HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/07/2021 Council minutes COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 7, 2021
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to order
by Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street,
Suite 201, Lihu`e, Kaua`i, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 8:33 a.m., after which the
following Members answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr.
Honorable Felicia Cowden
Honorable Bill DeCosta
Honorable Luke A. Evslin (via remote technology)
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
• Excused: Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable KipuKai Kuali`i
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Good morning. Today's meeting will be
conducted pursuant to Governor Ige's Supplementary Emergency Proclamations with
the most recent relating to the Sunshine Law being his Twenty-First Supplementary
Emergency Proclamation dated June 7, 2021. For the record, we have no registered
speakers today for any of our agenda items.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Councilmember Carvalho moved for approval of the agenda, as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions or is there any
discussion from the Members?
The motion for approval of the agenda, as circulated, was then put, and carried
by a vote of 5:0:2 (Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were
excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
MINUTES of the following meetings of the Council:
May 26, 2021 Public Hearing re: C 2021-14
June 16, 2021 Council Meeting
COUNCIL MEETING 2 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve the Minutes, as circulated,
seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions or is there any
discussion on this item from the Members?
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding these agenda items.)
The motion to approve the Minutes, as circulated, was then put, and carried
by a vote of 5:0:2 (Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were
excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
C 2021-147 Communication (05/04/2021) from the Mayor, transmitting for
Council consideration and confirmation, Mayoral appointee V. Pamai Cano to the
Civil Service Commission— Term ending 12/31/2021.
C 2021-148 Communication (05/05/2021) from the Director of Finance,
transmitting for Council information, the Period 9 Financial Reports — Statement of
Revenues, Statement of Expenditures and Encumbrances, Revenue Report, and
Detailed Budget Report as of March 31, 2021, pursuant to Section 21 of Ordinance
No.B-2020-866, relating to the Operating Budget of the County of Kaua`i for Fiscal Year
2020-2021.
C 2021-149 Communication (06/16/2021) from the Director of Finance,
transmitting for Council information, the Period 11 Financial Reports — Statement of
Revenues, Statement of Expenditures and Encumbrances, Revenue Report, and
Detailed Budget Report as of May 31, 2021, pursuant to Section 21 of Ordinance
No. B-2020-866, relating to the Operating Budget of the County of Kauai for Fiscal Year
2020-2021.
C 2021-150 Communication (06/22/2021) from Mark R. Knoff, P.E., Manager
and Chief Engineer, transmitting for Council consideration, a Resolution Establishing
An "Authorized Parking Only—Tow Away Zone" (No-Parking Zone) And A"30-Minute
Parking— Tow Away Zone" (Time-Limit Parking Zone) At The Department Of Water,
County Of Kaua`i Administration Building And Operations Baseyard Parking Lots,
Lihu`e District, County Of Kauai.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to receive C 2021-147, C 2021-148,
C 2021-149, and C 2021-150 for the record, seconded by Councilmember
Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions or is there any
discussion from the Members?
COUNCIL MEETING 3 JULY 7, 2021
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding these agenda items.)
The motion to receive C 2021-147, C 2021-148, C 2021-149, and C 2021-150 for
the record was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2 (Councilmember Chock
and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2021-151 Communication (06/09/2021) from the Acting County Engineer,
requesting Council approval to apply for, receive, and expend United States
Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability
and Equity(RAISE) grant funding in the amount of$24,000,000.00, for the Po`ipu Road
Mobility and Safety Project, and to indemnify the United States Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Hawai`i Department of
Transportation.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve C 2021-151, seconded by
Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: We received no written testimony and there
are no registered speakers to speak on this item. I will suspend the rules. I believe
Michael Moule has a presentation to go over with us.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
MICHAEL MOULE, Chief of Engineering Division (via remote technology):
Good morning, Councilmembers. Thank you, Council Chair and Councilmembers, for
allowing us to be here today. I will be going through a brief presentation as a summary
of the grant. I am going to present the project and the request to receive and expend
the grant funds for the RAISE grant application, which is for the Po`ipu Road Mobility
and Safety Project.
First, I would like to talk about what the RAISE grant program is. This is a
grant program from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). It is a
similar program to the formerly-called Transportation Investment Generating
Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program and recently called the Better Utilizing
Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. It was TIGER under
former President Obama, BUILD under former President Trump, and now called
RAISE under President Biden. The eligible projects are transportation projects of
roads, bridges, transits, rails, and ports. The selection criteria has not changed
significantly from previous, but it is more focused as evidenced by the title of the grant
program on the sustainability and equity issues. The selection criteria are: safety,
environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good
repair, partnership, and innovation. The maximum award size is twenty-five million
dollars ($25,000,000). There is no match required for projects in rural areas. In this
case, Kaua`i is considered a rural area. We are proposing a ten percent (10%) match,
and I will talk about that later. The application deadline is next week, Monday,
July 12th.
COUNCIL MEETING 4 JULY 7, 2021
Why should we be applying for the RAISE funds for the Po`ipu Road Mobility and
Safety Project? The County always has Federal aid projects programmed on the
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). We get about seven million
dollars ($7,000,000) to eight million dollars ($8,000,000) of STIP funding per year, but
our total need for projects based on the projects that we are planning over the next
several years is about sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) per year. There is a
significant shortfall in the amount of funding that we typically receive and the amount
of funding that we need. If we can apply for and receive RAISE grant funds,those funds
would be effectively added to the limitation that the County has on Federal funding.
Those funds would be new funds to Kauai and new funds to the State of Hawaii, and
the total amount of Federal funds that are received for transportation projects in the
State of Hawaii.
Everyone in the country is still trying to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Receiving this additional funding and pursuing every funding source to assist with that
recovering will be helpful.
Of all the projects that are on the STIP and the ones that are already
programmed for Federal funding, but without enough funds to do them as quickly as
we would like, the Po`ipu Road project is the most comprehensive and best meets the
RAISE grant criteria. We chose to apply for funds for Po`ipu Road due to the fact that
it is the most likely to be funded. It hits all the inspection criteria in more ways than
the rest of our projects; it is the best one. The nice thing about this is if we can fund the
Po`ipu Road project with a RAISE grant, that would free up any funds that would
otherwise be allocated to the Po`ipu Road project on the STIP for other projects on Kaua`i
and in other districts on the island. By getting these funds it helps get all the projects
that are federally funded done more quickly than not.
A little history on the Po`ipu Road project and its design concept. There was one
charrette and a series of public/community workshops in 2013. I am going to highlight
a few slides from those workshops. This design that we are moving forward with now
was directly developed by the public at those meetings in 2013. The South Kaua`i
Community Plan in 2015 adopted this project as part of that plan. Before COVID-19
hit, we held public meetings regarding this project and confirming the preliminary
design. From December 2019 through February 2020, we had three (3) meetings: 1)
with the resort property stakeholders, 2) with the public, and 3) with other business
interest including retailers and landowners.
Here is a few slides from the previous workshops back in 2013. We had an
opening workshop where we did a visioning exercise, et cetera. We had focus group
meetings where we met with different groups of people which included landowners,
residents, resort operators, et cetera. We had two (2) walking audits. We walked the
corridor in two (2) different parts; one was the resort section, which is the section of the
existing roundabout near the Grant Hyatt Kaua`i Resort & Spa, and we had a separate
walk audit in the town section where the public showed us what their biggest concerns
are for the area. Lastly, we had a closing workshop where the public effectively
presented their designs. You can see a drawing in the upper righthand picture. That
is a drawing drawn by the public to create the designs that resulted in this project.
COUNCIL MEETING 5 JULY 7, 2021
This is our project overview that effectively takes exactly what was drawn during
those community workshops. We added a few because of what is on the ground. For
example, at the Koa`e Makana Affordable Housing Project, we added bus stops.
However, this drawing is very close to the same as what came out of the public
workshops.
I will do a summary of the things on this project. One of the reasons why we
think this is the best project for the RAISE program is because it is so comprehensive.
It has something for all user types from a modal point of view on how they choose to
travel. It also serves both residents and visitors in various ways. It connects from Koloa
Town where you have mostly residents who live and work in this area. The section in
Po`ipu are travelers mostly visitors, but residents who are also getting to their resort
jobs. The project includes adding three (3) new roundabouts to Po`ipu Road. There is
the existing roundabout at the intersection of Po`ipu Road,which is Ala Kalanikaumaka
Road and Lawa`i Road, and three (3) new roundabouts: Koloa Road at the very top of
the project in Koloa Town. That would be a mini roundabout where the roundabout is
fully mountable to the concrete truck apron that we see on a typical roundabout will
cover the entire central island allowing the roundabout to be built in a smaller space.
This is appropriate for areas where you already have low speeds and a very tight right-
of-way constraints, which happens in that area. The second roundabout would be at
the resort section. The Kiahuna roundabout at Kiahuna Plantation Drive. The third
roundabout would be at the intersection of Po`ipu Road at Ala Kinoiki Road. The
original Koloa/Po`ipu Bypass Road and Pe`e Road, which provides access to Po`ipu Kai
towards the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Other features for congestion management besides the roundabout is adding
left-turn lanes at existing driveways to businesses, resorts, or other locations along the
resort section from this existing roundabout towards the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort &
Spa. Between these three (3) roundabouts, every location that a motorist can turn left,
there will be a left turn-lane after the project is done. Those left-turn lanes will be offset
by raised medians in-between areas where there are no left turns to be made. Those
medians will be landscaped with trees and other landscaping.
The project also includes several bus stop improvements. Right now, the bus
runs one way along Po`ipu Road from Koloa Town to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort &
Spa, and it goes up the bypass road back to Koloa Town. The Department of
Transportation proposed change the Koloa Shuttle so it goes down Po`ipu Road and back
on Po`ipu Road. For example, if you work at the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort & Spa and
you want to take the bus to Koa`e Makana, right now, you are not able to do that unless
you go all the way up into Koloa Town. The Koloa Shuttle goes into Kalaheo before it
comes back down. This would allow an employee of the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort &
Spa to use the bus to get back to Koa`e Makana and other destinations that are not
served by the way the bus currently works. The red bus stops are existing and the blue
bus stops that are shown here, the little bus symbols, are proposed bus stops. The
project also includes sidewalks. There are some sidewalks in the corridor now that are
broken up into bits that were mostly built by developers. The plan would be to connect
all of the sidewalks. There would be a sidewalk on at least one side of the road from
Koloa Road all the way to the Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort & Spa. Both sides of the road
through most of the resort section except for the area east of Kipuka Street near the
COUNCIL MEETING 6 JULY 7, 2021
bypass road where there is no development, and then on the town section is what we
will call it, there will be a sidewalk on the east side, but there will be a gap between
Blake Lane and the shops that are by the Kukui`ula Store and Da Crack restaurant.
There will be a sidewalk on both sides of the businesses, but not north of there.
Lastly, the project includes bike lanes on both sides of the road. There are
existing shoulders now on the piece between the roundabout and Ala Kinoiki Road. The
plan would be to provide improved bike lanes in this area and shoulders marked as
"bike lanes" in the town section.
I have covered both in that image. I do not think I need to go over this a whole
lot more. I think that it was easier to do with the image, but I wanted to have this in
text for the record. This covers everything. I should also add that there are pedestrian
crossing improvements that I missed in my discussion to add flashing beacons and
raised median refuges at existing and new crosswalks. I think that I covered everything
except for the very first bullet which is the project includes pavement resurfacing and
reconstruction so the whole road will be fully resurfaced along with the project.
There are a few slides here showing the conceptional design. There will be
changes made to this as we go into final design. This is the area near Koloa Elementary
School, showing sidewalks on both sides of the road in Koloa Town. This is the
roundabout at Kiahuna Plantation Drive. This is the Po`ipu Shopping Village and
Keoki's Paradise restaurant is right there in the upper right-hand corner. There has
been a roundabout discussed here for many years. The plan is to build that roundabout
with this project. As mentioned, there is another roundabout at Ala Kinoiki Road. I
will not show the concept design for that. This is the area between Ho`owili Road that
goes to the south and the road that access Po`ipu Beach Park and Kipuka Street which
is the road accessing Weliweli Tract. Weliweli Tract is not a Visitor Destination Area
(VDA) local street in Po`ipu. There is an existing sidewalk that continues to the east,
and this project would build sidewalks on both sides. It would go from here, all the way
over to the existing roundabout.
Project Schedule. We are finalizing the design. We are working with the Hawai`i
Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Federal Highways to get the funding
necessary for the final design contract with the consultant. We are hoping to start this
project mid-August at the latest. We are anticipating having the final design complete
by next May. At that point, we will be requesting the obligation of Federal funds. The
goal would be to have those funds by August. The latest would be September, which is
the end of the Federal fiscal year. Spring to Summer 2023 would be when construction
would start based on the current schedule.
Project Funding. The estimated construction cost is a little higher than what we
sent in our memorandum to you a month or so ago. We were in the process of having
our consultant do a new estimate based on the addition of the new roundabout. The
roundabout at Koloa Road is new. In part, based on Council request and additional
drainage improvements that were added after our previous estimates increased the
project a little more than we expected. The memorandum sent had an estimate of
twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000). We are now estimating a little over
twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000). As I mentioned before, we are proposing a
COUNCIL MEETING 7 JULY 7, 2021
match to show the County's commitment to the project even though no match is
required. We think that we would be more likely to get funds from the Federal
government if we show that we have "skin in the game." We are proposing a ten
percent (10%) match, which is about two million five hundred thousand
dollars ($2,500,000), which is less than what our normal match would be for a federal
aid project. There is about three hundred forty thousand dollars ($340,000) worth of
funds in the CIP Budget listed for various items. Some are specific to this project and
some are generally with development funds that are paid for by developers years ago
for Koloa/Po`ipu intersection improvements. It is obvious that this project is doing that,
so we would be using those funds for that. I think that there is a seventy-two thousand
dollar ($72,000) amount for bus stops on Po`ipu Road in the CIP Budget, which is
included in the three hundred forty thousand dollar ($340,000) amount as well. The
remaining match we would propose to take from the Fiscal Year 2023 Hawai`i General
Excise Tax (GET) surcharge for transportation. I should note that this two million two
hundred thousand dollars ($2,200,000) is significantly less than just the cost of
resurfacing the section of Po`ipu Road. As we discussed previously at Council, the focus
of the County right now with the GET revenue is to fix the roads and bridges that we
have, including resurfacing. There are funds being spent on transit, but the ones that
are not being spent on transit, most of those funds is being used for paving. That is the
case in this project as well. These funds would go to effectively pave the road. We
estimate that the paving alone is somewhere around five million dollars ($5,000,000).
We are looking at less than half of that for the cost from the match coming from GET
funds. I believe that is my last slide. I can pull up any slide if you want to see it again.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Okay. That was good. We have a copy of your
PowerPoint presentation in front of us. Thank you for that presentation. Are there any
questions from the Councilmembers? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: First, thank you for the quality job that you did
on this application and presenting to us as individuals, too. I appreciate while this is
directed to Po`ipu, it frees up funds for other needed projects. I support this. Can you
put up the picture of the map? I might have asked this, but I am going to ask again.
This has to do with Kiahuna Plantation Drive, which I believe is a private road and not
a County road, is that correct? Does Kiahuna Plantation belong to the County?
Mr. Moule: You were correct when you said it the first
time, it is not a County road. It is a private road. That is true. I have the map up now;
can you see that?
Councilmember Cowden: Yes. As I mentioned in our meeting, when we
look at this whole artery along Kiahuna Plantation Drive, there is Pili Mai at Po`ipu
and there will be a brand new condominium set. I always have this inward and upward
desire when I think about a storm. If there was a hurricane or tidal wave warning and
there were hundreds of units...I am not sure of the exact number that will be there, but
it must be something close to that. They will be heading towards the ocean to get out.
When I look at the end of Kiahuna Plantation Drive, it does not have a cul-de-sac, is
that a golf course area and you are not able to cross over to Po`ipu Road? Can you cross
over this area, and can you see where I am talking about?
COUNCIL MEETING 8 JULY 7, 2021
Mr. Moule: Yes. There is a golf course and a stream in
between these two (2) cul-de-sacs and Po`ipu Road. It is private property, plus
significant stream crossings. Honestly, if there were a way to connect, it would be to
connect through Hapa Road.
Councilmember Cowden: Is that near Saint Raphael's Church?
Mr. Moule: Yes, it is past Saint Raphael's Church.
Councilmember Cowden: Is that why it does not cross up that way too?
Mr. Moule: Not quite. There is the gravel road and Hapa
Road continues and runs parallel to Kiahuna Plantation Drive. It is possible and people
do walk and bike from the Po`ipu Shopping Village. The trail actually connects right at
the Little Fish Coffee near the Po`ipu Beach Athletic Club tennis courts. The old Hapa
Road parallels Kiahuna Plantation Drive through here and connects to this little piece
that you see ending here. In theory,it is physically possible,but it is blocked by boulders
to drive a four-wheel drive truck from Kiahuna Plantation Drive to Hapa Road. It is
not designated as an evacuation route. It is also important to note that these homes
are well above any tsunami danger. This roundabout is about thirty (30) feet of
elevation, and the road climbs steadily. The homes at the top and the homes near the
golf course are upwards of seventy (70) to eighty (80) feet above the ocean.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay.
Mr. Moule: In the event of a hurricane evacuation, you will
have more time, and getting out through this should not be a problem. Tsunami
evacuations could be very short, but there would be no need to necessarily evacuate
from these homes, because they are high enough to be outside the tsunami danger area.
Councilmember Cowden: What about fires or a fire that might be a
problem? Thank you for pointing out the elevation. I have never driven near this area
where it has been a traffic problem, and I was there just this week. Is there a traffic
problem and congestion coming out of there?
Mr. Moule: Yes, we see that based on the net traffic
analysis we did for the project. There is congestion coming out of Kiahuna Plantation
Drive. With Pili Mai at Po`ipu opening in the last few years, that made it somewhat
worse. We get regular complaints about that intersection. We had a request from a
citizen a few months ago saying, "We need to fix this and do something about the
congestion." I travel through the area regularly and I do live on the Southside. I do not
live up Kiahuna Plantation Drive,but I go up there often enough to know that there are
times that there are five (5) to six (6) cars waiting at the stop sign. I am sure there are
times where I have seen it and it is somewhat longer than that. However, it is not so
bad right now that it is crippling. As we continue to recover and as more already
entitled development occurs, that would get worse. We think a roundabout at this
location it is very important, and it is widely supported by everyone who has been
involved with the project. I cannot think of anyone who opposed the roundabout.
COUNCIL MEETING 9 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Cowden: Okay,thank you. I can see how the roundabout
would be helpful and ease a lot of that burden. Thank you.
Mr. Moule: You are welcome.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any further questions from the
Members on this? Councilmember Carvalho.
Councilmember Carvalho: First, I would like to thank you for the
presentation and helping us to understand the TIGER, BUILD, and now what is the
RAISE grant. It is the same footprint and layout, but you are taking it one step at a
time. To give the people a visual, would the roundabout be like the recent roundabout
at Kealia on Mailihuna Road?
Mr. Moule: Yes. The size of the roundabouts are roughly
the same size or slightly smaller than the existing Po`ipu roundabout. I believe the
roundabout in Po`ipu is the biggest on the island. The Kealia roundabout might be
smaller than the one in Po`ipu. I think it would be the same size or slightly larger than
the new one at Kealia being built by the State. I would need to check on the actual
dimensions. I have the files, but I do not know off the top of my head. These
roundabouts will function well in these locations. The highest volume one will continue
to be the existing one, based on our analysis. We think that building roundabouts at
these three (3)locations will be very successful in managing the traffic both at Kiahuna
Plantation Drive and Ala Kinoiki Road; and in Koloa Town, at Koloa and Po`ipu
intersection.
Councilmember Carvalho: Okay. Would the STIP funding be reallocated
elsewhere to different projects?
Mr. Moule: Exactly.
Councilmember Carvalho: That is great. Will it be focusing on road
resurfacing, bridge repair, et cetera?
Mr. Moule: Yes. This project would include the road
resurfacing. We need to use a small amount from the GET funds for that match
purposes. However, there is still more GET funds where it can be used for road
resurfacing throughout the island until we get everything paved.
Councilmember Carvalho: The last question. I am following the same
footprint and I can see the visual layout. I want to be sure that everything ties into
Koloa Elementary School, and that the families and children can safely enter and exist
this area. I see that, but I wanted to clarify it again.
Mr. Moule: Yes, it includes work at Koloa Elementary
School. I should mention that there is a Koloa Elementary School Safe Routes to school
project that is going to break ground in a few months. This project will include adding
sidewalks alongside Pa'anau Road, which will complete the sidewalk gap between
Pa'anau Village and Koloa Elementary School. Also included will be improving
COUNCIL MEETING 10 JULY 7, 2021
sidewalks and crosswalks on Poipu Road near Koloa Elementary School. The Po`ipu
Road Safety and Mobility Project will dovetail into that and extend the sidewalks
further to include connecting to the Koa`e Makana Affordable Housing Project further
south on Poipu Road.
Councilmember Carvalho: Okay. Thank you. Good job.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded
as follows:
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any other questions from the
Members? If not, I will call this meeting back to order. Is there any final discussion? I
would like to thank you, Michael. I encourage you to keep trying for the grant. I know
it is a competitive grant. With the TIGER grant, we heard criticism. I can tell you that
I appreciate those types of grants. I had a Councilmember from Hawaii Island tell me
that "we took their money." They had a project that they wanted to do with TIGER
grant and they only gave one (1) TIGER grant out in Hawaii and it was to Kauai. I
can tell you that it is money that is not easily given out. We should appreciate that
money especially on a project like this. We are anticipating twenty-four million
dollars ($24,000,000) worth of construction. It would take over seven million
dollars ($7,000,000)worth of our money to do this. It would take us years to accumulate
that type of money without putting any money towards any other projects. These types
of projects help. This is a longterm vision for Koloa that has been in the works for at
least ten (10) or more years; how they wanted the roads to circulate, they understood
that there was going to be more traffic in the area, and I think that this is a big step
towards moving Koloa area into the vision. I appreciate all your work on this. I am
hoping we can get it. This is a competitive grant, and every county in the United States
is trying to get this money. It is not given out easily. If we can get the grant, it is a big
deal for us. Is there anyone else? Councilmember Evslin.
Councilmember Evslin: I would like to echo what Council Chair
Kaneshiro said and thank you folks for pursuing this again. Hopefully, we will have
better luck this time than with the BUILD grant. I feel it is very important to go after
these Federal grants especially for these types of big projects. Not only will this have
clear regional benefit, as you said, a safe route to school for a few of our workforce
housing in this area, Koloa Elementary School, but a safe route to the beach. As
everyone mentioned, it is important islandwide to free up funds for other projects to
move forward quickly. It may have not been said yet, helping us transition away from
rental cars. There is a big push to discourage and transition away from rental cars. To
do that, we need to ensure that we have ways and areas that visitors can come and get
around without being forced to get a car. I think that this type of project for Poipu is
so critical for that. I just met tourists in the airport who stayed in Poipu and said that
they could not find or afford a rental car, but they said that they had an amazing trip.
They were in Poipu for five (5) days with no car. They were either walking on the
shoulder or they found a local person they paid to drive them around to different places
on the Southside. We need to do whatever we can to make it as easy as possible for
people to come who do not have a car and has an islandwide benefit with taking rental
cars off the road. I am excited about this project, and I am hopeful that we get this
grant this time around. Thank you for your work.
COUNCIL MEETING 11 JULY 7, 2021
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone else? Councilmember
DeCosta.
Councilmember DeCosta: Thank you. Very well said by Councilmember
Evslin, and Council Chair Kaneshiro...thank you very much. Michael, great job on the
layout and I am very impressed. I am impressed that we are going to match this grant
with a County percentage. Infrastructure helps the economy, and I would like our
people out there watching to know that these large projects do well for our economy. I
am hoping we get the grant. Chair Kaneshiro, I know you expressed that you grew up
in this area. This is a great vision and I feel that the local people will be very proud
that there will be a walking/biking community being developed. Helping to keep the
visitors in this area is also a good idea. Thank you very much.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone else? Lastly, I know that we
received criticism that we got the TIGER grant, and people were saying that money
should go to this or to that. I want to be clear that when we apply for these grants, that
money needs to go towards the work we planned for. If we get the twenty-four million
dollars ($24,000,000), it must be for what we envisioned and what we planned. We are
not able to say, "We have the twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) and we are going
to spend it somewhere else on the island." With the TIGER grant, it was good money
that came in and it provided construction jobs. This Koloa plan is huge. It is double in
size of what that TIGER grant was. When you look at it, there are a lot of areas that
we receive complaints about: parking, crossing the street, difficult to walk around and
there are no sidewalks, et cetera. This plan checks off all those boxes. The roundabout
near the gas station, that area is always a mess. This will move everything forward
and make life a little easier for everyone in the area. I am in favor of this. Is there any
further discussion from the members?
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve C 2021-151 was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali`i were excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
C 2021-152 Communication (06/18/2021) from the Prosecuting Attorney,
requesting Council approval to receive and expend funds, in the amount of
$50,000.00, for contract DHS-20-OYS-037, Supplement 1, and to indemnify the State
of Hawai`i, Office of Youth Services, to continue the Kaua`i Teen Court program,
which is subcontracted to Hale `Opio Kaua`i, for a tentative time period of July 1, 2021
to June 30, 2023.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve C 2021-152, seconded by
Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions from the
Councilmembers? Councilmember Cowden.
COUNCIL MEETING 12 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Cowden: Who is representing them? Justin?
Council Chair Kaneshiro: We did not request anyone to be on.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. I will make a comment when we are
done.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Okay. Is there any discussion from the
Members? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I would like to acknowledge Hale `Opio and the
important work that they do. I am thankful that we have Teen Court. It has been a
great program, and this is a continuance. I would like to honor and acknowledge the
role it plays in educating children about their mistakes instead of damaging their lives.
Good job and thank you to our Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and Hale `Opio.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there anyone else? If not, the motion on the
floor is to approve.
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve C 2021-152 was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
C 2021-153 Communication (06/18/2021) from the Housing Director,
requesting Council approval to receive and expend an initial Emergency Housing
Voucher (EHV) award, in the amount of $348,288.00, to underwrite 28 new rental
assistance vouchers from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and to receive future
programmatic funds from the United States Department of Housing & Urban
Development (HUD) to underwrite the EHV Voucher Program.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve a total amended amount of
$503,868.00 to include $348,288.00 for the Emergency Housing Voucher
Program and $155,580.00 for Administrative and Services Fees, seconded by
Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: Housing Director Adam Roversi, I have a
question. The service fees for ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000), I am glad we got
more money to cover that. I see the administrative fees is forty-six thousand
dollars ($46,000), what is ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000), what is the service
fee? I could not figure that out.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
COUNCIL MEETING 13 JULY 7, 2021
ADAM P. ROVERSI, Housing Director (via remote technology): Good
morning, Council. Adam Roversi, Housing Director, County of Kauai. I will provide a
brief background that will help you understand this and make more sense. The EHV
voucher program is something of a cousin to our existing Section 8 Rental Assistance
Program. The primary difference is that the EHV vouchers are intended to serve people
who are currently homeless or have been recently homeless and are at risk of returning
to a state of being homeless. The service fees can cover broad categories of additional
assistance that can be provided to homeless or houseless individuals. It can cover
housing search assistance, security deposits, utility deposits, landlord recruitment and
retention programs, and a category of other general expenses; such as moving expenses,
essential household items, or tenant readiness programs such as financial counseling.
The way that the EHV program is intended to operate, different from the Section 8
program, is that rather than an applicant coming to the Housing Agency and signing
up to be on the waitlist which is what happens for the Section 8 Program, an individual
who would qualify is sponsored by the local Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which
on Kaua`i, is Bridging the Gap Hawai`i. That is the array of nonprofit groups that work
with homeless individuals such as Catholic Charities, Family Life Center, et cetera.
Those are the entities that we would look to to provide these services. We would be able
to use the service fees to help compensate them for doing that. They provide the
background case management services for the people who would be referred into the
EHV voucher program to receive the rent payments.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. I am really happy to hear about this. I
spent my week immersed in the challenges that have come from displacement of about
four (4) camps from the State and one (1) from the County. When is this money going
to be available? Are we receiving it and then expending it? It says July 1st. Does that
mean we will get the money right away and we will be able to do the twenty-eight (28)
vouchers?
Mr. Roversi: I believe we should have all the funds in-hand
by July 31st, by the last day of this month. This will be a quick turnaround. We are
poised to be receiving referrals from the CoC and member organizations.
Councilmember Cowden: I will tell people to call Catholic Charities or
Family Life Center. Is there a phone number in case someone is watching?
Mr. Roversi: Those are two (2), but it would not be the
exhaustive list. I do not have them all in front of me. There are numerous organizations
that are part of the CoC.
Councilmember Cowden: If someone is watching right now, is there a
number that they can call? Can they call the Housing Agency and ask for emergency
housing voucher? Because there are people on the side of the road.
Mr. Roversi: To add a little more background, the
organizations that make up Bridging the Gap Hawai`i, currently work with the
homeless population. They have an existing electronic database called the Coordinated
Entry System (CES). They are already entering people who they provide services to
into that CES. We are required by Federal law to take the referrals of the people who
COUNCIL MEETING 14 JULY 7, 2021
are in that CES database system. I do not have the exact numbers, but I believe they
have quite a few people who are already in that system. For someone who has had no
contact with any Bridging the Gap Hawai`i organizations or CoC, they would need to
reach out to the CoC organization and begin working with them to be entered into the
CES database system. The County does not operate, control, or enter people into this
system. This is purely for nonprofit organizations' use. We are required to take the
referrals from that preexisting system. There really is no number to call to fill out an
application to get yourself on the list that the Housing Agency is utilizing. That is out
of our hands.
Councilmember Cowden: I believe there is a person, because I talked to
her before, who does this. I am emphasizing this right now because the types of
messages that are left on my phone is that individuals are left on a cot on the side of the
road, having seizures, and in a motorcycle accident. I try to respond; someone is
bringing them food and water. Those are the kinds of messages that I am living with
it. We can take it offline, but I want a number that I have on speed dial, so that I can
send it to people. You need to remember that these people do not even have a phone
half the time, or someone is standing there helping them. These are crisis moments,
and this is amplified because of the sweeps that have happened this week by both the
State and the County. Most of those vulnerable people at Salt Pond Beach Park...we
figured something out for the immediate moment. This is blind people sleeping in
parking lots. This is my steady diet, and I want a phone number that I can give, even
if it goes through some piece, I want to be able to help make this happen. Offline, if I
can get a phone number, I want it, please. However, I am happy, thank you.
Mr. Roversi: We have an informational card that has the
phone number of every Bridging the Gap Hawai`i organization, and I would be happy
to provide that to you.
Councilmember Cowden: I have a stack of those, but it does not seem to
get anyone anywhere. I have them in my car, they are blue, I have them. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any further questions from the
Members on this item? If not, I will call the meeting back to order. Is there any final
discussion? Councilmember DeCosta.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded
as follows:
Councilmember DeCosta: I would like to touch on what Councilmember
Cowden was talking about. I know we really wish we had all the answers to the
homeless problem. Councilmember Cowden mentioned the sweep by the County and
State twice. My heart goes out to those people. I would also like to comment that there
are a lot of agencies that have stepped up to the plate to make this an easier transition.
A big shoutout to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) and Wilcox Medical
Center, which take in a lot of the homeless people and give them meals, a shower, and
give them medical attention that they need. Let us not forget all the other people out
there who have made their homes or properties available. I think that we can talk a lot
about this problem, but let us remember that it is an islandwide problem. It is not only
COUNCIL MEETING 15 JULY 7, 2021
our problem, but it is actually the homeless people's problem. There are opportunities
for them to go to work, there are opportunities for them to try and better themselves if
they are not dealing with mental health issues, and I think that we all, including the
homeless, need to work together to make this a better transition. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: Just in case it was not clear, I am grateful for
this funding, and I am in no way trying to scold the system. I am just acknowledging
that there are gaps. There are many solutions. I am very happy that Pua Loke is
already taking applicants. There are many good things. I am inundated with these
difficult situations and not everyone can work. I thank you, Housing Director Roversi,
for the excellent work that you are doing. This has been a heavy week for me because
of these actions.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there any further discussion from the
Members? If not, the motion on the floor is to approve.
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve a total amended amount of $503,868.00 to include
$348,288.00 for the Emergency Housing Voucher Program and $155,580.00 for
Administrative and Services Fees was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
C 2021-154 Communication (06/22/2021) from the Housing Director,
requesting Council approval to receive and expend Federal funds via the State of
Hawai`i, in the amount of $281,000.00, to implement a landlord-tenant mediation
program as contemplated by Act 057.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve C 2021-154, seconded by
Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions from the Members on
this item? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: Is the mediation program going to be through
Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO) or from the County directly?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Roversi: The program will likely be provided through
KEO's existing mediation program that has a contract with the Fifth Circuit Court.
We have not entered or finalized that contract yet.
COUNCIL MEETING 16 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Cowden: Okay. I am a member of that mediation team
and I appreciate all the training that we have been getting on this. Thank you.
Thank you very much for these moneys. For the people who are listening, if you need
mediation services, contact KEO. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any other questions from the
Members?
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded
as follows:
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve C 2021-154 was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS:
C 2021-155 Communication (06/14/2021) from the Acting County Engineer,
requesting Council acceptance of the land and construction gift from Niu Pia Land
Company, Ltd. and secure a Shared-Use Path Easement at the Kaua`i Coast Resort
at the Beach Boy Parcel Tax Map Key (TMK) No. (4) 4-3-002:014 (Portion). The value
of the land donation is appraised
pp d at $116,759.00.
• Grant of Easement
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve C 2021-155, seconded by
Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions from the Members?
Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I just want to confirm accuracy. I have had
basically the same group of concerned citizens from The Islander on the Beach asking
me several questions. On the TMK, it says Kaua`i Coast Resort and Beach Boy parcel,
but this is being gifted by Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. I did call them. My
understanding from Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. is that they own the land underneath
the accommodations, and it is a lease. Is that accurate? People are wondering how Niu
Pia Land Company, Ltd. can be the one granting it when it has a different name on the
TMK information. It did not seem like there was any resistance from the Kaua`i Coast
Resort. I know for the next one, they do own the land underneath. Can you clarify for
the people watching what that relationship is and why there is a different name than
what is on the TMK information?
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Troy, I am not sure if you want to take a shot
at answering that. I do know that we also have Sam Pratt on Microsoft Teams as well.
COUNCIL MEETING 17 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Cowden: Sam is on Microsoft Teams? That is perfect.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Troy, are you able to answer that? Or Doug?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
DOUGLAS HAIGH, Chief of Buildings (via remote technology): I believe if
you do a search in the Real Property Tax website, you will get the ownership
information and it will reflect that Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. is the owner of the
parcel, which Sam Pratt can certainly verify. Yes, they are the appropriate owners to
talk to in this situation. We have been assisted by experts in real estate transactions
on this, so they are the ones who have directed us that the easement document should
be with Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd.
Councilmember Cowden: Okay, thank you. I am just really asking the
questions on behalf of the citizens. If Sam has something he wants to say, I am happy
to hear it.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: I think that was clear, but Sam, if you wanted
to say anything, please do so.
SAMUEL PRATT, President, Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. (via remote
technology): Sure. I am just confirming exactly what Doug shared. We own the fee
simple property at both areas, the Kauai Shores and also the land underneath the
different units at the Beach Boy Resort there. We are in full support of the path. We
have always been supportive of the path. We look forward to seeing it be completed in
our future and we have worked with Doug for several years on the design and different
routing options. We have tried to come up with the best way forward. Given that the
County has the beach access near the Kaua`i Shores and a beach reserve parcel fronting
those properties as well, we feel very supportive of this routing. As the fee simple
owners, we have signed off on having this transferred over to the County.
Councilmember Cowden: Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any further questions from the
Members? Is there any final discussion from the Members? Councilmember Carvalho.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded
as follows:
Councilmember Carvalho: I just wanted to say mahalo to Sam Pratt and
the Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. Mahalo nui. It is important that we finish this portion
of the path that will take us all the way to Lydgate. For the land company to come
forward and gift the land portion, we are so appreciative of that. At the same time, I
know there are issues along the way, but we need to complete this and get it moving
forward. A lot of people are utilizing this path from locals to visitors, everyone. I have
seen it. I think it is a good thing. Mahalo, again, for your gift. We look forward to
working together overall in completion of this project. Mahalo.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Evslin.
COUNCIL MEETING 18 JULY 7, 2021
Councilmember Evslin: I just wanted to echo Councilmember
Carvalho. Huge appreciation to Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. Sam Pratt, and everyone
involved here with this land donation. They have been supportive of the path and the
concept, and they could have just said, "No, County, you have to condemn this land."
Instead, they are giving the land to the County at no cost, which is huge. I appreciate
their support for the path and their gift to complete this pivotal portion here.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there any other discussion from the
Members? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I also want to echo my gratitude. I know there
are also two (2) more adjacent parcels. I do not know if they have been set aside or not,
that are also what you all own. While I support the community concern about beach
coastal erosion, that does not in any way soften my gratitude for land partners that
work with the community and the County to create solutions like this. Certainly, lateral
coastal access is critical. On the Northeast side, we have routinely denied it. It is such
a blessing that the Eastside has a long strip of coastal path. I want to acknowledge with
gratitude the lateral coastal access and your role in that, Sam.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there any other discussion from the
Members?
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve C 2021-155 was then put, and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
C 2021-156 Communication (06/14/2021) from the Acting County Engineer,
requesting Council acceptance of the land and construction gift from Niu Pia Land
Company, Ltd. and secure a Shared-Use Path Easement at the Kaua`i Shores Parcel
Tax Map Key (TMK) No. (4) 4-3-002:012 (Portion). The value of the land donation is
appraised at $35,400.00.
• Grant of Easement
Councilmember Carvalho moved to approve C 2021-156, seconded by
Councilmember DeCosta.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions from the Members?
This is like the last item that we had.
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion to approve C 2021-156 was then put and carried by a vote of 5:0:2
(Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i were excused).
COUNCIL MEETING 19 JULY 7, 2021
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The motion is carried. Next item.
CLAIMS:
C 2021-157 Communication (06/18/2021) from the County Clerk, transmitting
a claim filed against the County of Kaua`i by Eugene C. Ancheta, for damage to his
vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kaua`i.
C 2021-158 Communication (06/23/2021) from the County Clerk, transmitting
a claim filed against the County of Kaua`i by Maria Romero, for damage to her vehicle,
pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kaua`i.
Councilmember Carvalho moved to refer C 2021-157 and C 2021-158 to the
Office of the County Attorney for disposition and/or report back to the Council,
seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions or discussion from
the Members?
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding these agenda items.)
The motion to refer C 2021-157 and C 2021-158 to the Office of the County
Attorney for disposition and/or report back to the Council was then put, and
carried by a vote of 5:0:2 (Councilmember Chock and Councilmember Kuali i
were excused).
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution No. 2021-25 — RESOLUTION CONFIRMING MAYORAL
APPOINTMENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (V. Pamai Cano)
Councilmember Carvalho moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2021-25,
seconded by Councilmember DeCosta.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any questions from the Members? Is
there any other discussion from the Members? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I just want to thank Pamai for being willing to
serve. Having worked with her before and looking at the extensive elements of her
resume, while I appreciate everyone who is appointed for a board or commission, I have
confidence that this is going to be a person who will strengthen the commission because
of her relationship with unions and decades in human resources. From a private-sector
perspective, she understands that as well. I appreciate having the private sector come
in to help guide the public sector and certainly look at our collective bargaining work
that we cannot even participate in. That is a struggle for me. I think she is somebody
who can add to that collective bargaining conversation.
COUNCIL MEETING 20 JULY 7, 2021
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there any further discussion? If not, roll call
vote.
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion for adoption of Resolution No. 2021-25 was then put, and carried by
the following vote:
FOR ADOPTION: Carvalho, Cowden, DeCosta
Evslin, Kaneshiro TOTAL— 5,
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Chock, Kuali`i TOTAL— 2,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— O.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Five (5) ayes, two (2) excused.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Next item.
Resolution No. 2021-26 — RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN
"AUTHORIZED PARKING ONLY — TOW AWAY ZONE" (NO-PARKING ZONE)
AND A "30-MINUTE PARKING - TOW AWAY ZONE" (TIME-LIMIT PARKING
ZONE) AT THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, COUNTY OF KAUAI
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND OPERATIONS BASEYARD PARKING LOTS,
LIHU`E DISTRICT, COUNTY OF KAUAI
Councilmember Carvalho moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2021-26,
seconded by Councilmember Cowden.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Is there any other discussion from the
Members? Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: Thank you. When I look at the need to have
tow-away zones and 30-minute parking areas, my presumption is that this is needed
because we just filled a parking lot with fifty-five (55) housing units that do not really
have much of their own parking lot. I can understand why there is going to be
congestion in the Department of Water (DOW) parking lot. I am going to definitely
support this. I am just curious if there is someone online here that can answer where
these housing units are going to park.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: The units at the housing project?
Councilmember Cowden: Yes. I am just wondering where they are going
to park. I am looking at the design of this. The 30-minute parking is reasonable. Did
the Department of Water want to share anything? I am willing to hear it.
COUNCIL MEETING 21 JULY 7, 2021
Council Chair Kaneshiro: I do not think Mark is going to be able to
answer where the affordable housing unit residents are going to park. I believe they
have a designated parking area in their property. If there is overflow, then they are
going to have to find parking elsewhere. I am sure Mark can answer any questions
regarding the Department of Water parking.
Councilmember Cowden: Mark, do you think it is enough? I know in the
past people have often parked where the buildings are now when you want to go to
either the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) or the DOW area. I
know I used to. I used to just park in that parking lot there. Do we have enough for
our DOW staff? I see that Adam is online too, so he might know about the Pua Loke
parking.
There beingno objections, the rules were suspended.
p
MARK KNOFF, P.E., Chief Manager and Engineer (via remote technology):
Councilmember Cowden, I heard most of your questions. For the parking, I have been
coordinating with Adam Roversi from the Housing Agency, and with the Department
of Public Works. I know there is some parking available on the property itself. There
is also some on-street parking that will be available, but will be somewhat limited. Our
concern obviously, as you indicated, is that we will end up with some overflow parking
in our parking lot, and we are in a limited situation. Once we have hired all the
employees that we are eligible to hire, we ourselves do not have enough parking and are
looking at other means by which we would be able to control our overflow parking. That
is the purpose of this Resolution. We believe we have enough 30-minute parking to
address our customers. If not, we will be looking to expand that as needed for our
customers. One thing that has reduced the number of customers is our drive-thru
services. That has helped us with that immensely. We continually see a lot of people
using the drive-thru drop box instead of coming in to use our services. That has helped
immensely. We are looking to eliminate any future potential problems between
ourselves and the housing units that are being built in our vicinity.
Councilmember Cowden: I just want to thank DOW for the drive-thru. It
is always good when we come up with elements that are efficient. I have always had
my bill be paid via automatic payment, and I know many people are doing that in a way
that I think is less of an issue than what it was in the past when people would drive up,
park, and pay. Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Evslin.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you, Council Chair. I see in the
transmittal it says that the Department of Public Works did not have any comments on
the proposal. If Troy is online, I just wanted to quickly confirm that the Department of
Public Works did not have any comments or concerns.
COUNCIL MEETING 22 JULY 7, 2021
TROY K. TANIGAWA, Acting County Engineer (via remote technology): Good
morning. I have been listening to Mark's statements this morning. We have reviewed
this Resolution and we do not have any comments.
Councilmember Evslin: Okay, thank you. Sorry, Adam, are you still
online as well?
Mr. Roversi: Yes, I am still here.
Councilmember Evslin: Just to expand a little on Councilmember
Cowden's questions...if someone is going to visit someone who lives in one of these units,
where do they park or where will they park?
Mr. Roversi: The Ke Alaula on Pua Loke project, which is
already complete, has its own designated parking both on Pua Loke Street and around
the corner, across the street from KEO. I would have to get back to you on exactly the
number of parking stalls and how many guest stalls there are. I do not know that
information off the top of my head. The Pua Loke project being finished up across the
street has its own onsite parking lot and they are also designing approximately ten (10)
streetside parking spots or cutouts that will be in the sidewalk once it is completed.
There will be a limited number of parking spots there. The folks at the Ahe Group and
the folks who will be managing Pua Loke have tentatively asked the Housing Agency
to work with the Department of Public Works to pursue having those on-street parking
spots all be short-term parking, so that we do not have residents using them and that
the residents stay in the designated spots that are onsite and assigned to their units.
We have not yet put together a proposal to bring to Council or worked with the
Department of Public Works to finalize any proposal for those streetside spots. The Ahe
Group...this was not originally part of their permits, but they have agreed
voluntarily...and this came out of a discussion with DOW and Mark...they have agreed
to restripe Pua Loke Street to define the lanes more clearly, as well as potentially put
in a turning lane where Pua Loke enters the main street that goes back and forth
between Rice Street and Kukui Grove. That should hopefully help with some of the
parking. It has admittedly been a very tight spot over there with DOW trying to
function and all the construction happening at the Pua Loke site and at Ke Alaula
across the street, with all the construction workers and their trucks, the heavy
machinery, and the deliveries. It has no doubt been challenging for the folks at DOW,
so we appreciate their cooperation. The end is near. Hopefully, things will be smooth
now.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you. Back to Mark. In the map here, it
shows the majority is authorized parking only and a tow-away zone, along with
approximately twenty(20)or so stalls. Do all those empty out at the end of the workday
at around 5:00 p.m.?
Mr. Knoff: Most do, but not all. We have one (1) vehicle
that we leave parked in the parking lot overnight. Most of the vehicles that are parked
in front of our current administration building would empty out. That is typically used
by personnel who are possibly called in on emergencies or something like that. They
could be using that parking location. The same thing for the area to the south where
COUNCIL MEETING 23 JULY 7, 2021
we call the south end, which is in front of the old administration building. Again, if we
get called out on the weekend or at late hours, sometimes we will have staff parking in
those areas. Outside of that, most of the issues currently stem from folks who have
been parking in our parking lot we have staff coming in at 6:00 a.m. and these other
persons have not vacated the spots. We then do not have enough parking for everyone.
Again, if everyone that has a car, not a government vehicle, because those we can park
inside our yard...and I have directed folks to park them inside the yard, we are still
short parking spots. Usually we have five to ten percent (5-10%) on vacation and that
is what allows us to have at least a few parking spots for visitors.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you. What I am getting at with my
questions and my only real concern is that we have a big residential development
coming up nearby and we have a parking lot that will be barely utilized between
5:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., that maybe there may be room for some collaboration there
where residents could use that for overflow parking for guests only during those evening
hours. If you look around Lihu`e, we have a huge excess of mismatched parking lots.
There is a lot of demand for parking during certain hours and there are totally empty
parking otherwise. If we could collaborate these two (2) things to line up better so that
they could take advantage of the lot, that would be great. I understand maybe the
concern here is that if that were allowed, maybe people would leave their cars there
until the morning hours and there would be no parking for the people showing up at
work in the morning. All that said, was there some deliberation of that as a potential
concept and that it was perhaps thrown out for various reasons?
Mr. Knoff: That aspect was not looked into,
Councilmember Evslin. I do not know if I would be...I would be more inclined for the
spots in front of the old administration building as they are closer to the entrance to the
entire affordable housing projects. I would be more inclined to consider that option and
I do not know if I would then have to come back to the Council then to put hours that
they would be available or if we could have a memorandum of understanding between
us and the facility that if we do find folks parked there and it is not emptied before
6:00 a.m., we would assume that visitors would come sometime after 5:00 p.m. and
would be gone before 6:00 a.m.
Councilmember Evslin: I do not want to push you to try to amend this
Resolution in any capacity. I certainly support the intent and I see how it is needed to
have that lot cleared during daytime hours. Maybe it is a hope that as the residential
units get filled, that we have some flexibility at relooking at this if there is a parking
crunch in being able to use some of these spots in the evening. I hope that you would
be open to that in the future.
Mr. Knoff: Okay.
Councilmember Evslin: Thank you.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Councilmember Cowden.
Councilmember Cowden: I am going to support this Resolution without
any amendments. I appreciate what Councilmember Evslin is talking about in looking
for solutions for other problems. I wonder if there has been outreach to Kukui Grove.
COUNCIL MEETING 24 JULY 7, 2021
Right now, when the movie theater is not active, there is a whole bunch of empty
parking back there. I do not know who has bought that building. I think it has been
purchased or it has been in escrow. It might be wise of us to at least ask what is going
on over there. Maybe we can either lease a little bit of parking or if they are going to
have something intense like a movie theater, there is always spillover whenever there
is a good movie playing into the lot where Pua Loke is now. Just taking a broad view
has value, but it does not change my support for this Resolution.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: Are there any further questions from the
Members on this item? Is there any final discussion from the Members? If not, roll call
vote.
There being no objections, meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
(No written testimony was received and no registered speakers requested to
testify regarding this agenda item.)
The motion for adoption of Resolution No. 2021-26 was then put, and carried
by the following vote:
FOR ADOPTION: Carvalho, Cowden, DeCosta
Evslin, Kaneshiro TOTAL— 5,
AGAINST ADOPTION: None TOTAL— 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: Chock, Kuali`i TOTAL— 2,
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL— O.
Ms. Fountain-Tanigawa: Five (5) ayes, two (2) excused.
Council Chair Kaneshiro: That is the last item on our agenda. Not
seeing or hearing any objections, this Council Meeting is now adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, the Council Meeting adjourned at 9:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JADE K. UNTAIN-TANIGAWA
County Clerk
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