Palolo Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2018 Minutes

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Palolo Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2018 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 7/11/2018.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 09, 2018
PALOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro Tem Darlene Nakayama called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note - This 13-member board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Barbra Armentrout, William Caron, Frank Farm, Randolph Hack, Paul Holtrop, Beverly Mau, Darlene Nakayama, Earl Shiraki

Board Members Absent: Joshua Frost, Rusti Onishi, Bradley Rentz

Guests: Captain Chris Miller (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Cyrus Hanuna (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Diaz (Board of Water Supply); Ernest Lau, Chief Engineer and Jane Pascual, Communications (Board of Water Supply); Director Ross Sasamura (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative/Department of Facility Maintenance); Councilmember Ann Kokayashi; Cliff Kaneshiro (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office); House Representative Calvin Say; Julia Allen, James Nekota (Residents); Harry Cho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Miller reported the following:
• April 2018 Statistics: There was 1 structure fire, 1 activated alarm (no fire), 31 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision/crash, 2 mountain rescues, and 1 hazardous material incident.
• Safety Tip - Escape Planning:
• Plan ahead: If a fire ignites in your home, you may only have a few minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. HFD suggests the following fire preplanning tips. Make a home escape plan, plan at least two (2) ways out of every room, designate an outside meeting place in order to account for all family members, practice your home fire drill during the day and night. Twice a year using different escape plans, teach children how to escape on their own, close doors behind you to contain the fire. If the alarm sounds, get out and never go back in for people or pets, if you have to escape though smoke, stay low, call 911 from outside your home.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Pets: Armentrout asked if pets will be rescued in the case of a fire. Captain Miller stated that life safety is the primary concern.
2. Thank You: Shiraki thanked HFD for keeping the Palolo neighborhood safe.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Hanuna reported the following:
• April 2018 Statistics: There were 4 motor vehicle thefts, 16 burglaries, 13 thefts, 15 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs), and 6,626 total calls for service.
• Safety Tip - Disaster Preparedness Safety Tips:
• Hurricane Season: Prepare to cover all windows and door openings with boards, shutters, or other shielding materials. Be aware of the structural limitations of your home. Reinforce your home against high winds.
• Tsunami: If in an evacuation zone, you must leave if ordered to do so. Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls. Go inland or to a higher elevation as soon as possible.
• Be Prepared: Make an emergency plan and know escape routes and meeting places. Stock up on batteries, radios, flashlights, and first aid supplies. Prepare a survival kit for home use to take to a shelter. Learn the location of officially designated civil defense shelters.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Diaz reported the following:
• Water Main Breaks: There were two (2) water main breaks in the month of April 2018. One was on Monday, April 2, 2018 on 2296 Waiomao Road. Another was on Sunday, April 15, 2018 on 2331 Kauhea Street.
• May 2018 Update: Over the last several months, the community was notified of the BWS's long term financial plan, capital improvement project (CIP) scenarios, the water rate study, and subsidies for certain type of customers such as agriculture, recycled water, and non-residential customers. This month, BWS is holding public hearing regarding proposed water rates, which are posted on https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/waterrates/. The meetings will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at Kapolei Hale, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Benjamin Parker Elementary School, and Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Mililani Recreational Center. All meetings will being at 6:30 p.m. Please contact contactus@hbws.org or call 748-5041 if there are any questions or comments.

PRESENTATIONS

Board of Water Supply (BWS) Proposed Water Rates - Chief Engineer Ernest Lau reported that the BWS is proposing rate adjustments necessary to continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable, water on Oahu, today and into the future. BWS is reaching out across Oahu to share what is being proposed and why. The resulting benefits will include an increase in reliability and resiliency of our water systems, the number of main breaks to decline with the next decade, increased investments in conservation to preserve existing supplies and delay the need for new sources, and target funding for watershed protection to adapt to a changing climate. BWS proposes customer charge based on the size of the meter. A monthly charge based on meter size distributes costs for service more fairly, with those with larger meters paying more. This will cover the costs of servicing and replacing meter, reading meters, billing, and related customer and administrative services. BWS is also proposing rate adjustments for single family, multi-unit residential, non-residential, agricultural, non-potable, and recycled water. These rate adjustments are part of a five (5) year rate proposal. Community presentations will begin in spring 2018, plans to implement the proposal will start in July 2018, and rate changes would begin in July 2019.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Taxes: A community member asked why tax funds are not used to help the BWS subsidize projects. Lau stated that BWS is financially self-sufficient and depends on customer's rates and fees to operate and maintain Oahu's extensive and complex water infrastructure.
2. Monster Homes: Armentrout asked how monster homes are charged for their water bill. Lau stated that they are either charged as a single family unit or a multi-unit residential, which is classified by Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP).

REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS
• Rate Commission: Armentrout attended the most recent Rate Commission meeting held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Rate Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Mission Memorial Auditorium.

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT - There are vacancies for sub-district two (2) and sub-district four (4). No vacancies were filled.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi: Councilmember Kobayashi reported the following:
• Monster Homes: The City is in the process of trying to tear down a monster home along Date Street which would serve as a warning. A stop order was issued, however the homeowner continued with construction.
• Budget: Funds are being put in the budget for drainage problems around the island such as in Palolo, Manoa, and Mccully. $5.7 million was inserted into the budget by the administration for a trash fee. The City Council did not support this.
• Bowl-o-Drome: Applications are being accepted for this vacant property on Isenberg Street. Ideal applicants would be for affordable housing.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Monster Homes: Shiraki stated that he is against monster homes.
2. Ala Wai Golf Course: Armentrout stated that she does not support the long term lease that may be awarded to Topgolf to expand the Ala Wai Golf Course. It is far too long of a lease on such a large property.
3. Race Track: A community member stated that he would like to see a race track be built on the island for recreational racing.
4. Monster Homes: A community member stated that he would like to see multi-generational monster homes to be allowed so families will stay in the area.
5. Thank You: Mau thanked the City Council for recognizing the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America at the last Council meeting.

Board member Armentrout left at 7:55 p.m. There are seven (7) members present.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director Ross Sasamura reported the following:
• Summer Fun Program: The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is recruiting applicants for the 2018 Summer Fun Program. College students who want to develop management skills, recreation and child development skills, or enjoy working with children between the ages of five (5) and 13 are encouraged to consider working as a Summer Aide. The program runs from the end of May 2018 to the end of July 2018, with pay rates from $12.00 to $14.00 per hour. For more information and the online application form, please visit DPR's webpage at www.honolulu.gov/parks/dprsummerfun, or call (808) 768-3020.
• Follow Up:
• No Parking Sign: The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) conducted an investigation of Mr. Yu's concerns regarding accidents near his home. DTS reviewed the traffic history and could not confirm collisions involving motorists exiting the driveway. There were no unusual conditions, trends, or incidents within the past three (3) years at this location. However, to assist in HPD's enforcement efforts, a work order (reference Paint and Sign Work Order No. 3851) will be issued to the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to install a "No Parking Anytime" sign mauka of his driveway to supplement the existing "No Parking Here to Corner" sign.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Reflectors: Caron stated that there are "uprooted" bollards with reflectors for the traffic calming "island" on Palolo Avenue near the intersection with Kalua Road. The lack of visible reflectors on the bollards have resulted in people hitting the curbing for the traffic calming device and consequently damaging their vehicles.
2. Crosswalk Removal: Shiraki requested for the removal of the crosswalk across Waialae Avenue at Center Street. The unsignalized crosswalk at that location is too close to the signalized crosswalk at the intersection with 12th Avenue.

Governor David Ige's Representative - No report was given.

House Representative Calvin Say - Representative Say reported the following:
• Legislative Session Highlights: $125 million will be used for flood disaster relief on Kauai, $200 million for the Housing Revolving Fund, and $50 million for Ohana Zones.
• Private Lanes: Homeowners that have trouble entering their homes due to parked cars are encouraged to contact HPD.
• House Bill (HB) 2442: This bill requires the counties to take into custody any abandoned vehicle on a public road within 10 business days. This bill has been passed.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Affordable Housing: Caron stated that the he would like the legislatures to push for living wages and affordable housing for those in the 30% to 60% average median income (AMI).
2. Kupuna Care: Chair Hack stated that he has received input from the community that one (1) day a week is not enough to help the elderly.

Senator Les Ihara Jr. - No report was given.

RESIDENTS'/COMMUNITY CONCERN:
• Permitting: A community member stated that the Korean Church (Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple) built a care home on Halenoho Place after breaking down an old structure. A community member received notice that a reception is being held to visit the care home. How did the Korean Church get a permit to construct this care home in a residential area without going to the Neighborhood Board or community first? Almost all of the on-street parking is gone and the area is too small for a care home to operate with people working there 24 hours a day.
• Roads: A community member stated that roads are not well maintained. His car had been damaged from metal plates on the roads which have not been nailed down well.
• Parks: A community member stated that parks are not maintained. The parks on Oahu are very limited compared to those built on the mainland.

BOARD BUSINESS

Shiraki MOVED and Mau SECONDED the motion to nominate Holtrop as the treasurer. The motion PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 7-0-0. (Aye: Caron, Farm, Holtrop, Hack, Mau, Nakayama, Shiraki; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Monster Homes Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) - The Board will draft a resolution opposing monster homes.

Approval of Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Minutes - The Palolo Neighborhood Board approved the Wednesday, April 11, 2018 regular meeting minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT; 7-0-0 (Aye: Caron, Farm, Hack, Holtrop, Mau, Nakayama, Shiraki ; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Treasurers Report: Holtrop reported that the monthly expenditures were $20.50 and retains a balance of $191.40.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Next Meeting: The Palolo Neighborhood Board's next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Palolo Elementary School cafeteria. The Board will recess in June 2018.
2. 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.
3. Farmers' Market: Every Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. at the P lolo District Park. 'Olelo Broadcast Slots: The P lolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meetings are aired on Channel 49 on the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:00 p.m. and the fourth Thursday at 9:00 p.m., or online, anytime at http://www.olelo.org.
4. 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 the P lolo community at www.nextdoor.com.
5. Agenda Requests: No later than two (2) weeks prior to meeting, contact Chair Hack at 753-0710.
6. Designated Board Members to Assist to Close-Up - Mahalo to Shiraki and Hack for arranging.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Submitted by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Public Relations Specialist
Finalized by: Randolph Hack, Chair

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