HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/03/2011 Regular Council MeetingCOUNCIL MEETING
August 3, 2011
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kaua'i was called to
order by Council Chair Furfaro at the Council Chambers, 3371 -A Wilcox Road,
Lihu'e, Kaua'i, on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 9:30 a.m., after which the
following members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Dickie Chang
Honorable KipuKai Kuali'i
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Jay Furfaro, Council Chair
EXCUSED: Honorable Tim Bynum
Council Chair Furfaro: I would also like to make note that I do have a
letter from Mr. Bynum who, due to some family matters, will be absent from this
August 3, 2011 meeting. Let the record reflect he has an excused absence. Thank
you.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Mr. Rapozo moved for approval of the agenda as circulated, seconded by
Mr. Chang, and unanimously carried.
MINUTES of the following meetings of the Council:
Council Meeting of July 21, 2011
Mr. Kuali`i moved for approval of the minutes as circulated, seconded by
Mr. Chang, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Before I move on to communications, I
would like a moment of personal privilege. For members, I would like to pass out to
you the minutes of the meeting that I had with some of our staff as it relates to our
move to the Old Historic County Building. There is a timetable calendar enclosed
as well as a little history statement that deals with the original opening of the
building on May 9, 1914; a value statement that we worked on with a group, with
Ginger —she is here, thank you very much —and Christiane Nakea - Tresler and
Morgan Moises (sic), dealing with the creation of a value statement focusing on the
roots of our county's political history in this building; a clear three -point statement
of our mission as we perpetuate citizens' investment, and managing the asset, and
showing good stewardship to our political subdivision; and a vision statement that
deals with our island home and Kauai pride. Attached is the calendar for the
months of August through September as it relates to dates that you can put in your
calendar for the move. So that is the results. All staff members participated in that
meeting and this is for your information. I'll be glad to answer individual questions,
but those are notes from the staff meeting.
On that note, may we go to Communications?
COUNCIL MEETING - 2 - August 3, 2011
PETER A. NAKAMURA, County Clerk: Council Chair, we're on page 1 of the
council's agenda under Communications for receipt, communication C 2011 -219,
C 2011 -220, and 2011 -221.
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2011 -219 Communication (07/05/2011) from the Chief of the Building
Division, Department of Public Works, transmitting for Council information, the
Monthly Report on Building Permit Information for June 2011 which includes the
following:
(1) Building Permit Processing Report
(2) Building Permit Estimated Value Summary
(3) Building Permits Tracking Report
(4) Building Permits Status
Mr. Rapozo moved to receive C 2011 -219 for the record, seconded by
Ms. Yukimura, and unanimously carried.
C 2011 -220 Communication (07/14/2011) from the Assistant Chief
Procurement Officer, transmitting for Council information, the 4th Quarter
Statement of Equipment Purchases for Fiscal Year 2010 -2011, pursuant to Section
18 of the Operating Budget Ordinance No. B -2010 -705: Mr. Rapozo moved to
receive C 2011 -220 for the record, seconded by Ms. Yukimura, and unanimously
carried.
C 2011 -221 Communication (07/19/2011) from Council Chair Furfaro,
transmitting for Council consideration and confirmation, Council nominee
Maurice Nakahara to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Preservation Fund Commission (At- Large): Mr. Rapozo moved to receive
C 2011 -221 for the record, seconded by Ms. Yukimura, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Next item please.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter is on the bottom of page 1 of the council's
agenda, communication C 2011 -222.
C 2011 -222 Communication (07/20/2011) from the Director of Parks &
Recreation, transmitting for Council information, the Ke Ala Hele Makalae
Quarterly Report dated June 2011.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Before I do that, I'm very sorry; I didn't
see your hand behind the camera, Mr. Mickens The rules are suspended.
There being no objection, the rules were suspended.
GLENN MICKENS: Thank you, Jay, for the record Glenn Mickens. I
presume that Parks and Recreation will be giving a PowerPoint or something on
this.
Council Chair Furfaro: That's correct.
Mr. Mickens: Okay, but I'll...
Council Chair Furfaro: Would you like to hold your testimony until after
and I repeat, after the presentation?
COUNCIL-MEETING - 3 - August 3, 2011
Mr. Mickens:
Jay.
After the presentation? It might be a good idea,
Council Chair Furfaro: Fine.
Mr. Mickens: It's up to you, you're the chair, but it's okay with
me.
Council Chair Furfaro: I've always tried to attempt to give it at the time
when we actually have the presentation versus the communication.
Mr. Mickens: Sure.
Council Chair Furfaro: This is only the communication. I'll. call you up
then.
Mr. Mickens: Right, okay. Thank you, Jay.
There being no one wishing to testify at this time, the meeting was called back to
order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chain Furfaro: Any further discussion? All those in favor on the
receipt of the communication?
Mr. Rapozo: Mr. Chair, I think... did we just vote on that?
Council Chair Furfaro: No.
Mr. Nakamura: No, motion and second.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, yeah, I believe we have to do the
presentation before we vote if we want the presentation, otherwise, we're done.
(Inaudible.)
Mr. Rapozo: No, there's no item. This is just the report.
Council Chair Furfaro: No, I'm waiting. Lenny was talking to one of our
aides. I know you can't see, but she was in the back talking with him.
There being no objection, the rules were suspended.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, Lenny, the rules are suspended. Staff, he
has brochures to pass out.
LEONARD A. RAPOZO, JR., Director of Parks & Recreation: Good morning,
for the record, the director of parks & recreation Lenny Rapozo.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, Lenny, we have read the communication.
You plan to make your...I guess this is your quarterly presentation.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: This quarterly presentation is an attempt to hope
to answer any questions that councilmembers may have or just...
COUNCIL MEETING - 4 - August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro: Excuse me a minute. Mr.
have my presentation afterwards, I'd be glad to give it to
books handed to our staff. One has to be for the staff file.
during this presentation.
Mickens, if you'd like to
you. I only saw seven
So I'll give you my book
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: So this quarterly report is to bring up to date the
council as to where the project is and what we have done for the first six months of
this year. Can I begin?
Council Chair Furfaro: Yes, go right ahead.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: I have a PowerPoint presentation.
Council Chair Furfaro: Can you wait a minute while some members get
settled?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Sure. We're good?
Council Chair Furfaro: Go right ahead.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Before you, I presented a book, which is part of the
PowerPoint and has some additional information that will be coming up on the
PowerPoint for councilmembers to review and for your information." ' And this
presentation is a quarterly report that we decided to do to cover the first half of
2011. So this page here, we want to show you that the total length of the
constructed path is approximately 6.8 miles thus far. That's what this quarterly
report will cover.
This page is the path segments, Phase I, Phase II, III, IV, V, and VI, and the
Bike Task Force, it's called the Bike Path Task Force, which is comprised of decision
makers within the county to help move this project along, it is chaired by myself,
the director of parks & recreation, and the members are the deputy of parks &
recreation; my secretary who takes the minutes; deputy county engineer Lyle
Tabata, if any public works decisions need to be made, he's at the table;
Doug Haigh, who is the chief of buildings, who although is under public works he
contract manages this project, so essentially he reports to me when it involves this
project; the finance director Wally Rezentes, Jr.; Mike Dahilig, the director of
planning, if we have any planning decisions or questions, he's at the table; and our
attorneys, Mauna Kea Trask and Mona Clark, who help with our legal stuff. Mona
is real good with our property and our assets that we work through. Mauna Kea is
good with native Hawaiian organizational issues and planning legal issues. And
Christina Pilkington is also part who is our ADA coordinator.
The summary, the bike path task force continues to work towards completing
the bike and pedestrian path. The following is a summary by phases. Phase I —
Lydgate Park: the construction was completed in 2004. Phase II — Kapa`a to
Kealia: construction was completed in 2010. Phase III — Lydgate Park to Kapa`a:
the Wailua Bridge section, the final construction of the bridge and the path on the
bridge, the path part is still pending, but the bridge itself was completed and
opened on May 31, 2011. Phase A, which is Lydgate Park to the north end of
Papaloa Road, and the Kawaihau spur, that part is currently going to be under
construction with a notice to proceed to be issued sometime within this month.
Council Chair Furfaro: Lenny, could I ask you to pause right there?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Sure.
COUNCIL MEETING - 5 - August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro: We just checked to see how the camera man was
picking up the presentation and it's not coming out well with the black on the green,
so we're going to shut the lights off.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Okay, sure.
Council Chair Furfaro: If you can give us a second. Thank you for your
patience.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Phase B, where construction funding obligation is
pending, we're just about done with working with State DOT and obligating the
moneys for this particular phase. And if you remember when we came for the
traffic resolution a few months ago, that's what was needed to have this process
move forward in order for us to complete the PS &Es, like 100 percent construction
design completed, and we're moving forward with this Phase B.
Phase C &D, a supplemental environmental assessment is currently in
progress. If you recall initially, the path was to go from Papaloa, up Lanikai, cross
over Kubio Highway, and traverse through the Midler lands behind Foodland, and
by Safeway we get on the... oh, I'm sorry, by McDonald's get on the bridge and make
our way. Mayor Carvalho wants to keep the path a coastal path and his decision
was made to continue the path along the coast. And so from Papaloa, we now have
identified the county easement that allows us to get to the path and this would be
Phase C &D.
Phase IV, the Ahukini Landing to Lydgate Park, we're in the planning and
permitting phase.
Kuna Bay to Anahola (Phase V), that planning work has been postponed
Phase VI, Nawiliwih to Ahukini Landing, we are in the planning and
permitting phase.
On page 4 of your book, the work completed during the months of April, May
and June, Phase II — Kapa`a to Kealia, final easements were issued and we closed
the construction contract. Phase III — Lydgate to Kapa`a, the Wailua Bridge section
of construction was completed. In Phase A, we finalized land acquisitions; we
opened the bids for construction work. In Phase B, we're finalizing land
acquisitions and securing construction funding during this period. Phase C &D, we
started the supplemental environmental assessment with the cultural assessment
for this particular phase of the path.
And on page 5 of your book is a picture depicting the work that has been
completed, the bridge which was named in honor of former Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste
and a picture of the crosswalk entering into the south parking lot of Wailua Beach,
which also is part of the pathway crosswalk.
And on the following page is a picture of the interpretive Hawaiian sign, and
the bottom picture is the path as it approaches Kuamoo, where it's currently
stopped. That was the end of the bridge project. And behind that blue emergency
communication phone is where this particular interpretive sign is. This is a
temporary sign and the permanent sign will be part of Phase III or this current
contract to be implemented from Lydgate out to Kuna Bay.
COUNCIL MEETING - 6 - August 3, 2011
Continuing the work completed, Phase IV — Ahukini Landing to Lydgate
Park, the final environmental assessment is pending resolution of the National
Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 consultation process. Phase V, no work is
being done. It's on hold pending completion of other phases of environmental
planning work. Phase VI — Nawiliwih to Ahukini Landing, the final environmental
assessment is pending resolution of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section
106 consultation process.
Phase IV and Phase VI, what is important to note and why work is completed
is that we went through a process with the federal government in consultation with
Native Hawaiian Organizations. And the process has now been narrowed and
finalized as to what the procedures are. There was always a question as to how
much consultation, when do you conEjult, or what are the mitigating. And you know
I'm proud to say that our very own Doug Haigh came up with procedures that he
submitted to the state and the federal that they have adopted for the state and is
the model now in dealing with Native Hawaiian Organizations in consultation that
came from Kauai. So that's the part that was completed. Now that we have this
process, it's going to make it easier for all the other phases that have been delayed,
including the current one. Now that we have a process, what we're going to do is
the right way to do it.
Work that needs to be completed or is currently being completed, Kapa`a to
Kedha (Phase II), we need to close up the construction contract, meaning finish
paying off those that did the work. In Phase III, Lydgate to Kapa`a, the Wailua
Bridge section, there is a section along there, if you drive up, that still has a little
bit of boards that needs to be finished off. That part of the path, once that is
complete, will be done. We need to work with the Aston Kauai Beach Hotel to
adopt the section of the path that is adjacent to the hotel so that they can provide
the maintenance for that path, which would be a good win -win situation. They've
indicated that they are interested, but the formal agreements haven't been finalized
yet. Phase A, we award and start construction contract. As I mentioned earlier, we
anticipate the notice to proceed to be completed sometime within this month and
continuing the Wailua Beach section of the National Historic Preservation Act,
Section 106, today we are doing the EIS on that section in the right -of -way. Now
the 106 consultation process, it has been noted that the county has closed the
process. But Mayor Carvalho wanted to assure the Native Hawaiian organizations
that there are no or if there are historic sites or historic properties within the right -
of -way, he wanted to assure them that we would do what was right. And so
although we did not ... we weren't required to do an archaeological inventory survey,
he felt that it was proper or just to assure everybody involved that historical sites
may not be there, he ordered that and that process is taking place as we speak right
now.
Phase B, we continue to finalize land acquisitions and secure construction
funding and bid work. Part of the finalizing with land acquisitions, today in your
legal documents is a legal document from Lae Nani. Initially with Lae Nam, we
had wanted to do a right -of -way because of the make -up with all the different condo
owners. It was difficult to try and get an easement prior, so we were just going to
execute a right -of -entry and go and do the work. Now, they have gotten everybody
together and they have given us an easement, and it's on your agenda today in the
legal document section, and what that does, by giving us this easement of this land,
is it's going to count toward our soft match contribution. So when it's complete, we
will take an assessment of it and it will be four times whatever the assessment is,
which is going to be contributed and it's going to give us our soft match and increase
our soft match. Phase C &D, we'll work to publish a draft supplemental
environmental assessment. And again the hold up on that was the NHOs (Native
COUNCIL MEETING - 7 - August 3, 2011
Hawaiian Organizations) and what was the process and how we were going to
consult with them. But now that we have that in place, we're moving forward to
completing that phase. And I wanted to just show you some of the beautiful sights
and pictures of the path as you're walking on the beach. The bottom picture, if you
go around the turn is where a brief section of the path needs to be completed.
I'm sorry, Mr. Mickens, I can answer your questions later.
On the next slide on page 10 is a picture of the interpretive signs, and this
area is located right next to Aston Kauai Beach Resort, and these are temporary
signs. I just wanted to show you the beginning of the Lydgate portion of the path
and we're going to work towards Lihi.
In continuing the work that needs to be completed, Phase IV — Ahukini
Landing to Lydgate, again, we need to complete the 106 process so that the draft
environmental assessment can be completed. Phase V, no work. This is on hold
pending other phases of environmental planning work. Phase VI, again, is the 106
process that we need to work through.
Maintenance Programs, Safety Barriers, the county parks maintenance crew
continues to maintain safety barriers along the path at Pono Kai seawall. The Path
Maintenance Program, parks maintenance crews conduct daily maintenance of the
path and all of its facilities along the path, which includes comfort stations,
pavilions, rest stops, trash receptacles, and periodic checks and lubrication of some
of the locks. In some cases, we are changing locks because the Hawaiian salt water
just busts everything up. We also have the Friends of the Path, which is an "
organized group of volunteers, who clean the path from Kapa`a... Lihi to Kea-ha
every second Saturday of the month and they help us to maintain, do the added
maintenance that needs to be done. Signage, daily maintenance checks as our
people work the path and not necessarily only the maintenance crew, but also our
rangers. They do daily maintenance checks of the signage and we replace the signs
as needed. And as part of an agreement with the State DLNR, we do need to make
quarterly reports and annual signage reports that are sent to the State DLNR
reporting. Enforcement, periodic checks along the path are made by our park
rangers. And the next is just an example of how our rangers monitor the path. We
have an RTV and they walk and some of them even ride a bike that we have.
Programs to be expanded, Cultural Awareness through our signage program
using Hawaiian place names and narratives of significant places. This is to be
completed with Phase III, which is right now, the part that we're going to construct.
And these permanent signs will have Hawaiian name places and narratives telling
the stories about the different areas, and those temporary signs that I showed you
will become permanent signs in this contract. The Path Use Program, this
continues in developing use guidelines and regulations of the path. Emergency
Response, to work with emergency responders in case of events on the path, how
can they respond effectively and efficiently as quickly as possible. And of course our
Path Facilities Maintenance. Our signage program will have to continue and we
will expand as the path grows and we will continue to need to make our quarterly
and annual reports to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. And
Enforcement on the path will be ongoing.
The key here is to develop use guidelines and regulations because as the path
grows ... when the path was first opened up in 2009, we knew the community would
want to use the path for events. Whether they were fun runs, walks, bikes, any
type of community event, we knew that was going to be. But we really did not have
any guidelines or an idea as to what's the capacity of the path and what the path
COUNCIL MEETING - 8 - August 3, 2011
can handle. And so in 2009 with Get Fit Kauai, we started the Mayor -A -Thon and
the Mayor -A -Thon was really three -fold: (1) it's an event that promotes health and
wellness, (2) it's a great community event to bring the community together from
across the island to do three different things. We can walk the path, ride a bike on
the path or run the path. (3) But more importantly, it was the signature event that
has provided us the knowledge of what kind of capacity the path can take. So our
first year of the Mayor -A -Thon, we had anywhere between 600 -700 participants.
The second year, it was 1,000. This past year, depending upon who you speak with,
we figured it was about 700; the Garden Island reported about 900. But what that
does is that it enabled us how do we (inaudible) an event on the path and how to
manage the path. Our staff worked with Get Fit Kauai in partnership to put the
event on and it's become a really great community event. Some other community
organizations that have used the path and support the path, the Kapa`a High
School Foundation has done a fun run or fun walk fundraiser for the first year. MS
Kauai has done a sunset w- alk/run fundraiser for the first year. Ho`ola Lahui
Hawaii has done a fun walk/run fundraiser for the past three years and they have
also become a partner with the Mayor -A -Thon, and Ho`ola Lahui is now responsible
for all the aid stations. They also do Zumba after the walk after everybody comes
back and they have a little thing, and it's all to promote health and wellness. So
they've become a partner with the Mayor -A -Thon. The Kauai Humane Society has
done a fun walk/run fundraiser for the first time. The American Cancer Society,
along with the Kauai Humane Society, they want to start Kaua`i's first annual
Bark - for -Life, which is similar to the relay for life, which is still in the planning
stages, but some discussion has been made of doing, it from the Lihi going north on
the path. And KIDS Preschool uses our path maybe once or twice a week for
walking excursions with our keiki. So the path has definitely become a community
place.
On the next page, what I wanted to show is the different modes of what
transpired at our Mayor -A -Thon. Aside from the famous Happy Camper over there,
these bicycles is one mode of transportation on the path, the runners, and I said the
walkers. And we had found that in order to manage an event like this, we let the
bikers go out first because they're going to travel the most, they have equipment
meaning the bikes, and they get on the path to do their activity first, followed by the
runners who are slower than the bikes but faster than the walkers. And lastly, we
send our walkers out. So now what this does with the Mayor -A -Thon and having
these three activities, anybody that comes in and wants to use the path as a fun
event or an event, we're able to manage them and ask them, well, what do you
anticipate, what do you want to do, are you guys just walking, are you running.
Well, whatever it is, the combination, well, this is how we believe you should do it to
minimize congestion, to minimize accidents, but just to make the event a better
experience.
This slide, I wanted to show you the different types of people who enjoy the
path. And this, again, was taken from the Mayor -A -Thon, but this is a classic
example of the different types of community uses on the path. You have people that
use strollers, people with dogs, people with babies on backpacks, and just people
period. And this gives you a broad indication of having the path next to the Kapa`a
Beach Park and the people or the view of the people that attended this signature
event.
We're moving on to Challenges, some of the challenges of the path. The rock
fall mitigation is ongoing. Vandalism and graffiti, we continue to deal with that,
and the usage of the path. The rock fall mitigation, which is these fence ... these
pictures here are located if you're going north of the Kealia comfort station. And
they're doing their job. We wanted to show you that the rock fall mitigation is doing
COUNCIL MEETING - 9 - August 3, 2011
their job where rocks have fallen behind the fence, the fence has protected the path,
and our people open the gate, go behind the fence, and remove these boulders, and
restore the fence to the way it should be.
Graffiti, this sign here on challenges, this sign here was taken about a month
ago and this is right off of Kealia Point. One of our county employees came in, took
a picture, and sent it to parks. And immediately we needed to address this and get
the proper signage there so that it protects the county against any type of liability.
The Kauai Path is this volunteer group that helps us. This is some of the
stuff that the Kauai Path has done for the county. Some of our community people
decided that they couldn't find a chalkboard and decided to graffiti the parking lot.
We asked the Kauai Path if they would be able to go out there and take care of the
graffiti. They responded by getting there and cleaning up the graffiti within the
week, which I think is phenomenal for us. It's a great partnership with the Kauai
Path.
The Kapa`a Sands land acquisition, the final offer and purchase agreement
was based on negotiations to Kapa`a Sands. In the final offer, the land was
purchased for $100,000. Reimbursement for reasonable administrative fees
consisting of the appraisal cost and attorney fees as related to the sale of the
property was also part of the negotiations. The number for these reimbursements
has not been determined yet because the Kapa`a Sands property or the documents
have not cleared the Land Court, so we don't have a final cost for that. But it was
part of the negotiations that reimbursement was entitled.
In your books, in the next page is a summary of the land acquisition of what
had transpired. And the negotiations started on July 1, 2009 and on August 11,
2009 is when the final offer was made (based on these negotiations) to Kapa`a Sands
and the land was purchased for $100,000; reimbursement for reasonable
administrative fees consisting of appraisal cost and attorney fees related to the sale
Of the property; and property adjustments. The property adjustments included the
relocation of the Kapa`a Sands sign, trash enclosure, and propane tank; enclosures
and signs shall have moss rock walls at the entrance and the exit to the parking lot
with safety mirrors; parking lot modifications to maintain existing size and provide
1.5 -inch asphalt concrete topping, provide electrical conduits for future electric
gates; replace existing fence with a 6 -foot high aluminum fence similar in quality to
the swimming pool enclosure fence; re- establish landscaping and irrigation system
maintaining high foliage for privacy. The construction cost, once the contractor
came onboard and through Doug's insistence and Doug's communication with the
contractor to try and zero down a better cost for all of these adjustments, as of June
14, 2011 this $159,500 is the estimated cost. We believe and are hopeful that once
construction starts that this cost can possibly go down even lower as we work with
the contractor.
This slide is Papaloa Road as it is today from the Kapa`a Sands. This is the
Kapa`a Sands today where the sign is and the trash enclosure. And this is where
the gas tank is that needs to be relocated for Kapa`a Sands.
This picture here is what we are trying to achieve on Papaloa Road from
fronting Kapa`a Sands down the rest of Papaloa Road. This is the vision that we
have for the path with foliage, an area or a lane for bicycles, and pedestrians and a
place for cars to traverse.
COUNCIL MEETING _10- August 3, 2011
This conceptual design is the conceptual design for the readjustment of the
sign for Kapa`a Sands. This is the landscaping and the fence that we want to have.
And this is the enclosure area where the gas tank is that will be redone or relocated
as part of the readjustment.
Project Funds Expended to Date, federal moneys that have been expended or
encumbered or obligated or committed to this project, which is currently ongoing, is
$30,129,446 federal dollars. County funds that have been expended to date is
$521,231. What does this mean? The note to this is that the total dollars of county
and federal funds that have been spent or encumbered to this project is
$30,650,677. These dollars provided a direct impact on Kauai families in the form
of jobs that the multi -use path provides in its construction and I think that is very
important.
In your book, you have an accounting, following that, of the different funds
where the county money and the federal moneys are coming for this project to date.
County funds include the Bikeway Fund, County Operating Fund, County Bonds,
County CIP, and Transportation. The Transportation Fund is 80 percent federal,
20 percent county, and the reason for that, that was the bus stop that was
constructed at the Kealia portion of the path along Kuhi`o Highway. The federal
funds is HUD funding and Federal Highway funding, which makes up the totals. If
we were to add all of these funds together, we would get our $30,129,446 and. the
county funds would be $521,231. For the Transportation Fund, the county's fair
share of 20 percent was $11,978 as opposed to the federal funds of $47,911, that's
the 20/80 breakdown. Currently in our current bid of Lydgate to Kapa`a, Phase A,
which includes the Kawaihau Spur, the current bid is 13 percent lower than what
our consultants had anticipated. So overall, the project is 13 % lower.
Ms. Yukimura: What percentage?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Thirteen percent lower than what the consultants
had said it would have cost us.
On the next page in your book is an update of the ARRA funding and the soft
match funding of the path. So the initial contribution, which was the donated
Kealia land contribution, that entitlement, we started out with $7,449,000. And as
the projects had gone, we had used that as our 20 percent match or the county's
20 percent match. When we get to the line with the yellow, this is part of the
Phase A of our project, which includes the Kawaihau Spur that there's an elevated
boardwalk that would come down from Mahelona, as we know it, down to Kawaihau
Road. We included in the bid or we accepted the bid or the contractor to do the base
part of the path. Realizing the expense of doing the elevated boardwalk, that part
was taken out of the contract or the bid. It was too expensive, plain and simple, too
expensive; we felt it was too expensive. And so we are looking at alternatives. We
understand that as we go through our work certain parts of the path, if it's too
expensive, we try to look for alternatives. And Doug has been real good in looking
at the Department of Defense involving what is called an Involved Readiness
Program, where in partnership with them, they need projects to build. And they
would come here and build a project and we would supply the material; that's one
option. We're working to see if we can get that qualified. The second option would
be community build. And of course the third option would be design build. But I
just wanted to point out that had we moved forward with that part of the path, just
the enormous expense of it, may not have been the right thing to do. So we are
looking at alternatives to do and yet achieve what we want to achieve.
COUNCIL MEETING - 11 - August 3, 2011
Finally, I provided you with the Task Force Meeting dates since we started in
February of this year through June 16, 2011. These are the dates that we have met
and provided before you in your book are the agendas and minutes of those
meetings for your review.
And with that, that concludes my presentation and I'd like to entertain any
questions that the members may have.
Council Chair Furfaro: Members, as soon as the lights are back on, if you
could return to your seats. Members? Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay, I'll start. Thank you, Chair. Thank you,
Lenny. I really appreciate your presence here today and the work that's being done
on all these phases of the path. There was a letter to the editor recently saying that
we're a no island that says no, no, no. But I think the path is one thing that I'm
hearing a lot of yes, yes, yes from people and this is a legacy project. I guess most
impressive in your report is the page that shows the funds spent. And you're
showing $30 million is federal funds to date spent ... or I don't know if it's to date.
Maybe it's still in the process of being expended.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: And obligated, yes.
Ms. Yukimura: Obligated and then half a million on the part of
county moneys. So that's an incredible leverage of moneys. And as you pointed out,
not all of it goes to construction, but a substantial amount does and that's
translated into jobs and support for families on this island, so that's good. My
question, on your summary on page 3, so Phase III — Lydgate Park to Kapa`a,
there's final construction going on and construction funding obligation pending,
then there's the supplemental environmental assessment in process. Is that the
cultural piece?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yes. The consultants have been moving with the
EA, but the cultural piece was where we were stuck.
Ms. Yukimura: Right. I guess my confusion is I mean you pointed
out that out of the challenges that came from Phase III, we've developed probably a
106 cultural consultation process for the other phases that are coming up. Is that
what you said?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: There's always a question, including Phase III. Did
we consult with NHOs? And we did. And we had believed that we had closed the
106 process. It's the process now that the state is going through with their four -
lane highway. But when do those consultations end? Does it end? That was
always the question and that was always our... consulting with the NHOs. They
believed it didn't end. We said, well, we closed the process, but we did continue to
consult and that's what the question has been in trying to complete the other parts
of the environmental assessment for the other parts of the path.
Ms. Yukimura: Yeah.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: In dealing with the ACHP, which is the federal
people that tell us which way to go or are we following ... I can't remember the
acronym and I asked this again yesterday so I would try to remember today, but the
Historic Preservation, they're the ones that tell us if we're doing the right thing.
They came down. They provided training with not only government officials but
with Native Hawaiian Organizations and said, well, listen to their concerns, listen
COUNCIL MEETING -12- August 3, 2011
to what we've done. Doug wrote up some procedures, submitted it to the State DOT
for Kauai, the intent was for Kauai. This is how we wanted to deal with Native
Hawaiian Organizations. They submitted it to the federal government, federal
highways and what transpired is these are very good procedures that they adopted
to use statewide. I'm sure they're going to tweak it, but for Kaua`i's process, they're
very good procedures. So now that we have this, we can move forward with the
other parts of the project.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay, what I see as different understandings is
that this—what the impact of the cultural consultation will be. There is an
expectation that that would affect the design and location, and we're going out to
construction already, so what impact does the consultation have or what chances
does it have to influence the county's decision? Now it may be that under federal
106 law, the consultation is required, but that's where it ends, you know. The
degree of incorporation of the input into the design is left to the constructing entity
or the sponsoring entity of the project. And so that there has to be an
understanding that the process may or may not actually influence the design.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: It does. If you remember at one point, the path was
going to go on the makai said of Kuhio Highway as a boardwalk.
Ms. Yukimura: Right.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Part of the consultation is that we met with Native
Hawaiian Organizations and their concerns were heard and the mayor made the
decision, in working with state highways, if we could use the right -of -way, which
currently there's a wall, the ground has been worked on already, so there's a chance
that there won't be historical properties. The consultation, remember, is to identify
historical properties and when we identify the historical properties, what do we do
with this property?
Ms. Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: And do we construct around it? Do we go over it?
Or do we move it? And that's what the consultation is about. So in a way it does
affect our design and it's not we hear you and we're going to do whatever we want.
And I think that's the misconception. But it's identifying these cultural properties
and doing what needs to be done, the right thing to be done.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay and I guess some parties feel that there needs
to be more attention to their input, that the design that you've decided on is not
sufficient, and that led to the issue, perhaps, of when does the consultation end.
But you folks have tried to keep it open as long as possible to make sure that you
get all the input.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: You know, we were ready with the Wailua portion
since 2009, and we continued to consult even though federal highways had said that
we had closed our 106 process. But we continued to consult and we put our portion
on hold to help state highways to finish their portion of the 106 process. We were
done in the eyes of the federal government. We were issued FONSI, finding of no
effects. So, you know, I don't believe that we just take it lightly. We do listen and
we do try and work with our Native Hawaiian Organizations because that's part of
us.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. Your Phase V — Kuna Bay to Anahola,
planning work postponed. What is the reason for that?
COUNCIL MEETING _13- August 3, 2011
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: The Anahola Community, we need to work with
them. They have some future plans that they're discussing right now on the makai
side of Kuhio Highway. And so that portion there, I guess, they're just not ready
and we're not ready to work it out. And so at the right time, we'll move to address
that area. Mainly it's access, education, the access to the beach and how does it
access their development, along those things.
Ms. Yukimura: Right, well, I mean I think it's good to have as
lengthy a discussion and interchange as necessary to get things real clear and to
make sure that if there is a mutual benefit that can be worked out, then only then
would it go forward. So, okay, I understand.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yes.
Ms. Yukimura: And on page 8, you make reference to Aston Kauai
Beach Hotel adopting a section of the path. Is that sort of like an adopt -a- highway
program that is beginning to be formulated?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Well, no. The condo at Lydgate, Kahalani, they've
adopted the area of the path fronting the condo.
Ms. Yukimura: For maintenance.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: For maintenance. We ask where it's possible,
fronting hotels, if they would consider adopting because they see it as a good thing.
It becomes an amenity to the hotel or the condo and so it makes sense for them. So
it's not a new thing, but we are asking.
Ms. Yukimura: I see. I think it's an excellent win -win if the parties
can come to agreement because they already have their own maintenance crews and
set up and if it can be extended just to that short step...
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Pono Kai is no exception. Pono Kai has adopted in
front of them, although we replenish the sand when it needs to be on the seawall.
But they've adopted that area of the path as well, all along that corridor.
Ms. Yukimura: Yeah, that's a wonderful thing and it is an amenity
to say that we're a resort on the path. You can just step outside your hotel room
and get on the path. So, okay, that's wonderful. I have other questions, but I'd like
to give other councilmembers a chance.
Council Chair Furfaro: Well, I would impose some of our guidelines
because this is an update, so please organize your questions. I'm going to recognize
every councilmember at least two times and for no more than 10 minutes because
this is an update. Councilmember Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuali`i: Aloha, Lenny, mahalo for being here. One basic
question I had had to do with so this all started in 2004, probably before that, but
Lydgate was completed in 2004 and now according to your summary, the Kapa`a to
Kealia completed in 2010. We're now in 2011. What was the original timeline for
the completion of the entire path and what is the timeline now and are we in
jeopardy of losing any of our grant funding because I know some of the grants have
a beginning and an end and if you don't complete it by a certain time, then the
funds go back. So I'm just curious about that.
COUNCIL MEETING -14- August 3, 2011
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: For our department, the timeline is as soon as we
can finish, we move to the next phase. As I had mentioned, this particular phase
we had been ready since 2009 but needed to do other outreach with NHOs to ensure
that we had reached out to them sufficiently. So as far as a timeline as to when the
path, I want to finish it as soon as possible. We continually move, as I had
mentioned, even though this section is going out to bid, we did the traffic resolution
for Phase B and meanwhile we continue to work on getting the supplement EA for
section C &D. Now that we have guidelines for our NHOs, another consultant is
working on Ahukini to Lydgate, and the other consultant is doing the Niumalu to
Ahukini. So, we continue to move as fast as we can because we believe it is a good
thing. There is some talk on the west side. The west side wants a path. They're
beginning discussions out there. There's also, as some of you know, on the north
shore there's discussions out there. So, timeline, I cannot give you an exact
timeline, but I can tell you we move as quickly as possible as government allows us
to move to complete it.
Funding, a lot of the funding comes from different sources. A good portion of
it right now is ARRA funding that supposedly creates jobs and we qualify the
project. But there is an alternative in transportation funding that we tap when we
can and that is there, and what is key to know is that this alternative to
transportation funding is exactly that. It's funding that cannot be used for anything
else. You cannot take those funds and go give them to do other things other than an
alternative to transportation. The nice thing about it is that right now in the state
of Hawaii, Kauai is the only island that has a path that is being designed that
qualifies. So all the moneys that get allocated to Hawaii so far has come to Kauai.
And so we discourage other counties to do a path, nah, I'm just kidding. But that's
the reality of it. And if nobody accesses this money, another state will use it. And
another state that is really big on path is Oregon and they continue to expand their
path. So it's incumbent upon us to get this facility and to use the moneys available
for the facility and it provides jobs and we get a nice amenity for the island.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, so my next question is Councilmember
Yukimura talked about the Phase V — Kuna Bay to Anahola. And your answer is
that you need to work with the community more and that they're not ready and that
it's about access to the beach and education. I'm pretty familiar with the Anahola
Community as I'm building my home there now on the homestead. And recently it
was probably over a year ago now the community completed the Anahola Town
Center Plan with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. It's this incredible
complete plan with complete streets and walkways and green areas and new parks
and even potentially a marine education center along the coast. Well, one of the big
motivations for this plan was to figure out a way that the path could come into
Anahola and I missed the original meeting, because I was in Honolulu at another
meeting, where the community overwhelmingly said, no. But in looking deeper into
it to figure out what the objections were, it was mainly about changing the
character of the beach park. So they didn't want the path to come all the way to the
beach park and for there to be a big new paved parking lot and for buses, you know,
for it to be kind of like a transportation depot where this is where you start, so this
is where you all come and park and whatever. So they didn't want that at the beach
park because the beach park has a kind of bust up road and it's very rural and they
wanted to kind of keep it like that.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: I thought we fixed that.
Mr. Kuali`i: Well, it's still not paved, right? They don't want it
paved.
COUNCIL MEETING -15- August 3, 2011
Mr. Lenny Rapozo:
Mr. Kuali`i:
Town Center Plan?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo
Right.
So for starters, do you have a copy of this Anahola
I don't have a copy.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, so I will get you a copy. As the chair of the
intergovernmental relations committee, I'll do that because in this plan you will see,
and they used consultants and stuff and green and sustainable and all that we did,
and it was truly the community. I was a part of it as well and my family. We went
through this charrette process and in a short period of time, it was less than six
weeks I think, we developed this plan and it ended up the Hawaiian Homes
Planning Department won awards for it and everything. In this plan, though, they
have the community's support on how the path would come to Anahola. So I
definitely want to provide that to you and while it doesn't come all the way to the
beach, it does come directly adjacent to the brand new subdivision that's being
developed now. (Inaudible) in this new subdivision there are a lot of young new
families with kids and they're on bikes and they're walking and I think they can't
wait till something comes, you know. And if you follow the plan that the community
put together, I'm not worried that you will have good strong support from the
community.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: That's really good to know, Councilmember Kuali`i,
because my discussions have been private. I haven't been to a forum. From what I
understand people that were giving input to the master plan and I said the access to
the beach or the shoreline, I'm sure we could work something out.
Mr. Kuali`i: Right.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Because the path opens up access. It doesn't close
access.
Mr. Kuali`i: Right.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: And I said, you know, also if you're going to do a
community town center, just envision the path being a part or a funnel to this town
center. People who going walk the path, they going get to the end, maybe they like
go eat ice cream at the little store they may have up there or get a drink of water,
nowadays one bottle water or something. So it is my hope when they see the
benefits when we start connecting the dots, yeah, and I have some other hopes that
in this construction on what we're trying to do that it will open up commerce for the
Safeway area, the Foodland area, because people will have a nice scenic route and
then go get their shopping and go back to their hotel room and stuff like that that
maybe Anahola will embrace it. And I'm glad that in the master plan there is some
positives about having the path. I think it's going to be a good thing.
Mr. Kuali`i: That primary point too is one of the objections had
to do with the access for fishermen and some of the concern was about not just
access to the path, where you park at the trailhead, I think it was called. So there's
a huge park planned close to the coast and there could be the trailhead. And then
you would just ... fairly close by just cross the gulley and on the coast side there's no
gulley. But to the group of Pi`ilani Mai Ke Kai, the new subdivision of homes, but
that access would not only bring you to the path, but at some point because I guess
there's a couple of fishing spots right there that there would also be some lateral
COUNCIL MEETING -16- August 3, 2011
access for maybe fishermen, older fishermen, kupuna who want to drive as close to
their fishing spots as possible. And I'm sure there's ways of working that out in
places.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: I think that's the challenge and I would look
forward to trying to get them because I like my uncles go down. Kauai -style is just
like what you said, they go by their spot, park right over there and jump in the
water or...
Mr. Kuali`i: So I'll get you a copy of that plan right away and
then I think I might also.ask somebody from Hawaiian Homes to come and present
that to the council meeting at my intergovernmental relations committee.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Thank you.
Mr. Kuali`i: The other quick question, so on Phase IV with the
Ahukini Landing to Lydgate portion, so that would come all along the coast back
where Marine Camp is too, right? No? Oh, it would come out along the golf course.
So it would come closer to the highway.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: By the golf course because right now I think from
what I recall, it's along the road by the golf course.
Mr. Kuali.`i: So from Ahukini, there may be a bridge over there
and coming over (inaudible).
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: We're in discussion, but yes, we want to use an old
railroad bridge as the connection and have a connection down to Hanamd'ulu
Beach. But we haven't gotten that. And there are some landowners that we need to
talk to. But we cannot move forward until the draft EA is even...
Mr. Kuali`i: So between the Lihu`e end of Wailua Golf Course
and the hotel and Hanama'ulu, is it all along the road there? Not along the coast?
Mr. Lenny- Rapozo: Yeah, I believe it was along the road, yeah.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay because I was hoping for (inaudible).
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: I'm sorry, Doug is telling me no.
DOUGLAS HAIGH, Chief of Buildings: Doug Haigh, Department of Public
Works. Since this project has been on hold at this stage, Lenny hasn't been
involved. It was before his time getting as far as as we have gotten. So the Ahukini
to Lydgate, we would start at Ahukini Landing and come down. There's actually an
old railroad grade that goes from Ahukini Landing to the Historic Bridge. That's
that beautiful concrete arched bridge. Our intent is to utilize that bridge, come
across, and then there's a railroad grade that comes up along the coastal side in the
Moody property, current owner is Moody. And then we would skirt along the
conservation district because we're working with DLNR and Fish and Wildlife
because that's a sensitive area for the birds. So we would skirt between the
plantation land and the conservation land there. I think it's probably agricultural
now, agricultural and conservation. So we're close to the coastline. And then we're
coming back down to Hilton Lane, I guess it's called, the road that goes from... it's
not a Hilton anymore, is it?
Mr. Kuali`i: Kauai Beach.
COUNCIL MEETING -17- August 3, 2011
Mr. Haigh: They change the name all the time. Pahio Resorts
owns that property. So we come down...
Mr. Kuali`i: So before the resort, though, there's a park there,
right? Nukoli`i Park?
Mr. Haigh: Yeah, yeah, and so we're coming down mauka of
that comfort station at that little park, which is actually really just a comfort
station. So where it kind of .. it turns and goes toward the comfort station, a little
bit makai of that turn is where we'll land onto that road, and we've worked with
Pahio Resorts and they're ready to donate the easement along that road. And then
that will bring us on the mauka side of the motocross track and then we'll kind of
follow the old cane haul road and then we get on the mauka side of the golf course
and scoot between the golf course and the highway, and then connect back to the
path at Lydgate Park, along Leho Drive.
Mr. Kuali`i: Yeah, okay, yeah, my only hope was I know I go to
Marine Camp over there to the beach and there are a lot of people who utilize that
beach and probably the motocross also that if the path would come along there that
maybe we could at least get even the portable toilets out of it.
Mr. Haigh: Actually in the final EA... because we are working
on the final EA, which we need to close the 106 to close the final EA. It's been a
while since I've worked on the details myself. There's a spur that goes to Marine
Camp because we acknowledge that Marine Camp is a resource and a destination
mode, so that people from Lydgate Park can walk along the beach for that section,
then reconnect at Marine Camp and get back on the path. And that way, we could
look at Marine Camp being a trailhead where we can use the federal moneys to
develop a comfort station for Marine Camp. So that is one of the spurs along that
section.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, thank you, both, so much. That's it for now,
Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Doug, why don't you just stay there
with Lenny in case there are other clarifications that are needed. Mr. Rapozo?
Mr. Rapozo: A couple questions, thanks. The first question and
I think it's just a typo, but the page after 31, the spreadsheet, your total of the ADA
County CIP fund that should be $48,236 as well? That should just be carried down,
right?
Mr. Haigh: You're correct. That looks like a typo.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yeah, typo.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, and then the very next page, can you explain
that a little better? I'm having a hard time understand. Your $59,724,361, that's
the estimated project cost for all the phases, right?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Rapozo: And the county's share, obviously, $12.7 million
in -kind contributions, and then that leaves a negative balance. Where does that
come from?
COUNCIL MEETING -18- August 3, 2011
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Well, that's what we were mentioning, where the
yellow ... these are projected costs from the yellow down.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: At the yellow portion where the elevated
boardwalk, this was the estimated cost for the elevated boardwalk. We
acknowledge that that is too much of a cost for that. So we are not doing that in
this contract. So we're finding alternatives to try and build the elevated boardwalk.
So the numbers will change. The numbers will change. We were not going into the
negative. As we pick up further lands...
Mr. Rapozo: The easements and stuff.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: ... easements, like today before you, like I
mentioned, you have a legal document for Lae Nani. Initially we were going to have
a right -of -entry to do work on Lae Nani for the path because of the situation with
the different condo owners in the project. Well, they came to us and said, we're
ready now to give you this easement. So before you is this legal document, if you
pass it it gives us the authority now to do an assessment of the gift that's being
given to us and that would be added to our share of the in -kind contribution or the
remaining balance and it would be four times whatever the assessment will be. So
as we pick up more lands, there's easements along from the Coconut Plantation... is
that still Beach Boy? to Makaiwa or it's not Makaiwa... Marriott Courtside. Those
easements or those donations haven't been included yet and that's going to be a
substantial chunk once we get it and we work through the process that the numbers
are going to go up. So those negatives is current if the projection costs remain, all
remain the same. But they're not going to remain the same because we're going to
pick up more easements and more in -kind donations.
Mr. Rapozo:
TE funding?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo:
Mr. Rapozo:
Mr. Lenny Rapozo:
Mr. Rapozo:
federal funding, the TE ft
Okay and the ARRA funding is separate from your
Yes.
Is that a separate source of funding?
Yes.
And we use that Kealia land contribution for the
Lnding or the...
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: The... go ahead, Doug, you want to do it?
Mr. Haigh: Okay, this table here, I work closely with the
Department of Transportation financial guy and he kind of sets up this table. He
and I work together. He keeps track of this every time we get more money, making
sure that we have the soft match. And it gets a little confusing, but we did get
$4.12 million in ARRA funds. What happened with the ARRA funds, I believe 3.5%
of the total ARRA funds coming to the state had to be for transportation
enhancement projects and we had the only transportation enhancement project in
the state that could utilize the funds at that time. So we received the full. Now the
ARRA funds are 100 percent grant, no match required. So he plugs that in in the
note there and it's kind of where you look at the county's share of in -kind
contribution. The numbers don't follow exactly down because he kind of moved that
COUNCIL MEETING _19- August 3, 2011
in there and didn't require the 20 percent match for the ARRA funds. Also in there,
he picked up the $463,000 in -kind that we picked up on the Uhelekawawa Canal.
That's the Foodland/Safeway canal, which this council in your action through your
ordinance required the developer to build that bridge and donate it to us to be used
as part of the path. And because of that, not only did we get the bridge for free, but
you get to multiply that $400,000 by four and we get that additional federal funds to
help build the path. So thank you so much, council, for that action.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, so this is not the breakdown of the ARRA
funding. This is of the complete funding and they've added in the ARRA in that one
line.
Mr. Haigh: Complete. That's correct.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, okay, that makes it clear. Okay, thank you.
Mr. Haigh: And I apologize because that note up there was his
note left when he did this for that one specific project and I forgot to take it off.
That note that says reason for update...
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah, that's what confused me.
Mr. Haigh: Yeah, I apologize for that.
Mr. Rapozo: No, no problem and then the other question is on
the Lydgate to Kapa`a Phase, the 106 has already been closed, you said, by the
county, the county 106 process. But the state, they have to do a 106 as well?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Well, they're in the process. That's what they're
doing for their four -lane project.
Mr. Rapozo: Oh, so it's different from...
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Ours is a separate project.
Mr. Rapozo: Ours was pertaining just to the path?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yeah.
Mr. Rapozo: And that's done?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yes.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, then why did they put the 106 process on
hold for Ahukim to Lydgate and Nawiliwili to Ahukini?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: They didn't put it on hold but because of the
process itself. What was the process? There were some question as to are we ... we
felt we were doing the process correctly. NHOs felt we weren't doing it. So we were
at a standstill.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, right.
COUNCIL MEETING -20- August 3, 2011
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: But if we had been the bullies of the block and said,
no, feds said this, we're going to just move, boom, done deal. We were correct by the
law that we had done our due diligence, but the process needed to be formalized and
to say, okay, this is how it was supposed to have been done. So that put our other
EAs ... we put it on hold. We wanted to formalize the process and not have
everything get jumbled up.
Mr. Rapozo: I'm reading the minutes of your task force meeting
and the minutes reflect the federal highways administration has put the
106 processes on hold. That tells me that the feds have put the process on hold. I
guess I'm just asking why would they stop it? Is there a reason for them to stop it?
Are they not satisfied with what we've done? Is that what it is?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Not so much what we've done, but just the process
itself because we work with them to get our federal moneys through the state. So
they put it on hold because the process itself was in question.
Mr. Rapozo: So what's the status? Is that still on hold?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: No. We have the process in place now through
Doug's efforts and his procedures that he came up with.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, so the federal highways is not on hold right
now?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: No, yeah, correct. It's not on hold.
Mr. Rapozo: And then on the minutes as well, of your meetings,
I noticed...
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Which one are you referring to?
Mr. Rapozo: Your pedestrian meeting. I'm looking at the most
recent.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yeah, which date?
Mr. Rapozo: The most recent, June.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Okay, all right.
Mr. Rapozo: But it shows up in several of your minutes is the
Lihu`e Civic Center Site Improvements and Hardy Street. Is that included in the
bike path?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: What happened was we're a victim of our own
success is that we deal with the path and we have decision makers at the table and
we work through questions and what needs to be done. The mayor asked us to take
a look at those two projects and make comments and to see what needs to be done
and make those projects happen as well. So our committee has taken those two
projects on, not so much as parks is now doing our Hardy Street stuff, but Doug
brings it to you, us, and we help Doug to move the project.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, but it's not part of the...
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: The path.
COUNCIL MEETING -21- August 3, 2011
Mr. Rapozo: It's not?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: No, no, not at all. We're just helping as the
decision makers are there at the table to help make that project move.
Mr. Rapozo: And it makes sense because that's where the
expertise lies, so I don't have a problem with that. And then my last question is and
I've heard about the congress and I've seen it, I've read it. I think I read it in one of
the recent newspapers that congress is considering cutting the TE funds, the
highway funds.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: I haven't heard anything. Doug, have you heard
anything?
Mr. Rapozo: Well, I mean it hasn't ... I don't believe it's passed
yet. But I know it's being discussed and my question is, if in fact congress does cut
that because of the deficit, where would we stand as far as funding?
Mr. Haigh: Well, I encourage you to write letters to your
representatives to support the funds. This is not the first time that the fund has
been attacked. It's actually fairly common for the people of those beliefs to attack
this kind of funding. But there has been such strong support from the state level
and other representatives, it's managed through all these budgets. Really, we'd
have to deal with that at that time, if they did get cut.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, so your feeling is that it ... I wasn't aware
that it was an issue in the past.
Mr. Haigh: It has been. Regularly, people with those beliefs
attack this type of funding and...
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, do you feel pretty good that it will remain
intact?
Mr. Haigh: I cannot at all estimate what our federal
government will do.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, thank you. That's all I have, Mr. Chair,
thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. So just for the purpose before I go on to
someone else, I just want to make sure, and I don't have a book in front of me, but
from the notes I have here, we're at a point, regardless of what happens to the
ISTEA funds and other moneys going forward, we have a project cost of about
$36 million to date. Let's call it a "project ledger," okay, because it's not a real
accounting format. In that we had $7,449,000 of comparable land contributions
that we've been drawing on for our 20 percent share, okay. We have actually spent
between bikeway funds, county funds, county bond funds, CIP funds and other
transportation funds, we spent, in round numbers, county cash of about $569,000.
We have, between HUD moneys and federal highway moneys, we have a pool of
about $29,800,000 in rough numbers, Doug, and we have encumbered $25 million of
that and we've actually spent $20 million of that number. But, I guess, where I'm
at here is if you put those together, we're around $36 million, regardless of what
happens with the next round of federal funding and so forth. We have up to
Lydgate and including Uhelekawawa Bridge area near the shopping center, we
COUNCIL MEETING -22- August 3, 2011
have committed about $6 million. So we have got a fund left before we get to some
point of credits without any more land grants, we've got about $1.2 million, which I
think shows up on your summary in round numbers. That's what we have left to
use for the 20 percent match. At what point do we go in for new federal money
where we need to recalculate what we have left in grant money? You must have
some trigger point here to keep moving with the path. We have to apply for more
funds. To apply for more funds, we need to build up our grants. Am I summarizing
this right?
Mr. Haigh: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, when does that drop -dead date happen for
you folks?
Mr. Haigh: If you look at our soft in -kind match table, we
plugged Phase B construction in there at $6.7 million. We're right now finalizing
that obligation.
Ms. Yukimura: Which one are you looking at?
Mr. Haigh: I'm looking at the one that comes after the big
spreadsheet.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yeah, I just got this back from our files. It's this
one right here, JoAnn.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, okay, got it, the one that Councilmember
Rapozo asked about.
Mr. Haigh: That's the one we mentioned in the report we're
just now trying to obligate the funds. So if we obligate those funds, and it's this
month we're planning on ... it's all scheduled to happen, we lock in those funds
regardless of what future budget constraints are. And then on planning and design,
Phase C, that one we want to finish up our planning and finish up our design. So at
that point when we finish all of those, with the current soft match we've gotten and
the 100 percent ARRA fund, we have left over about $470,000 in soft match.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay.
Mr. Haigh: Okay. One of the reasons we're pushing for our
final EA so hard for Ahukini to Lydgate and Nawiliwili to Ahukini is because we
cannot secure the right -of -ways and get the credit for the in -kind until we finalize
the environmental assessment. And that's been the challenge with the 106 holding
up those two projects is we're getting squeezed now. Because we know for both
those projects we have land that will be able to qualify for a soft match.
Ahukini to Lydgate, thanks to the actions by this council, we've acquired that land
in- between the airport and the ocean and our path goes through there. And that's
going to be very similar to the Kapa`a — Kealia situation where we'll be able to
secure those lands as soft match. Pahio Resorts has talked to us about donating
easements. Even the Moody property, owners now are talking to us about donating.
So we're ... the key is ... and you say the point is ... we can go ahead and get these
projects on the STIP without having secured the soft match, but it's when we
obligate, we have to have that soft match.
COUNCIL MEETING -23- August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro: Yeah and Doug, the question was posed because
you've got two ledgers going on here. You've got the total cost of the project, which
at this time were estimated somewhere around $59,725 and then you've got our
exposure in a subsidiary ledger to date.
Mr. Haigh: Right.
Council Chair Furfaro: And that exposure to -date total cost is about
$36 million. To do everything, we are around $59.7. But we have to secure those
right -of -ways and those soft grants. But if you took a snapshot right now of all of
the benefits we have from this path, we have about a $36 million cost, of which it's
cost the county about $569,000, roughly about $6,100,000, using our soft grant and
only leaves us $1.2 million in the soft grant area right now going forward.
Mr. Haigh: Yeah, my correction to that is it's really about
$470,000 in soft matches left if you add in the planning and design of Phase C.
Council Chair Furfaro: Understood, so I just want to make sure we've got
two ... we have a final project cost estimated at $59.7 million. We've got an ongoing
project ledger that said we only have this small credit left and we've got to find
other right -of -ways and other matching lands for the purpose of applying for new
grants. And whatever the outcome is it's funny with the ISTEA funds or the tea
party and their action, the reality is we need to make sure that if the path stopped
because of no more funding from the federal government, we have every piece up to
this date covered. That is a correct statement?
Mr. Haigh and Mr. Lenny Rapozo: That is correct.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. I just wanted to follow up on
Mr. Rapozo's questions to make sure that I was able to separate the two: final
project costs versus exposure to date. Councilwoman Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you, Lenny and Doug, for your presentation.
As a user of the path, I think we need to also recognize the county park workers
who maintain it and really keep it clean, well- managed. The Kauai Path
volunteers and monk seal coordinators who are right there to tape off the area and
to the rangers in a way to explain what's going on to visitors. I'm also happy to hear
about the National Historic Preservation Act 106 protocol that you've set up and
would be interested in getting a copy of that because this is a complicated process.
So thank you for setting up a statewide protocol. And I'm also happy to hear that
there are land donation opportunities that will reduce the county's portion over
time. So the question that I have and this is a personal concern because of the large
population in Kawaihau and the lack of access to the bike path, and so I wanted to
find out whether there's an update on the zoning that you applied for that
Kawaihau spur?
Mr. Haigh: Approved.
Ms. Nakamura: Good, thank you. And I'm happy to hear that
you're looking at alternative ways to get that portion of the path built and would
like to be kept up -to -date on those efforts. There is just a huge population on
Kawaihau and access to the path is very dangerous and very steep for older people
and for kids. And once you get down to Kuhi6 Highway, I don't believe there's a
clear crosswalk or way to get across that road, which is why I hate to say I drive
down to use the bike path. And as a parent, I'm concerned when my kids go down
COUNCIL MEETING -24- August 3, 2011
there because it's a dangerous intersection. There are a lot of cars going in a lot of
different directions. So I don't know whether that intersection issue has been
addressed in the bike path spur design.
Mr. Haigh: Yes, it has been addressed and part of the design
and within our current budget, we will be building a crosswalk at that intersection
and the crosswalk is on the north side of the intersection. And we are still
reviewing a potential flashing light type warning system for that crosswalk and
we're working very closely with the local district, Kauai District of Kauai
Department of Transportation on that issue.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, thank you very much.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, Mr. Chang, we're going around first time, did
you have something? I'll be glad to recognize you now.
Mr. Chang: I'll wait till we come back to order.
Council Chair Furfaro: Back to order, okay. Council Vice Chair Yukimura,
did you want a second opportunity to talk on this communication?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, please.
Council Chair Furfaro: You have the floor.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you. I'm looking at your Papaloa Road
typical elevation sketch. It doesn't have a page number, but it comes right after
page 27. I found it interesting that the bicycle lane or pathway is between the
pedestrian and the street sign?
Mr. Haigh: It's a shared use path, bikes and pedestrians are
shared. We don't have specific sides to use.
Ms. Yukimura: I see, okay.
Mr. Haigh: They just happened to illustrate it this way.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Haigh: And then actually at Papaloa, we were forced to
bring the path right up to the curb at Kapa`a Sands, we were forced to bring it
there. Actually when we get farther down Papaloa, we'll be meandering the path
back in a little bit. So we'll actually have vegetation between the path and the road
for a lot of the Papaloa section.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay, thank you. And then on the issue of the
Kapa`a Sands land acquisition, you're showing that the final estimates for property
adjustments are $159,000, rather than the $334,000 that was the initial figure. So
is it then the total with land will be $250,000? Is that...
Mr. Haigh: And then you'll have the reasonable costs for
administrative fees portion that we'll have to pay.
Ms. Yukimura: That still has to be added on.
Mr. Haigh: Correct.
COUNCIL MEETING -25- August 3, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. It really helps to see the diagram showing
the changes that need to be made in that resort, which aren't really small changes.
They're fairly substantial in terms of moving the gas tank and the signs and
altering the whole entryway to that property. I think that's all I wanted clarified.
Council Chair Furfaro: Councilmember Kuali`i, we'll go to you for a second
time on this communication.
Mr. Kuali`i: For the task force meetings, when are the next two
or three meetings? Or have they been set up? I noticed in that slide, it gave us the
dates of the last seven or so from February to June. They are on different nights or
days, Tuesday, Friday, Thursday. When are the next two or three meetings? Are
they set up already?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo:
Mr. Kuali`i:
Mr. Lenny Rapozo
Mr. Kuali`i:
on the third Tuesday.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo:
planning commission meetings
schedule to get everybody there.
The next one is tomorrow.
Tomorrow? And then the next two after that?
We set it at the meeting.
So it's not like a standing meeting where you meet
The planning director also is responsible for
the water board, so we work around everyone's
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, so I'll work with you because maybe I can get
the town center presented to that group.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Kuali`i: In one of the next coming meetings.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Thank you.
Mr. Kuah'i: And then Councilmember Nakamura asked for a
copy of the state protocol, I do want that, too. Actually before I get into those
questions, though, the only other thing on Phase V and for Anahola, did that part go
on hold prior to any EA and 106? Or the EA and 106 for Phase V, has that been
done or no?
Mr. Haigh: No. We had that first public meeting, and then we
kind of went back and reevaluated and then actually, our consultant was involved
in the master planning. We did get a little bit involved in the master planning done
by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. In fact, I believe you and I were at
the same meeting at Kapa`a School once. So we were involved in the early part of it
because they did several renditions. But then really as a matter of resources, we
decided it's better to hold. We can't really put full resources into Anahola. We want
to ... let's finish the ones that are already pretty well along going and then when we
get back to Anahola, it's going to take our full resources to address that. And I
really appreciate you updating us on where that master plan is. And I'm always
optimistic that we can work it out with the community and come up with a solution.
And integrating with that town core, it sounds like it's a really good win -win.
COUNCIL MEETING -26- August 3, 2011 - 1
Mr. Kuali`i: I just primarily want to see ... because it's a whole
neighborhood there with many families and I think we could do it in phases too
because first and foremost the path being in place, and then developing the
trailhead, then the restroom facilities and the park that is there maybe later. But I
know that with the plan already being done, fully completed, won awards and
everything, with the Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association, with the new Pi`ilam
Mai Ke Kai Homeowners Association —I'm a board member of the Anahola
Hawaiian Homes Association and I'm helping organize the Pi`ilani Mai Ke Kai
Homeowners Association where I'm building my house —I can help with that and I
know that Hawaiian Homes was telling the community that it's on hold because of
the county. And so I think the community is ready and if there's something that the
community can do to help with resources and to help with moving, I don't know
what kind of funding it takes to move the EA and the 106, but if that is something
ultimately we'll have to wait on in order to get the soft match, and now this whole
section we're talking about one landowner, which is the Department of Hawaiian
Home Lands, which now with their new lending more, they're empowering the local
communities. So the Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association and the Pi`ilani Mai Ke
Kai Homeowners Association and the Hawaiian Land Farmers Association, I mean
we all have more of a say. So if we come together as a community and we dictate to
Hawaiian Homes that we should grant this access because it's a community benefit,
it'll happen and it can happen pretty quickly. So my motivation is to help move this
along even though your reasoning is you I can't move forward because of resources.
Maybe there's a way to do it still with the community support.
Mr. Haigh: Well, I'm hoping probably early in 2012 kind of
would be the ballpark when.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, that sounds good. And then the last one is
on the consultation process, I do want a copy and I'm curious as to... so it's all about
activity that could affect historic properties, and when I looked at the national
historic register, what shows up for Wailua is the Wailua Complex of Heiaus, and
while they don't necessarily define it because the entire area is very significant as
far as ancient Hawaiian culture goes. The mouth of the river, they do define it as
"east coast of Kauai at the mouth of Wailua River." We know the heiaus are in all
areas around the river. So what more than the Wailua Complex of Heiaus does the
county recognize as historic properties in the area that the path is impacting?
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: The current project?
Mr. Kuali`i: Yeah.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: The current project where as part of our discussion
with the NHOs we're doing the EIS on the makai side of the four -lane highway
where the path will run and that ... it's part of an exploratory to see if there are any
historical properties there.
Mr. Kuali`i: So, yeah, I heard it's about burials.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Yes.
Mr. Kuali`i: Right and when you talk about the ... you're talking
about the shoulder of the existing highway basically. So the path will stay as close
to the highway as possible.
Mr. Lenny Rapozo: Correct.
COUNCIL MEETING 4.. 1 -27- August 3, 2011
Mr. Kuali`i: And not further on the sand dunes, which was
pretty much having the community up in arms. As far as the process, besides the
federal highway, is FHWA, federal highway authority or whatever, is there any
other federal agencies that you're working with? And also state agencies like...
Mr. Haigh: As Lenny mentioned, the Advisory Council for
Historic Properties has become actively involved in this NHO consultation and this
is on the four -lane project. The four -lane project has been the motivating force to
kind of get all of these procedures together and come to a consensus on what the
process is supposed to be because we were in a difficult period where the Hawaii
Kauai Department of Transportation, Native Hawaiian Organizations, federal
highway couldn't all come to agreement on what the approved process was. They
actually brought in a representative from Washington with the Advisory Council for
Historic Properties and they are the agency overseeing federal highways. Lenny's
been involved in some of these meetings on the four -lane project, and the meetings
with the NHOs, Kauai Department of Transportation, federal highway
administration. And the Advisory Council for Historic Properties actually came to
one meeting and then they've been participating, I think, by phone, teleconferencing
on other meetings. They've also brought in their expert within federal highway on
these issues, specifically for Kauai, to help us get through this process. And then
they helped sponsor the training for us and the procedures weren't a Doug Haigh
effort. It was a collaborative effort, consultants helping, our attorneys helping, all
of us helping together to get these procedures so that we could move forward.
Mr. Kuali`i: So I just know that with our work with the
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, as beneficiaries of the trust, some of the
federal obligation comes through the Department of Interior. So I'm curious if they
have any involvement. But with the Advisory Council of Historic Properties, I know
that that's what's spelled out in the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106,
since 1966. So it's great that they came down because that's what they're required
to do. So when you were talking earlier about training with the government and
the Native Hawaiian Organizations, this was the people you were talking about
that came from the Advisory Council. Very good to know. Yeah, the only last thing
is that from how it's spelled out in the act, it says that... and there was a revised
regulation effective January 11, 2011, which is about the protection of historic
properties, and I haven't been able to look into that further, but there's certain
criteria. But the main component about all of this with the Section 106 is public
involvement. And it says, "public involvement is a key ingredient in successful
Section 106 consultation and the views of the public should be solicited and
considered throughout the process." So beginning, middle, end, anything happening
in Wailua, I think, make sure you continue to do that consultation and I appreciate
your work with that. Thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you and I also want to say at your
discretion, if you choose to get an agenda item in the committee of the whole
regarding the Anahola Town Center, only as a communication, because we don't
have that kind of jurisdiction, I would be more than glad to put it on the agenda.
Mr. Rapozo?
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you, just one other question that popped up.
The Kawaihau spur that was just approved out of the planning commission, the
plan that was approved, is that the same? I know you mentioned you guys have
pretty much down -sized it because of costs or changed it.
COUNCIL MEETING -28- August 3, 2011
Mr. Haigh: Well, in the planning process, they don't approve
the final design and so what we presented to them was a concrete steel structure or
possibly a heavy timber structure, particularly if we went to a community build, we
would probably shift to a heavy timber type structure. So that's in the planning
stage, it's more a conceptual design than a final design, and we did present it as two
options.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, so your planning approval is sufficient to
proceed?
Mr. Haigh: That is correct.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, thank you. That's all I have.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, members, before we excuse these gentlemen,
are there any more questions? If not, gentlemen, thank you very much for the
update. I'm going to allow public testimony before I call the meeting back to order.
Thank you very much.
GLENN MICKENS: Thank you, again, Jay, for the record, Glenn
Mickens. I appreciate the PowerPoint and this brochure that Leonard has given
everybody. I would have appreciated getting it sooner. I had my testimony prior to
this time and there's things in here that ... I put a couple of notes here, but let me
read it for the viewing public.
The rhetoric and propaganda being put out to the public by those pushing
this path are stifling. I have said before and I will say again, I'm not opposed to
bike paths, but I want to see projects prioritized and right now this path is not a
priority. I have pages and pages of testimony regarding this path from its inception
with comments and testimonies from many other citizens and councilmembers
agreeing with what I have said. Many very important questions are continually
asked about this path and again, Lenny's probably gone through some of them: cost
for the finished segments of it including maintenance and security, which I didn't
hear about; projected costs for the remaining part of it, including land acquisition,
maintenance, security, and all associated costs. But all I hear is that these figures
have been given many times. But if this is so, why didn't I get a copy? Some of
them are obviously in this brochure. The cost now being given by Leonard, I must
ask if they have been verified by our auditor's office. This is the first time I've seen
numbers and I'd like to see them verified.
Along with my testimony I've submitted, there's an article written by the
learned retired lawyer, Walter Lewis on March 24, 2007. He asked a lot of
questions in this column that I'm sure some of them have been answered. But he
basically says, in better words, Walter writes a column in the Garden Island, A
Better Kauai, biweekly, and his words of wisdom should be appreciated by every
citizen who reads our paper. I hope you guys appreciate it as much as I do. In this
editorial, he cites a list of questions he asked the administration about the path that
were never answered, questions that Mel and Shaylene have asked with no answers
forthcoming. Leonard has now given some input to these questions, but many
others remain. What happened to the equestrian and motorcycle people who
opposed this path? I never heard any further about that, nor the motorcycle part I
think the path was supposed to go to before it got to Lydgate. Mel asked questions
about that. Tim has repetitiously stated that all these questions have been
addressed every time they're asked. If this is true, then would he or the
administration be kind enough to give us these answers, now vaguely given by this
needed review. Let me just quote one paragraph from Mr. Lewis' letter that
COUNCIL MEETING -29- August 3, 2011
remains as relevant today as it was the day he asked it, "Don't our county officials
understand that they have a duty to keep the public informed about the actions of
our government...
Mr. Nakamura: Three minutes, Mr. Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: Mel, I'm sorry, Mr. Mickens.
Mr. Rapozo: I'm Mel.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yeah, I know, but he mentioned your name a few
times. Mr. Mickens, that's three minutes. I'll give you the other three minutes.
Mr. Mickens: ...taxpayers fund." Thank you, Jay. Kauai
citizens should demand that our government make disclosure of the financial and
operational facts about the bike path project and conduct a public hearing on the
viability of the project. And now we're preparing to spend another $3 million on the
Kawaihau spur, insanity. I have recently found out from the State Department of
Transportation, I think a Mr. Micah is the chair of that, and he has put something
out that I just got from the Department of Transportation that congress has a bill
before them to eliminate all funding for bike paths and other transportation
enhancement projects. Whether that will pass or not, I have no idea. But in these
dire times, I think it's a great possibility. With all the turmoil over balancing our
budget it stands to reason that only projects with top priority remain on a to -do list.
No bike path will ever make that list. Again, who with any common sense would
advocate pushing a bike path in these dire times? No study was ever done showing
who wants or needs it. So where is the directive coming from? Certainly not the
people who have so many other top priorities on their plates.
Oh yeah, I've heard over and over about the free money that is building it,
another super farce. Whether it's federal, state or local, it is our money. So once
and for all, let us put that myth to bed.
In a prior testimony I showed you figures from our DOH showing the
estimated cost of the path from Nawiliwili to the south end of Lydgate Park. It was
over $60 million. This came from the DOH. At another DOH meeting, this figure
was slashed to about $3 million, either some of it put on hold or canceled. With the
latest congressional bill, I would imagine that it's not ever going to happen.
I only ask that you members who live in the real world request that we stop
more money from being wasted on this path. We desperately need more roads and
alternate means of traversing this beautiful island, not bike paths. The total
estimate for the path of about $60 million doesn't agree with the DOH figures. I see
that the total figures were $59 million. And just his figures from DOH were $60
million from Nawiliwili just up to the south end of Lydgate Park. So they don't jive
there.
As Councilman Kuali`i asked, is there a sunset date by the feds for funding
this path? I didn't hear the answer to that either.
Anyway, that's my testimony. Again, I may not be in the majority, but I
think if a poll is taken or we find out exactly why we are pushing this path at this
stage of the game when we have so many projects that need doing. That's my
biggest questions. It's not going to ever be for transportation, mark that. They're
on the ocean. Okay, it's a beautiful path. I jogged and walked on a path that was
prior to there. I didn't need a multi - million dollar bike path or they call it a bike
COUNCIL MEETING -30- August 3, 2011
path. It's not a bike path because bikers won't use the thing. But all the other
things that were asked about. Kaipo asking about the blockage of the road along
the golf course there for building that thing.
Mr. Nakamura: Six minutes, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Mickens: Anyway, thank you, Jay, for extending my...
Council Chair Furfaro: Does anybody have any questions of Mr. Mickens?
No. Glenn, you have my copy of the book and the reconciliation, and I do want to
thank the administration. We're going to get quarterly updates and so I'm sure in
the future they will change, but you have the reconciliation to what they've got
planned going forward.
Mr. Mickens: May I keep this copy then?
Council Chair Furfaro: Yes, you may keep that copy. I'll use the file copy
for the council.
Mr. Mickens: Okay, thank you very much.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Mr. Rosa, did you want to speak?
JOE ROSA: Good morning members of the council. For the
record, Joe Rosa. I'm here this morning, again, to speak on this bike path. I've seen
a lot of things, glancing over to the (inaudible) letters published that you all have
and there are some things like I've seen it. For one, I don't see nobody from the
general public in that so- called committee that they have listed. There's nobody
from the general public. I think on things like this here, which is of issue within
certain areas, there should be members of the public in the committee, not only
something that is stacked. So that's one of the discrepancies I see.
The other one, there is no set total cost on everything. You know, this project
from when it started in 2004, I was here from the first time and I spoke against it
because DOT had put bikeways. And of course, JoAnn was a young girl out of
Stanford university in 1976, was a proponent for bike paths and I haven't seen her
dream come true yet.
Ms. Yukimura: It's a long haul.
Mr. Rosa: That's what I mean, JoAnn. That's why I say it has
turned out to be a white elephant where the state spent some money.
Ms. Yukimura: That I don't agree.
Mr. Rosa: So I don't see ... even JoAnn has given up her
bicycle. I don't see her riding no more. Okay, now I'll try and get back on it.
Also, I don't see the listing of maintenance costs for the county so far this
year on that report. The bike path was built by the state in 1979, that wasn't even
maintained in the area in Kapa`a, from Keaka Street to the back of the old
Louis Gonsalves residence back of Otsuka's. If you get a front loader and you go
from the Waikaea Canal towards Keaka Street, you can find a 4 -foot bike path that
I put it in in 1979. That's the one I even mentioned to Dickie Chang that it went
COUNCIL MEETING -31- August 3, 2011
from Waikaea Bridge to Moikeha Canal and it was a straight line from the bridge to
the old county pavilion to the Moikeha Canal. It didn't have that kink that they put
in according to so- called Doug Haigh's master plan that went out to makki.
Mr. Nakamura: Three minutes, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Rosa: There's nobody else, Peter, going to speak besides
me, so I think I can go for an extra three. I know you have policies, Jay, I
understand that.
Council Chair Furfaro: I was just going to say I've extended you extra time
of three minutes. I wasn't going to refer to a policy. Peter is required only to signal
the three minutes, so. Go right ahead with your next three minutes.
Mr. Rosa: The Ahukini to Lydgate, now I hear they're talking
about using the old Hanama`ulu Bridge. When DOT put in the new bridge, that
Hanama`ulu Association wanted that bridge to stay as a historical site. So are they
going to utilize the bridge and destroy the charm of it, like it is, like it was kept by
the Hanamd'ulu Association at that time?
And also in that area, along both sides of the valley, according to the old
kupunas, the Richards family, the Rego family, the Puali family, the Smith family,
there are all kupunas buried along the hillside there. That's why the state was
really touchy as far as getting the bridge site available and they had to provide; a
walkway to mark, more or less, a cemetery on the mauka side of the Wailua side ,of
the bridge. So those are things that they have to look into the doing of things there,
not just go ahead and say it and then you're going to find out all the expenses come
up. The DOT respected the old kupunas in that area there.
Also, in that area the old railroad used to run right straight through Moody's
property and I know when that was suggested about the bike path, I know there
was some discussion about it. Mr. Moody won't want that property of his split in
half because he had golf course inspirations of putting it there along with
residential homes there.
Also, the use on Papaloa road. How are the people that have cars going into
the parking lot in the various condos or apartments over there? Are they going to
close that road completely? Or are they going in by helicopter or fly over or how?
That's a question that I haven't heard answered yet. I know they've talked about
closing it, so that's my concern about it.
The Menehune Road spur, now Nadine was concerned about that hillside.
When DOT was thinking about putting a road there too also, that was a walkway
for the kids that walked in Kapa`a Town, go up Mailihuna Road and take that spur
to go up to the old doctor's residence by Mahelona Hospital. Now, are they going to
use that? That was a walkway for the kids. So those are the things.
Mr. Nakamura: Six minutes, Mr. Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rosa, that was the notice for your second three
minutes, but I will give you one minute to summarize, please.
Mr. Rosa: Yeah, all right. So they're going to make a spur
and they're going to take away a so- called what was a safety walkway for the
students. So if (inaudible) and used that as a walkway, it's going to be competing
with bicyclists and joggers and walkers. So those are the kind of things that Doug
COUNCIL MEETING -32- August 3, 2011
not even was aware of it. He wasn't around here. I'm an old state worker and I'm
part of history. It's just like I talked to Ray McCormick yesterday. He had some
interesting questions for me. So he said you're totally a historian, like they always
refer you to. So anyway, those are some of the things I noted that need to be
considered, not only just hearsay. Talk is easy, but to execute and get the proper
funding. But like as I say, I would (inaudible) and work with the state DOT, get a
new bridge because that bridge is a floating bridge. Even if you have to put fancy
four lanes over there that can just sit because that pier on the Lihu`e side is infested
with teredos and it might just sink. I don't think the young DOT people in
Honolulu are aware of that, but those are some of the things, like I told
Ray McCormick, to look into. Anyway, thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you, Mr. Rosa. Are there any questions for
Mr. Rosa? If not, thank you for your testimony. Members, I'm going to call this
meeting back to order so we can move to receive this communication. Is there any
further dialogue here? Council Vice Chair Yukimura, go ahead.
There being no one else wishing to testify, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, I want to thank Mr. Rapozo and Mr. Haigh,
both for coming today to brief us. It was a very informative briefing and made me
realize anyway more and more how enormous this task has been and will continue
to be in terms of planning, design, land acquisition, construction, figuring out the
management and maintenance of the facilities, but it's in my mind very much worth
it in terms of the benefit that is being brought to our community. And when I look
at the $4.1 million in ARRA funds and hear the discussion about where the moneys
are going to come from, I'm reminded of a remark that Jim Charlier, our consultant
on the multi -modal plan said at the Get Fit annual meeting. He said, plans don't
follow money. He said, money follows plans. And you know, if we didn't have the
plans ready, we couldn't have accessed the ARRA moneys, which we never predicted
were going to be available. But if we have the vision and we have plans to back
them up, who knows what source of money may become available? Certain sources
might be cut, but other sources might be brought forth and so if we have this idea of
what we want for our community and we get to the level of doing all the homework
and getting the plans, I think that's why we're the first in the state in terms of
these moneys, transportation moneys, because we were ready for them. And I just
see all the planning processes as a way to get ready. Thank you, Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: Any further discussion, members? Mr. Chang?
Mr. Chang: Yeah, thank you, Chair. I just wanted to do a little
housekeeping here since we made reference to on page 8, we make reference to the
Aston Kauai Beach Hotel, but it's actually the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel. So I just
wanted to make that for the record because Ray Blouin, and previous to that Ron
Kikumoto really has adopted that area and has really taken care of that area and as
we were building the bridge, many of their, not only employees, but their guests
were temporarily inconvenienced. So I just wanted to make sure that we share our
aloha to the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel.
And also what we were chatting about a little earlier that Lenny Rapozo was
mentioning on page 15, I think a lot of us have participated in the past years in the
Mayor- A -Thon. But interestingly when you look at the various community
organizations like Kapa`a High School and the Multiple Sclerosis, Kauai Humane
Society and in the makings are American Cancer Society with the Humane Society
Bark - for -Life, as well as KIDS School, you know a lot of these people and
COUNCIL MEETING -33- August 3, 2011
organizations are utilizing the path and they're doing it for the first time and
they're first annual events. So we only hope and we would trust that these events
will continue to happen on an annual basis because you know when I use the path,
we all use,the path, you just see happy people. I mean it's just a real joyous way to
be fit and enjoy the scenery and I can just say it's not only a health benefit, but I
think it's just a great alternative to stress when you're responsibly walking your dog
or riding your bike or roller blading or walking or jogging. I think it's a great, great
benefit for all of Kauai and you just see a (inaudible) whole bunch of local people
that you have never seen and you see them fit and see a lot of the visitors. So I'm
just very excited about how the community really is using our multi -use path. So I
dust wanted to mention that and I wanted to thank Lenny Rapozo and Doug Haigh
for this beautiful presentation. And I always enjoy receiving these in color because
it's just that much more visual, if you will. So thank you very much. Thank you,
Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: You're quite welcome. If there's... oh, Councilman
Kuali`i?
Mr. Kuali`i: I just wanted to also echo those thank you's and say
thank you for the work that you've done and I do look forward to the next quarterly
report in three months and then the other thing is that I think the path will be most
valuable to all of our residents when it's all connected. And I think that they
connect to the actual neighborhoods along the coast is really important. And so I
will put in a last plug for Anahola again and say that hopefully in the next
quarterly report we'll have something new to say about that because I'll work on it
and I'll help you and thank you so much.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yeah, I'm going to go back to Vice Chair Yukimura
for a moment. Go ahead.
Ms. Yukimura: What Councilmember Chang said also reminded
me that the path doesn't just provide jobs during its construction phase, but all the
events that bring people into town, into Kapa`a Town also really are an economic
boost to the town and businesses around the path. Besides creating new
businesses, such as the bicycle rental places and so forth. So it's an economic
booster and so just another way that the path really serves our community.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, members, I do need to say that we are a little
bit behind our caption break here and I do want to move to receive. Is there
anything else to say at this point?
Ms. Nakamura: Move to receive.
Mr. Kuali`i: Second.
Ms. Yukimura: There's a motion already.
Council Chair Furfaro: We have a motion already, and okay, but thank you
for that. All those in favor, please say aye.
The motion to receive C 2011 -222 for the record was then put, and
unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: We are now on a caption break for 10 minutes.
There being no objection, the meeting was recessed at 11:39 a.m.
COUNCIL MEETING -34- August 3, 2011
The meeting was called back to order at 11:54, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, thank you very much. We're back from
recess and we have a request to have someone from housing come over for 225.
Could you so note, Mr. Clerk, until such time that someone from housing arrives?
Mr. Nakamura: So noted, Mr. Chair. We're at the top of page 2 of
the council's agenda on communication C 2011 -223.
C 2011 -223 Records Disposal form .(07/01/2011) from the Assistant Chief
Procurement Officer, requesting Council approval, for authorization to destroy
procurement work files for all procurement methods (IFBs, RFP, Professional
Services, Written Information Bids) dated 2003 and older, as they have been kept
for over seven years and are no longer of use or value: Mr. Chang moved to approve
C 2011 -223, seconded by Mr. Kuali`i, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Before we get to the next item 224, I want to make
a housekeeping note for members. The first two proposals on suggested sales prices
were inverted. The number that should be on no. 1's amount is in fact the number
that is on no. 2. And the number that should be on no. 2 is in fact the no. 1. So if
we can just switch that before we go any further, I'd appreciate it. Would you so
note that change, Mr. Clerk?
Mr. Nakamura: So noted, Mr. Chair, communication C 2011 -224.
C 2011 -224 Communication (07/01/2011) from the Director of Housing,
requesting Council approval of the following:
(a) To sell the following six residential properties at an affordable
leasehold sales price as itemized below or at the appraised value,
whichever is lower:
(1) 755 Akalei Street, `Ele`ele, HI 96705
$191,200
TMK: (4) 2 -1- 009 -077
(2) 4611 Liha Street, `Ele`ele, HI 96705
$212,300
TMK: (4) 2 -1- 009 -074
(3) 4232 Malae Street, Lihu`e, HI 96766
$271,000
TMK: (4) 3 -6 -019- 049 -002
(4) 4734 Mimilo Street, Kapa`a, HI 96746
$205,000
TMK: (4) 4 -6- 029 -003
(5) 5457 Kula Mau`u Street, Kapa`a, HI 96746
$239,000
TMK: (4) 4 -6 -013 -124
(6) 4876 -B Nunu Road, Kapa`a, HI 96746
$172,800
TMK: (4) 4- 6- 015 -012 -003, and
(b) To authorize the County Clerk to sign all legal documents related to
the sale of these properties.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. I'm looking for a motion.
Mr. Rapozo moved to approve C 2011 -224, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
Council Chair Furfaro: Any discussion on these items? Council Vice
Chair?
COUNCIL MEETING -35- August 3, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, I just want to point out again and commend
our housing department for devising this leasehold process which really makes
properties affordable for our families.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. Councilmember Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuali`i: I, too, want to commend the housing agency. It's
wonderful that there's these six homes, five I know came through the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the sixth one through the Housing
Revolving Fund, and these prices are incredible and I think will be a real benefit to
our families.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Council Vice Chair?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, one other thing. I do want to acknowledge our
former housing head Ken Rainforth because it was under his leadership that this
approach was begun and now it's unfolding in a way that's really making homes
available for families.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you for so noting that. Any other
discussion?
Ms. Nakamura: I don't see anyone from housing here, but I have
some questions, and I will put these questions in writing for the agency.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, we are waiting for housing on the next item.
If before I call for a vote, if you want to see if you can -pose those questions to them
before I call for the vote, I'd be glad to do that.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay.
Council Chair Furfaro: We do have a call in to Mr. Mackler.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, staff has informed us that he's on
his way.
Council Chair Furfaro: He is on his way. So we'll just continue.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, all right.
Council Chair Furfaro: We can do that.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Would you so note that, this item 224 as well as
225? Let me just see if there was anyone in the audience that wants to testify on
224. Seeing no one. Okay, we will defer this until housing is here.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, if we can move on, on page 2 of the
council's agenda to communication C 2011 -226.
C 2011 -226 Communication (07/11/2011) from the Director of Parks and
Recreation, requesting Council approval, to accept a gift of $6,000.00 from the
Florence Iwamoto Kauai Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation, to fund
COUNCIL MEETING -36- August 3, 2011
specifically the Lihu`e Senior Center to support intergenerational programs and the
purchase of equipment: Ms. Yukimura moved to approve C 2011 -226 with a thank -
you letter to follow, seconded by Mr. Rapozo, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. Next item, Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter for approval is communication C 2011 -227.
C 2011 -227 Communication (07/12/2011) from the Chief of Police, requesting
Council approval, to accept and utilize a vehicle acquired through the Asset
Forfeiture Program, which will be assigned to the Vice /Narcotics Unit: Mr. Kuali`i
moved to approve C 2011 -227, seconded by Ms. Yukimura, and unanimously
carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, on the bottom of page 2 for approval is
communication C 2011 -228.
C 2011 -228 Communication (07/14/2011) from the First Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney, requesting Council approval, to expend $7,500.00 of County ($4,450.00)
and State Asset Forfeiture Funds ($3,050.00) for the purchase of two (2) laptop
computers and three (3) desktop computers, to accommodate new employees:
Mr. Kuali`i moved to approve C 2011 -228, seconded by Mr. Chang, and unanimously
carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Next item.
Mr. Nakamura: On page 3 of the council's agenda, Council Chair,
for approval, communication C 2011 -229.
C 2011 -229 Communication (07/18/2011) from the Executive on
Transportation, requesting Council approval to apply for, receive, indemnify, and
expend Fiscal Year 2011 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5309 "Bus
Livability Program" grant in the amount of $1,000,000.00, to provide passenger
shelters and improvements for public transit bus stops: Ms. Yukimura moved to
approve C 2011 -229, seconded by Mr. Kuali`i, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you, members. Is there anyone in the
audience who wants to speak on this? If not, I'd like to expand on an email that I've
have received and coordinated through Ashley Bunda. I'll ask her to circulate this.
The grant for the bus shelters, this grant should cover 75 bus shelters at about
$13,300. And the buses are all going to be standard diesel. Three of the buses are
30 -foot length and five are less than 30 feet. I don't know what their actual length
is, but that's what's covered in this communication. Any further discussion?
Council Vice Chair?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, Chair, I remember our discussions during budget
about how many bus shelters we could do, but to have this money from the federal
government is really a wonderful thing and as you see people standing out in the
hot sun or rain, you realize the need is great. So it's wonderful news that we'll be
able to get this money.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yes. I have no timetable of the actual arrival and
installation.
COUNCIL MEETING -37-
August 3, 2011
Ms..Yukimura: And thank you to our transportation agency for going for
those grant moneys.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yes, Mr. Rapozo?
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah, I just wanted to find out and maybe we can
send over a communication, during the budget process the administration did
mention that they were going to explore the prefab type of bus shelters because it
was a lot cheaper. And I just want to find out if they in fact did that and they could
reduce the cost per shelter and do a lot more shelters, if in fact they go that route.
And so if we could send a communication requesting that if in fact they did explore
that and what their decision will be? Because I believe the cost was quite high per
shelter. I believe it was at $25,000, if I'm not mistaken. And if we do a prefab type,
obviously you could get it done and do more shelters with the money. So if we can
just find out exactly what their plan is. I'm going to support the request simply
because it's a grant that will help us put up these shelters. But the more we can
build the better and I think if we go with the prefab route, it's probably a better
way.
Council Chair Furfaro: I will ask Ashley to clarify that. But as I read the
communication that I asked them for, they're referencing 75 of these shelters at
about $13,300 and they are indicating that they are actually purchases of bus
shelters, so not contract, but we'll get that clarification for you.
Mr. Rapozo:
Okay.
Council Chair Furfaro: I assumed that's exactly what they were, so any
further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.
The motion to approve C 2011 -229 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. Next item?
Mr. Nakamura: Next item on page 3 of the council's agenda for
approval is communication C 2011 -230.
C 2011 -230 Communication (07/18/2011) from the Executive on
Transportation, requesting Council approval to apply for, receive, indemnify, and
expend Fiscal Year 2012 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5309 State
of Good Repair grant in the amount of $975,000.00, to purchase buses for the
Transportation Agency: Ms. Yukimura moved to approve C 2011 -230, seconded by
Mr. Kuali`i.
Council Chair Furfaro: And just so note the buses that I described in the
earlier email are the buses being referred to in this communique. So is there any
public testimony on this item? Members, any further discussion? If not, all those in
favor, signify by saying aye.
The motion to approve C 2011 -230 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. We'll go to legal documents.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter for approval is attached to communication
C 2011 -231.
COUNCIL MEETING -38- August 3, 2011
LEGAL DOCUMENT:
C 2011 -231 Communication (07/14/2011) from the Director of Parks and
Recreation, recommending approval of the following from the Association of
Apartment Owners of Lae Nani, Inc.:
• Grant of Easement conveying Easement "A -1 ", Wailua, Kapa`a, Island and
County of Kauai, State of Hawaii, identified as Kauai Tax Map Key No.
(4) 4- 3- 02 -10, to the County of Kauai for the Lydgate Park to Kapa`a Bike
and Pedestrian Path purposes.
Ms. Yukimura moved to approve C 2011 -231, seconded by Mr. Kuali`i, and
unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter for approval is a resolution. This is
Resolution No. 2011 -65.
RESOLUTION:
Resolution 2011 -65, - RESOLUTION CONFIRMING COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL
RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND COMMISSION (Maurice Nakahara — At-
Large): Ms. Yukimura moved to adopt Resolution No. 2011 -65, seconded by
Mr. Rapozo.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. This, again, is a reappointment. For
many of us we interviewed him on his first appointment and he is an educator and a
well known waterman. So any testimony from the audience? If not, all those in
favor ... I'm sorry, this is a roll call vote, my apology. We jumped to a resolution, I'm
sorry.
The motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011 -65 was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
FOR ADOPTION: Chang, Kuali`i, Nakamura, Rapozo, TOTAL — 6,
Yukimura, Furfaro
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Bynum TOTAL — 1.
Mr. Nakamura: Six ayes, Mr. Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much and I want to thank Maurice
for his previous service on this commission. Before we go to bills for first reading,
can we go back to the communication item for the housing department? Thank you
for coming right over. We have two communications that we want to visit with you
on. The first communication we've had some discussion is item C 2011 -224. We
corrected the inverted numbers, Gary, that were on the communication, but
specifically I'll suspend the rules and Councilwoman Nakamura had some
questions.
There being no objection, the rules were suspended.
COUNCIL MEETING -39- August 3, 2011
Ms. Nakamura: Good morning. I just had a few questions. The
sources of funds that the county used to originally purchase the property, it states
as the Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. My question is are there funds
still available for purchase of homes?
GARY MACKLER, Housing Development Coordinator: Okay, thank you very
much for your question. Gary Mackler, for the record, housing agency. With me is
our homebuyer coordinator, Fay Rapozo. And in response to your question, we
originally depleted all of the Neighborhood Stabilization Grant that we could within
the window of time that was allowed for us to expend those dollars by the Hawaii
Housing Finance and Development Corporation. During the period of time when we
were allowed to expend those dollars, we acquired six residential properties with
the Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding and also funded the construction,
the new construction of three single - family homes, two of which are located in
`Ele`ele and one in Waimea, to also add to our inventory of affordable properties to
make available for leasehold sales. So all told, we were able to use that grant for
nine residential properties.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay and when these homes are sold, what will the
proceeds be used for?
Mr. Mackler: Okay, I'm going to defer that question to Fay
Rapozo because she's handling those sales.
FAY RAPOZO, Homebuyer Coordinator: With all of the revenues received,
what we're doing is recirculating the funds and looking for foreclosed homes to
repurchase again. So it's like a revolving..
Ms. Nakamura: Okay. Is the original source of the funds through
the federal government through the state and then to us?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Yes, administered by the state, correct.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay and then to be eligible to purchase the homes,
your letter states there is a wait -list that you're using?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Correct.
Ms. Nakamura: I just had a question about how long is the wait -list
and how does one get on the wait -list?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Okay, well, presently we have 415 participants on
the wait -list. We have 167 active participants, which means annually we go out and
recertify that they're still interested. And so my active list is based on how many
participants or families responded. So we have 167 of that. To get on our wait -list,
they have to get home -buyer education courses and once they graduate from that
course, they are told to come to our office and register with us to get on our
affordable housing wait -list.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, so the first step is the home -buyer education
class.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Right, 8 — 10 hours of the classes.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, thank you very much for clarifying that.
COUNCIL MEETING -40- - - August 3, 2011
Ms. Fay Rapozo: You're welcome.
Council Chair Furfaro: Mr. Mackler, I wanted to thank both you and Fay
for coming over. As the election cycle goes through, there are new members that
may be first -time hearing how the funds are replenished, what the training criteria
is to get on the list and be active and so forth. So I just want to take this time since
you came over to thank you for coming over, but also to thank you for your ongoing
work.
Mr. Mackler: Thank you.
Mr. Kuali`i: I wanted to say thank you, too. We said thank you
earlier, but you weren't here, so I want to thank you in person. I just had one quick
question following up with Councilmember Nakamura's questions. Aloha and
mahalo for being here.
Mr. Mackler: Thank you.
Mr. Kuali`i: So the leasehold is for 99 years?
Mr. Mackler: Actually our lease term is 90 years.
Mr. Kuali`i: Ninety?
Mr. Mackler: Yes.
Mr. Kuali`i: And then you were talking about the wait -list and
the education courses, but to be eligible to begin with you have to meet some kind of
income requirement, right? And what is that?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: To get educated, anybody can do that. But in order
to qualify for the inventory that we have available, certain homes have certain KMI
or the County Median Income and those are 80 and for the NSP properties, those go
up to 120.
Mr. Kuali`i: So it's 80 and 120.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Yeah, 80 and below, and 120 to 81 or I should say
81 to 120.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, thank you so much and keep up the good
work.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Thanks.
Council Chair Furfaro: Any further questions on this item 224? Council
Vice Chair?
Ms. Yukimura: Well, maybe if anybody watching would like to get
on the list, can we tell them what number to call or even if they just want to
participate in the homebuyer program or what is it called? Homeowner education
program.
COUNCIL MEETING - -41- August 3, 2011
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Okay, I don't have the two entities' phone numbers
available, but I would suggest that they call our office, 241 -4444, and ask to speak
to either Lisa, Steve or myself, Fay Rapozo, and we'll get them connected to be able
to initiate their education.
Ms. Yukimura: So if anybody's interested in the homebuyers'
course which then qualifies them to get on the buyers' list if they meet the income
requirements, 241 -4444. Ask for Lisa, Fay or Steve. Thank you.
Mr. Mackler: Just one other thought about that is that even if
they're not interested in or able to buy a home at this time, we still encourage
people to go through the class. It focuses heavily on credit counseling and how to
repair credit, and the service providers also provide foreclosure - prevention services.
So for existing homeowners who may have a need of foreclosure - prevention, these
services are there, and we also encourage that they contact us for those resources
because they will provide help in that regard.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you. That's wonderful to know.
Council Chair Furfaro: Go ahead.
Ms. Nakamura: One more question. Do we know how many homes
have been foreclosed on on Kauai to date?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: I'm sorry, I don't have that information.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay and do we know of any other sources of
funding that might be available to purchase homes?
Ms. Fay Rapozo: The only one that I'm apprised of would be the
standard lenders like Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian, Wells Fargo.
Ms. Nakamura: Conventional lenders.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Conventional lenders. And USDA because there
are a lot of people that are still able to ... well, there's a wait -list as well at USDA.
So we work with all of these lenders.
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you again and thank you for putting that
phone number out there. I'm glad it wasn't 2222. It might get confused with the
cab. And you know, that perception is there. So 241 -4444.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Correct.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: You're welcome.
There being no further questions, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Furfaro: May I ask for all those in favor of this item, please
signify by saying aye?
COUNCIL MEETING -42- August 3, 2011
The motion to approve C 2011 -224 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. Can we go to the next item,
Mr. Clerk?
Mr. Nakamura: On page 2, the next matter for approval is
communication C 2011 -225.
C2011-225 Communication (07/01/2011) from the Director of Housing,
requesting Council approval, to decline the County's option to repurchase
Unit No. 8, Villas at Puali, located at 1939 Haleukana Street, #8, Lihu`e, Hawaii,
96766, TMK (4) 3 -3- 003 - 039 -008 and to grant the owner a one -year waiver of the
buyback, thus permitting the market sale of the unit by the owner for a period of
one year.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, may I have a motion to approve first.
Mr. Chang moved to approve C 2011 -225, seconded by Mr. Kuali`i.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. On that note I'm going to
suspend the rules. I think Councilmember Rapozo has a request and some
information from you.
There being no objection, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you and thanks for being here and
congratulations grandpa.
Mr. Mackler: Thank you.
Mr. Rapozo: You know, I was looking through the disclosure and
I saw that the price based on the formula to repurchase this unit was over $500,000
and that's due to the high sale price or purchase price when, I guess, the market
was a lot better. But the ordinance also requires or allows us to purchase at
market, right, whatever is lower. Isn't that the case? I believe that if...
Mr. Mackler: Actually, maybe I could provide, a little more
background on this.
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah, please.
Mr. Mackler: The Puali project, the owner of the project put
six -year buyback restrictions on all of the sales that were not investor sales. So
there were a number of units that were called non - investor units and some that
were investor units. The six -year buyback restriction was patterned almost exactly
after the county's buyback restriction, which provides the compensation to the
purchaser for the original sales price plus their original closing costs, plus any
approved capital improvements that are made during their time of ownership plus a
rate of interest. Our buyback is 1 percent. This buyback modified it slightly
because it was tied to the CPI index. So it actually, in this calculation, went up a
little higher than 1 percent. I think it was 2.2.
Mr. Rapozo: One, two point one (2.1).
COUNCIL MEETING - - 43 - August 3, 2011
Mr. Mackler: Okay and so in that respect, it just follows the
formula that we have used for quite a many years now to calculate repurchase
amounts. And in this case, as you've stated, the calculation shows us that this unit
would be purchased well above the market value of the unit in today's real estate
market.
Mr. Rapozo: So if the market value is less, we're not allowed or
we're not authorized to purchase it at that lower level? That's what the letter says.
I'm reading the letter. It says, "per ordinance 2005 -372, the buyback requires a
repurchase price of $502,300 or at market value, whichever is less." But I guess my
question is what is the market value of this unit because...
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Well, based on what I've seen going, market values
around Puali now is $300,000.
Mr. Rapozo: Right, it's in the low 300s.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: And the housing agency has taken the ... I shouldn't
say attitude, but it's very difficult at this point to buy a condo unit and to try and
sell it to our people on our affordable housing wait -list, only because there's an
extra maintenance fee that they have to pay. So we've kind of declined from
wanting to purchase condos at this time. But yes, we could, but we're asking to
decline.
Mr. Rapozo: Obviously, we rely on your folks' experience, but I
know ... the thing that really bothered me is this house has been on the market for
125 days and I don't understand how they can put a house on the market to try and
sell a property that has a buyback restriction. And that concerns me. They're
asking 336 for the house, $336,000. I pulled a lot of the real estate information on
the website and they're having a hard time selling it at $315,000, $310,000,
$305,000. Our county assessed the property at less than $260,000. So I don't know
if we can get ... I was looking at the mortgage balance of the property, of this unit is
$180,000, a little over $180,000. So even if the county was to buy it back at ... I don't
know if we tried. I don't know if we make those kinds of offers. Do we try to
negotiate and purchase it? Because I still think it's a good deal even at the high 2s
or even $300,000.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: I agree with you, but again, if I buy this inventory,
will I be able to turn it over? We've had an experience with another unit within the
vicinity and it took me a long time trying to dispose of it. And my mission here is to
buy a house, turn it around, get somebody in as an affordable unit, get it in and not
hold something as an inventory, which is basically a loss to the county.
Mr. Rapozo: Right. But let's say and let's use the $300,000
number. Let's say we purchased the property at $300,000.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Yes.
Mr. Rapozo: Let's say we sell the property for $250,000. The
county loses $50,000; that's one way of looking at it. Or you can look at it as the
county was able to put up an affordable unit that's less than six years old for
$50,000. That's one way of looking at it. So in other words, you went out and
purchased the property, kept it affordable, because once we give this right up, then
it's out of affordable forever.
M: (Inaudible.)
COUNCIL MEETING -44- August 3, 2011
Mr. Rapozo: No, it's done. We get first right. So once we give
this unit up, it's out of the affordable housing inventory forever and they'll turn
around and sell this property for $300,000 when the market gets better, it's a good
investment property. But my point is this, you can look at it as taking a loss to the
county or you can look at it as an investment by the county to create one more
affordable housing unit at a very good price to the right family. And even if we sold
J even at $225,000, even if we sold it at $230,000 or $240,000, on paper it looks like
a loss, but it also creates a brand new... relatively brand new unit in the inventory
and keeping it affordable. That's how I look at it. And so it's just a concern. I think
the $502,000, obviously, that is a no. I would never pay $502,000 for this unit.
That guy makes a lot of money out of an affordable opportunity. I'm just worried
that in times like today, that's when we should be moving with inventory. When
the market is down is when the county should be spending some money to increase
our inventory and this would be an opportunity, like I said, even if we get it at
$300,000, I don't know what this guy would go down to. Like I said, it's been on the
market for 125 days as of today at $336,000 and it hasn't sold. I have a whole list
over here of Puali units on the market that are not being sold. He's in it. He has
$180,000 in it right now that he owes. He can turn around a pretty good equity
cash out with the county and we inherit that property and we keep it in affordable
forever, even if it had cost us a negative $50,000 in the turn. So that's kind of just
what I ... have we explored that opportunity is the question I had and then the
bigger question is, we'll send over in writing as far as the policy, how are these guys
are allowed to put their houses on the market when they're part of a buyback
requirement? That's the other thing that...I don't know if we ... maybe we have to
amend the ordinance to put in some kind of sanction if that happens.
Council Chair Furfaro: So let me summarize that. The buyback provision
is six years.
Mr. Mackler: For this particular project it is.
Council Chair Furfaro: Yes, for this project, that's what we're talking
about. The Consumer Price Index we're dealing with is the Honolulu Consumer
Price Index.
Mr. Mackler: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: So we have a formula that we can lay out there.
The question on the affordability must incorporate not only the mortgage
possibility, but also within that housing payment what the common area
maintenance fee would be, too.
Mr. Mackler: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, so if someone can afford $1650 and we know
the common area maintenance is in fact $250 a month in association dues, then we
need to have that as part of the calculation. And then this project is fee?
Mr. Mackler: Yes, it is.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, so we need to explore on keeping it
affordable. We need to explore legally if we could buy something fee and then we
can turn around and lease it.
Mr. Mackler: We can.
COUNCIL MEETING - -45- August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro: And so those are the four points that I think
Mr. Rapozo is making that are worth exploring.
Mr. Mackler: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: Even if we did one unit as a test.
Mr. Mackler: Most of the units at Puali, by the way, are almost
out of their six -year restricted period. But the other thing that Fay mentioned and I
want to go back to is the ability for us to move the product after we've purchased
the product. You know there are empty units sitting at Kamamalu right now for
less money, new units for sale, for less money than what we would probably have to
sell this Puali unit for, and we have a limited amount of resources to repurchase
and resell units with and if we tie up our resources by buying units that we can't
sell so that we get that money back and continue to roll over, we're tying up our
ability to move the housing product out and that's a real concern for us. So looking
at it from that standpoint, Councilmember Rapozo, we feel that we shouldn't
recommend purchasing this Puali unit because we feel at this time it would really
tie up our ability to move it out. And I realize there's opportunity there as well, but
for us it's very important to use our limited resources in a way that can maximize
moving properties to the affordable purchasers.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Which would mean allowing people to buy outside
inventory, come to me for help with Gap funding. So I want to be able to use those
resources to help those people as well.
Council Chair Furfaro: Just before we go too far on the resources. You
know where your resources come from? Okay, they come from this body. So if you
tell us you would like to have an investment in a larger pool of money, because I
think Mr. Rapozo's point is quite well, for buying a unit for $300,000, we resell it for
$260,000, it's only costing us $40,000 to add inventory. I think that was the main
portion of his point and I think he had his hand up again?
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah, we have any unsold units? Where did you
say the other ones are?
Mr. Chang: Kamamalu.
Mr. Mackler: We do have a sizeable inventory of unsold units at
this time. If you don't mind, I'll let Fay give you a quick rundown of what we have
right now.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: We have about 12 sold at the moment, so we do
have at least... how many... what was the total amount of units we had?
Mr. Chang:
You're talking at Kamamalu?
Ms. Fay Rapozo:
Yes, let's say about 12 unsold.
Mr. Rapozo:
Twelve sold and 20 unsold.
Ms. Fay Rapozo:
No, 12 unsold.
Mr. Rapozo:
There's a 24 -unit project over there?
COUNCIL MEETING -46- August 3, 2011
Mr. Mackler: We're just talking about the inventory of housing
that we have at this time that we are moving forward to sell. We have 12 properties
which are scattered in different locations of the island and Fay can give you more
specific information about where they're located and what kind of properties they
are.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: But I think Mel's question was on Kamamalu?
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Okay. How many units at Kamamalu? I can't
remember.
Mr. Rapozo: And that's fine.
Ms. Fay Rapozo: Thirty -one. Okay, 31 and we've sold 12
approximately, yeah, 12.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay. Then I guess as we have these properties
that we purchase and try to resell, are we trying to sell it at what we bought it for
or are we utilizing that philosophy even if we lose some? It's called addition by
subtraction, yeah. You lose, you've given up some of the money, but at the end of
the day when you look at the value versus what the county actually paid for it, it's a
substantial benefit.
Mr. Mackler: Well, as I referred to earlier, we produced nine
units with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant. The amount that they
were purchased for is not the amount... they would be sold for a much smaller
amount than what they were purchased for, which does create a government
subsidy on the sale. So that is the reason that they're leasehold sales because the
only way to preserve that subsidy and preserve those units for long -term or
permanent affordability is to use a mechanism like leasehold. If we were to sell
those properties fee simple, there would be a potential windfall benefit to the
purchaser who was fortunate enough to come along at this time to get one of those
units. So, we're trying to as a public policy to preserve that subsidy for
future... should the original purchaser sell those units 20, 30, 40 years down the
road to have a way to make those units again available to those who are in
affordable groups without giving away that subsidy. So that's really the thinking
behind it.
Council Chair Furfaro: Gary, I think you're making my point. If we bought
them, right, and then we resold them, we would resell them for lease, so that the
asset stays in our control.
Mr. Mackler: Yes, Chair.
Council Chair Furfaro: I said that in the beginning. I don't mean to push
(inaudible) it sounds like. Councilwoman Yukimura has a question. We need to
take a break because we do have a 1:30 p.m. public hearing. Councilwoman?
Ms. Yukimura: I think I'll defer my question until we have a more
robust opportunity for discussion, maybe in the housing committee, because this is
a major policy matter.
COUNCIL MEETING -47- August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro: Why don't we put a new item in your committee in
the near future, which can also cover a very accurate summary of our inventory.
Does that help, Council Vice Chair?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay. We'll put a new item here.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro:
item 225. Mr. Rapozo, are yo
Mr. Rapozo:
Council Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Yukimura:
before us then?
Okay, let's attend to the business at hand, which is
a satisfied that we'll put a new agenda item on?
Yes.
Okay, are there any further questions here?
So what is the thought with this particular matter
Council Chair Furfaro: The matter before us and the motion is to approve.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay, so our policy discussions would be for...
Council Chair Furfaro: In a new item in your committee.
Ms. Yukimura: That's fine.
Council Chair Furfaro: Acceptable?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes.
Council Chair Furfaro: Okay, very good. Thank you for coming over. I'm
going to see if there's any public comment for this agenda item before we vote.
Mr. Mackler: Thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Is there anyone in the public that would like to
speak on this item?
GLENN MICKENS: Thank you, Jay, for the record Glenn Mickens. I
just want to congratulate Gary and Fay. They run this department so well. I think
they picked up from when Ken used to be there because I thought he was the
greatest. So I think they're doing a great job. Thank you.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you for that commentary. Any further
discussion on this item before I call the meeting back to order? I will can it back to
order now.
There being no one else wishing to speak on this matter, the meeting was called
back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Council Chair Furfaro: We have a motion and a second to approve, before
we break for lunch here, all those in favor, signify by saying aye.
The motion to approve C 2011 -225 was then put, and unanimously carried.
COUNCIL MEETING -48- August 3, 2011
Council Chair Furfaro:
finish the last item.
Thank you very much. And we will attempt to
Ms. Yukimura: We're just going to receive, right, and then we're
pau?
Council Chair Furfaro: Pretty much so, yes. Go ahead.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on page 3 of the council's
agenda on a Bill for First Reading. This is Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2409).
BILL FOR FIRST READING:
Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2409) — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, BY ESTABLISHING A NEW
ARTICLE RELATING TO A RETAIL USE CONCESSION AT THE PIIKOI
COUNTY BUILDING: Mr. Kuali`i moved to receive Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2409)
for the record, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
Council Chair Furfaro: Thank you. I would like to read a communication
that we had from Mr. Rezentes, "The department of public works is reviewing the
space needs and requirements of the county departments at this time. Once this
review is complete, the county administration intends to submit for council approval
a money bill to fund the improvements from the existing CIP budget sources. We
will also submit for council approval a money bill to address the revenue decrease
as a result of the corresponding rental income reduction." Anyone in the audience
that would like to testify on this item? If not, members we have a motion to receive
and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye.
The motion to receive Proposed Draft Bill (No. 2409) for the record was then
put and unanimously carried.
Council Chair Furfaro: The meeting is adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER A. NAKAMURA
/wa County Clerk