Palolo Neighborhood Board Meeting February 2018 Minutes

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Palolo Neighborhood Board Meeting February 2018 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
PALOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Randolph Hack called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. A quorum was established with TEN (10) members present. Note - This 13-member board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Randolph Hack, Mark Leo , Darlene Nakayama, Joshua Frost, Paul Holtrop, Rusti Onishi, Bradley Rentz, Frank Farm, Earl Shiraki, and Barbra Armentrout.

Board Members Absent: Willam Caron, and Beverly Mau

Guests: Sergeant Cyrus Hamuna (Honolulu Police Department); Director Ross Sasamura [Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative/Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM)]; Bryan Gallaguer, and, Ernie Lau. Erwin Kawata (Board of Water Supply); Cliff Kaneshiro (Office of Councilmember Ann Kobayashi); Mark Manfredi and Victor Flint (Red Hill Program Director); James Conant, and Alan Lou (Residents); Theron Bowen (Videographer) and Felipe M. Pacquing II (Neighborhood Commission Office).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Sergeant Cyrus Hamuna reported the following:
January 2018 Crime Statistics: There were 10 motor vehicle thefts, 5 burglaries, 22 thefts, and 15 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs). There were 6,927 calls for service.
Safety Tip: Coping with Active Shooter:
o Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
o Take note of the two (2) nearest exit in any facility you visit.
o If you are in the office, stay there and secure the door.
o Attempt to take the active shooter down as a last resort.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Abandoned Vehicles: A resident inquired and Sergeant Hamuna replied that abandoned vehicles are not usually removed from where they are abandoned due to lack of lots where they are supposed to be stored.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Bryan Gallaguer reported the following:
??? Main Break: 01/05/2018 - 1343 7th Avenue. 12" PVC line installed in 1997.
??? Survey: The BWS recently conducted a survey asking customers and members of the community to provide input on important issues related to the BWS. Based on the survey, the BWS is considering changes to how water rates are structured, including the possibility of creating a new "essential" needs tier.
Meetings: All meetings of the BWS are open to the public, and the locations, dates, and time are posted at the BWS website: boardofwatersupply.com.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS
Rate Commission: Armentrout reported that the Rate Commission had a meeting in January 27, 2018 regarding the bus and handivan fare. The commission is looking into giving discounts on extremely low income earners. The next meeting will be held at the Mission Memorial Hall on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 2:00-4:00 p.m.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT: No one volunteered.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Member Ann Kobayashi: Council member Kobayashi reported the following:
Monster Home meeting: There was meeting last Monday, February 12, 2018, where there were many complaints on monster homes which should be stopped because short term rental is illegal.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Rooms for rent: Armentrout commented that there are monster homes listed on Craig's lst with rooms for rent and with laundry machines and dryer at the balcony.
2. Monster Home: Shiraki commented on a monster home with 20 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms, and this ruins the neighborhood, and is illegal.
3. On Street Parking: Armentrout inquired and Council Member Kobayashi replied that the Council is looking into the parking scheme similar to the Restrictive Parking Zone in Kalihi.
4. Monster House permit: A resident inquired and Council Member Kobayashi replied that there is a law against monster homes but there is lack of full enforcement.
5. Building Inspectors: Holtrop inquired and Council Member Kobayashi replied there is lack of inspectors to check on monster homes.
6. Issuance of Permit: Shiraki commented that there is something wrong in the issuance of permits by the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP).
7. DPP Citations: Onishi inquired and Council Member Kobayashi replied the DPP issue citations but the penalty is not stiff.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director Ross Sasamura reported the following:
Poster Contest: The 2018 Mayor's Memorial Day Poster Contest is now open Grade School students, deadline of submission to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will be on Friday, March 2, 2018.
Summer Employment Program: The DPR is now accepting college students for employment to assist in the City-run summer camp. For more information, one may visit the DPR website: www.honolulu.gov/parks/dprsummerfun or call (808)_768-3020.
Disaster Preparedness: The public is reminded to be aware of disaster preparedness. For more information on ballistic missile preparedness and planning, visit the website: https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2017/12/HI-EMA-guidance-analysis-nuclear-detonation-JUN-2017-1.pdf
Kuahea Street Project: The contractor is scheduled to start probing and sawcutting for utility work along 10th Ave., Waiomao St. and Kuahea St. on Monday, February 12, 2018. Utility upgrades and road reconstruction and resurfacing to commence thereafter. Estimated completion date is Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
Abandoned Vehicles: The problem of the abandoned vehicles not being removed is due to lack of Land space to store the abandoned vehicles. The solution is to add more land spaces for storage, but this needs to comply with environmental laws in dismantling and disposing vehicles.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Palolo Pool: Chair Hack inquired and Director Sasamura replied he will refer to the DPR as to when can there be evening and weekend pool hours at Palolo District Park.
2. Abandoned Vehicles: Frost commented that the Federal government should do something about military vehicles being abandoned, to which Director Sasamura replied that, to date, the City and the military liaison officers have not yet come up with a solution. Upon query by Holtrop, Director Sasamura replied that there are several hundred abandoned vehicles.
3. Pool Lighting: A resident is requesting to re-install lighting at the pool at Palolo District Park, to which Director Sasamura replied that he will take the matter back to DPR.
4. Fence Repair: Board Member Shiraki commented on the development presently occurring on the Ewa side (downhill side) of the intersection of 10th Avenue and Waiomao Road. He is concerned that the fence along the 10th Avenue sidewalk is insufficient to prevent someone from falling from the sidewalk down the steep drop-off into the private property.
5. Sewage Spill: Resident James Conant reported raw sewage spilling out onto Kuahea Street near his home at 2296 Kuahea Street. He is alarmed that sewage be allowed to spill into the street where people are growing vegetables.
6. Construction Update: Board Member Nakayama requested information on the permitted construction on the Servco property on the Ewa/Mauka corner of Waialae and 6th Avenues.
7. Cardboard Recycling: Mrs. Aldrige requested a recycling location for corrugated cardboard in or near Palolo Valley.

PRESENTATION: Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility: Program Director Mark Manfredi reported the following:
• Modernization Program: The U.S. navy has invested, since 2006, over $200 million to continue modernizing Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank Facility, and continues environmental testing. There is a rigorous and ongoing clean/inspect/repair maintenance program certified by the American Petroleum Institute.
??? Safe Water: The Navy conducts EPA-approved methods to test the water near the Red Hill Facility. Test results continue to verify drinking water remains safe and within Federal/State standards.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Mahalo: Armentrout thanked Mr. Manfredi for coming to explain the current condition of the Red Hill facility and for keeping the drinking water safe.
2. Tank Leak: Shiraki inquired and Mr. Manfredi replied that there will be no leaks and will see to it that the water is safe. The engineers are working constantly to prevent any leak or damage.
3. House Bill (HB) 2712: Holrop inquired and Mr. Manfredi replied that the testimony during the hearing of HB 2712 that there have been 37 documented leaks occurring at Red Hill since the facility began operations in 1943 or an average of one leak every other year is different from the reported two (2) leaks since 1998.
4. Board of water Supply (BWS) Concern: Ernie Lau of the BWS commented that the BWS is not a part of the decision making of the ALC, but BWS is constantly giving extensive comments to the Navy. The Red Hill facility is 75 years old, and BWS expects the Navy to continuously maintain and upgrade the facility to keep the drinking water of Oahu safe to drink. Shiraki thanked the BWS for making the drinking water safe.

Armentrout left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.; Nine (9) members remain attending.

State Representative Calvin Say.: Representative Say reported the following:
House Bills (HB) 2525 and 2212: HB 2525 makes it a crime for making false statement to a county inspector, and HB 2212 considers obstructing real property zoning enforcement operations as Class C felony, and not just a misdemeanor.
Palolo Roads Work: The project includes replacing concrete pavement, resurfacing, reconstructing sidewalks and drain lines on 10eth Avenue, Helo Place, Kuahea Street and Waiomao Road.
St James Church: St James church along Palolo Avenue has now four (4) homes as approved by the DPP, which construction has not passed through the Neighborhood Board.
Parking Street Problem: Parking along the street has now become a problem due to the presence of numerous abandoned vehicles.
Resolution: State Representative Say requested the Board to pass a resolution requesting thw the City to provide Land Space to store the abandoned vehicles

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Abandoned Vehicles: Holtrop inquired and State Representative Say confirmed that he is involved in the talks between the City and the Military in addressing the abandoned military vehicles.

Leo left the meeting at 8:45 p.m.; Eight (8) members remain attending.

State Senator Les Ihara Jr.: Senator Ihara reported the following:
• 18th Session: The legislature is on its 18th session for 60 days, and Senator Ihara is working on Kupuna Bills for Palolo.
• Flu Vaccines: The Department of health is undergoing the flu vaccine program to prevent deceases and prevent infection.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Senate Bill (SB) 2219: Shiraki inquired and Senator Ihara replied that he will inform the Chair as to what his stand is on SB 2219.

BOARD BUSINESS

Minutes Correction: On page one (1) of the minutes under Holiday Safety tips, the word "were??? should be "where", as corrected by Chair Hack.

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: There being no objection and no corrections, the minutes of Wednesday, November 8, 2017, was approved, as corrected.

Formation of Permitted Interaction Group (PIG)
• PIG Explained: Holtrop explained to the Board that PIG refers to a group of Board members to investigate on matters assigned by the Board and make a written report of its findings and recommendations.

Shiraki moved and Nakayama seconded that the Palolo Neighborhood Board form a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG). The motion was NOT ADOPTED FOR LACK OF MAJORITY VOTE; 5:2:1 (Aye: Darlene Nakayama, Joshua Frost, Earl Shiraki, Rusti Onishi, and Frank Farm; Nay: Paul Holtrop and Bradley Rentz; Abstain: Randolph Hack.

Community Recognition Nominations: Nakayama informed the Board to submit the name of nominees for recognition to her.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Chair Hack reported a remaining balance of $252.58 for January 2018

ANNOUNCEMENTS
??? The P lolo Neighborhood Board's Next Meeting is on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 7:00 PM at P lolo Elementary School.
Bulky Trash Pick-Up - Take out no-earlier-than one (1) day before the third Wednesday of every month) to preserve the beauty of the valley. Report via Honolulu 311 Smart Phone Application or https://appsto.re/us/SiSC.i Call 768-3203 for violations.
Farmers' Market - Every Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. - 7:20 a.m. at P lolo District Park
'Olelo Broadcast Slots - The P lolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meetings are aired on Channel 49 the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:00 p.m. and the 4th Thursday at 9:00 p.m. or online, anytime at http://www.olelo.org
Social Media - Join us informally at the "P lolo Valley Community" or "Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6??? pages on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com. Also stay connected with P lolo at www.nextdoor.com.
Agenda Requests - No Later Than two (2)-weeks prior to meeting, contact Chair Hack at 753-0710 at least two weeks in advance of meeting.
Designated Board Members to Assist to Close-Up - Mahalo to Shiraki and Hack for arranging.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Submitted by: Felipe M. Pacquing II, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Public Relations
Finalized by: Chair Randolph Hack

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