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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-7-12OpenSpaceCommissionMinutesApprovedCOUNTY OF KAUA`I Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board/Commission: Public Access, Open Space and Natural Meeting Date July 12, 2018 Resources Preservation Fund Commission Location Mo`ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A/2B Startof Meeting: 1:15 p.m. End of Meeting: 2:24 p.m. Present Chair Shaylyn Kimura. Vice Chair Theodore Blake. Members: Dorothy Hayashi, Karen Ono, Erica Taniguchi (Arrived 1: 48 p.m) and Herman Texeira. Staff. Deputy County Attorney Jodi Higuchi-Sayegusa. Planning Department Staff: Duke Nakamatsu and Nani Sadora. Office of Boards and Commissions Staff Administrator Nicholas R. Courson and Commission Support Clerk Sandra Muragin. Excused Commissioner Jett Jasper and Deputy Planning Director Ka`aina Hull Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Kimura called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. Roll Call The meeting commenced with a roll call of the Commissioners. Five commissioners were present, which constituted a quorum. Approval of Chair Kimura requested to amend the agenda and move New Business I.1., Nomination and Mr. Texeira moved to approve Agenda appointment of the Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund the agenda as amended. Mr. Commission's island -wide, at -large appointee, right after approval of the agenda for Blake seconded the motion. discussion. Motion carried 5:0. New Business I.1. Nomination and appointment of the Public Access, Open Space, & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission's, island wide, at -large appointee. (For Action) Mr. Blake nominated Ms. Nancy Kanna. Mr. Texeira moved to close the Deputy County Attorney Jodi Higuchi-Sayegusa informed the Commission that now would be nominations. Mr. Blake the time to nominate additional candidates and if there were none, a motion was required to seconded the motion. Motion close the nominations. carried 5:0. Administrator Nicholas R. Courson stated that since the nominations have closed and there Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION was only one candidate, they could vote for the nominee. Chair Kimura addressed Ms. Kanna in the audience and asked her to introduce herself and share some background information. Ms. Kanna shared that she is currently the Interim Executive Director for the Kauai Economic Development Board and served as the Government Affairs Liaison with the Kauai Board of Realtors. She lived on the west side and is a Hanapepe resident involved in the West Kauai Community Development Plan and expressed her desire to serve the community. Mr. Blake noted that the Commission would benefit from having Ms. Kanna due to her real estate knowledge and outreach in the community. Ms. Ono requested to add a disclaimer that she has worked with Ms. Kanna. She stated that Ms. Kanna was hired as an independent contractor for the Kauai Board of Realtors; however, she was out on medical leave during that time. Ms. Hayashi expressed her gratitude to Ms. Kanna for agreeing to be on the Commission. She said it's difficult to find volunteers, especially on the west side of the island, but it is important to have a spokesperson for the area and to maintain representation. Ms. Higuchi-Sayegusa stated that Ms. Kanna was nominated to fill the Commission's island - wide, at -large position and directed the Commission to call for the vote. Mr. Courson clarified that Ms. Kanna's term had an effective date of January 1, 2018. Chair Kimura called for the vote to appoint Nancy Kanna to the island -wide, at -large position. The Commission unanimously voted for the appointment (5-ayes and 0-nays). Minutes of the DA. Meeting of April 12, 2018 Mr. Texeira moved to approve Meeting(s) of the April 12, 2018 minutes as Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION the Open Space circulated. Ms. Ono seconded Commission the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Receipt of Items There were no items to receive for the record. For The Record (None) Hearings and F.1. All remaining_ public testimony pursuant to HRS 92 (Sunshine Law). Public Comment Ms. Higuchi-Sayegusa announced if anyone from the public wanted to testify on any of the agenda items, now would be the time. Seeing none, Chair Kimura moved to the next agenda item. Communication There were no communications. (None) Unfinished H.I. Update and discussion of the Commission's work plan/timeline of events and activities through 2018. Business (For Action) Chair Kimura reminded everyone that Mr. Texeira requested a project tracker earlier this year and turned the floor over to Ms. Nani Sadora. Ms. Sadora explained that the project tracker is Excel -based and set up to track the workflow and progress of the Commission's various tasks, activities and recommendations, and would contain information from this year moving forward. She said each documentation into the tracker would contain dates that could easily reference a meeting and initiate follow-up discussions back to the Commission. Ms. Sadora said the descriptive detailed information could grow over time but it would define the data so the Commission could track its progress at each meeting. She said the spreadsheet would track, from date of receipt, the Commission's recommendations, status, projected follow-up dates, Council recommendations, public input and outreach, and a future column that would track anticipated tasks that would not drop off unless the Commission decided no further action was required. There would also be a task column specifically to track any research required from the Planning Department. Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION A discussion arose about the West Kauai Community Plan and the General Plan. Mr. Courson advised the Commission that if they wanted to further the conversation, the topic should be placed on next month's agenda. Ms. Sadora informed the Commission that she planned to roll out the first copy at the August meeting and they would receive updated spreadsheets with their meeting packets. New Business I.2. Review and discussion for recommendation of coastal properties located at TMK: (4) 1- 2-013 :001, (4) 1-2-013 :039 and (4)1-2-013:040 in Kekaha. (For Action) Ms. Sadora said that when the County Council confirmed support and acquisition of the Kekaha Chinese Cemetery parcels, Councilmember Kagawa recommended that the Commission also look at three adjacent properties to the west of the Chinese cemetery that are for sale, which triggered the preliminary report. She noted that Exhibit C contained photos of the subject properties outlined in blue. Commissioner Erica Taniguchi arrived. Ms. Sadora read portions of the Preliminary Report dated April 11, 2018, for the record (on file with the Planning Department). Chair Kimura asked if there was any information to share on how and whom Councilmember Kagawa received knowledge from about these parcels. Ms. Sadora confessed that they did not engage in a dialogue about the particulars on these parcels with Councilmember Kagawa. Chair Kimura's next concern was updating Ms. Phoebe Liu-Eng and the Kekaha Community Garden (KCG). She said that originally Ms. Liu-Eng offered upkeep and maintenance for the Chinese cemetery, not for the additional, three parcels, and this would pose uncertainty as to who would maintain them. If maintenance could not be resolved, Chair Kimura did not want to pursue this further. Mr. Blake volunteered to go out into the west side community and find residents and organizations to steward and commit to managing and maintaining these Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION parcels. He said oceanfront properties warrant further investigation due to the recent approval of the General Plan and future development on the west side. Chair Kimura expressed support for an expedited appraisal due to Councilmember Kagawa's backing, along with securing management and maintenance of these parcels. Ms. Hayashi expressed concern that although the Commission should continue to be cautious and prudent in acquisition of properties, she now realized that an expedited purchase may become necessary due to improvements of the infrastructure on the west side that would lead to future development and competition for land acquisition. She said this would raise property values. Chair Kimura asked Ms. Sadora if the parcels contained any cultural, historical or present day use of the property. She inquired if it was a popular fishing spot or well-known area for limu, he'e or anything of that nature because that would fit in with the Commission's scope and mission and substantiate moving forward. Mr. Texeira said that with the support from Councilmember Kagawa, he concurred that this property would warrant an aggressive and fast -track investigation for acquisition. Ms. Higuchi-Sayegusa informed the Commission that their rules allow for fast -tracking. Ms. Sadora said there would be a supplement report at the next scheduled meeting and explained the process: 1. All recommendations are presented to the Commission by a preliminary report that provides available information and description of the area. 2. The Commission would decide if they wanted to support or not support. 3. All supported recommendations would then initiate a supplement report which would contain in-depth information, present use, surrounding area, and potential stewardship. Ms. Sadora said due to the short timeframe, the supplement report may include updated contact with Ms. Liu-Eng, and the KCG regarding the possible stewardship of the additional three parcels and may also contain interest from other possible community organizations. Ms. Hayashi pointed out that it would have helped if there was a Kekaha/Waimea representative sitting on the Commission; she would feel more confident in moving forward if she knew Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION how the community felt about this acquisition. Ms. Sadora said E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha meets regularly and she could provide their board members with information about this Mr. Texeira moved to acquisition and receive feedback from them. recommend the Planning Department engage in providing a supplement report for Tax Map Key (4) 1-2- 013 :001, (4) 1-2-013 : 03 9 and (4)1-2-013:040. Mr. Blake seconded the motion. Motion carried 6:0. Announcements There were no Announcements. Next Meeting Next scheduled meeting date is August 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. Date and Agenda Topics Chair Kimura opened the floor for topics on the next meeting's agenda. Ms. Hayashi asked for Discussion for an update on the Hanapepe properties (Tax Map Key (4) 1-8-008:065 and (4) 1-8- 008:071). Ms. Sadora said those properties were at the County Council and that she would provide an update. Chair Kimura requested for an update on the three Kalihiwai parcels (Tax Map Key (4) 5-3- 006:015, (4) 5-3-006:020 and (4) 5-3-003:068). Ms. Sadora said there would be a supplement report on those parcels at the next meeting. Chair Kimura encouraged the Commissioners to become active in their respective community meetings and organizations. She didn't want the Commission to only appear in community meetings every two years, but envisioned the Commissioners nurturing a mutual relationship with these community groups. She felt it was important that the community see the positive work that the Commission has undertaken and that they know they are a diverse body, not only in location, but in expertise and interest. This mutual relationship can shed a positive light in the community and garner support when needed. Ms. Sadora said attendance to those community meetings require two commissioners and one support staff. She suggested they Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Open Session July 12, 2018 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION start looking at meetings in the Yd and 4d' quarter of this year. Mr. Blake asked for an update on the Waimea/Kekaha mayoral appointee. Adjournment With no objections, Chair Kimura adjourned the meeting at 2:24 p.m. Submitted by: Reviewed and Approved by: ASandral Muragin, Commission Support Clerk ( X ) Approved as circulated. 08/09/18 ( ) Approved with amendments. See minutes of meeting. Shaylyn Kimura, Chair