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Ala Moana - Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 Meeting Minutes For 2/28/2017 Posted
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Ala Moana-Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board No. 11
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note -- This nine (9)-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Chair Tam welcomed everyone to the Neighborhood Board meeting and thanked the Board members and the public for their input to the government.
Roll Call -- The Board members stated their names for roll call.
Board Members Present -- William Ammons, Bob Armstrong, Chris Chung, Michelle Foyt, Larry Hurst, Ryan Tam, and Michael Zehner.
Board Members Absent -- Rodney Chang.
Vacancies -- There was one vacancy for Sub-district One (1).
Guests -- Raytan Vares (Senator Brickwood Galuteria's Office); Councilmember Ann Kobayashi and James Larson (Councilmember Kobayashi's Office); Ian Santee (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Kris Coffield and Amy Perruso (Hawaii State Teacher's Association); Wes Oda (Blue Zone Project); Sergeant Clinton Corpuz, Lieutenant Daniel Lee and Sergeant Nicholas Akaka (Honolulu Police Department); Edward Hemphill (Re-use Hawaii); James Kramer, Ronald Higa, Jane Clowhis (Residents); videographer (DvDModo); Dylan Whitsell (Neighborhood Commission Office).
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- No representative was present; no report was given.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD), District (1) -- Lieutenant Daniel Lee reported the following:
• January 2017 Statistics: There were 19 motor vehicle thefts, 14 burglaries, 147 thefts, 65 UEMVs (Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicle), 20 assaults, 3 sexual assaults, 6 graffiti incidents, and 15 drug offenses.
• Burglary Prevention Tips:
o Use solid core or metal doors for all entrance points.
o Secure sliding glass doors with a secondary lock.
o Use highly visible alarm system decals, "Beware of Dog" decals, or security watch decals.
o Make sure someone cannot reach through a window and unlock your doors.
o Be a good neighbor; get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other.
o Place valuables in a safe and secure area and take photos of valuables for cataloging.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Deadbolt Locks: Hurst commented that using deadbolt locks is also another effective method for helping to prevent burglary and Lieutenant Lee agreed.
• Police Week: Sergeant Nicholas Akaka provided information on an upcoming event, the Annual Police Week Memorial Walk, scheduled for Monday, May 15, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. The walk will start from the main police station and conclude at the State Capitol. The walk will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The three (3) most makai lanes of Beretania Street will be temporarily blocked off.
FILLING OF VACANCY IN SUB-DISTRICT ONE (1)
Sub-district One (1) -- Official Boundary Description: "Beginning at the junction of King Street and Kalākaua Avenue, southeast along Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Boulevard, thence west along Kapiʻolani Boulevard to Keʻeaumoku Street, thence northeast along Keʻeaumoku Street to King Street, thence southeast along King Street to Kalākaua Avenue". As there were no volunteers or nominations, Chair Tam deferred this agenda item to the next meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
Hawaii State Teacher's Association -- Amy Perusso, Secretary Treasurer of the Hawaii State Teacher's Association (HSTA), gave a presentation on her findings of what is believed to be the root cause of the systemic breakdown of Hawaii State public schools. The largest factor based on feedback is teacher shortages, with 1,600 vacant teaching positions by the end last school year. This has the most impact on high risk children who are not provided with enough attention from qualified teachers to meet their needs. A proposed solution to keep qualified teachers in Hawaii and to attract more to the State is legislature for a property tax surcharge, which would levy a surcharge on visitor accommodations and on non-owner occupied residences with some exceptions. This newly generated revenue could go towards helping better fund Hawaii State public schools.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Long Term Solution: Ammons questioned whether this legislature provide a long term solution and Perusso responded that Hawaii already has the lowest property tax rate in the United States and that the proposed legislature would help keep property value speculation in check whilst generating revenue.
2. Teacher's Union: Chung asked if the Teacher's Union has made any statement on their position of the Department of Education (DOE) using unused school space to generate revenue by leasing out the land for affordable housing, workforce housing, or commercial developments. Kris Coffield responded that the HSTA has never taken a formal position.
3. Amendment: Chair Tam asked why this issue requires an amendment and Coffield answered that the Hawaii State Constitution currently delegates any revenue derived from property value to the City and County of Honolulu. Therefore, in order to establish a surcharge on property value, the constitution must be amended in order to be able to do so.
Chair Tam requested that item 4.1.1 on the agenda to consider the resolution in support of educational funding be moved to Section 10: New Business. There was no objection.
Blue Zones Project -- Wes Oda gave a brief presentation on the Blue Zones Project, an initiative to adopt personal and community-oriented behaviors to help improve the health and well-being of one's community. Oda came to ask if the Neighborhood Board would be willing to support the cause and potentially act as a distributor of Blue Zone project information for the Ala Moana/Kaka'ako area. Oda explained that becoming part of a Blue Zone community requires going through a selection process, but the benefit is that communities selected by the Blue Zone Project receive funding and benefits to help turn their communities into better places. Some examples Oda gave were volunteering for community security watches, shopping locally, and promoting better eating choices.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Crime: Hurst asked how crime is taken into consideration and Oda answered that part of creating a successful Blue Zone community is working in conjunction with the HPD in order to foster an environment in which people feel safe to go out and participate in community improvement. Oda also reiterated that forming more neighborhood security watches is important for successful Blue Zone communities. Chair Tam commented and Oda agreed that an added benefit of neighborhood security watches is that it can be an exercise activity.
2. Contacts: Foyt commented that she would be interested in helping Oda potentially establish some contacts pertaining to sustainability groups in Kaka'ako.
3. Zipcode: A resident inquired and Oda clarified that the area code 96814 in its entirety was not recommended to be part of the Blue Zone Project initially as there were issues with resourcing. However, the entire zip code area can be included in the project from a work-site standpoint.
RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- Re-use Hawaii: Edward Hemphill, Communications Coordinator of Re-use Hawaii, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, introduced the organization which has an emphasis on reducing waste through the re-use of building materials, such as deconstruction as opposed to demolition. The organization is seeking a vote of support from the Neighborhood Board at its next scheduled meeting.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Redevelopments: Hurst asked if Re-use Hawaii has been in contact with various re-developments on Kapiolani Boulevard and Hemphill responded that they are aware of those developments.
2. Customers: Foyt asked how Re-use Hawaii obtains customers and Hemphill responded that their primary customers are those already seeking to deconstruct as opposed to demolishing structures, as well as redistribution contractors who source the material from Re-use Hawaii.
3. Potholes: Chair Tam voiced his concern of more frequent occurrence of potholes on Kapiolani Boulevard.
4. Blocked Traffic: Chair Tam voiced his concern of blocked traffic by buses mauka-bound after large events at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center on Ward Avenue.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Health and Public Safety -- Hurst voiced his concern with the lack of action to repair public sidewalks despite increased submissions of photos and location tagging.
Community Relations -- There was no report.
Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- Garret Kamemoto reported the following: Newly proposed reserved housing rules are available on the HCDA website. Public hearing dates are also listed in which the public can voice their opinions.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Bill: Chair Tam asked if it was true that a Bill was being considered to transfer Kaka'ako from HCDA to the City. Kamemoto replied that this was just a study and the Bill was amended to remove that portion.
2. Boundaries: Hurst asked if it were possible to exclude particular areas from the HCDA and Kamemoto responded that district boundaries are written into the Hawaii Revised Statutes so from an administrative standpoint it's not possible to exclude areas.
Legislation -- Foyt reported that various bills concerning condos, education, and voting by mail are currently in progress.
Citizens Patrol Teams (CPT) -- There was no report.
Parks and Water -- There was no report.
Transportation -- Ammons reported that the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will hold a public meeting on the Oahu General Plan Update on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at McKinley High School. The meeting will cover changes proposed in the second Public Review Draft.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) -- Pat Lee reported the following:
• Extension -- HART and the City and County of Honolulu are seeking an extension of the half percent General Excise Tax (GET) surcharge from the State Legislature to obtain more funds to complete the 20-mile, 21 station rail project. Due to projected increases in construction costs, an extension of the GET is needed to finish the full project as planned, which would include all of the stations in Kalihi as well as the guideway and stations through Kaka'ako to Ala Moana Center.
• Progress: The West Oahu-Farrington Highway Guideway (East Kapolei to Pearl Highlands) contract is wrapping up with road repaving being completed. The West Oahu Stations Group (East Kapolei, UH West Oahu and Ho'opili), being constructed by Nan, Inc. is under construction and anticipated to be completed by Fall of 2018. The Farrington Highway Stations Group (West Loch, Waipahu Transit Center and LCC), being built by Hawaiian Dredging, is also underway with anticipated completion by the end of 2018.
• Highway: The Kamehameha Highway Guideway (Pearl Highlands to Aloha Stadium), constructed by Kiewit Infrastructure West should be completed by this summer, 2017. The final span for this portion of the guideway was set on Thursday, December 22, 2016. Tracks are now being installed and are almost finished.
• Stations: The Kamehameha Highway Stations Group (Pearl Highlands, Pearl Ridge and Aloha Stadium), which is under contract with Nan, Inc. is scheduled for completion by summer of 2019.
• Rail Operations: The Rail Operations Center (ROC), built by Kiewit-Kobayashi Joint Venture is finishing out final work. Testing of the ground equipment including the wheel press, wheel lathe, train wash facility, and test track are underway. The test tracks will be energized soon.
• Core Systems: For the Core Systems contract, train vehicles and controls, train testing and signaling field work has started and should be concluded by the Summer of next year, 2018. The trains will be tested at the ROC, followed by train testing up on the guideway. Once the trains are certified and the west side stations are completed, revenue passenger service can start on an interim basis between Aloha Stadium and East Kapolei by 2021.
• Airport Guideway: The Airport Guideway and Stations (Aloha Stadium to Middle Street) contracted to Shimmick/Traylor/Granite (STG) Joint Venture is underway and STG is proceeding with construction with a contract completion date of 2021.
• Final Leg: The final leg of the 20 mile rail route, from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center including eight (8) train stations, is pending additional funding so that a contract can be offered for that work.
• Information: For general project information, traffic updates, meeting notices and more information, please visit the website www.honolulutransit.org call the project hotline at 566-2299 or email a question at info@honolulutransit.org.
Homelessness Committee -- Ammons reported the following:
• Bills -- Senator Josh Green introduced a bill in the Hawaii Legislature to classify chronic homelessness as a medical condition and require insurance companies to cover treatment. Senator Green wants to redirect some of Hawaii's $2 billion dollar annual Medicaid budget to pay for housing. Senator Green also moved Senate Bill (SB) 347 out of the Human Services Committee. Under a SB aimed at cutting emergency room costs to treat homeless people for non-life threatening issues, the state would spend $1.4 billion every year to operate two (2) mobile medical clinics.
• Official Campgrounds: State lawmakers are considering bills to create official campgrounds for the homeless in Honolulu. This approach is being strongly opposed by the state Homeless Coordinator Scott Morishige and the State Department of Human Services. House Bill (HB) 83 and the SB1223 would create "safe zones" where homeless people would be allowed to camp.
• Sit/Lie Ban: Honolulu City Councilmembers Joey Manahan and Ann Kobayashi introduced Bills that would expand the city's law banning people from sitting and lying down on certain public sidewalks. The proposals seek to help small businesses that have reported losing money and customers due to homeless encampments.
REPORTS OF MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS
• Armstrong attended a Metropolitan Planning meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
• Chair tam attended a student debate at the Capital on Friday, February 24, 2017.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES), Ian Santee, had no concerns to address and reported the following: Pothole Reporting: The phone number for pothole reporting is 768-7777.
Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- No representative was present; a newsletter was provided.
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi -- Councilmember Kobayashi distributed a newsletter and reported that there is an effort to enforce no sit/lie regulations, and she is particularly concerned with helping the area between Pensacola Street and Piikoi Street. Kobayashi also noted an effort to revitalize public parks.
Councilmember Trevor Ozawa -- No representative was present; a newsletter was provided.
State Representative Tom Brower -- No representative was present; a newsletter was provided.
State Representative Scott Saiki -- No representative was present; a newsletter was provided.
State Senator Karl Rhodes -- No representative was present; a newsletter was not provided.
State Senator Brickwood Galuteria -- Raytan Vares distributed a newsletter and reported the following: Senate Bill: Vares noted that SB107 is no longer alive.
Governor David Ige's Representative -- No representative was present; a newsletter was provided.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
To Consider the Resolution in Support of Voting by Mail: Chair Tam clarified the resolution would request the State Legislature to pass legislation to establish and implement an election by mail system.
Armstrong moved to consider the resolution requesting the State Legislature to pass legislation to establish and implement an election by mail system. There was no second.
Discussion of the neighborly recognition program: Armstrong requested to move this item to the following meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
To Consider the Resolution Supporting Increased Funding for the Educational System.
Foyt moved and Hurst seconded to consider the resolution supporting increased funding for the educational system.
Discussion followed:
1. Summary: Chair Tam summarized the resolution which states that the board supports the concept of increased taxes and fees to fund the educational system.
2. Tax Increase: Zehner supported the general idea of increasing teacher's salaries but does not support a tax increase as a solution.
3. Change: Chung stated and Foyt concurred that this resolution is not a perfect solution, however the state of Hawaiian schools is in dire need of change and so he moves to support the resolution.
4. Outdated System: Ammons included that the American schooling system is underfunded and outdated
and needs a new change. Chair Tam agreed.
The motion to support a Resolution Supporting Increased Funding for the Education System PASSED by VOICE VOTE, 6-1-0. (AYE: Ammons, Armstrong, Chung, Foyt, Hurst, and Tam; NAY: Zehner; ABSTAIN: None).
Motion for Resolution in Support of Mass Transit Funding -- Chair Tam recused himself from the vote, noting that he works for HART.
Armstrong moved and Foyt seconded that the Neighborhood Board No. 11 support the funding of mass transit.
Discussion followed:
1. Summary: Chair Tam summarized the resolution as a motion for the Ala Moana/Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 to support legislative efforts to extend the tax to complete and expand the rail system.
2. Federal Funding: Hurst expressed reluctance to support the motion as he expressed concern over losing federal funding to complete the project.
3. Tax Payers: Zehner declared he would not support the resolution as he believes tax payers should not have to pay for the completion of the rail given he believes the job should have been completed by the contractors. Foyt commented that the rail system simply needs to be completed.
The motion to Support the Funding of Mass Transit FAILED by VOICE VOTE, 4-1-1. (AYE: Ammons, Armstrong, Chung and Foyt; NAY: Zehner; ABSTAIN: Hurst).
Oahu General Plan Update, Second Public Draft -- Chair Tam summarized that the General Plan is a binding document that sets forth the City's long range objectives for general welfare and prosperity of the people of Oahu and the broad policies needed to obtain these objectives.
There was unanimous consent to defer a motion of the Second Public Draft until the next scheduled meeting.
BOARD ADMINISTRATION
Selection of Board Officers -- There were no nominations for the position of Secretary.
Approval of the November 22, 2016 and January 24, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes -- The Board approved the November 22, 2016 and January 24, 2017 minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT 7-0-0. (AYE: Ammons, Armstrong, Chung, Foyt, Hurst, Tam, Zehner; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).
Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Foyt reported a remaining balance of $218.24. The Treasurer's report was filed.
NOTICE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Liquor Commission Hearings: There will be a hearing on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. The address is 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, 6th Floor. Chair Tam will follow up with dates.
"Rebuilding the Democratic Party": Armstrong announced the Democratic Party will hold a meeting Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in room 301.
Hapalua Half Marathon: Chair Tam announced this event will take place Sunday, April 9, 2017.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Community Neighborhood Watches:
1.1 Mother Waldron Park: 525 Cooke Street -- Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
1.2 Sheridan Park: 833 Piʻikoi Street -- Monday/Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
1.3 Keola La'i Condominium: 600 Queen Street: Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.
1.4 Kolowalu Park: 1177 Queen Street -- 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.
2. Next Meeting -- The next regular meeting of the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is
scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Makiki Christian Church, 829 Pensacola Street.
3. No Loitering -- Please do not loiter on Makiki Christian Church grounds after 9:00 p.m. Mahalo.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Submitted by: Dylan Whitsell, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant
Final Review by: Ryan Tam, Chair
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