Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for June 19, 2010 Meeting

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for June 19, 2010 Meeting
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Next meeting is 7/21/2010 - Read the agenda. . Click here.

NEXT MEETING IS 7/21/2010... READ THE AGENDA

Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

KAIMUKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010
LILIUOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:18 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 – Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, John Cater, Leonard Tam (arrived 7:25 p.m.), Daniel Nahoopii, Sharon Schneider, Vernon Tam, Daniel Carvalho, and Tim Tybuszewski.

Members Absent – Lori Yamada.

Vacancy – One vacancy in Subdistrict 1 (Waialae Avenue, Koko Head – 12th Avenue, Luawai Street).

Guests – Capt. Lester T. Hashimoto (Honolulu Fire Department ), Randy Hennessey (Kaimuki Christian Church), Karen Yorimoto (City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office staff), TJ Lane; Sgts. Sanford Yue and Guy Perreira, and Lt. Arthur Kurosu (Honolulu Police Department); State Senator Norman Sakamoto, Glenn Y. Yamasaki, Jeremy Low, Ron Arnold, Norman Tyac, Sherwood Lum, Lydia Chock (Leahi Hospital), Jerry Newmann (City Councilmember Lee Donohue's Office staff), Karen Tsakiyane, Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Caron Wilberts, Cheryl Costa, Julia Allen, Shari Berinobis, Lisa Shorba, State Representative Barbara Marumoto, Stanley Chang, Vern Yamauchi, Lynda Kerwin, Richard Turbin (Kahala Neighborhood Board member), State Senator Les Ihara, and Gloria Gaines (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT: There were no nominees at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Sgt. Guy Perreira distributed a report and highlighted the following:

· Crime Statistics – Included were 18 burglaries, 2 robberies, 44 thefts, and 7 unauthorized entries of motor vehicles. There was a decrease in crime for the past month. All concerns for the Community Policing Team or Neighborhood Security Watch Call, please call 529-3628 for assistance.

· Safety Tip for the Month – The Hawaii hurricane season is from June through November and residents can prepare themselves by making sure vehicles have been serviced and fueled; prepare to cover all windows and door openings with boards, shutters or other shielding materials; and store enough water and non-perishable food, and medications for at least two weeks. Stock up on extra batteries for radios, flashlights, and lanterns. For more information and assistance, contact the National Weather Service, the State Civil Defense, or the local American Red Cross Chapter.

· Wire Mobiles Hanging from Utility Lines – A concern that wire mobiles are noticed hanging from utility lines. At this time, Chair V. Tam read a resident's letter about wire mobiles hanging from utility lines. Residents were asked to call 911 to identify anyone hanging mobiles onto utility lines. HPD will contact the utility line owner to remove the wire mobile.

At 7:25 p.m. L. Tam arrived; nine (9) members present.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – Capt. Lester Hashimoto reported on major or unusual incidents for May, 2009 and reported on the safety tip for the month.

· Safety Tip for the Month – With summer approaching, there will be a higher risk for fires due to dry vegetation and the hot weather. Please use caution when utilizing flame-producing devices, such as fireworks, matches, and/or lighters, around wildland vegetation; the smallest spark and/or flame can ignite the dry vegetation.

As Independence Day nears, consider leaving fireworks displays to pyrotechnic professionals and enjoy one of several public fireworks displays offered by the communities. Individuals who may suffer from respiratory difficulties, such as asthma, should consider staying indoors.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Lorna Heller provided members with a report and noted no main breaks for the month of May.

· Water Quality Report – BWS conducts thousands of tests on the water source and distribution system to ensure that the water serviced to customers meets or exceeds all federal and state safe drinking water standards. The results of those will be shared to all customers in BWS's annual water quality report. Customers should receive this report by July 1, 2010. This information is also can be found online at www.boardofwatersupply.com.

· Repair of Main Breaks – Heller will follow up resident's concern on how the determination is made to fix a water main overnight rather than waiting until daylight.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS: A resident stated his opinion in regards to the passage of the civil unions bill which he opposed.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bulky Item Pick Up – No report. This item to remain on agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

Update on Kaimuki Christian Church (KCC) Long-Range Plan – Norman Hong, AIA, CEO, Group 70 International introduced himself and Pastor Gallagher and presented a slide show presentation of KCC plans.

· Ministry Programs –Pastor Arnold informed residents of the following community programs the church members are involved with:

1. Love Your Neighbor – Members do free home repair for the low income and elderly. Members also do paint-over graffiti projects for community residents for the last five years.

2. Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School (QLES) – Common Grace Program volunteers seek a child from a public school and partner with the student. For QLES, KCC has already provided an ice machine, sound speakers for cafeteria, teaching supplies when needed, in exchange for parking.

3. Kaimuki Library – A letter read by Pastor Arnold thanked KCC for their donations to the Kaimuki Library and for the volunteers during the library book sale.

· Kaimuki Christian School KCS) – Principal Mark Gallagher introduced himself and noted that KCS is 42 years old with 302 students enrolled of which 153 are from Kaimuki. There was a slide show of KCS students in the Annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade, Christmas Concert at Leahi Hospital, and Rice Drive for families during Thanksgiving.

· Power Point of Aerial Map – Hong pointed out on the map the remaining parcels that have not been acquired by KCC and the proposed buildings planned around the parcels. A long range plan was also presented if properties were included with the acquisition of the parcels in question. Also, that an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the two-story, eight-classroom building with senior ministry will be submitted; which require notification of three adjacent neighbors.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Drop Off / Pick Up Traffic Comments – Additional classrooms mean an increase of enrollment, thereby adding to the traffic situation during the mornings and afternoon dropping off and picking up of students. The resident hoped that the parking lot at Mahina and 13th Avenue was to be used as a drop off and pick up point for students to alleviate traffic. A neighbor of KCS stated that the problem has improved since the use of Kokohead Avenue was initiated by Pastor Gallagher.

2. Testimonies Supporting KCS – Testimonies were heard from the parents of students attending KCS supporting KCS improvements.

3. Property Value Increase – Neighbors of KCS were concerned that their property tax will increase because the proposed plan of KCS will increase its property value. Hong will check into estimates to be presented at next months Board meeting.

4. Construction Time Frame – Upon approval of the CUP, construction to start 2011 and completed by 2012. The classrooms are needed by fall 2012.

5. Car Alarms in Parking Lot – A resident reported to Pastor Gallagher that during church activities people are slamming doors and setting off alarms. It was suggested that a sign in the parking lot informing people to be considerate and not slam doors.

Chair V. Tam stated that next month's agenda will reflect KCS requesting Board's approval of CUP application.
As part of the CUP, a report of the Board's findings is to be included into the application.

Neighborhood Commission Office Conference of Chairs – Vice Chair Schneider reported an update of the Neighborhood Commission Office budget and that NCO continues to work on Neighborhood Plan.

ELECTED OFFICIALS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES:

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's Representative – Jay Ishibashi offered the following responses:

· Trash at 16th Avenue and Paula Drive – Trash and debris were removed from the lookout at 16th Avenue and Paula Drive. Residents witnessing illegal dumping of trash should call 911 and report the violation. A description of the persons, vehicle make and model, and license number would be helpful.

· Pedestrian Crosswalk at Beretania and Richards streets – The City's Department of Transportation Services (DTS) checked the pedestrian push buttons and traffic signal system at the crosswalk at Beretania and Richards streets and found it operating properly. DTS reminded that pedestrians need to activate the pedestrian button to receive the "WALK' signal.

· Incident at Kapaolono Park – A resident clarified that it was Kapaolono Park and not Kapahulu field that needs to be investigated of the park employee whom reportedly approaches park goers and asks for their cell phone number.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Graffiti – A resident commented on an increase of graffiti in the neighborhood. Ishibashi noted that most graffiti happens on private property; that the City has looked into graffiti-busting paint which is costly; and that the City has been approached by a vendor of such paint.

2. Alternative to Leaf Blowers – A resident suggested that the use of a broom be used to sweep up leaves rather than using leaf blowers.

City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi – Karen Yorimoto stated that Councilmember Kobayashi was unable to attend tonight's Board meeting and copies of the report was made available.

City Councilmember Lee Donohue – Councilmember Donohue introduced staff Dan Wicker and Jerry Newmann and contact phone at 768-5004 for concerns.

State Senator Les Ihara – Senator Ihara reported on the following:

· Special Session – The Senate is expected to go into special session to confirm an appointment for the Chief Justice of Supreme Court.

· Fall Prevention Task Force – A fall prevention task force for seniors was formed to find ways of how to reduce the number of falls to keep seniors out of the hospital.

· Home-for-Life Task Force – A home-for-life task force was formed to promote ways for people to stay home by retrofitting for the disabled and frail.

· Diamond Head Theater – Senator Ihara is on the advisory committee for the Diamond Head Theater. The committee was established to provide input for proposed renovations to Diamond Head Theater.

· Veto Process – Governor Lingle must submit a list of possible vetoes with explanation by Monday, July 6, 2010. The legislature has the option to convene to remove or by two-thirds vote, over ride.

· Liliuokalani Elementary School – Liliuokalani Elementary School may be affected by possible consolidation or shutting down. If there are concerns, let Senator Ihara know.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Term of Elected Office – Ihara's term ends this year. He expressed that he would like to have a competitor during the general election so people can have a choice.

2. State Department of Education (DOE) Audits – Senator Dennis Sakamoto, Education Chair was present at the meeting and responded to a concern that the DOE should be audited and that budget cuts should focus on cutting overhead and not teaching days. Sen. Sakamoto stated that every year DOE has a financial audit. A personnel management audit is currently in process. DOE's Human Resource Division has gone through several re-looks of the staff. Different departments of DOE have been through numerous audits.

State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K. Y. Say – Report submitted by Rep. Marumoto.

State Representative Barbara Marumoto – Rep. Marumoto provided members with a report and highlighted the following:

· State Budget Ends Furlough Days – A detailed report of the State's Budget was explained which resulted in the restoration of furlough days to teaching days.

· Kaimuki Christian Church – A bill authorized $20 million special purpose revenue bonds for Kaimuki Christian School which provides a tax free bond for the buyer, Kaimuki Christian Church.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto – No report.

State representative Lyla Berg – See report by Rep. Marumoto.

APPROVAL OF MAY 19, 2010 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: There being no objections, the Board UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED the regular meeting minutes with the following corrections, 9-0-0 (Ayes: Leong, Meade, Cater, L. Tam, Nahoopii, Schneider, V. Tam, Carvalho, Tybuszewski).

· On Page 3, first bullet, delete "Mau'ume" and replace with "Mau'umae".

· On Page 3, Concerns of L. Tam, third line, insert after the word "...stopped..." and before the word "...at..." the following: ..."driving against the primary flow of traffic..." .

TREASURER'S REPORT: Chair Tam reported for the month of May operating balance of $944.11; $50.49 expended for printing and postage of agenda and minutes. The publicity account balance was $1,371.00. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board will be Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Recorded and Submitted By: Gloria Gaines, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed By: Vernon Tam, Chair

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