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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-8-11 Open Space Commission Minutes COUNTY OF KAUAI PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, & NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND COMMISSION Liliu'e Civic Center, Moikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/213 MINUTES A regular meeting of the County of Kauai, Public Access, Open Space, & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission of the County of Kaua'i was held on August 11, 2011, in the Lru'e Civic Center, Moikeha Building Meeting Room 2A/2B. The following Commissioners were present: Tessie Kinnaman, Chairperson, Johanna Ventura, Vice-Chairperson, Nathaniel Childs, Linda Dela Cruz, and Maurice Nakahara. The following Commissioners were absent: Jean Souza, and three (3) vacancies. The following staff members were present: Nani Sadora and Duke Nakamatsu. SWEARING IN OF COMMISSION Commissioner Maurice Nakahara was sworn in my Deputy County Clerk Eduardo Topenio, Jr. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kinnaman called the meeting to order at 1:13 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kinnaman requested that the review and discussion on the draft dossiers be taken out of order to accommodate public testimony. MOTION: It was moved by Johanna Ventura and seconded by Nathaniel Childs to approve the agenda as amended. All were in favor by unanimous voice vote — motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review and discussion on draft dossiers for Council's consideration on recommended sites for acquisition. t Access to Kukui`ula Bay through the former Hoban property (previously listed as Former Hoban Property) Ms. Sadora stated that Deputy County Attorney Jung was going to communicate with Kukui`ula to determine the funding availability for purchasing the easement. She stated that his request at the last meeting was to provide an update to the Commission at the August 25 meeting. Salt Pond Beach Park Expansion (Mauka and West) and Buffer Area for Protection of Hanapepe Salt Pans (previously listed as Salt Pond Park Expansion) Ms. Sadora stated that communications were ongoing with Lenny Rapozo at the Parks & Recreation Department regarding the scope within their master plan. She stated that information regarding the adjacent areas is still forthcoming from that State and that Tommy Oi is still the contact within the Department of Land and Natural Resources. She noted that corrections have been made to the acronyms in the dossier. She noted that members of the public were in the audience to listen more than to speak, but if the Commission wanted to provide a history as to why it is on the agenda they may want to testify. Commissioner Ventura stated that the Open Space Commission identifies properties for potential acquisition each year and these two properties have been on the list of recommendations in the past. She stated that they felt the processes involved in acquiring these two properties were complicated and if they provided additional information beyond the annual report, it might make the likelihood of action possible. She noted that Salt Pond Beach Park was identified by a number of members of the public who stated that the park was overcrowded and that vehicular use to the point was potential impacting the salt pans. She stated that the Commission felt there was an opportunity to enter into discussions with the State about acquiring a strip that would go West and mauka to enable more parking, fishing access, and potentially a new area for camping that may also help mitigate some of the impacts to the salt pans. She stated that because it would be unlikely that County would want to acquire the entire State parcel, the process would be complicated because it would be carving out a strip of a larger parcel which is what motivated the Commission to assemble a dossier to provide more detail on how the Administration might act on it. The Commission received public testimony from Gilbert Nobrega from Hanapepe. Mr. Nobrega stated that he is the president of the hui for the salt makers. He stated that before the County considers expanding the park, there needs to be a sewer line. He stated that the major concern is with the buffer zone. Commissioner Ventura stated that the role of the Commission is not to make decisions as much as to make recommendations. She stated that it was reported to the 2 Commission that there is impact on the salt pans as a result of vehicles traveling in close proximity to the pans. She stated that if the park was expanded on the opposite end, then the County could perhaps close that area off to vehicles and move the camping to the other side. She stated that it is the Commission's underlying intent that any recommendation that is put forth is done with the good of the salt pans as a cultural resource in mind. She stated that they could add the concern about the sewer lines, but if the association wanted to include a letter that is supported by the group, the Commission could also include that. Mr. Nobrega stated that he heard about the possibility of moving boulders to keep the vehicles away and it was not agreed upon by the hui because it would also stop the community from accessing the beach and camping area. He stated that he did not feel that damages were happening in the salt making area and that a buffer wouldn't stop anything from coming over the bank. He stated that he would appreciate updates so that he could notify the hui. He stated that they are concerned about what is happening to the salt making area. Commissioner Ventura clarified that it was Mr. Nobrega's opinion that the vehicles accessing area were not necessarily an impact to the salt pans and that it would be the lack of a sewer line that is more of a concern. Chair Kinnaman questioned the vehicular access along the fence line and if that impacts the clay in the area. Mr. Nobrega stated that it does not affect the salt makers. He stated that he has been making salt for over 40 years and the worst impact is from global warming. Chair Kinnaman stated that it would be helpful if the group could submit a letter. Commissioner Ventura stated that the Commission would welcome the group's suggestions for potential solutions. She stated that if the group is not in support of expansion to the west and mauka, it would also be helpful information because the Commission is trying to address the community's concerns. Commissioner Nakahara questioned if the sewer lines are affecting the wells. Mr. Nobrega stated that there are currently no sewer lines. He stated that they have leaching fields and lately they have been overflowing. He stated that by buffer, he thought the Commission meant holding the water back that is coming down from mauka into the salt making area. He stated that he would love to see a buffer zone to hold back the water. He stated that with corn coming in, you don't know what will be coming down. Chair Kinnaman stated that the Commission was also concerned with runoff. 3 Commissioner Ventura stated that although the Commission has no authority over the management of the park, if the hui expresses their concerns in their letter, the Commission could forward them to the Public Works Department. The Commission received testimony from Dorothea Hayashi from Hanapepe. Ms. Hayashi stated that her concern is that the sewer line is a necessity, however, her personal feeling was that a sewer line should not expand to the extent of a tourist influxtion. She stated that she does not want a sewer line to go to the airfield because that would expand the airfield. She stated that there were too many crashes and deaths. She felt that the helicopters should all be from Liru'e Airport. She asked that the Commission consider not allowing expansion to the airfield, but to save the salt pans from contamination. The Commission received testimony from Elsie Godbey. Ms. Godbey stated that she was a long time resident of Hanapepe. She stated that her concern is the airfield and protection of the salt pans and beach park. She stated that the land was given to the Department of Transportation by the Department of Land and Natural Resources through executive order and she questioned if the air field could be taken back for the people through executive order. She stated that her concern is that two salt pans have been covered up to finish the runway and she would like to have them restored and perhaps getting back those salt pans through executive order. Commissioner Ventura clarified that by sewer lines, Mr. Nobrega was referring specifically to the restrooms at the beach park. The Commission thanked the public for their testimony. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES — Regular meeting minutes of 7/14/11 and 7/28/11. Regular meeting minutes of 7/14/11 and 7/28/11 — deferred. MOTION: It was moved by Johanna Ventura and seconded by Linda Dela Cruz to defer approval of the 7/14/11 and 7/28/11 meeting minutes. All were in favor by unanimous voice vote — motion passed. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements from staff. 4 RECEIPT OF ITEMS FOR THE RECORD There were not items to receive for the record. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Status of filling of vacant Commissioner positions. Ms. Sadora stated that they received communication from Boards & Commissions on behalf of the Mayor's Office that they are still actively looking for candidates. She stated that Mr. Isobe requested asking the Open Space Commission for recommendations for nominees. She stated that the Commission has already provided recommendations and she requested that the Administration consider issuing a press release per the Commission's memo. She stated that Council has received a referral but she did not receive communication on where they were in the application process. Review and discussion on proposed amendments to Ordinance 812 Ms. Sadora reported that the proposed amendments have been transmitted to the Mayor's office for introduction to the County Council. She stated that in the transmittal they requested for communication on when it is sent to Council and any updates they can provide. Update and discussion on the Commission's participation at the upcoming Hawai'i Congress of Planning Officials (HCPO) 2011 conference in September on Kaua'i and creation and appointment of task group. Ms. Sadora reported that Chipper Wichman would not be available for the National Tropical Botanical Garden and that Kawika for Limahuli would not be available for a panel discussion for the North Shore mobile workshop. She asked for other recommendations. She also noted that former Commissioner Beryl Blaich would not be available to host the South Shore mobile workshop. She suggested that one of the Commissioners could possibly host. Commissioner Ventura stated that she would recommend names for the panel discussion. Ms. Sadora stated that they will be maxing out the North Shore mobile workshops at 40 participants divided among 2 small busses, and 35 participants for the South Shore mobile workshop in one large bus. 5 Update and discussion of the 2011 public input process pursuant to Ordinance No. 812 for developing an annual list of priority projects to be reported (2011 Report) to the Kaua'i County Council and the Mayor, and Scoping of project and appointment of members to the Commission's investigative committees regarding the 2011 public input process pursuant to Ordinance No. 812 for developing an annual list of priority projects to be reported (2011 Report) to the Kaua'i County Council and the Mayor. Ms. Sadora stated that the dates and times have been reserved for each of the community workshops as requested by the Commission at the last meeting. She questioned if the Commission would prefer to have maps for all 6 recommendations at each of the workshops or to have maps specific to each workshop. Commissioner Ventura stated that maps would be essential, but that each committee would probably be different. Ms. Sadora questioned if they would prefer to have one large map displayed as a visual, or to provide handouts that people could take away in addition to the survey. Commissioner Ventura stated that she envisioned the investigative committees as collecting information more than distributing. She stated that she spoke with Jennifer Luck of the Hawaii Land Trust and she was enthusiastic about taking the lead in assembling packages for potential acquisitions. She requested that staff contact her regarding the dates of the workshop. She noted that the Land Trust has also been in contact with the Kaneiolouma group. She requested that staff determine who within the Land Trust may be the best contact for each of the 3 committees. Commissioner Childs stated that he would not be available on October 6 and requested to be taken off of the investigative committee for Hoone Road, Nukumoi Surf Shop, and Hoban. Commissioner Ventura requested that staff send Commissioner Childs the minutes of testimony from the Garden Island Motor Cross group along with contact information. Chair Kinnaman requested that the abstracts be provided for the Hoone Road, Nukumoi, and Hoban workshop with updated information. Commissioner Ventura suggested that the abstracts for each of the 6 recommendations be linked individually to the Open Space web page along with pop ups. Ms. Sadora stated that she would follow up with the IT staff. Commissioner Ventura suggested that the investigative committee for the Salt Pond, and Lawa'i Kai to Port Allen meet with the Hui Hana O Hanapep6 prior to the workshop. 6 NEXT MEETING DATE AND AGENDA TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION Chair Kinnaman stated that the agenda would be the same for the next meeting with the addition of review of the Commission's policy on receiving communications per Commissioner Souza's request, and an update on Kauapea from the Deputy County Attorney in executive session. Commissioner Ventura requested that the Salt Pond Beach Park Expansion dossier be kept on the agenda for further discussion on vehicular access and management concerns. She also recommended revising agenda item VII G to remove appointment of task group regarding the HCPO conference. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: It was moved by Maurice Nakahara and seconded by Nathaniel Childs to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor by unanimous voice vote — motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Duke Nakamatsu, Support Clerk 7