Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for January 16, 2013 Meeting

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Minutes Posted for January 16, 2013 Meeting
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Next meeting is 2/20/2013- Read the agenda. . Click here.

Courtesy of Neighborhood Commission Office
Source Neighborhood Commission Office

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2013
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Lyle Bullock Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. with a quorum of eight (8) members present. Note – This 11 member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: Lyle Bullock, Jr., Paul Hoe, Brian Kang, Abigail Leong, Russell McGuire (arrived at 7:08 p.m.), John Perez, Sharon Schneider, Leonard Tam, and Lori Yamada.

Members Absent: Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano.

Vacancies: There is one (1) vacancy in Sub-district 3 (West Kaimuki).

Guests: Lieutenant Nagata, Officer Chad Yamada, and Sergeant Allen Ishida (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Jay Shimabuku (Honolulu Fire Department); Lorna Heller and Ellen Kitamura (Board of Water Supply), Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Karen Yorimoto (Councilmember Kobayashi’s Office), Lydia Chock, Micah Munekata (Councilmember Stanley Chang’s Office), S. Sonoda, Gordon Tam, and William Nhieu (Neighborhood Commission Office).

FILLING OF BOARD VACANCY: Chair Bullock opened the floor for nominations or volunteers to fill the one (1) vacancy in Sub-district 3 (West Kaimuki). There were no nominations or volunteers at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Jay Shimabuku reported the following;

• November 2012 Statistics: Included 138 alarms with 2 structure, 4 rubbish fires, 131 medical emergencies, and 1 major incident.
• Fire Safety Tip: Always supervise children when they are using a microwave oven. Use only microwave-safe food containers or dishes; never use aluminum foil or metal. If your microwave oven catches fire, keep the door closed, turn it off, and unplug it from the wall receptacle. If the fire does not extinguish, go outside and call 911. Purchase a microwave oven that has an independent testing laboratory label. Complete and return the product registration card to the manufacturer so they can inform you of recalls.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Sgt. Ishida reported the following;

· December 11, 2012 through January 11, 2013 Crime Statistics: Included 10 burglaries, 4 robberies, 45 thefts and 15 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV).

· Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain: Rain is blamed for thousands of accidents yearly. Many of these accidents are preventable, but are caused by intrepid drivers who don’t realize that fair and foul-weather driving are fundamentally different. When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception – it’s harder to see through the rain – and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

§ Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell.

§ Allow for more travel time.

§ Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally.

§ Stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.

§ Don’t use cruise control.

§ If you see a large puddle up ahead, drive around it or choose a different route.

§ Don’t attempt to cross running water.

§ After you cross a puddle, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your brake rotors.

§ Turn on you headlights, even when there’s a light sprinkle.

§ Watch out for pedestrians.

§ If it’s raining so hard that you can’t see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out.

§ Track the car ahead of you.

§ Give a truck or bus extra distance.

§ Defog your windows.

§ If you start to hydroplane, don’t brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the regains traction.

§ Stay on top of your car’s condition. Its brakes, tire pressures, tire tread depth and defroster operation should be checked regularly so that you’ll be ready to deal with a heavy rain when the time comes

§ Most vehicles are available with antilock brakes these days, and safety features like traction control, stability control and all-wheel drive are becoming increasingly popular as well. Although all-wheel drive is really only necessary if you frequently drive in snow and ice, traction and stability control can be very hand on rain-soaked roads. Traction control helps you maintain grip by putting the brakes on the tire(s) that don’t have traction, while a stability control system monitors your steering input, intervening with the brakes and/or reducing engine power as needed to keep you on your intended path.

§ Make sure that your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. If the blades are damaged, replace them before you’re caught in a downpour.

§ Every car should have a good emergency kit with a tow rope and jumper cables.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed;

1. Skate Park Development: A Board member sought information about developing a skate park in an empty lot near the overpass at 17th Avenue and Harding Avenue.

1. Kapalono Park Disturbances: A Board member raised concern about people causing a disturbance during the middle of the night at Kapalono Park. Sgt. Ishida will follow up with HPD to increase police presence in the area.
2. Residential Chickens: HPD has issued a warning to an individual in the district who possessed more chickens than were allowed on a residential property.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Lorna Heller introduced Deputy Manager and Chief Engineer Ellen E. Kitamura to the Board and reported;

• Contact Information: Ellen E. Kitamura P.E.

Deputy Manager & Chief Engineer

Fax: 748-5079

Voice Mail: 748-5066

Email address: ekitamura@hbws.org

· Main Break Report: There were no main breaks reported in January 2013.

• Monthly Billing –The BWS is switching to a new customer billing system later this month that will allow for monthly billing. Customers are advised of the following service changes that will be phased in over the next couple of months: (a) Customers will begin receiving their combined water and wastewater bill on a monthly basis; (b) Elimination of minimum payment; and (c) A new 10-digit account number will replace the previous 14-digit number. Customers who utilize online banking services will need to inform their bank of the new 10-digit account number. However, customers enrolled in Automatic billing Payment (ABP) with the BWS do not need to take further action. A bill insert and sample of the new bill will be mailed to all customers. The BWS appreciates your patience and cooperation as the BWS converts to this new system. Contact Information – Visit the website at www.boardofwatersupply.com or call the Communications Office at 748-5041.
• Water Conservation Contest and Calendar – The BWS, in partnership with Hawaii Energy and other sponsors has launched its 2013 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry contests, aimed at educating island keiki about the importance of water conservation and resource sustainability. This year’s contest theme, “Save Water, Save Energy.” The poster contest is open to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade and the poetry contest is open to students in grades 7-12. The deadline to enter these contests is Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Information about these contests can be found on www.boardofwatersupply.com or call the Communications Office at 748-5041.

BOARD ADMINISTRATION:

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: Hoe moved and Schneider seconded the approval of the November 21, 2012, regular meeting minutes. The motion was ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, 9-0-0 (Ayes: Bullock, Hoe, McGuire, Leong, Perez, Schneider, Kang, Tam, and Yamada.)

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Schneider reported the December 2012 expenditures were $40.82 for printing and postage of agenda and minutes; leaving a current balance of $782.40. The report was filed.

Three Absences of Board Member John Perez: The Board discussed the absences of Perez and decided maintains John Perez as a member. It was noted that the last meeting location of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 had to be moved from Kaimuki Christian Church due to construction, at which Perez was working.

2013 Neighborhood Board Elections: Candidate filing period is now open. Deadline to apply is February 15, 2013. Mailed forms must be postmarked by the deadline and received by February 22, 2013. For information, go to www1.honolulu.gov/nco or 2013NBElection.everyonecounts.com.

PUBLIC INPUT:

Pigeon Ownership: A Board member sought insight into the amount of pigeons a person was allowed to legally have on property. An answer was unavailable.

Representative Marumoto’s Husband: Board Member Yamada announced the recent passing of former State Representative Barbara Marumoto’s husband over the Thanksgiving holidays.

OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS:

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – Buddhist Tzu Chi Organization: The presentation on the CUP for the Buddhist Tzu Chi Organization at 1238 Wilhelmina Rise by Randall Wong will be deferred to a later date. The organization has requested that the presentation be rescheduled pending the resolution of permitting issues.

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Mayor’s Representative: A written report was available for Board review and Chair Bullock Jr. reported;

· Incomplete Sidewalks Located Near the 1200 Block of 16th Avenue: Recent repair work has been done in the area near the 1200 block of 16th Avenue; however, the two (2) remaining locations are blocked and incomplete, forcing pedestrians to walk on the roadway. The City is awaiting the disposition of tree roots prior to repairing the sidewalk which is expected to occur next month.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Councilmember Kobayashi provided her monthly report and highlighted;

· Budget Committee Assignments: Kobayashi will continue to serve as the Chair of the Budget Committee with Councilmember Stanley Chang servicing as Vice Chair. Both of Kaimuki’s Councilmembers hold a leadership position on the important budget committee.

· Animal Ownership Bill: Will be introducing a bill to adjust the amount of animals on residential properties, allowing up to seven chickens from the current two, reducing roosters from two to one, and banning peacocks or fowl. The purpose of the bill is primarily to allow for food self sufficiency by enabling residents to produce their own eggs.

Councilmember Stanley Chang: Micah Munekata distributed the Councilmember’s report and highlighted;

· Area Dog Park: The office is currently working on bringing a dog park to the area. Currently many residents bring their dogs to play at Maunalani Community Park despite it not being an actual dog park.

· Sierra Drive Paving: Has spoken to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) about repaving Sierra Drive and will continue to work on getting the road repaved.
Governor’s Representative: Director Russell Kokubun reported the following;

· Support for Agriculture Bill: As the Director of the State’s Department of Agriculture, Kokubun has stated that he will provide support for Councilmember Kobayashi’s animal bill.

· Governor’s Package: The Governor will be pushing a legislative package that focuses on early education, the modernization of information technology (IT) systems, and elderly health initiatives.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed;

1. Online Travel Agency Lawsuit: A Board member sought insight into the State of Hawaii’s lawsuit against online travel websites to collect unpaid taxes. The State of Hawaii’s Attorney General is participating in a lawsuit, with several other states, to collect unpaid taxes from online travel websites that do business in Hawaii and do not currently pay a general excise tax.

2. Queen Lilioukalani School Closure: Board member Yamada provided Kokubun with a portfolio detailing plans to convert Queen Liliuokalani School into an early learning center, as the school now remains closed and unused. Kokuban suggested that this information be brought directly to the State Department of Education (DOE) and the Board of Education (BOE), as they would be the ones to act upon the information. Kokubun also noted that he personally attended the school between Kindergarten and the fifth grade.

Senator Sam Slom: A representative or report was not available.

Senator Les Ihara: A representative or report was not available.

Representative Calvin Say: A representative or report was not available.

Senator Bert Kobayashi: A written report was made available.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Next Board Meeting: The next meeting of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 will be on Wednesday, February 20 2013, 7:00 p.m. at the Kaimuki Christian Church, Fellowship Hall, 1117 Koko Head Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

Submitted By: William Nhieu, Neighborhood Assistant I

Reviewed By: Nola J. Frank, Neighborhood Assistant I

Reviewed and Finalized By: Lyle Bullock Jr., Chair

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