that the preschool can operate under a special use permit. If they get re-zoned what’s to stop the day care from selling it to someone who starts a less desirable business. There have been enough of these re-zonings in Kaimuki already.
 
            Donald Clegg answered that now the spotlight is on. There will be enough parking created on the premises to handle all new traffic.
 
Chair Tam asked Clegg if the board had to take a vote on it. Clegg responded that no they didn’t. All that is required is that the presentation be made.
 
Smith questioned if the owners checked to see if a special use permit would allow them to have more children at the daycare. Clegg responded yes that would allow them to have more children.
 
Smith asked if the new proposed parking lot would be able to handle the boats as well. Leonard Tam added that he passed by the property a few hours ago and he doesn’t believe that the boats can fit on that property. Clegg answered that if the boats don’t fit on the property then they can’t run the business.
 
Leong feels that the health hazards need to be cleared up before the next time that this proposal is brought before this board. Clegg responded that they will have to be cleared up anyway to get the permit or run the daycare. There will be six to seven more public hearings before this matter is settled so all the facts should come out by the end.
 
NO ACTION TAKEN
 
           
B.       Island curbside recycling roll-out, beginning November 2008 in East Honolulu – Suzanne Jones, City Recycling Coordinator.
 
          Kaimuki community is included in the very next phase of the project. You may have already received the new bins or you will in the next three weeks. Pilot programs were conducted to see how well the community would receive the three new bins. The final report on the pilot project was turned into the City Council in July. Anyone who wants to view the report can find it at www.opala.org. Between Hawaii Kai and Mililani 96% of residences didn’t need more than 1 can for trash. Both bins will come with instructions printed inside of a brochure. There will also be a collection calendar passed out at that time. The program promises to be cost efficient with the largest cost by far being the bins themselves. The cost for 260,000 bins is over 20 million dollars.
 
Charles asked where the money is going to go from the recycled products. Jones answered that it’s going to offset the cost of the program.
 
Leonard Tam is worried about the food waste. What’s going to happen letting that food sit for one week. The bins are going to get smelly and infested with creatures. Jones answered that only on Christmas and New Years do the collectors get the day off. The once a week collections are still more than most places in the country. The Big Island has no collection at all. The islands of Maui and Kaui currently only have once a week pickup.
 
C.       Wilhelmina Rise Sewer Rehabilitation Project- Parson Construction Group.  
 
          Ken Lui - Project Manager, Reporting: The completion date for the Wilhelmina Rise Rehabilitation Project is November 2010. They sent flyers to all the residents in Wilhelmina Rise. They will be working between the hours of 8:30 to 3:30. They are not planning on closing any roads even though they are dealing with 38,000 linear feet of sewer lines. They will give as much advance notice as possible to any updates that are going on. If any residents are planning construction of their own please let Parson’s know.   
         
VII.   Elected Officials:
 
Mayor’s Representative Jay Ishibashi: Jay Ishibashi distributed the Mayor’s report and responded to questions from last month’s meeting as follows:
 
1)     A resident asked why an intersection at 16th and Kilauea avenues that has been closed for years at two stone pillars was opened a few weeks ago. She asked if it was a permanent change so she can advise her neighbors. Ishibashi responded that the Department of Transportation Services conducted a field investigation and found that the area of concern is the back entrance to Kapiolani Community College (KCC). Requestor should check with KCC on the change.
 
2)     Leonard Tam asked how much does the City anticipate collecting from the general excise tax surcharge for each year breaking down the yearly amount for every year until 2022. Ishibashi responded that collections, in millions by Fiscal Year, are to be in the following ranges: 2007: 48 (actual); 2008: 170 (actual); 2009: 180-192; 2010: 185-204; 2011: 191-214; 2012: 196-225; 2013: 199-237; 2014: 207-250; 2015: 216-263; 2016: 225-278; 2017: 234-294: 2018:244-311: 2019: 254-328: 2020: 264-346; 2021:275-365;2022: 286-386; 2023:146-199.
 
3)     Leonard Tam asked how much the City is planning budgeting for the rail project each year. Wants an itemized breakdown for every year from this budget year and for the next ten years. Ishibashi answered just look at the six year CIP. Ten year is not available.
 
4)     Leonard Tam asked how the rail project is going to affect property taxes over the next ten years. Ishibashi answered that there are no expected changes due to the rail project.
 
5)     Leonard Tam asked what resources have the city used for the rail project so far. Ishibashi answered the CIP budget and the operating budget.
 
6)     Leonard Tam asked how many city employees have been working on the rail project. Ishibashi answered 8.
 
7)     Leonard Tam asked how much money has been spent on the rail project so far. Ishibashi answered approximately 25 million.
 
8)     Leonard Tam asked how much time away from other jobs has been spent on this project. Ishibashi answered None, The project has dedicated staff not sharing the responsibility with any other projects.
 
9)     Leonard Tam asked how much money is being spent on special consultants to convince the public this is a good project. Ishibashi answered none.
 
10)    Jenny Morris asked what the policy is for parking company or fleet vehicles on the street. Owners are parking multiple fleet vehicles, including large pickup trucks and vans, for extended periods of time. HPD responded that vehicles over 10,000 pounds and 20 feet long cannot be parked on the street. Report it if you see it and the vehicle will be tagged.
 
11)    A resident mentioned that at the Kumon Schools parents sit in the small lot not paying for a parking space or park along the side of the school. Kids run out and into the lot and traffic with no supervision – saw a child put outside by himself with no one to watch him and was left to cry. He is asking for gates as soon as possible to control the issue. Darin Mar (City & County of Honolulu) answered that he will talk to the school about their children just leaving before parents have arrived.
 
12)    John Kobayashi stated that the Kaimuki Business and Professional Association requested the City provide them a fifty foot cherry picker needed to do their decorations for Halloween and Christmas. The Department of Facility maintenance responded that although the City & County of Honolulu did provide this service years ago, the City has not provided this service in recent years due to liability concerns and the perceived misuse of taxpayer’s funds for what is seen as a private endeavor.
 
13)    Ginny Meade noted that since employees cannot use the newly completed parking lot they are parking all the way up Koko Head Avenue to the top of Center Street using street parking that residents used to use. Mar responded that the lot itself is for the customers. No customers used to have parking during peak hours and now they have ample parking. Employees can still park there as long as they pay the appropriate fees. The lot does have a 20 minute grace period.    
 
 
Questions, comments and concerns:
 
1)     Leong heard that the black garbage bags that are being used all over the state are not bio-degradable and that they cost a lot of money. Ishibashi responded that putting waste directly into cans becomes cleanliness and a health issue. He’ll check with Suzanne Jones to see if they can start to use bio-degradable bags.
 
 
City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi:  Kobayashi had a meeting today and the transit issue did not pass. It will not be on the ballot to see if we need a public transit authority. There will be a question on the ballot that reads should we have steel on steel rail transit. Volunteers got 50,000 signatures from the community and we should honor that. There was a vote in the City Council that should there be a shortfall for the rail than should the difference be made up by an increase in property tax. The City Council voted yes. If the bus fares are raised than who will continue to take the bus.
 
Questions, comments, and concerns:
 
1)     A resident asked what if you can’t pay your new taxes. Kobayashi answered that is the exact reason that she is against steel on steel. Once you start that type of transit then you have to finish. With rubber on concrete than if the rail system isn’t operating then normal cars can use it.
 
2)     Meade asked about the question regarding the planning commission. Kobayashi answered that there will be a decision on that issue at the next meeting.
 
 
City Councilmember Charles Djou Representative-Stan Fichman: Councilmember Djou was very happy with the result of the vote on rail transit. On August 1, 2008 the City got blasted for how much money they spent on electricity. They used five percent more energy but had 40 percent more cost. There are three energy initiative bills on the newsletter. Councilmember Djou believes that one person should be in charge of energy consumption and that’s why he has written two of these bills.
 
Governor Linda Lingle Representative- Susanne Jackson: Jackson passed out the Governor’s report. One of the many ways that the Lingle/Aiona administration discusses state issues is on Govtube. It features information on many topics. A very important one displays all the states efforts to decrease traffic congestion.
 
Questions, comments, and concerns:
 
1)     Cater asked if the word depression ever enters their discussion. Jackson answered no; the economy is still growing just on a smaller base.
 
State Senator Les Ihara (9th District): None
 
State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say (20th District):  He passed out his flyer and mentioned that a conference of chairs will cost an estimated five-90 million. It depends on how many people get elected to the conference.
 
State Representative Barbara Marumoto (19th District): None
 
State Representative Scott Nishimoto (21st District): None
 
State Representative Lyla Berg (18th District): Berg passed out her flyer and let the community know that 21st Avenue is privately owned. Speeding and sidewalk parking is now an issue this year. The citizens are willing to follow up but they don’t know where to go. Ishibashi stated that most of the street is privately owned. It  doesn’t matter if you live in the front house or the back house both parties must get involved. The cost must be shared by both parties. The properties owner before Bank of Hawaii supposedly gave it to the City but there is no record of it. Leonard Tam stated that we have to make 16th to 21st Avenues an improvement area. The Department of Planning and Permitting can help to start the process.   
 
 
VIII.  Approval of Minutes from July 16, 2008 Regular Meeting
 
Page three of seven, public input and concerns. 2. John Kobayashi, Kaimuki Business and Professional Association, asks for assistance from the City to have a 50 foot-cherry picker to help facilitate the inspection of the Kaimuki Christmas tree on the top of Pu’u-o-Kaimuki.
 
Page three of seven, new business. Board approval for permit for Celebrate Kaimuki ...
Second to last line re: bus reroute: “will be rerouted in both directions”.
 
Page seven of seven, Treasurer’s report first line: June 2008 balance????
 
Page one of seven, filling vacancies: Leonard Tam, Delete last sentence. (He would like to bring the park back to what it was.)
 
Page three of seven, # three, third line from the end. Change “sewers” to storm drains”.
           
Page three of seven, new business, fifth line: change: closure November 1, 2008: “FROM” to “OF” Waialae Avenue.
 
Page five of seven, questions, answers, and concerns. # six last line: change “an investigation” to “the information”.
 
Cater moved; Smith seconded to adopt the June 18, 2008 minutes as corrected. The motion was ADOPTED by unanimous consent. (Aye: Carvalho, Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Yamada).
 
 
Treasurer’s Report:  Yamada read the July 2008 Statement that showed a balance of $2,938.59, in the budget. Expenses for printing and mailing the minutes and agenda totaling $72.41 left a balance of $1,447.59. The publicity account has a balance of $1,371.00 and there is a balance of $120.00 in the refreshment account.
 
Announcements:  Chair Tam announced the following:
·         The next board meeting will be September 17, 2008.
 
Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
 
 
 
Submitted by:
John Lane, Neighborhood Assistant
 
Reviewed by:
Chair Vernon Tam
 


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