Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of April 15th, 2009 Posted - Kaimuki

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of April 15th, 2009 Posted
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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
LILI'UOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note - This 11-member Board requires six (6) members for a quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: John Cater, Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, Sharon Schneider, Dori Smith, Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam, and Mark Terry.

Members Absent: Daniel Carvalho, Lori Yamada.

Vacancies: There is one vacancy in Subdistrict 1.

Guests: Lt. Gary Lum-Lee, Sgt. C. Sukekane, Ofc. K. Takamiya (Honolulu Police Department, District 7), Capt. Lester Hashimoto (Honolulu Fire Department), Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply), Stanley Chang, Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), Susan Jackson (Governor Linda Lingle’s Office, Governor's Representative), Representative Barbara Marumoto, Jay Ishibashi (Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Office, Mayor's Representative), Bertrand Kobayashi (Councilmember Duke Bainum's Office), S. Sonoda, Senator Les Ihara, Kendys Min, Caron Wilberts, Glenn Yamasaki, Kainoa Kaumeheiwa (Councilmember Charles Djou's Office), Anselm Chuh, Zee Chuh, Fern Palaby, R. Kanda, Candace Van Buren (Representative Scott Nishimoto's Office), State Speaker of the House Calvin Say, K. Russell Ho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

FILLING OF VACANCIES: There were no volunteers or nominations to fill the open seat in Subdistrict 1.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Lt. Gary Lum-Lee, District 7, distributed the March statistics sheet, noted there is a comparison sheet that covers different neighborhoods in this district for the last six months and reported: 1) March statistics - 24 burglaries, 41 thefts, 34 Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle (UEMV). 2) For solutions to longstanding problems, report it on the district 7 website, www.honolulu.org/patrol/d7 and officers will respond within 48 hours. 3) HPD Reaccredidation - HPD is scheduled for on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve reaccreditation by verifying it meets professional standards. The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services. The public is invited to provide their comments; for more information, call 547-2781.

Comments followed: 1) A resident reported that his home was broken into last week. 2) There will be additional attention paid to enforcement of the speed limit on 11th and Maunaloa Avenues.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Capt. Lester Hashimoto reported: 1) March Statistics - A) Ladder 5 responded to 4 fires and 83 emergencies. B) Engine 5 responded to 10 fires, 28 emergencies, 8 false alarms, and 7 miscellaneous calls. 2) Fire Safety Tip - House numbers must be visible from the street to assist first responders in an emergency.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Ann Wong reported: 1) Main Breaks - There were two main breaks in March, including a six-inch break on Monterey Bay Drive and a three-inch break at 1136 12th Avenue. 2) Water Meter Maintenance - For this month’s announcement, BWS discussed the customer’s and BWS’ responsibilities for maintaining and repairing the water meter and pipes. As stewards of Oahu’s water resources, the BWS is committed to providing a safe and dependable water supply to the customers. To do this, the BWS conducts thousands of water quality tests and upkeeps over 2,000 miles of pipeline to ensure that the water delivered directly to the property’s water meter is safe to drink. The BWS is responsible for maintaining and repairing water mains, meter boxes, and the water meter itself. Meanwhile, the customers are responsible for the water delivered after the meter into the home or business. Therefore, it is critically important that property owners make sure the pipes and water fixtures on their property are well cared for. If there are any leaks on the property, the customer will ultimately be responsible for paying the water bill and paying for the water that was wasted through a leak. It is also important that one keeps the meter box area clear of grass and debris so that BWS crews can easily access it if needed. If one notices a leak in the water meter or needs to shut off water service for any reason, do not attempt any repairs or modifications to the meter box. Instead, call BWS at 748-5000. More information about water meter maintenance may be found in the rules and regulations section of www.boardofwatersupply.com.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS:

1) A resident stated that the City Council will be voting on Wednesday April 22whether or not to raise fees. A packet of Council information was made available. 2) The State budget is due May 1 and then the City Council will respond. Residents should give their input to City Council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Traffic - L. Tam presented a report recommending that the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) monitor the traffic on Wai'alae Avenue and add 10 seconds to the green lights. Other traffic comments followed. The Board requested a traffic study for all of Honolulu and a representative from the City Traffic Management Office to come to a meeting. Members of the Board were split on the "red light" cameras, but the State House Bill died in the State Senate. The "Walk/Don't Walk" light on 11th Avenue and Harding Avenue was broken.

NEW BUSINESS:

Agenda Template and Minute Taking Guidelines, Resolution Opposing the Adoption of the Agenda Template - Cater moved, and Meade seconded, that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 04 will not act until it sees the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board No. 1 resolution, which was ADOPTED, 7-0-1 (AYE: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam; ABSTAIN: Terry).

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative - Jay Ishibashi reported: 1) The Administration is almost done with the final budget. 2) This month is Earth Month, so everybody was urged to think green. 3) The Mayor is in Chicago right now to support Chicago's bid to get the Olympics for 2012.

Comments followed: 1) A resident found it difficult to get a park permit for a Sunrise Easter Service or Easter egg hunt and questioned park usage. 2) L. Tam gave his written traffic report to the Mayor's representative. 3) A resident asked for follow up on the house at 16th and Kilauea Avenues. 4) Another resident reported barking dogs in the neighborhood and at 625-A 11th Avenue.

City Councilmember Duke Bainum - Bert Kobayashi passed out a report and highlighted: 1) There aren’t any Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds set aside for Kaimuki in the budget at this time. 2) The City is reducing bonds issued for the rail transit project. 3) Councilmember Bainum will be adding funds to the City budget for bulky item pick up. There are fines for people who leave their bulky items on the curb too early before the pickup.

City Councilmember Charles Djou - Kainoa Kaumeheiwa passed out a report and highlighted: Djou is watching the State’s budget very closely to see what changes need to be made to the City budget. Concerned citizens should contact the City budget chair.

Governor Linda Lingle’s Representative - Susan Jackson passed out a report.

State Senator Les Ihara - Senator Ihara passed out a report and noted that tomorrow is the crossover deadline and there are three weeks left in the session. He will continue to work on Senate Bill (SB) 673, relating to care homes, which crossed over to the House, but was deferred.

Comments followed: 1) There may be an increase in fees. 2) The General Excise Tax (GET) will not be raised.

State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say – The report was circulated. Speaker Say reported: There is a global financial meltdown and the State faces a $2 billion shortfall. Senator Ihara added that the Governor could still veto bills and restrict funding. The House was surprised about the Senate bill to tax pensions, which had no public hearings. Speaker Say received criticism from many sides.

State Representative Barbara Marumoto - A report was circulated and Representative Marumoto highlighted: 1) It is the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's Statehood, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill. The Legislature held a special session honoring Legislators from 1959, i.e. Fred Rohlfing. 2) In the State budget there is no spending of the funds set aside for Honolulu's rail transit.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto - A report was circulated with a picture of Kaimuki Middle School receiving a Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence.

State Representative Lyla Berg - A report was circulated.

REVIEW OF NEWSLETTER; APPROVAL OF USE OF FUNDS: Chair V. Tam circulated a draft copy of the newsletter. The expenditure of Publicity funds for the newsletter was APPROVED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (8-0-0) (AYE: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Terry).

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 18, 2009: The March 18, 2009 regular meeting minutes were APPROVED AS CORRECTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (8-0-0) (AYE: Cater, Leong, Meade, Schneider, Smith, L. Tam, V. Tam, Terry) with the following corrections:

• Page 3 - Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative: Jay Ishibashi reported: The administration unveiled the budget to the City Council and is looking at a $128 million shortfall. So far the shortfall has been trimmed to $50 million through spending restrictions, a hiring freeze and other proactive budgeting decisions. To help alleviate this shortfall, the Mayor will be asking the City Council to increase certain taxes and fees, most of which have not been adjusted in years. Some fees such as municipal golfing fees will be raised for the first time in many years. Mayor Hannemann met with President Obama to outline Honolulu’s needs with the hope that the President’s Economic Stimulus package will help people of the City and County of Honolulu. Carvalho asked why the City is always raising the taxes and hurting property owners. Ishibashi answered that the City has been “catching up” to improve and maintain the county’s infrastructure. Sewers, roads etc. were neglected for many years prior to Mayor Hannemann taking office and coupled with the current economic situation, taxes needed to be raised. The budget requests a raise in the real property tax rate by $0.30. If approved, the new rate would still be $0.16 lower than the $3.75 rate that was in place when Mayor Hannemann took office in 2005.

• Page 3 - City Councilmember Charles Djou's Representative: Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego passed out a report and highlighted: Djou is supporting the ban on handheld devices while driving. Djou is very concerned about the proposed Administration Budget. According to the budget, $1.1 billion will be spent on rail. Of that $150 million will be from the transit fund. The rest of the money to fund rail will come in the form of general obligation bonds. The City will not see a decline but an increase in the amount of debt service it will have to pay out on bonds as a whole. L. Tam asked how much interest is being paid on those bonds. Bainum answered almost 19%. It is the children who will be paying off these bonds. The City still currently has a good bond rating. He is concerned about the City's long-range financial future.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The Operating balance was $1,111.45; $46.24 was expended for the printing and mailing of the agenda and minutes, leaving a balance of $1,065.21. With no expenditures, the Publicity balance remained at $1,371.00 and the Refreshments balance remained at $120.00. The annual budget balance was $2,556.21. The Treasurer's report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next Board meeting will be held on May 13, 2009, from 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: John Lane and K. Russell Ho, Neighborhood Assistants

Reviewed by: Vernon Tam, Chair

Friday, May 15, 2009

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board - Minutes Of April 15th, 2009 Posted

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