Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for March 16th, 2011 Meeting

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for March 16th, 2011 Meeting
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Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011
QUEEN LILI`UOKALANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernon Tam called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m. with a quorum of six (6) members present. Note ö This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and take official Board action.

Members Present: Daniel Carvalho, Abigail Leong (Arrived 7:20 p.m.), John Perez, Sharon Schneider, Leonard Tam, Vernon Tam and Lori Yamada.

Members Absent: John Cater and Ginny Meade.

Vacancy: There is one seat vacant each in sub district 2 and 3.

Guests: Acting Lieutenant Clinton Sukekane, Sergeant S Medieros and Officer Mark Mitchell (Honolulu Police Department), Acting Captain Kani Dougan (Honolulu Fire Department), Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply), Representative Barbara Marumoto, Steve Uyeno (Councilmember Stanley Changâs Office staff), Ann Kobayashi and Karen Yorimoto (Councilmember Ann Kobayashiâs Office staff), Candace Van Buren (Representative Scott Nishimotoâs Office staff), Tim Steinberger (Mayor Carlisleâs representative and Director of Environmental Services), Wayne Yoshioka (Director of Transportation Services), Adrian Chang (Department of Transportation Services), Lyle G. Bullock, Leon Kau, Paul Hoe, Deanna Espinas (Program Administrator, Hawaii State Department of Public Safety), Brian Yoshida, Glenn Y. Yamasaki, and Aisha Wang (Neighborhood Commission Office staff).

7:20 p.m. Abigail Leong arrived; seven (7) members present.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS: Chair Tam announced there was an error on the Agenda which stated that the two vacancies were in sub district 1 and 3. However the vacant seats are one seat each in sub district 2 and one seat in sub district 3. Chair Tom asked if there was anyone interested in filling these vacant seats.

Paul Hoe declared interest in sub district 3 and Lyle G. Bullock in sub district 2. Because there was an error in the agenda, only a motion to accept Paul Hoe to fill the vacancy in sub district 3 was made. Lyle G. Bullock would have to be sworn in at the next regular Board meeting.

A motion to accept Paul Hoe as a Board member to fill a vacant position in Sub District 3 was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0-0 (Aye: Carvalho, Perez, Schneider, L. Tam, V. Tam and Yamada.) Chair Tam welcomed Paul Hoe to the Board to fill vacancy in Sub District 3.

A short recess was taken to administer the Oath of Office to Paul Hoe; seven (7) members present.

7:28 p.m. Vice-Chair Sharon Schneider left due to illness; six (6) members present.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS: (Limited to 3 minutes each)

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Sergeant Clinton Sukekane reported the following:

• February 2011 Statistics: Included 23 burglaries, 3 robberies, 43 thefts, and 14 unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle (UEMV).

• Safety Tips: Beware of Fraud Scams occurring when you least expect it. For instance, be very cautious and do not give personal information over the phone (Social Security number, credit cards, bank accounts, etc.) Legitimate businesses will never ask you for this information over the phone.

Do Not Send Money To Strangers ö In the sweepstakes scam, a stranger will call and claim they represent a lottery or contest organization. The caller will say that you have won the sweepstakes and may claim your prize money. However, before you can claim your prize money, the caller will tell you that you have to pay for taxes on the prize, usually around $3,000. While paying $3,000 to get a much larger prize sounds like a great deal, itâs not. Itâs a scam.

Questions, concerns and comments followed:

Towed Cars: A Board member asked about her car being towed because it was obstructing sidewalks for pedestrians. The complaint was filed through the Mayorâs office and was a valid violation.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Acting Capt. Kani Dougan reported the following:

• February 2011 Statistics: Included 13 structure fires, 1 vehicle fire, 112 medical calls, 2 search and rescue and 24 miscellaneous incidences.

• Fire Safety Tips: As Easter approaches, please remember the following safety tips:

o Scald burns are the most common injury among children ages four and younger. When boiling eggs for a coloring activity, be attentive to your cooking and children. Do not leave any cooking unattended.

o If candles are used, do not leave them unattended or near drapes or other ignitable materials, such as artificial grass, which is commonly used as filler for childrenâs baskets. Ensure your candle holder is the proper size for the type of candle being used.

o Familiarize yourself with the contents of your childrenâs Easter baskets, especially if they contain small toys, and be aware of the manufacturerâs warning for choking hazards for young children.

Board of Water (BWS): Lorna Heller reported the following:

• Aginng Infrastracture and Water Main Breaks: The Board of Water Supply (BWS) responds to an average of one main break per day. Aside from our mains being damaged by accident during excavations, a primary reason for main failure is the age of our mains.

Aging infrastructure is one of the greatest challenges facing utilities across the nation and world.

The BWS works diligently to reduce the amount of breaks that happen every year. With nearly 2,100 miles of pipeline across the island of Oahu, this is a large undertaking.

BWS has taken several proactive steps towards reducing the amount of breaks on the island. By developing a program called Quality Infrastructures Conservation Initiative (QUINCI) crews are able to gather data at the main repair site to determine why different pipelines failed. Then the date can be used to develop solutions that can later be incorporated in pipeline design, installation and/or maintenance.

Also, the BWS has a team dedicated to detecting leaks within the water system. When leaks are detected, a BWS crew can execute a planned repair job on the main, thereby fixing the leak before it turns into an emergency main break. BWS is also working on corrosion control methods in an attempt to extend the life of the waterline.

For more information about main breaks and what exactly happens when a main break occurs, visit the ãpublicationsä section of the website at www.boardofwatersupply.com.

PUBLIC INPUT AND CONCERNS: (Limited to 3 minutes each)

• Congressional House Resolution 888: A Bill in congress which relates to the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nationâs founding and subsequent history. Designating May as ãAmerican Religious History Weekâ for the appreciation of and education on Americaâs history of religious faith.

OLD BUSINESS:

Proposed Queen LiliÎuokalani School Closure: The Chair announced that that they were waiting for the new Board of Education to be appointed by the Governor. Once that occurs there will be a final decision on the closure of the schools and a need to find a new meeting location. Two or three sites have been offered as meeting places, however, none as well known as Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School.

Request for Traffic Light at Harding and 12th Avenues: Adrian Chang (Department of Transportation Services) reported that there is a lot of measurements to be done before there can be an approval for the installation of traffic light at this location.

It is also dependant on several other projects in the area commencing in the near future which will likely push the date for approval of the traffic light at Harding and 12th Avenues further into the future.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Removing Obstruction: A Board member asked about a pole at the intersection of Harding and 12th Avenues that should be removed. This obstruction makes it difficult for buses to turn the corner. Director Wayne Yoshioka of Department of Transportation Services volunteered to stay and discuss the issue after the Board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Hawaii Correctional Industries: Deanna Espinas, Program Administrator for the Hawaii State Department of Public Safety (DPA) reported that the partnership between the Hawaii Correctional Industries, DPS and the Department of Education to upgrade and make the playground safe for children. She is going to various schools and at this time, she has a full calendar of scheduled repairs, but is happy to share what the program offers.

Board Meeting Site in Event of Queen LiliÎuokalani School Closure: Chair Tam explained that there is discussion of closing of the Queen Liliuokalani School, however the Board is still going to be allowed to use the cafetorium. If there is any need for an alternate school, Chair Tam will keep the Board informed.

ELECTED OFFICIALS: (Limited to 3 minutes each)

Mayor Peter Carlisleâs: Tim Steinberger presented the following:

á Sidewalk Resurfacing: If there are specific problems can be recognized by the Board then Steinberger will take the request to Department of Design and Construction (DDC). DDC will send work orders through the Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) to get those sidewalks resurfaced in a timely manner if deemed necessary.

á Koko Head Parking Lot: The Koko Head Parking Lot, which is divided into a concession and a metered lot. The question raised is whether they both are to be turned into concessions not run by the City. If so, the concession would be responsible for the maintenance of the grass areas around the lot. Otherwise, if it remains a metered lot there will be a work order through DFM to cut back the overgrown grass.

á Update on Harding Avenue Project: Wayne Yoshioka (DTS) was present to give an update and address any questions regarding the project on Harding Avenue.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Maintenance of Grass Surrounding Parking Lot: A resident questioned who is responsible for the maintenance of the parking lot. Steinberger responded that because the metered lot is City property, it is the City that is responsible and will notify DFM of the need for maintenance surrounding that area.

City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Councilmember Kobayashi reported Budget Hearings: Property tax has been an issue that will be taken up as a separate bill. User fee increases, parking fee increases at parks, increase in camping fees, looking at an increase in fuel tax and the vehicle weight tax and even golf fees. There will be an increase in sewer and water bill.

Questions, comments and concerns:

Sewer Fees: A Board member wanted to know why, even with a water catchments system, which assists in maintenance of sewer systems, she still is being charged higher sewer fees. The councilmember suggested putting a meter on one of the pipes that goes into the sewer. Director Steinberger stepped in to explain the rationale behind the charging of sewer fees in relation to water usage and why the discrepancy.

City Councilmember Stanley Chang: Representative Steve Uyeno reported the following:

• Road Rehabilitation: Councilmember Chang is concerned about road rehabilitation and the way the budget committee would handle the upgrade of roads because the condition of roadways in Honolulu are the worst in the nation. He would like to see reduction in the road rehabilitation expense in the budget eliminated.

• Real Property Tax: They are raising the homeowner class and lowering the non homeowner class to put all classifications into one. Councilmember Chang is concerned about the reduction of classes.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Operating Budget: A lot of discretionary items are being increased, furloughs are being eliminated and fees are being increased to balance funds.

1. Transit Authority: City Charter established a transit authority that runs the rail project, A Board member suggested comparing this to the bus system which is run with much less funds. Director Yoshioka came forward to explain the funding of the Transit Authority which is semi-autonomous and assists in moving the rail project forward.

1. Tax Payerâs Money: Councilmember Kobayashi wanted to reiterate that the tax payerâs money is important to balancing the budget and thatâs why the Council is going through the budget so

State Senator Les Ihara (9th District): Unable to attend; report e-mailed to Chair.

• Maunalani Heights: Noise complaints from helicopters flying too low and causing noise. Senator Ihara provided a number which is the Armyâs hotline 656-3487 with the time, and date of the incident and the color of the aircraft if possible.

State Representative (House Speaker) Calvin K.Y. Say (20th District): Not present; report was made available.

State Representative Barbara Marumoto (19th District): Representative Marumoto reported the following:  

• Liliuokalani School Closure: Kindergarten class came to visit the capitol from this school for the last time; it would be the last time.

• Overhead Noise Complaints: She announced that she had additional numbers to Senator Iharaâs. However, she suggested writing a letter to the top General of the Army in Hawaii and editor of the newspaper which may get the issue publicized.

• Kahala Covenance: Has moved to the Senate.

• ATV Bill: Has moved to the Senate. However they did not agree with the age. It has been found that there are many injuries from ATV use and will be decreased by limiting the age.

• Pension Tax: The Representative will be holding a meeting at 4:00 p.m. at Kahalanui Retirement Home for those interested in the pension tax proposal. It will consist of a panel made up of representatives from American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Tax Foundation and Representative Gene Ward.

State Representative Scott Nishimoto (21st District): Report made available and Candace Van Buren reported the following:

• Community Meeting: Representative Nishimoto held a meeting with community area residents on February 23, 2011.

• Free Tax Filing: Van Buren handed out the Representativeâs report which has a free on-line tax website.

 State Representative Mark Hashem (18th District): No representative present; no report available.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2011 MEETING: There being no objections or corrections, Perez moved, Hoe seconded and the Board ADOPTED the regular meeting minutes of February 21, 2011, 7-0-0 (Ayes: Carvalho, Hoe, Leong, Perez, L. Tam, V. Tam, and Yamada).

TREASURERÂS REPORT: Treasurer Yamada reported for the month of February 2011 there was an operating expenditure of $57.73 and no publicity expense leaving a balance of $1,076.10.

Chair Tam raised the question of generating a newsletter with the remaining budget and will discuss later at the next meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Construction: Chair announced that the construction that is going on during the evenings will occur during off peak times through November 2011. The work being done will reinforce the plates to prevent shifting which makes driving over plates dangerous.
• The next meeting: of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 04 will be Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Submitted by Aisha Wang, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by Vernon Tam, Chair

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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