HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/2011 Regular Council MeetingCOUNCIL MEETING
May 4, 2011
The Council Meeting of the Council of the County of Kauai, was called to
order by the Council Chair at the Council Chambers, 3371 -A Wilcox Road, Lihu`e,
Kauai, on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 9:41 a.m., after which the following members
answered the call of the roll:
Honorable Tim Bynum
Honorable Dickie Chang
Honorable KipuKai Kuah'i
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
Honorable Jay Furfaro, Council Chair
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Mr. Rapozo moved for approval of the agenda as circulated, seconded by Mr. Chang,
and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: I would like to let you know that it is my
request to take the Resolution with the Historical Commission first. I will be
asking to take that out of order so that those that were not here earlier it is the
intention of this Council to defer until we complete some due diligence and then the
date will be posted again when we complete that. Mr. Clerk can we now go to the
minutes.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matters are approval of the following
meetings.
MINUTES of the following meeting of the Council:
Special Council Meeting of April 6, 2011— interviews
Council Meeting of April 6, 2011
Special Council Meeting of April 11, 2011
Special Council Meeting of Apri1'12, 2011— interviews
Special Council Meeting of April 12, 2011
Public Hearing of April 20, 2011 re: Bill No. 2401
Special Council Meeting of April 25, 2011
Mr. Rapozo moved to approve the Minutes as circulated, seconded by Mr. Chang,
and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Clerk, I heard you heard my intentions
earlier.
Mr. Nakamura: At this time Mr. Chair, we're on page four (4)
of the Council's agenda under Resolutions, Resolution No. 2011 -50.
RESOLUTIONS:
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Resolution No. 2011 -50, RESOLUTION CONFIRMING COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT TO THE KAUAI HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW
COMMISSION (Nancy Ann McMahon — Archaeology designation)
Chair Furfaro: Is there anybody wanting to speak here that
has not registered because I'll be asking the Clerk's Office to read out those names,
if not, you can sign up right there and the staff will bring your signature up to the
County Clerk.
Mr. Rapozo: Mr. Chair?
Chair Furfaro: Yes Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: I believe that to get it on the floor we would
need a motion.
Chair Furfaro:
That's correct.
Mr. Rapozo moved to receive Resolution No. 2011 -50 for the record, seconded by
Mr. Kuali`i.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Chair Furfaro:
On that note, Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Nakamura: First registered speaker Mr. Chair is
Ka`iulani Edens followed by Pua Nani Rogers.
KNIULANI EDENS
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Edens:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Nakamura:
Ka`iulani Edens.
Chair Furfaro:
Go right ahead.
I would like my kupuna to go first.
Have they signed up?
Yes.
Understood. Not a problem.
First speaker is Pua Nani Rogers followed by
I haven't looked at the list to who signed up.
PUA NANI ROGERS: Aloha. This is really nice. This is the first
time I've come before you in this (inaudible) and I like it very much, maybe you can
make it permanent. Congratulations to all of you also for your reelections and your
new appointment... mahalo... KipuKai nice to see you here. For the record my
name is Pua Nani Rogers, I live in the Ahupuaa of Kealia. I come before you to
speak for myself, for my family, for Hookipa network, and for the na iwi kupuna of
our island since they cannot speak for themselves and that's because it is in
reference to Nancy McMahon who was once in charge of approving burial treatment
plans. I speak in strong opposition. I do believe you did receive my written
testimony asking that you please defer and not take any position on this review
until more information is gathered on what is the criteria for being on this
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Commission and if she has the credentials to fill that position and also as we all
know she was dismissed or left the State Historic Preservation Division under the
Department of Land and Natural Resources as a state archaeologist. We would
certainly love to hear her side of the story and why she was dismissed. May I also
remind you that we are presently filing with the Hawaii State Supreme Court on
the (inaudible) case which involved Nancy McMahon, which is involving Nancy
McMahon, SHPD, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources to please
take this into serious consideration because things are happening as we speak in
regards to this kind of process. The State Historic Preservation Commission should
have some opinions on that and we hope that they too may be up to date on what is
going on now. There a lot of issues all over this State regarding na iwi kupuna from
Hawaii island to Kauai island and we cannot ignore all these other cumulative
issues that are going on right now regarding our na iwi kupuna. I do speak strongly
for them. There has been too much desecration going on and it needs to stop and
please don't believe that there's no spiritual significance to bones which has been
some people's opinions about our na iwi, it is not true... there is spiritual
connections to na iwi kupuna. That's because as kanaka maoli we do live in two (2)
worlds, there is no separation between spiritual and earthly. It's together. We go
from one to the other and we do communicate with the spiritual essence of na iwi
kupuna. Please respect our culture, respect what we honor, and respect what we
revere as sacred and as part of our lives, living lives. We don't just take care of the
living but we have to take care of the dead as well. Thank you for deferring this,
this was exactly what I had written in my testimony, that we find out more about
this, we review this carefully and we'd like to hear from Nancy McMahon and her
position of why she got dismissed from SHPD. I come with no anger towards her; I
used to be angry at her especially our time when we were working on the Naue
case. As you know we lost the case and the house was built on a cemetery of over
thirty -one (31) na iwi kupuna, women and children... eight hundred (800) years old
bones. That is my testimony and thank you again. I'm looking forward to the date
when this might be coming back to review this again and to hear what you have
found in your review. Mahalo.
Chair Furfaro: Mahalo. Any questions? No questions.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Pua Nani, we have no date specific on the
posting of this coming up again.
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is Ka`iulani Edens followed by
Richard Spacer.
Ms. Edens: Aloha kakahiaka kakou. For the record I'm
Ka`iulani Edens, also known as Ka`iulani Mahuka. Mahalo for deferring today. I
want to just sit here and have you look at me... I lived at Naue for a year and a
half. I watched them dig with a backhoe and pour cement on our kupuna and that's
something that will never be erased from my memory. More recently I was just
arrested in Wailua again backhoe digging up our bones, splintered bones all over
the ground. I observed archaeologist picking up big clogs of dirt and slamming it on
the ground, cultural deposits moved from the pukas that they made. If you have
seen Kaumualii Park it's completely torn apart. Artifacts have been removed; we
don't know where they go. There has no accountability and Nancy McMahon has
had no accountability. There are rumors, allegations that she does not hold a
degree in archaeology, I don't know if that's true or not but given her actions in the
past... it would explain a lot. I just want to voice my strong opposition to her
appointment, it's putting the fox in the hen house. She represents developers
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
privately as a consultant, she takes them to our sacred sites that we cannot access
in her hummer. I would just hope that... I am proud to be from Kauai and what we
stand for here. The Kauai Historic Preservation Commission let's look at that word
preservation, what does that mean. There's very little preservation going on right
now. I currently live right in Wailua and I am a lineal descendent of Debra Kapule.
I'm observing the river flooded... overflowing because of water diversions going on.
It's running amuck, there is no preservation, I have no illusions about that, but I do
ask that we be responsible in our appointments in this government. Is there no one
else that actually has an archeological degree that has a good work ethic that has
the trust of the community? Please ask yourselves that. Why, why, why... would
we put her in that seat? It doesn't make sense. I'm facing felony charges for
obstructing a government operation, myself and my brother James Alalem, and I
would suggest to you that we are doing the job of the Kauai Preservation
Commission. We have police officers arrive on the scene at Naue over and over, we
have to educate our police officers, our DLNR officers, we have to be the ones telling
them what the laws are, and I would hope that the person you put in this very
important seat already knows what the laws are and has integrity. I want to say
that I've been very inspired throughout my life by you Auntie JoAnn. I think back
in the day when you and my mom was stomping around protecting and work on
preservation, I think back to that very often...
Ms. Simao: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Ms. Edens: ... about who we were and where we've come
in our personal integrity about what this island should be for our community. I
think very little done that actually has the community in mind, I see everything
being done that has money in mind. But the people that live here, especially the
original people that have given so much and every day we continue to give, we
continue to give aloha every day... our visitors are appalled when they find our
when our bathrooms are on sacred sites, that their vacation rentals are on sacred
sites, on bones. So what have we become? Thank you for the opportunity to voice
my opposition and I will continue to report of the air on Wednesdays about this and
on the internet and every day in person and I just pray for all of you, it's a heavy job
you have. Mahalo.
Chair Furfaro: We have a question.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you for your testimony.
Ms. Edens: You're welcome.
Ms. Yukimura: I remember well of those days with your
mother. We are open to applications and Ms. McMahon applied for the position. So
if there are others who want to serve or others you know whose names you'd like to
put forth we are open to that. I just want to let you know that.
Ms. Edens: Okay. I will share that. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Mr. Clerk can we have the next
speaker please?
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is Richard Spacer followed by
James Alalem.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
RICHARD SPACER: Thank you Mr. Speaker, members of the
Council. For the record my name is Richard Spacer and I'm here to oppose the
nomination of Nancy McMahon's of this position. I do appreciate the Council's
deferment of this matter so that you can do your due diligence. For my part have
been trying to do my due diligence and I have forwarded to Council testimony and
to Mr. Rapozo who I thank very much for replying to my email about this matter.
Certain documents I obtained (inaudible) request from DLNR at the Personnel
Division that directly relates to the comments by my eloquent predecessor
regarding the qualifications of Nancy McMahon. One of the documents I've
submitted by email last night I trust that you received it and add it to your
testimony, it's her education and employment history. For the benefit of the
audience that can't see the testimony... BA in anthropology from the University of
Hawaii 1981, MA in what appears to be Pacific Island anthropology, I can't really
read the second word... but it's an anthropology degree NA 1985 University of
Hawaii. Master Education in Communication from UH 1988 and a PhD from the
University of San Jose in California with the notation ABD onto the date received.
Now you may be aware from previous testimony that I submitted to you in April
that I am in possession of an email from Nancy McMahon where we had a question
and answer about where bodies were (inaudible) at Lepeuli, the Paradise Ranch
matter, and Nancy McMahon told me that the bodies were reinterred in the site
that we are mistakenly claiming to be an archeological site which I have also sent
you photos of the rock strata and the charcoal and coral, and in fact this is
completely erroneous. She states in other documents that the bodies that were
(inaudible) in Lepeuli were reburied somewhat mauka of where they were originally
(inaudible) which would have placed them in the cattle grazing areas of that
property. In fact denied of the existence of the archeological of the north side of the
Larsen's Beach saying that's where she had reburied the bodies which is absolutely
ridiculous. Doctor David Bernie of National Tropical Botanical Gardens and his UH
summer school made a field trip to Lepeuli last summer, spent the whole day there
surveying this feature at the north end of Larsen's Beach and found it to be dated
mid- 1600's, 1700 AD at the latest. One of my very, very late testimonies submitted
today and by the way... just to take a minute and thank your Council Services clerk
and staff for the great running around they do at the last minute for collating and
doing stuff, they don't probably get enough public thanks... I want to thank them
for doing that.
Mr. Nakamura: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Mr. Spacer: But this shows that.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me Mr. Spacer that's your three (3)
minutes but I'm going to go ahead and give you your additional three (3) minutes.
Mr. Spacer: Thank you Mr. Chairman. So I would
appreciate the Council's deferment and use that opportunity to contact DLNR
Personnel Office as I asked in my emails and say why was Nancy McMahon
terminated? One of the late documents I've submitted this morning is her state
sheet which shows a coded DSE which means discharge and she is no longer on any
administrative leave and in January when I was at DLNR for the Paradise Ranch
matter, I went up to the Personnel Office on the third floor of the Kalani Moku
Building and I asked what does DSE mean and they said well it means she was
terminated and I asked well is she coming back and they said no, she's pau. So that
answers a few questions that the community has had. But to recap what I've stated
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
previously about her qualifications, I have an email from a Vice President of UH
which I've submitted in testimony to you folks and they agree she has a degree in
anthropology at the Bachelors level and she does indeed have an MED, although I
believe it was in education according to them, not in communication as it states on
this form. There's no mention anywhere in UH of an MA in Pacific Island
Anthropology or any other fields for that matter. UH would not be expected to
know about her PhD if that was taken in San Jose, so we still have serious problems
with what she is claiming for her academic qualifications on her application from
employment and with what that email from Karen Green from UH says. So one of
the things I would ask the Council in their due diligence in the next couple of weeks
or whatever period of time, Mr. Chairman you're going to be and as the Council
investigating this is to ask the University of Hawaii you know, could their register's
office possibly be so far wrong that they've missed something like this and talk to
Doctor David Bernie because let's recall in closing up the Paradise Ranch project, it
got seventy -three thousand five hundred dollars of federal tax payer money for
fencing based on the fact that there was no archeology or historic property on that
period. NRCS, part of USDA, does not grant or loan money to projects that have
cultural or historical artifacts on them, that's just one of their rules. And to
(inaudible) this project, it was stated that there was no archeology and nothing
historic on this property. You can look at the Planning Department's SMA
application and verify that for yourselves. If there's a checkmark, no there's
nothing there. If there was something there, normally an archeological assessment
would be triggered and a lot more complicated things would need to be done and it's
my allegation that Nancy McMahon stated there was nothing like that on that
property to get that project going as fast as possible. Thank you Mr. Chairman,
members of the Council.
Chair Furfaro: Richard, I would add two (2) items for you at
this time... it is as part of our due diligence we will be transmitting some
correspondence to UH Maona on the transcripts, and we will also do the same in
San Jose. So just to let you know our intentions when we say some work on due
diligence.
Mr. Spacer: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Chair Furfaro: Vice Chair Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes Mr. Spacer hello, thank you for coming
today.
Mr. Spacer: Thank you.
Ms. Yukimura: In this part of your testimony, I guess you
submitted a letter that Ms. McMahon had written to Ian Costa about I guess that's
Larsen's Beach or Lepeuli?
Mr. Spacer: Yes, that's the July 14, 2009 letter.
Ms. Yukimura: Right. I don't read it to say there's no... and
I may just not... I'm not understanding the area that she's referring to but I don't
read it to say that it doesn't have any potential burials because she does say that
burials were found, they were reinterred but if there are skeleton remains that
come up that they would require all work to stop immediately.
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr., Spacer: Yes I can clarify that... the reason I
submitted this today is not so much for that although the location of the burials is
still an open problem. We have somewhere in our CDU, you know State
paperwork, a drawing of where bones were dug up from at Lepeuli, the problem is
we've never been shown exactly where were they put back and that's a concern
because the public, cows, vandals, whoever... needs to be kept away from that. We
don't know where Nancy McMahon reburied them. More to the point I submitted
this, this morning is the highlighted "no effect to historic properties." The historic
property is an archeological site at the North end of Larsen's Beach, which Nancy
McMahon denied existed and which Doctor David Bernie has subsequently very
thoroughly inventoried and determined to be late 1600, 1700AD at the latest based
on radio carbon dating that he and his UH summer school students did last
summer. So that's what we're referring to specifically there, but the bones being in
an undetermined location as we speak at that property is also a problem.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay but the... she says because this area
has been cultivated, so is that the beach? I mean it may be two (2) different areas
that are being talked about. The part that Doctor Bernie surveyed, was that the
beach or the cultivated area?
Mr. Spacer: Directly at the North end of the beach, it's
not a cultivated area at all. You'd have to refer to the photos that I emailed as
testimony in April.. You can clearly see the paving stones, it's not part of the
testimony but I have some hand sketches that a lay person did of that, it's not
included in your testimony. If you're interested I can make copies before I go and
have it later on for your due diligence, but David Bernie is really the one to talk to
because he's the expert not the lay person. And you can see sort of a set up there at
the north end of the beach, it's clearly the foundation of someone's house according
to David Bernie which would make that a historic property. It's actually a pre -
European contact site that has been analyzed there.
Ms. Yukimura: And that was part of the area that was up for
the SMA permit?
Mr. Spacer: The SMA yes and the State permit which
was eventually surrendered and canceled.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. Thank you very much.
Mr. Spacer: You're very welcome.
Chair Furfaro: Could you share that with the staff so we can
make copies of your drawing?
Mr. Spacer: Certainly Mr. Chairman. Thank you
Mr. Chairman.
Chair Furfaro: Next speaker please.
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is James Alalem.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
JAMES ALA.LEM: Hello. For the record my name is James
Alalem and I oppose Nancy McMahon and the reason why is because when I was
born and raised right in Waipouh where they built that cursed hotel, Waipouh
Beach Resort... we knew that that place had a lot of bones. I did a lot of battle with
the friends and also with Nancy McMahon was they was trying to say that there
was no bones. Anyway what happened was that when I was taking care of
(inaudible) Heiau there was a lot of people desecrating that Heiau, there was a lot
of weddings, there was a lot of stones been falling off the walls. I contacted Nancy
McMahon to see if I can stop all of those desecrations was going on in the Heiau and
they was also was starting to build a path around for that hotel which is adjacent to
Kauai Sands and Nainani Hotel, I think that is, and they had destroy part of the
wall and so when Nancy came in and I told her that you guys are destroying part of
the wall just to make this little bike path for the tourist. She told me no it was
never there, the wall was never there... but it's plainly had the wall lined up, right
there. So they removed some of the Heiau walls to make this little path. I asked
her how can we stop all those people from going into the Heiau, to have these
weddings and things that are unmentioned in the Heiau that I see... I took some
pictures. She told me well we cannot stop the tourist from going in there because...
and this was her words... it's because they pay big money to be here in Hawaii to
enjoy their vacation and they have just as much rights to go in any Heiau that they
want. So I ask her why? And she told me... because that's just the way it is. So
that's why I oppose her. She does not... to me... all she does is talk this fancy talk
but we are not heard just because they have certificates that says that they're
archeologist and things and we are not allowed to go there and to also look at the
bones or artifacts that they find. They take it away really fast so that we cannot see
it. It's not right these archeologist people just coming in and digging up what they
want and they're not listening to our stories that we tell them. We tell them there's
burials there, they find one (1), two (2) but they still continue on... they won't stop.
Where is the law? Today I don't have any aloha for anybody, I do not say aloha to
anybody anymore... I'm so confused because the law, there's no laws already. Who
can we trust, we only trust ourselves now. The trust is broken, we cannot trust no
body.
Mr. Nakamura: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you.
Mr. Alalem: I got arrested that day for protecting the
Iwi's... after that they continued digging and they found four (4) more bodies after
that. So where is the law? I'm sorry so that's why I say hello, there's no aloha no
more until one day I find it again. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro:
Thank you for your testimony.
Mr. Alalem:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Nakamura:
Sandra Herndon.
Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Alalem.
Thank you.
Next speaker?
Next speaker is Joe Manini followed by
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
JOE MANINI: Mr. Chairman, members of the Council, my
name is Joe Manini but I'm not representing Joe Manini today, I representing the
Kanaka Nation. Maybe you want to find out who the Kanaka Nation is... I'll read
you the names also that you folks are aware of it... the Kanaka Nation is composed
of the Samoans, the Togans, the Rarotongans, the Aitutakans, Tahitians, Maoris,
and Kanaka's of Hawai.ki, they all Kanaka Nation and I'm the... where my
genealogy? In lineal descent from Noah, it shows that in `Aliomanu, Moloa`a, and
Papaa you going find Kanaka Hui, okay... the Kanaka Hui is Aupuni and Marini
because I have the grant three, four, seven (347), I think it's three, four, seven (347)
that's a grant from the United States. In that grant the United States recognizes
Manini as the co- owner, joint owner of the property... in other words in joint
tenancy. So we have the lands in joint tenancy, yet the county is doing all kind of
things with the land. Last time I was here talking was about that property. But
I'm here because there's a lot of confusion with everybody on the land issues and yet
the Council is not saying to them why? The reason why is because of the
jurisdiction of the land. Here comes DLNR and they say they own the land, here
comes Ag business and they say they own the land... everybody claiming ownership
but do they really own the land? I don't think so because if you look at three, four,
seven (347) grant, you find that the land was transferred. Let me read to you the,
this is the chain of title that was in the Fifth Circuit Court, it says comes now
Kokeaupuni, his chain of title, warrant deed of January 27, 1848 a conveyance by
Kamehameha the third to Kokeaupuni and signed by Kamehameha the third and
Princess Victoria Kamamalu as listed on page sixteen (16) of Hawaii Land Division
of 1848 in the 7th rule that terminated their interest to the lands of the warranted
deed and properties listed therein. In other words, in 1848 Kamehameha the third
already passed the land to Kokeaupuni, the State is saying today that they own all
the lands, the Federal is saying the own all the lands... of course the County going
back up the State and the Federal and then Ag business comes inside, the probably
the provisional government, they still want to do some more work over here... and
they saying that they own the lands in Kekaha. How can the provisional
government own the lands in Kekaha ADC because Kekaha Sugar was leasing the
land all the time from DLNR.
Chair Furfaro: Joe... Mr. Manini our first three (3) minutes
have expired but I'm going to go ahead and give you your second three (3) minutes.
Mr. Manini: Okay. I'm here because you folks shackle
somebody at Coco Palm in that area, okay that area is, that area comes under the
same thing as Kalapaki, what you folks are doing a lot of things in Kalapaki...
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Manini may I ask the things that you're
referencing in Kalapaki in fact connect to Nancy McMahon? I mean the agenda
item today is Ms. Nancy McMahon.
Mr. Manini: Well Nancy McMahon, I remembered we
used her down in Kekaha when Hawaiian homes were trying to fence up the grave
yard and in my own personal opinion I don't think she's qualified in doing what she
was doing because at that time I was first Council to the Bishop, Kekaha ward LDS
Church and Takahashi was the Bishop and we were checking over there for burials
where the fence was going. When we look at the burials you could see it in the
cracks in the coral, you could see all the bodies that were in... just like tombs. The
Bishop and I talked and we said I don't think we should fence this place over here
because this is right over somebody's grave. The Japanese person that bought the
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
land in front, he says he owns all that property up to certain part with the grave
yard too... but you see you get that kind problems and the reason why I opposed to
Nancy McMahon is because what she does is... her job is to come there, take the
remains over there and put it someplace else and she has the right to move. The
United States that don't have jurisdiction, I don't think they have jurisdiction...
even the State of Hawaii, even the County don't have jurisdiction and so who gives
the police the right to go over there, shackle somebody and she's giving them the
right for them to do whatever they want to do with the bones. I don't think anybody
has the right to do that, you know why? Because these bones were over there not
necessarily from Hawaiian time, could've been there from Kanaka time when the
Kanaka was ruling here. And so you find in the Wailua area from Ahukini to that
whole area over there, you find that there was walls over there, so the bodies that
never belong to certain people, maybe it was people who came from elsewhere that
was native too and what they did was they pick up all their families. and they buried
them. But the ones that was enemy that they killed, they just buried them right
where the body was, so they all over the place. We cannot get a person like Nancy
McMahon just saying... I not picking on just Nancy McMahon or anybody that takes
that particular job, I think it's really a crappy job because what you got to do. I
mean you hurt everybody's feelings because when you go to a grave and they get
burial over there, they dedicate the grave, they pray all kind, they put flowers, I see
them even put flowers on the side of the road where the body dies there.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Manini.
Mr. Nakamura: Six (6) minutes Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: You have consumed your six (6) minutes and
I want to let you know we're not going to be in decision process here. I certainly
appreciate your presentation on the historic connection between Aitutake and
(inaudible) and so forth, but if you have any more testimony related to Nancy
McMahon, we will continue to accept testimony until we put it back on the calendar.
Mr. Manini: I'm supposed have some more minutes.
Chair Furfaro: I have given you...
Mr. Manini: From another paper that somebody else
turned in that they gave me the time for me to talk for them.
Chair Furfaro: That might be sometimes interpreted that
people can give away their time but it's not...
Mr. Manini: They do that in Congress. Do you follow the
law? I think if they do that in Congress and you can say so many minutes go to
certain person and then they carry on the time.
Chair Furfaro: Sir, I'd be glad to give you a copy of our rules
and what I do is I follow our rules and I'm trying to be very courteous and let you
know that we're not making a decision today and you can submit more. For those in
the audience that feel that they can supersede our rules by allocating the time, I'm
sorry that is not our rules.
Mr. Manini: You...
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: I do take great pride in trying to follow the
rules.
Mr. Manini: I know what you saying. I agree with what
you saying... but you know I sat over here and the two (2) people that came the first
over here... I think they spoke more than ten (10) minutes and you let them go, you
didn't stop them... you didn't talk about the three (3) minutes or what. You know
something when I talk to the clerk over there outside they said you change the time
to six (6) minutes instead of three (3) minutes.
Chair Furfaro: No. The discretion of setting six (6) minutes
is solely at the discretion of the Chair. I will apologize to you if someone believes
that I gave people more time that was allocated, my apology. But I am given the
time by the timer, I don't have a clock in front of me and so forth. So please accept
my apology sir but we are not making a decision today.
Mr. Manini: Okay. Your policy is for Kanaka Nation,
United States yeah? I represent the... I mean for the Hawaiian Kingdom, I
represent the Kanaka Nation, you saying that you don't want to hear what the
Kanaka Nation has to say about the jurisdiction? That's what you're saying?
Chair Furfaro: No sir. Sir what...
Mr. Manini: Kanaka Nation claims the jurisdiction of the
land...
Chair Furfaro: Well...
Mr. Manini: ...over the United States and over this
County.
Chair Furfaro: Sir what I'm saying is my koko is with my
children, I'm following the rules that exist here and we are now in recess.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended at 10:21 a.m.
The Council reconvened at 10:25 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Joe, solely at the discretion of the Chairman,
I'm going to give you an additional minute to summarize, the floor is yours.
Mr. Manini: Mr. Chairman, my interest in this is part is
Nancy McMahon and part is jurisdiction. I don't think the State or the County or
the Federal has established jurisdiction here and state it plain to the natives, that
they have the jurisdiction on the natives. That's why the natives have all the
complaints about different things because they feel that they have jurisdiction and I
think that the County should put it on record that they should try to search and
give everybody a fair break on the jurisdiction. If you go on jurisdiction, it's
different already because you're going to have to prove and you going to find out
that the Hawaiians don't have jurisdiction but the Kanaka has the jurisdiction and
that's the important part about it. Thank you very much for giving me the one
minute more.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: I want to let you know that I respect all of
what you bring to the table and thank you very much for your testimony.
Mr. Manini: Mahalo.
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is Sandra Herndon followed by
John Zappala.
SANDRA HERNDON: Aloha. Chair Furfaro and members of the
Council, for the record my name is Sandra Herndon. I am testifying in support of
the Kauai community and the Kanaka Maoli in particular asking that you dismiss
this Resolution appointing Nancy McMahon to the position on the Kauai Historic
Preservation Review Commission. In my opinion Ms. McMahon has proven herself
to be perhaps the least appropriate person to assume such a position of trust and
integrity where Kaua`i's rich culture of archeology is concerned. It would seem to be
in the community's interest and I am very grateful that you and your intention is to
investigate her background as part of verifying her qualifications. Her role in the
(inaudible) case at Naue led to building a house of over more than thirty -one (31)
identifiable remains, on one lot. Later in Court she testified that she didn't think
that that was a cemetery. I don't understand how people can think that's not a
cemetery. It would also be advisable to inquire as to the nature of her other
businesses as well as her source of her personal artifact collection... perhaps
Ms. McMahon has served the State well but she has certainly not demonstrated her
ability to preserve the unique historic treasures of Kauai for the greater
community, let alone the (inaudible) culture who has suffered much at her hands.
On a personal note, I had just come back from a trip to Illinois where I buried my
mother in a beautiful grave yard with stones, that's our way of burial and you may
notice that my apparel today is in black and white. Black is the color for mourning
in the Western culture but white is the color of mourning for the Hawaiians and I
am in mourning both for my mother and for all the mothers and all the families.
Ms. Simao: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: That was three (3) minutes, you may
continue.
Ms. Herndon: Thank you. That's really all what I want to
say. Thank you for considering my testimony and thank you for doing due
diligence. Mahalo.
Chair Furfaro: Next speaker please.
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is John Zappala followed by
Andrew Cabebe.
JOHN ZAPPALA: Hello for the record my name is John
Zappala and very simply I'm opposed to Nancy McMahon receiving this
appointment. I followed the Naue case quite closely, it went through several public
hearings and watched her testify. To me, her testimony was very, very biased in
the interest of the developers or the corporate interest. As far as I can see she's
simply putting her rubber stamp on things, she's putting profits before principle
and that's not good government. Please don't put profits before principle. I don't
13
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
think I need to point out how vast and deep the history is on these islands and how
much heart there is here. I just want to make a plea, please do what's right for all
concern (inaudible).
Chair Furfaro: Thank you John.
Ms. Simao: Donovan Cabebe followed by Kaulana
Fraser.
ANDREW CABEBE: Aloha Mr. Chairman and the rest... thank
you for letting me speak. It is a division that is happening in the...
My name is Andrew Cabebe and I'm here for the Polynesian Kingdom of Atui.
Atui meaning the light of God which we try to follow and stay in. All around me is
my kupuna, all around me. I respect them and I was taught that way. We are
keepers of the Iwi, it's hard for me to come up here and tell you who I am. It's for us
to know, not for anybody to know but because of this division that is going on in the
community I pray that we all keep in mind that we are truly people of Akua. We
need to stay in the peace, stay in the love, remind each other that we are family
here. We need to know that we can make a change in Hawaii starting on Kauai.
Coming from the Polynesian Kingdom of Atui most of you know what's going on
right now, there's badges of your police force has changed because we have claimed
our crescent back to our people. It is in the light that I come, that we come... to
remind you that we are a peaceful nation, we love you all. Some of you that has lost
this we must remember and come back. I pray that you keep that in mind, all of us
and try to promote what is true to all of us as we know what is going on in the world
today. It's very hard for my family and my children to grow up in this. We know
how it is when the storm comes, we get together. Keep that in mind as we move on
into the future, this is a new future for us as kanakas, as Hawaiians, as people of
this land.
Mr. Nakamura: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Mr. Cabebe: Thank you for the time again. Mahalo nui,
aloha.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you Andrew. Next speaker.
Mr. Nakamura: Next speaker is Donovan Cabebe followed by
Kaulana Fraser.
DONOVAN CABEBE: Aloha. For the record my name is Donovan
Kanani Cabebe and I strongly oppose Nancy McMahon's appointment as... to the
Office of the Cultural Preservation. The person... I feel the reason that she was
fired from her job, everywhere she goes, she leaves a leak of litigation and if she has
anything to do with any future projects on Kauai, it's going to cost money and
litigation because people are going to come forward and they're going to try
everything they can to stop anything she gets involved in. She doesn't care about
anything except herself. So that's my stance, I oppose that and I appreciate that
you guys are going to take due diligence. She claims that in the newspaper last
year a grave has to have a head stone... and you know she wasn't able to produce
any lineal descendents while she was doing any of the work for Naue and yet the
room is full of them... this room is full of them, I'm one of them. So please with
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
consideration of that position anybody besides McMahon who comes forward, I
would appreciate the same due diligence going into any further applications that
come in as well. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Next speaker.
Mr. Watanabe: Next speaker is Kaulana Fraser followed by
Waldene Palmeria.
KA.ULANA FRASER: Good morning everyone. You all look so nice
and professional today. I have some information... My name is Kaulana Fraser and
I own a day spa in the town of Koloa and on multiple occasions Nancy McMahon
has come to my business for services. We do probably an averages of seventy (70)
massages a week, we've been in business for eight (8) years and never in the eight
(8) years that I've owned my business, ever has an employee come to me to say...
Kaulana, I will not work on this person anymore. I've had every single employee
that works for me, I've tried to send her to different people. The reason they would
not work on her was because she was so dirty. I hate to say it, I hate to bring
something like that out at a time like this, it seems like of a personal nature but if
you're a... operating like a Personnel Department, you look at grooming. I'm a
psychiatric nurse. On every single psychiatric assessment check list that we have
to determine mental illness or mental stability, cleanliness and personal hygiene is
a huge red flag. I was employed as a psychiatric nurse at Mahelona Hospital so I
want to tell you that as a nurse, I... like I said... when she's called to make her
appointments I would say Nancy before you come to my shop, you'll have to take a
shower.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me Kaulana.
Ms. Fraser: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: I do want to say to you... it is not in our due
diligence interest to...
Ms. Fraser: Right, right... however...
Chair Furfaro: ... have derogatory comments made as it
relates to someone's hygiene.
Ms. Fraser: At the bottom of every one of those warranty
deeds it comes down to the words that say, they take no responsibility for cultural
laws and traditions that are broken. Unclean people were not able to carry our
bones or touch our bones, it's not part of our tradition, our protocol is to have clean
people touching our bones. Like I said I'm really sorry I had to bring this up but
you have to know and I was the only one who would still work on her and it was the
same with me too, pilau. That's all I can say.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you.
Mr. Watanabe: Next speaker is Waldene Palmeira followed
by Debra Kekaualua.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
WALDENE PALMEIRA: Aloha Council Chair, members. My name is
Waldene Palmeira and I'm here to testify in opposition to Nancy McMahon's
nomination for this Kauai Historic Preservation Commission. I've submitted on
behalf of Hui Na Makaiwa O Wailuanuiahoano a letter two (2) weeks ago on
April 20, 2011 requesting the deferral and further investigation of the applicant. I
just wanted to again... well first of all I wanted to thank you for deferring so that
you have time for investigate this... you know the application. I just wanted to read
from some of the comments we made on our letter to begin with. Hui Na Makaiwa
O Wai.luanuiahoano association consisting of lineage descendents of Wailua Kauai
absolutely oppose the nomination of Ms. Nancy McMahon to the Kauai Historic
Preservation Commission at this time. The Kauai County Council must be vigilant
with regards to this specific nomination and reject or hold this nomination until the
time that the Council or the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of the
Interior initiates and commences a thorough investigation of her performance
record regarding the non - compliance with federal and State of Hawaii regulatory
and statutory authority for historic preservation in the State of Hawaii in her
formal, professional and executive capacity as State Deputy Historic Preservation
officer and state archeologist. Just some background in March 2010 the US
Department of Interior, National Park Service released the audit of the
Preservation Commission which begun in 2002 because of the differences that were
noted for years and in case you haven't seen it, it is online... this is the large
compilation of the 2009 investigation and I believe at that time Nancy McMahon
was the deputy Historic Preservation Officer of the State of Hawaii. (inaudible)
there was some office of the Inspector General required the series of audits saying
that the audit shows that Hawaii has significant operational problems in several
mandated activities, these are mandated activities including survey and inventory,
review and compliance with national register of historic places certified, local
government and historic preservation planning, and leading to the finding that the
State is not meeting its obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act...
Chair Furfaro: Waldene that was your three (3) minutes but
please continue.
Ms. Palmeira: Okay, alright. So when we sent a letter a
few weeks ago we asked for an investigation regarding her termination,
Ms. McMahon's termination from SHPD as it relates to hundreds of cases, I believe
throughout Hawaii but also in Wailua, in violation of the Historic Preservation Act
as well as the Hawaii laws regarding historic preservation which are amongst the
best in the country. Why are we having a lot of problems in complying with the
laws that were constituted after the... what happened in Honokohau, on Maui in
1989 and 1990 and this is 2011 and I mentioned that earlier. Basically I believe
there's a huge conflict of interest when you have, when you are sworn to comply
with civil duties to uphold the policies for example procedures and authorities under
the act 16 USC 4 -70 National Historic Preservation Act and various other statutes,
violating these laws and standards threatens the federal mandated mission
protecting historic sites and that was cited in Brown versus (inaudible). Basically
and I'll just give a few examples but SHPD is under high risk designation and
they're in the first year right of correcting that situation. However, in this first year
we here on Kauai especially in Wailua are actually suffering because of the lack of
compliance that occurred in 2009 and 2007. For example the first thing as a duty in
her position especially as deputy State Historic Preservation officer is to identify
historic properties and time and time again in every document that we have, the
most famous thing that is said is no historic properties... no known historic
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
properties, no adverse effect to historic properties. Well the problem is that there is
no identification of historic properties and Wailua Nui Ahoano being put on the
National Historic Register in 1965 although there are... you know for us this is a
historic property that goes back thousand and so more years... it is the Wailua
complex heiau, it is a religious center of the island of Kauai, how can it not be
historic?
Mr. Watanabe: Six (6) minutes.
Ms. Palmeira: So right now for example we're at Kaumualii
Park...
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me, on that note Waldene.
Ms. Palmeira: Yes?
Chair Furfaro: We're at your six minutes.
Ms. Palmeira: Okay.
Chair Furfaro: So if you can just summarize real quick.
Ms. Palmeira: Alright. The point is that the
determinations made by Ms. Nancy McMahon in her capacity, her official capacity
of the State of Hawaii did not follow the laws for identifying historic properties and
thereby the occurrence of adverse effects to burial grounds and historic properties
which are actually like Uncle Joe Manini said, under the jurisdiction of our people.
These are the traditional culture properties and historic properties that are from
our culture and it is very disconcerning that in her official capacity that she did not
take, assume the responsibility to identify to have consultation section 106 which
we're finally having in addition to a phone call from the National Park Service
regarding Kaumualii Park, we still may have section 106 consultation while that
project is on hold. Mahalo Nui Loa and we will be submitting more testimony with
perhaps much more specific so that it will help you in your investigation to this
nomination.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you.
Mr. Watanabe: Next speaker is Debra Kekaualua followed
by Cheryl Lovell Obatake.
DEBRA KEKAUALUA: Aloha everybody, for the record my name is
Debra Kekaualua. I'm really kind of new at this but I read the front page of the
newspaper on Friday morning and drove myself down to Kaumualii Park. While I
was there for the first forty -five (45) minutes, they did uncover a grave site and
since I was the only one down there at that particular moment, I started using my
cell phone that had no minutes and try to get somebody to come down and help me
work on this, what was going on down there. Anyhow... I don't even know Nancy
McMahon so I'm just listening to folks that have been or do know her and I'm not
really sure what kind of assessment to make of what I'm hearing but it doesn't
sound good and I'm glad that you folks have put this on hold or at least are going to
be able to revisit her nomination or whatever is appropriate. I just wanted to make
mention that in just this one (1) time that I went to visualize what these folks have
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
done the day earlier that, first of all the grave was found, when I was walking back
to my car to go home, the... there was a pin that was made and it had the number
eight (8) on it and the pin was to represent I was thinking... what they just had
uncovered. I went home and called Ms. Aiu on Oahu and she was saying it was a
furlough day but she did acknowledge that there was only four (4) grave sites over
in this location and so I was asking her where did the number eight (8) come from
or what did that mean on that particular pin and... so just in that instance and this
morning I'm hearing somebody mention the number eight (8) again or that there
were four (4) more, so was that four (4) more that was found after I was there or... I
don't know, I'm just saying... even in just this one (1) instance and talking to people
in Honolulu relative to this site that there's already... the integrity has been lost.
There's just no proper communication going on because when I went back down
later in the afternoon, I questioned all the people prior first and second time and
kind of got scolded because I had called to mention the number eight (8) when in
fact at that point even in the later afternoon, they were still saying it was number
four (4). So whatever number it is down there, it is a grave site, they're turning it
into a toilet to hookup canoe club and boat launch ramping and what is everybody
thinking? Come on you guys, this is really lacking...
Mr. Watanabe: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Ms. Kekouolua: ... and thank you for listening. Any
questions?
Chair Furfaro: Next speaker please.
Mr. Watanabe: Next speaker is Cheryl Lovell Obatake.
CHERYL LOVELL OBATAKE: Don't look so sad... For the record my name
is Cheryl Lovell Obatake. As you know April 20, 20111 appeared before the Council
regarding Nancy McMahon's nomination to the Kauai Historic Preservation Review
Commission. April 22 I submitted written testimony in support of Nancy McMahon
to serve on the Kauai Historic Preservation Review Commission. Today I stand by
my words and testimony to support Nancy McMahon to serve on the Kauai Historic
Preservation Review Commission. I had circulated on April 20th the CZO and other
advisory council and historic preservation, all that material that I presented to you,
you know for me, I hear the other side, they're all my friends... I probably have a
little bit other thoughts and the thought is... if there's no quorum in the Kauai
Historic Preservation Review Commission, aloha oe application goes on without
historical review. I want to make an important notation about that I mean of
course with the State Historic Preservation Division, there are some skeleton crews
in there. I'm working my way internally to find out how many people are in there
that is serving all the different islands and the matter should be addressed to the
State Historic Preservation Division and the SHPD Mr. William. People have
talked about conflict of interest, well if you want to look at Kauai Historic
Preservation Review Commission, Mrs. Danitta Aiu serves on the Historic
Preservation Review Commission. Pua Aiu is her daughter with SHPD. At one (1)
time, once upon a time Imai Kalani Aiu took Rick's place, what is the County doing
in the ethical parts of conflict of interest when families are involved and I'm not
calling the shot on a decision whether it's right or wrong but it should be thoroughly
reviewed by the Ethics Commission. The reason why and I've told you already
because of the quorum, it's very important for the quorum. I mean there hasn't
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
been anybody nominated for the positions and as you had looked into the CZO on
the section 25...
Mr. Watanabe: Three (3) minutes.
Ms.Obatake: ... there are criterias that need to be
followed. Where on Kauai are there people that can serve with that profession?
Nancy knows that I'll have her under gun, like I've always had. I served on the
Kaua`i/Ni`ihau island burial council and in 1992 -2000 and they're maybe some
discrepancies but I think the major problem is that the State Historic Preservation
Division starting from Melanie (inaudible) and that is my comments for now and I
wish you would support her in things that I said regarding quorum. Thank you
very much.
Mr. Watanabe: No further registered speakers.
Chair Furfaro: There is no further registered speakers, very
well... since I gave many of them their two (2) minutes at the time, would you like
to come up one more moment? You'll have to introduce yourself.
Ms. Edens: Thank you for letting me speak again, I am
Kaiulani Edens. I know you heard all of us today I really feel that and I want to
appreciate Auntie Cheryl and her concern for the quorum, I understand. The choice
we have is the lesser of both evils or I forget how that goes but as kanaka those are
our choices, We either go without or we might put someone in that's really not
appropriate and I don't think that's good enough. I think we need to find more
people that can be nominated to this office that have the integrity to follow through
on our behalf on preservation. I just want to say mahalo again I really feel that you
heard us today and I want to leave you with this thought... Kauai will always be
Kauai and will be here long after we're gone, but what do we leave behind for our
children and those that are coming? What will Kauai look like when we're gone?
Do we want it to look like strip mall California or do we want it to look like Kauai
to look like a rich historical cultural place and preserve the antiquities that we
have. Finally I really would like to know when you're through with your
investigation where are all the artifacts are that Nancy McMahon have removed
from the sites throughout the years? I'd really like to know that.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. On that note I'm going to call
this hearing back to the table as a group and ask for comments... Mr. Rapozo.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you. I want to thank everybody for
coming today, this is always the toughest part when we're testifying either in
support or opposition of people that are willing to serve and it's our responsibility to
say yes or no. It's tough to be on this side of that aisle and believe me, I heard
everyone of you including Ms. Obatake. I made the motion to receive and basically
a motion to receive is a no vote... I'm not going to be supporting Nancy McMahon
and I respect and appreciate the Council's decision to move for a deferral, that's
fine. First of all obviously I'm not Hawaiian but I know no other culture because
I've been born and raised here, fifth generation so I don't know of any other culture.
I don't pretend to know the culture but one thing I do know is that there's a definite
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
spiritual connection and if anybody that's been here long enough could go to
Kamualii or Wailua Beach right now, they cannot tell me that they cannot feel the
chicken skin or the warm because there is that spiritual connection, it's there.
Whether you believe it or not, it's there and you can blame it on the cold or the sun
but you feel that feeling but... I know... when we looking at a Commission of this
sort and we're talking about a appointee or a candidate that has a definite conflict
of interest and she said it herself in her interview and that she would just recuse
herself, if in fact there was a situation where there would be a conflict, that goes
with Ms. Obatake's concern... I mean why are we going to put someone in a
Commission that's going to have to recuse themselves every time an issue comes up
of a conflict. We're going to have the no quorum issue. I think it's our job that we
put someone in there that can commit to be there at every meeting. It's like having
a private investigator like myself sit on a Police Commission, I wouldn't support
that, it's like a bar owner sit on a Liquor Commission, why would you do that?
Their business is exactly in line with the conditions or responsibilities that that
Commissioner has. Or a vacation rental operator or manager sitting on the
Planning Commission, I mean it doesn't make sense to do that. Like I said I will
respect and honor and I will definitely vote to support the deferral because that's
what my constituents feel they want to do because I think there is a lot of due
diligence that still to be done. I don't need to see anymore but that's just me but I
will ask that this be deferred for a time specific matter, a month, two months
because if not... we tie up the position on the Commission. We cannot go out and
actively solicit unless we know there's a vacancy, so I would ask that if we defer it
that it be deferred for a time specific matter and I would encourage people to submit
nominations. To leave it hanging then we're not doing our job in filling the vacancy
as soon as possible because I do believe that this is one of the most important
Commissions today simply because of what's going on. The fact that we go in and
knowing disturb the iwi is... it bothers me and I'm not even Hawaiian. I just
wanted to make that comments so that the people understand that I totally respect
Nancy McMahon, I really do but it's her... what I determine to be a definite conflict
of interest because that is her livelihood and I think it may possibly interfere and I
think it's our job to put the best person in that position. That's just my position
today, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Councilmember Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuali`i: I second the motion to receive because like
Councilmember Rapozo and agree with all his comments. I received a lot of
testimony and I read through all of them and I've listened to all of your testimony
here today and I also listen to my naau which gives me my reaction from inside and
because of that even though I understand you know some of the allegations and
some of the testimony still need to be verified regarding degrees and you know some
of the stuff in there. I think there's a lot of stuff in there that I'm hearing from the
people with my heart, my naau and based on that and based on being a kanaka
myself, I'm definitely ready to vote no but I understand my responsibility to the rest
of the Council and I'm also willing to give it a little bit more time but we need to fill
as many positions on this Commission as possible so they can do their work. I
respect Cheryl Lovell Obatake's comment about the quorum. Like Councilmember
Rapozo said if we don't act on this today, I'd like to see us act on it very quickly, so
no deferral beyond two (2) weeks. Thank you Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Before I recognize others and I will speak
last, I do want to say that my deferral is for a period of sixty (60) days, that's what
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
I'm going to be talking about. First of all gentlemen and ladies of the Council, we're
in the middle of the next month of a budget review process. Secondly we are asking
for in our due diligence to actually have records confirmed educational status and so
forth, that may not be something we can do inside of two (2) weeks. I do
understand Mr. Rapozo's comment because if we defer indefinite, that could be a
year for our rules, it has to be time issued. But I just want to say that at this time
so you can be considering my comments when we get to the end here. Mr. Bynum
and then Vice Chair Yukimura.
Mr. Bynum: I appreciate all the testimony today and I
want to thank the people who came. Most of our Boards and Commissions are
Mayor's appointees that the Council confirms, this Commission's different in that
the Council appoints four (4), the Mayor appoints four (4) and apparently our
process is that if someone applies, we give that consideration and we're in that
process now. It is very important that there's a quorum on this because as Cheryl
said if we don't have this body to act and give diligence, it holds things up and more
importantly they may move forward without the input. I would think this is an
easy position to fill right now given that the State is in a very big kind of
reexamination about what the appropriate protocols are. I would echo what
Councilmember Rapozo said if there are qualified and appropriate candidates that
are willing to serve on this Commission, let's identify those folks and make sure
that it's an operating and effective and appropriate Commission. Thank you all for
being here and providing the testimony.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Vice Chair Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you. I too want to thank you all who
came and gave such heartfelt testimony. Councilmember Bynum has described the
process it's not the normal one where the Mayor's does appoint. I think we do owe
some due diligence on the matter though I understand the issue of credibility and if
the credibility in a community is damaged severely it's hard for someone to serve on
a Committee. Our due diligence does not stop any other application from coming
forward and as you can tell by our process which perhaps we need to relook, that is
maybe we need to be more aggressive in soliciting a variety of names and then
doing due diligence in all of them and picking the best. But at this point we do need
community help in identifying people who would be credible and knowledgeable to
do this work and so I would encourage anyone who has a good name to suggest to
give that to us so that we can investigate and see who's out there in terms of what
choices we have. I will be voting for a deferral and I'll follow the Chair's lead with a
sixty (60) day but it doesn't stop any other process as I understand it.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Chang.
Mr. Chang: Thank you. I'd like to take this opportunity
to thank everyone who came here today to testify. I want to thank the Chair also
for moving this up on the agenda because I know a lot of people have left because
they needed to go. I think you heard it from the Councilmembers, the main thing
right now is if members of the community are out there that can assist us. This is a
volunteer position and the quorum is very huge. If you're familiar with any of the
other Boards and Commissions they barely have enough, they just have enough
members to make the quorum, so if one (1) person doesn't show up, there is no vote,
there is no quorum. And just as an FYI as the Councilmembers have mentioned
this is a Council appointed... you know the Council is voting on this but there is
21
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
another archaeologist position that the Committee is going to pick, so we're not just
short one (1), we're basically short two (2). When we're asking for help, it's not help
just identifying just for us, the Commission themselves is also looking for another,
so that's just another point that we need to drive, that we need public support. We
need your manao that if we have the right person there and that's right for the
island, then that person definitely should be considered. I do support the sixty (60)
day due diligence but we need to obviously take action as soon as possible. Again
thank you for your testimony and I do want to thank the Chair again for moving
this agenda item up because it was obviously very important for the community
members. Thank you, thank you Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Any other member that would like to speak
before I summarize? Councilmember Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you also for coming and giving us
your insightful feedback on this nominee. I feel like I have enough information to
move forward. I agree with Councilmember Rapozo that given and yeah I didn't
make this connection earlier but given Ms. McMahon's livelihood that's so
connected to the mission of this Commission, I think there might be a better place if
she would like to serve the public and I think we would like to... for anyone who
wants to serve this County in a way, I think the best thing is to find an appropriate
place and as a Planning Consultant, I would never consider being on the Planning
Commission, there's just too many conflicts right there. I think it's the same
analogy here so I'm prepared to vote today and to move on but I would... that's my
position.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Okay I think I will share... you
know our responsibility here is to establish a Commission of the Kauai Historic
Preservation Group. It is important for us to all reference each candidate and their
ability to protect and preserve cultural places, places that are (inaudible) and
special. Because of this testimony that we've had, I also want to point out that
being special places and honoring places is also crossing over to the State's Burial
Commission because there is a connection. But for my suggestion on the sixty (60)
days I want to say it'll take us some time to do some due diligence that relates to
verifying records and educational skills. It would also be important for us to you
know evaluate the mission and the commitment of each candidate but I don't think
we can do that in two (2) weeks. We are also in the month of May, in the middle of
our budget'process.so I will be looking for a deferral date specific for sixty (60) days
and at the mean time I think Councilwoman Yukimura as Vice Chair makes a very
good point, it doesn't prevent us in that time to look for other applicants as well as
people that are interested in enhancing the intent of the Historical Commission. I
would prefer to look for a deferral sixty (60) days and I have to look at my members
of the Council for that motion.
Mr. Chang moved to defer Resolution No. 2011 -50 for sixty (60) days.
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Rapozo:
May I get a second?
Second for discussion.
Okay...
Oh, you cannot discuss.
22
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Oh, excuse me...
Mr. Rapozo: That's why I hoped to make a comment
before.
Ms. Yukimura withdrew her second to defer Resolution No. 2011 -50.
Chair Furfaro:
So I don't have a second at this point.
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair? Can we do it for sixty (60) days
or until the information is in, whichever is sooner?
Chair Furfaro: I have no problem with that. I just wanted
to caution us and the public that we're in the grips of running a hundred and fifty-
eight million dollar operating budget and... I want to provide the time to do things
right. Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Just one (1) last request because I am not
sure what the votes are in the motion to receive, could we call for that question and
if that fails then I'll definitely support the...
Chair Furfaro:
you hear that request?
I think that's more than fair. Mr. Clerk, did
Mr. Rapozo: I made a motion to receive and there was a
second and I would ask that... because I'm not sure where the votes would fall on
that motion. I think I know but I haven't really heard... so I would ask that we run
that vote, if it fails then I'd be more than happy to support the Chair's request for a
deferral for sixty (60) days.
Mr. Nakamura: Mr. Chair, my understanding is the same as
Councilmember Rapozo, I believe there's a motion to receive, there was a second.
Councilmember Chang made a motion to defer and there is no second on that
motion...
Chair Furfaro: That is correct. Let's call for the vote on
Mr. Rapozo's motion, I only took advantage of the time to speak on my sixty (60) day
request so that the public understood the rationale.
Mr. Nakamura: Mr. Chair real briefly just to make it a little
bit more clear rather than say that the motion to defer died for lack of second, if
Councilmember Chang could withdraw his motion.
Mr. Chang withdrew his motion to defer Resolution No. 2011 -50 for sixty (60) days.
Mr. Nakamura: So we're back on the motion to receive.
Chair Furfaro: Yes. We'll call for the vote on the motion to
receive. Hold on one (1) moment, Mr. Bynum did you want to speak?
Mr. Bynum: If we're going to vote on the... yeah if we're
going to vote on that motion, we should have discussion.
23
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro:
The floor recognizes you..
Mr. Bynum: I have mixed feelings about this because as I
mentioned when people give an application to volunteer, they deserve a
consideration. We haven't completed the due diligence to do that consideration,
I've read lots of written testimony regarding this issue both pro and con. We do
have written correspondence supporting Ms. McMahon's appointment but questions
have been raised that we need answers to before I could vote either way. I'm not
prepared to either support or deny it at this time. Fairness is you give, you do a full
hearing, you get all the information that you need prior to making a decision.
Voting to receive is to make a decision today. So I want to be clear I may not vote to
receive but that doesn't mean I'm supporting the nomination, I haven't made the
determination of that because I haven't seen all of the facts and people have raised
really good questions that I want to see the factual answer to before I make the
decision and I think that's fair to the applicant and fair to the community. I just
want to be very clear that if you don't move to receive, if the vote... if I choose to
vote no, that means I'm going to support a deferral for us to complete a due
diligence process and get answers to the questions that have been raised and
deserve answers.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you Mr. Bynum. Mr. Rapozo the floor
recognizes you.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay I just want to clarify Mr. Bynum said if
we vote today that means we're not being fair, that's not true. This issue is not
today's first issue, this issue came up two (2) weeks ago. We deferred it two (2)
weeks ago and I did my due diligence. My due diligence tells me that I cannot
support her at this time so I don't want you to think that's it's the first time we've
seen all of this. There's been testimony that's been coming in for quite a while, I've
done my due diligence and like I said if other's need more time, I'll respect that and
I'll support the deferral but please don't think that this decision was made today
because all of you showed up. Believe me, we've heard all the testimony. I've
contacted the University of Hawaii, I've driven to the places you told me to go look,
I've done my due diligence and I'm ready to vote. That doesn't mean that's it's not
fair to Ms. McMahon and I appreciate her willing to serve believe me and I agree
with Ms. Nakamura. I think there's a place in the County on a Commission that
she can serve us well, it's specifically due to in... and, my vote to receive today is
specifically due to the conflict of interest issue that's what I'm concerned about. I
am prepared, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you both members for clarifying your
positions. On that note I would like to call for the vote and because it is an item
that has great public interest, I would like the clerk to make it a roll call vote.
The motion to receive Resolution No. 2011 -50 was then put, and carried by
the following vote:
FOR RECEIVAL:
Chang, Kuali`i, Nakamura, Rapozo
Yukimura
TOTAL — 5,
AGAINST RECEIVAL: Bynum, Furfaro TOTAL — 2,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0,
24
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
RECUSED & NOT VOTING: None
TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Nakamura: Five (5), two (2).
Chair Furfaro: Thank you and thank you for considering my
sixty (60) days.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 10:21 a.m.
The Council reconvened at 10:25 a.m., and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Members, we're back in order for this May 4
Council Meeting. Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on page four (4) of the
Council's agenda on a Resolution, this is Resolution No. 2011 -52.
Resolution No. 2011 -52, RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SPEED HUMP
INSTALLATION ON MAKEKE ROAD, VICINITY OF WAIMEA
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, WAIMEA DISTRICT: Mr. Chang moved to approve
Resolution No. 2011 -52, seconded by Mr. Rapozo.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Chair Furfaro: Dave? Either one of you gentlemen.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we have...
Chair Furfaro: You can come up together if you like we have
more than one (1) chair.
DAVE WALKER: Good morning Councilmember, for the record
Dave Walker with West Kauai Business and also I hate to say it, Waimea
Neighborhood Center Senior Program...
OLAF HOICKMANN: Aloha Councilmembers, I'm the Reverend
Olaf Hoickmann, Percival, Pastor of the Waimea United Church of Christ.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. Dave, I'm going to
open the floor to you as you might be able to give us a little more back ground on the
request here.
Mr. Walker: Well the community has noted a lot of
speeding down Makeke Road, it is a downward slope towards the main highway and
from time to time we have quite a few speeding vehicles, at certain times of the day.
Our business manager Martin (inaudible) brought it to our West Kauai Business
meeting and he wanted to put in a speed mediating device to hold the speed down.
The issue that the seniors is coming about the same time when it's busy and he's
noticed some near misses, he used to live right there across of the Neighborhood
Center. We are in support of that, we have supported it at our meeting and voted
on it. The seniors who are in a big meeting today, my father inlaw is one the
honchos there and he said that they're one hundred percent in agreement with
putting in the speed hump. Hopefully that will happen. Further down the road
25
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
West Kauai Business has also talked with the State and they are looking to putting
in a traffic light at Waimea Canyon drive, that might help down the road slated for
2013. (inaudible) that he's willing to consider it if it's a safety issue, so that might
help also with slowing down the traffic knowing that you can get out of the high
traffic times. We're trying our best to make it a safe location.
Chair Furfaro: Pastor?
Mr. Hoickmann: I'll just add that the Council of the Church
and its organization that also is on Makeke Road approves of the speed bump, have
already told the members that they no need to speed to church on Sunday morning,
it's okay... and so the speed bump will help keep us safe on Sunday morning as
well. We also have many of our members who are neighbors who live on Makeke
Road and they are also in favor.
Chair Furfaro: Very good. Council Vice Chair Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Well how did you know I had a question on
my mind?
up.
Chair Furfaro: When they first came up I saw your hand go
Ms. Yukimura: Oh okay.
Chair Furfaro: That's how I knew.
Ms. Yukimura: I don't see any problem putting a speed
hump right there and certainly if the community is requesting it, we want to
respond to their request at need. I'm just knowing that we put speed tables on
Weke Road in Hanalei and I don't... I think actually speed tables are easier to go
over than speed humps yet they serve the purpose. I don't know from Public Works,
I think we're caught in this older system of speed humps and the language of our
ordinance right now and maybe that's something we have to look at changing. But
for your specific purpose I wondered if you have any choice preference.
Mr. Hoickmann:
Any speed mitigating device.
Mr. Walker: Any speed mitigating device that would work
and if it's a speed table that seems to work better, we defer that expertise to the
county and say yes that would work, we'd accept that.
Ms. Yukimura: Yeah. I'm not sure if that requires an
amendment to the Resolution and whether we can still do that... I mean if an
amendment would work and if Public Works is amenable then I believe speed tables
are easier, less harsh in their slowing down of traffic but they still slow down the
traffic.
Mr. Hoickmann: I would say as a former firefighter and
(inaudible) certified, it's easier to put fire trucks over speed tables and maybe why
it's going that way.
26
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Well okay. Maybe we need to consult with
staff and see if an amendment is in order. So you certainly won't object to a speed
table and might in fact prefer it if it is possible to make that change without a
delay, if it delays it... am I hearing that you prefer a hump?
Mr. Hoickmann: From my understanding the device is
already purchased right?
Mr. Walker:
hump.
Ms. Yukimura:
Mr. Hoickmann:
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
purchased?
I'm not sure about the status of the speed
We may have to check with Public Works.
I think it was already purchased.
Okay...
May I repeat that... you think it was already
Mr. Hoickmann: I heard to the effect that there is... it's a
speed hump that you slam into the ground with spikes in a way that it's already
been purchased? So it might be expeditious to go with what we have.
Ms. Yukimura: Well theoretically it's not authorized until we
pass this Resolution. So I don't know how they purchased it but they might have
had something on hand.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Bynum then Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Bynum: I wasn't going to comment because I want to
support the community in this but I have to because when I worked for Mayor
Baptiste, I learned more than everything I wanted to know about traffic calming
devices and a speed bump is like what's in a parking lot, it's very severe. A speed
hump is...
Chair Furfaro:
Wide.
Mr. Bynum: .. like eighteen (18) feet long and has a
certain curve to it and it's intended to (inaudible) roads and a certain traffic speed.
A speed table like the ones we put on Weke Road, we actually had to modify because
our ordinance doesn't allow them on collectors like a main street. So you have
feeder roads which are small, collectors that collect from the feeders and so a speed
table is for... it actually allows people to go over it at a pretty high speed without
slowing down. At the time our Engineering Department needed to be educated
about that but I have faith that they now know what's the appropriate mechanism
to put in which area and if necessary we can ask them but I feel fairly confident
without specifically asking that they know how to do that and determine the proper
thing to put in. Thanks for coming today and testifying.
Chair Furfaro: Members?
Mr. Rapozo: I don't have a question.
27
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: You don't have a question, oh okay. We'll
release you. Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to testify? If not,
I'm going to move on to the Resolution itself and if we can receive this
communication.
The meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Mr. Rapozo moved to receive Resolution No. 2011 -52, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Rapozo: No, you need a motion to approve...
Mr. Bynum: This is just a communication?
Chair Furfaro: I'm correcting... the approval comes later
with the Resolution... the communication we need to receive and now I have a
motion to receive by Mr. Rapozo?
Mr. Rapozo: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Do I have a...
Mr. Bynum: Second.
C 2011 -130 Communication (04/08/2011) from the Chief of the Engineering
Division, Department of Public Works, requesting Council consideration to establish
the installation of a speed hump on Makeke Road, vicinity of Waimea Neighborhood
Center, Waimea District: Mr. Rapozo moved to receive C 2011 -103 for the record,
seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Chair Furfaro: Any discussion before we go to the
Resolution? Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair, I have no problem with the
motion to receive this communication but before we go to the Resolution, I would
like a chance to check with Public Works to see if an amendment to speed table
would create any complications at all but with the idea that we don't have any... we
support, we would support a speed reducing device but if a speed table is possible to
see if we can make that work. I'm thinking a phone call before the end of this
meeting, so that we can... who's here? Well maybe I can just... so I'm saying that
it's an effort to make this solution better and if it doesn't work we'll go resort back
to speed hump.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah I think just from what I heard that we
have it in stock. When we did the Hanalei speed tables I believe we purchased
extras but that wasn't speed humps and I think your question is valid because if in
fact the intent is to do the speed table because I believe we have those... we did
purchase extras because the Hanalei project was a pilot project and I'm not sure
where that went but I'm not sure if speed hump in the Resolution would allow them
to move forward with a table, I believe it would.
28
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Or we could just amend the wording if our
intention is such and if it's something that Public Works can implement.
Chair Furfaro: So...
Ms. Yukimura: So it would just take a little bit of discussion
maybe with Public Works that I can do off... outside of the...
Chair Furfaro: Do you want to take a short recess?
Ms. Yukimura: No, no, no. Let's move on this motion to
receive and I was just wondering if we can defer the Resolution to the end of the
meeting.
Mr. Rapozo:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Rapozo:
Ms. Yukimura:
Executive Session, we actually do.
It's already close to the end.
Okay.
On the agenda.
Well I mean after our... we don't have any
Chair Furfaro: Okay just so those that testify understand,
we'll move on this communication but we won't write in to the next phase of that
which is approving the Resolution. We'll keep the Resolution towards the end of the
meeting. Sorry you may not be present for that vote. Is there any further
discussion on receiving the communication? And before I do so, am I correct that we
did read the Resolution? Okay... so we're going to have to re -read the Resolution
towards the end of the meeting.
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
have to take a vote on it.
Ms. Yukimura:
end of the agenda.
Chair Furfaro:
FIZE
Ms. Yukimura:
the communication. Right?
Do 01
Okay we read it and we probably going to
Mr. Chair... maybe a motion to move to the
I'm going to check with the Clerk before we
Because the Resolution is on the table not
Chair Furfaro: Okay. For technical reasons there was
probably don't need to proceed on this because as we're going to do we're going to...
I'm going to ask you to defer the Resolution, member?
Ms. Yukimura: To the end of the agenda?
Chair Furfaro: And I think we had a motion.
COUNCIL MEETING
Mr. Chang:
Chair Furfaro:
the end...
Ms. Yukimura:
29
MAY 4, 2011
Do I need to withdraw...
No, I was just going to ask that we defer to
To the end of the agenda?
Chair Furfaro: Yes. Let me just manage this for a bit. May
I have the intent to defer this to the end?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Okay, so we won't receive the
communication, we'll do that when we go back? Okay?
Ms. Yukimura:
Alright, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Everybody on the same page on that? Very
good. We'll read the next item please.
Mr. Nakamura: We're back on page one (1) of the Council's
agenda Mr. Chair on communication C 2011 -76.
COMMUNICATIONS:
C 2011 -76 Communication (02/16/2011) from Council Chair Furfaro,
requesting the Administration's presence to provide the Council with an update on
the County's Islandwide Road Resurfacing Program: Ms. Nakamura moved to
receive C 2011 -76 for the record, seconded by Mr. Rapozo.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Dill. Thank you very much. You have a
schedule that you submitted to us. The floor is yours.
LARRY DILL, COUNTY ENGINEER: Thank you. Good morning Chair
Furfaro and members of the Council. You have before you our proposed islandwide
resurfacing list for fiscal year 2011 -2012. You'll note we have been talking about
the 2009 -2010 list, we have decided as to role the whole thing up and include the
upcoming appropriation in the budget that's coming up for fiscal year 12. We have
gone through this entire list of 22 miles of roads thanks to the efforts of Ed Renaud
and his staff to inspect and if you take a look through the list you'll notice we have a
lot of areas where we indicate resurfacing... but in addition to that we also show a
lot of areas that require repair and different levels of repair acquired to repair
paving before we go back to the resurfacing as we've discussed in various meetings.
On page five (5) and six (6) you'll see an estimated total of approximately 6.2 million
dollars and then we have a few roads right below that and a (inaudible) one list.
These are roads that we added to the original list that was submitted to you based
on our field inspections and complaints that we've been receiving as these were
roads that need attention. What's happened also fairly recently we were informed
Monday morning by State Highways Department of Transportation of a new
program they are initiating which will allow the County to take advantage of State
funding due to the resurfacing of county collectors roads. We've taken the additive
30
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
number to identifies the collector roads on our list, we anticipate submitting to the
State by in June listed these collector roads for funding so we estimate number
right now just under 1.47 million dollars. We'll be coming to you requesting a
twenty percent (20 %) match for that but the rest will be covered by the State
funding, that's the way it stands right now.
Chair Furfaro: What was that 1.4 million?
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: So two hundred and eighty thousand our
share?
Mr. Dill: You're quicker than I am but approximately,
that's correct.
Chair Furfaro: Okay.
Mr. Dill: Okay so with that I'll take any questions you
may have.
Chair Furfaro: So Larry and for the public, so our intention
is to receive this communication today, take public comment, then these items as we
receive them today can actually come back on the agenda for May 18, for the
Council agenda for final approval.
Mr. Dill: Okay.
Chair Furfaro: Are you going to have any more clarity on
that Federal/State Kokua? On those four (4) or five (5) collector roads?
Mr. Dill: Yes we just found out about that on Monday
morning as I said so I can do a little bit more homework and get the schedules down
for that. As I understand that they wanted us to submit that list to them by June
in order for us to get it done this coming fiscal year basically in the same time frame
with the rest of the roads.
Chair Furfaro: Could you demonstrate to us on May 18 that
you submitted that list by them so we at least know what's going on there?
Mr. Dill: Since it's a new program we're not really
sure what's involved with that submittal yet. Our commitment was to get it to
them in June. I'll certainly be able to give you an update at that time.
Chair Furfaro: Okay and just so you understand some of the
rationale behind understanding that, if we're going to do anything more in the
budget for paving... then the reality is you know we need to have a better idea
before we go and close the budget.
Mr. Dill:
Right.
Chair Furfaro: Which is right around the corner. We don't
close the budget in June. We start reviewing the particular plus and minus next
31
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
week and I'm just thinking okay... this might be one... if we know you submitted it
on the 18, it would change the picture right?
Mr. Dill: Right, yes. I will work with the State and
hopefully by May 18 we should have a firm commitment from them to allow us to
move forward.
Chair Furfaro: So you will be prepared to show us
something on the 18 whether it's a confirm commitment or it's still tentative?
Mr. Dill: Okay, yes... we'll do.
Chair Furfaro: Vice Chair Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: This list represents in the evaluation of
Public Works the streets that need repaving the most?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Ms. Yukimura: At this point and it will take a timeframe of
about the next two (2) years to get this done or the next year?
Mr. Dill: I don't have a schedule for you, I can come
back with that.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay and so in terms... refresh my memory
because I'm sorry I don't remember... do we have anything budgeted in the budget
before us the 2012 budget for more repaving?
Mr. Dill: This six point one (6.1) million includes the
1.53 million for islandwide resurfacing in the upcoming budget... yes.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay so essentially we won't have anything
in the upcoming budget for resurfacing?
Mr. Dill: Well...
Ms. Yukimura: Well I mean... okay this amount will be in
the budget as a CIP.
Mr. Dill:
Correct.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. And so the only other thing that we
need to consider in this upcoming budget that's before us is that twenty percent
(20 %) match?
Mr. Dill: No, that twenty percent (20 %) match is
included in there.
Ms. Yukimura: Is also included in the budget right now too?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
32
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Dill:
Chair Furfaro:
seal of approval for a while?
Mr. Dill:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Dill:
going to come in.
Ms. Yukimura:
Mr. Dill:
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
Okay.
The two hundred eight thousand is in here?
Correct.
You just don't know if you're going to get the
Correct.
That's...
And also we don't know how the bids are
Right.
So there are a couple unknowns.
Okay.
Other questions?
And in the mean time... oh?
You still have the floor, go right ahead.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you. And this year your team will be
working on that software program that will help you what's the word... collect the
data in a useful way that will enable us to do better evaluations of repaving need?
Mr. Dill: That's correct. So all of the inspections were
done to develop this list of repairs that will be included in the information that gets
put into the program so we can more objectively assess the roads and plan for their
repairs and resurfacing, yes.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay so is it your thought that by the next
budget, next year the 2013 budget, you will have completed this... well... or anyway
will be well into completing this and you'll be using operating software then that's
going to give a new level of evaluation?
Mr. Dill: That's correct.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. Great, thank you very much.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: Just a few quick technical questions and I
think I understand it but I just want to make sure, you made a commitment to look
at where portions of the roadway needed repair prior to and so where we see the
thing here repair six (6) inch dip with ATB that's where you identify the need for
repair?
COUNCIL MEETING
Mr. Dill:
Mr. Bynum:
Mr. Dill:
33
Correct.
And ATB stands for?
Asphalt Treated Base.
MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Bynum: Okay and so that's like doing the base and
that's what we may have neglected to do in the past, is that correct?
Mr. Dill: That's what we did neglect to do in the past.
Mr. Bynum: Very good answer, very good answer. That's
what we did neglect to do, okay and so would that also be true of the area where it
talks about the cold plane to match gutter?
Mr. Dill: Well cold plane to match gutter is if we...
you know on our island most of the places we have grass (inaudible) adjacent to the
pavements so I think typically we have just resurfaced add an inch and a half which
has caused a problem with the lack of edge dressing of pavement.
Mr. Bynum: Yes.
Mr. Dill: But if we have a curb (inaudible) adjacent in
the pavement, we need to match that match that (inaudible) gutter, so we do cold
plane out the existing asphalt pavement and then before we resurface with new
pavement to make it a pretty flush...
Mr. Bynum: And were we doing that in the past?
Mr. Dill: I believe so but I can't say that a hundred
percent.
Mr. Bynum: So basically to avoid an asphalt drop off to a
curb and gutting and acting like a channel...
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: We want it to be flush?
Mr. Dill: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: Right and so I appreciate this attention to
detail and you know I think you had a good turn around here, you had to do all
these assessments and... so it's very much appreciated.
Mr. Dill: Yeah, well...
Chair Furfaro: Anyone else for Mr. Dill? Councilwoman
Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Just one (1) more question. So next year
with the software we'll be able to know a long range repaving plan in terms of how
34
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
many miles of road we have, how many miles we need to do good preventive
maintenance repaving and whether or not we have enough money in our Highway
Fund to do it? Right now actually we're still, we're already subsidizing this work
right, we make transfers of money from the General Fund? I mean we earmark our
gasoline tax to create the Highway Fund but I don't think the Highway Fund
sufficiently supports the...
Mr. Dill: I'm not prepared to answer that question I'd
have to get back to you.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. Just... I guess at this point I don't
want the answers to that question immediately but I'd hope that by next year with
the software and with this experience under our belt, you'd be able to answer those
questions?
Mr. Dill: We'll have a much better understanding of
how much funding is necessary to maintain our roads.
Ms. Yukimura: Right. Okay, good. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: So Larry, I just want to reconfirm for
everyone okay, what we're doing here today and last week you, I and Lyle met in
my office and I asked you to direct a question to the County Attorney about the fuel
tax that we collect specifically as if it was a grant, it is for highway resurfacing, you
need to make sure you clarify that with Mr. Castillo's Office.
Mr. Dill: Yes. We posed that question,
Chair Furfaro: You have posed that question?
Mr. Dill: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you for the follow up on that. The
second part I want to say is I'm going to read Section 8 here that deals with no
money shall be expended for roadway resurfacing and shoulder improvements
contained in the Highway Fund without a list of roads and .their locations being
first approved by the Council. This is the list you're submitting to us?
Mr. Dill: That's correct.
Chair Furfaro: We will vote on it on May 18, okay? But by
May 18 we're going to have a clearer picture of this subsidy we might get on feeder
roads or at least you hope to have a better answer for us but whatever that outcome
is, the twenty percent (20 %) portion is in this summary total?
Mr. Dill: That's correct.
Chair Furfaro: Right?
Mr. Dill: Well it's within the budget that we're talking
about.
35
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Right. The only part that we don't know at
this particular point is this tonnage cost that you are estimating are based on the
distance from point (a) to point (b) etc., etc... The one million four that's in here is
the same one million four that's in the proposed budget we're voting on to get us to
the six point five.
Mr. Dill:
collectors roads? I'm sorry?
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Dill:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Dill:
The one million four identified for the
On the proposed budget.
Yes.
It's the...
Oh, yes. That's correct.
Chair Furfaro: Yes, okay good. Because there are some
variables here on what happens with the State and Fed, what happens with the cost
of the tonnage but we're very clear that the road we're going to do has to be on this
list and this list has to be approved by the Council which we're going to do on
May 18.
Mr. Dill: Right.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Sorry members, I just wanted to
summarize that for us. Councilwoman Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: Hi Larry, I just wanted to confirm then that
the one point three million is for this upcoming budget and then is the balance four
point eight from the previous year where the road work was not done?
Mr. Dill: Well the... you know we had... let me see...
we have including the upcoming appropriation in the upcoming fiscal year budget of
about one point four, it would include all the previous appropriations. When you
roll them all up together to a total budget of about six point five million.
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Nakamura:
Mr. Dill:
Ms. Nakamura:
Mr. Dill:
Ms. Nakamura:
would be seeing approximately...
There it is.
Okay. So that was from the previous year?
Yes. Those are previous years.
The multiple years?
Yes.
Okay and your typical in the future then we
Mr. Dill: Well.
36
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Nakamura:
annual basis?
Mr. Dill:
appropriated historically about
indicated, once we start getting
need to be done in order to keep
have a better understanding of
answer that question right now.
... one point six million in repairs on an
Well I believe that's what's being
that amount but as Councilmember Yukimura
i better handle and objective look at what roads
our roads maintained adequately, we're going to
what that annual cost is. I'm not prepared to
Ms. Nakamura: Okay, alright. And I just want to thank you
for your willingness to look at how implementing this plan that you can incorporate
some of the complete street ideas into where there are opportunities so thank you
for doing that.
Chair Furfaro: Any additional questions for Mr. Dill? My
compliments as well Larry, job well done. I think we also need to point out though
the amount we end up with the Highway Fund changes when people start to use
less fuel because we get the fund based on fuel tax that goes to the county. I've seen
it as high as a million seven in past years because the consumption has been higher
but going forward as people are more conservative, we probably need to visit the
possibility of even to keep up with what we want, we may have to put other
supplemental money in there especially if we're going to attempt to merge complete
street projects in the areas we want to serve. We're probably going to have to put
additional money in there.
Mr. Dill:
Okay,
Chair Furfaro: Did you have another question? Mr. Dill on
that note I'm going to excuse you.
Mr. Dill: Okay.
Chair Furfaro: I'm going to take some public testimony and
we'll see you back on May 18. Mr. Mickens.
GLENN MICKENS: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Mickens before you go any further I
circulated the testimony you sent me at home.
Mr. Mickens: Thank you. I appreciate, I didn't have the
address, so I'm really sorry about bugging you at your other email address but...
Chair Furfaro: If I run out of paper, I'll just send you the
bill.
Mr. Mickens: Okay, I'll do it. For the record Glenn
Mickens. You members all have a copy of my testimony I hope you had a chance to
go over it. It's a little unfair to keep asking Larry since he's only been here for four
(4) months some of these questions. I don't know why some of other people have
been onboard our roads paving thing aren't here to answer some of these questions
and take the pressure off of Larry but... anyway for the viewing public let me go
37
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
over this, see if you guys have any questions maybe I can answer them. First I
want to compliment our new County Engineer Larry Dill for the prospective
direction he wants to guide the way our roads are paved and repaved.
Due to my many years of trying to change the way our roads are wrongfully
done, with no success, I use the word prospective until I see definitive change. Just
the fact that Larry and Ed have asked for deferrals when this issues has been put
on the agenda, thanks to Jay for keeping it active, indicates to me that they wish to
thoroughly answer so many questions that have been asked of them. Over the
years we heard so much rhetoric instead of answers that it will be good to get
accurate responses rather than ambiguous ones.
And again I fully realize the magnitude of Larry's job and how much time
money and manpower it will take to even make a some dent in the way our roads
have been paved. But if HAPI standards will be followed going forward, and Larry I
thought assured they would, I feel that our roads will one day last longer as Larry
said and be better to drive on and save the tax payers a lot of money. And I'd like to
read my written testimony for the viewing public that was deferred on 4/20/2011 of
which Larry has a copy. One, why are we going to use the Micropaver System?
Information coming out of it will only be as good as the information put into it and
it could take years to complete true data to feed it. Though I do understand that
once catch up is accomplished the system could work but it's going to take
thousands of man hours to go out and physically inspect these roads to find out
what we're going to put in there and correct me if I'm wrong Jay but you know to be
able to feed the computer, it's only going to be as good as what you put into the
thing, right?
Two (2), where is the data now on the paving and repaving of all our roads?
Who gathered it, if it is available and what kind of accountability is there for
whomever collected it? Somebody should certainly have records of when our roads
were paved, what condition they are in at this stage of the game and again I'm not
pointing the finger at Larry in any size, shape or form because he's been here too
short of time.
How are and were the roads to be resurfaced picked? This is a real talking
point for me on a political basis or on a most used worst condition method? A quick
review of even the proposed 09 -10 list will show it wasn't on the latter as choosing
Kahuna Road over Olohena Road or even Kawaihau Road: If you go up Kawaihau
Road up where Ken Taylor lives up there just above that, it's in horrible shape. I
don't know whether the... I know that Glover repaved that whole, all the way from
that church I think all the way up to Kahuna Road, I think it was paved but for
some reason whether it's water under the road or what, I don't know. I don't know
how many of you guys drive up Olohena Road but the County, I think it's county
signs they put up caution pothole ahead and it's terrible. Instead of fixing the road,
we're going to put a sign up telling people to be careful driving over it, Tim I'm sure
you drive up.
Mr. Bynum: All the time I kind of doubt the county put
that sign up.
Mr. Mickens: Well it's a regular horse and it does look like
an official sign more than somebody just hanging the sign.
38
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Bynum:
like the community did it.
Mr. Mickens:
Isn't like a sandwich board Glenn? It looks
Well whatever.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me, I'm going to extend your time by
twenty (20) seconds because you were in a dialog here but you met your first three
(3) minutes. Focus on your testimony and we'll ask you questions later.
Mr. Mickens: Thank you. Why are we using one (1) ton of
AC to pave 90 to 95 square feet to get 1 %2 inches of final by bid grade instead of
using the National Asphalt Paving Job calculation that shows we should use one (1)
ton of AC to pave 108 square feet if we want a final 1 72 inch grade? My information
comes from Greg Schleper who has paved for 37 years and here is the calculator he
gave me. I've showed it to you before, in fact I gave it...
Chair Furfaro: Larry has it.
Mr. Mickens: Yeah he...
Chair Furfaro: Continue with your testimony.
Mr. Mickens: Okay. I got you. Since we had no approved
resurfacing list for 08 -09 but were still doing repaving anyway, and now in 09 -10
have an accumulated resurfacing budget of about 5.4 million dollars, how has this
methodology come about? Actually the 09 -10 list shows a total of $5,414,407 but the
CIP budget sheet shows $5,158,463, a $256,000 difference which I do not
understand. Then on the CIP budget the 2012 proposed resurfacing amount is $1.4
million and by adding this amount to the 09 -10 budget we get an 11 -12 amount of
$6,558,463. So, if my math and assumptions are correct, we failed to use the
appropriated amount in the 08 -09, 10 -11 budget and have an accumulated amount
for 11 -12 of $6.6 million.
Thus we show 17 to 25 miles depending on the cost of AC of roads being
paved but in reality we are really paving about 5 or 6 miles a year again depending
on the cost of AC. So aren't we just adding the 4 years budgets together and
making the paving look better and why? Going forward with every road to be
resurfaced, will they be done by HAPI standards? And will a county inspector be at
every job site to make sure the proper amount of AC is being laid?
Seven (7), will the shoulders of all repaved roads be backfilled along the
pavement to prevent accidents from happening?
Eight (8), will our bridges be repaired to Federal standards and be two lane
and not one for safety purposes where statistics have shown that there are three
times more accidents on one lane bridges than on two?
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Mickens, we've hit your six (6) minute
mark but I'll let you continue to summarize.
Mr. Mickens: Thank you. In your 09 -10 resurfacing list
you show Kahuna Road 700 feet long and 14 feet wide to be resurfaced. Last time I
was over it, it looked like it had been resurfaced but I question whether it's 14 feet
39
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
wide. Your County code book on page 42 says that no county road shall be less than
16 feet wide to be resurfaced. Thus how can this section of Kahuna Road, I question
that the width is even 14 feet as I have jogged over it many times, be considered for
resurfacing until it is widened to proper width?
I'm on the last couple paragraphs Jay...
Chair Furfaro: Go ahead.
Mr. Mickens: And as I asked before why was this and so
many of the other roads chosen to be resurfaced whereas major arteries like
Olohena Road was not even on the list, a road used by thousands of vehicles a day.
Even upper Waipouli Road is 13 feet wide or less and though I have complained
about this for years nothing gets corrected. Either you have a code to abide by as do
all contractors that do work for the county or you don't, it shouldn't be arbitrary.
Jay, you were great enough to meet me up there when you first came on the Council
and you saw where...
Chair Furfaro: Continue Glenn... we'll get into questions
later.
Mr. Mickens: Or there shouldn't be one code for the private
contractor and one for the county as I have said so many times. Again, Larry's job
will be monumental but hopefully he will do the paving correctly and somehow get
his budget increased to the point where our roads are lasting far longer and all 300
miles of roads will get done. Along with paving cane haul roads to give us
alternative routes to alleviate traffic. I really appreciate you giving me the extra
time Jay but you know how long I've been going at this.
Chair Furfaro: All of the members have a copy of your
testimony as well. Does anybody have any questions of Glenn Mickens? So Glenn, I
just want to cover a couple of your questions as good as I can... first and foremost I
think you need to recognize that the amount of black top that's being used, there is
a minimum standard and then there should be the ability for Larry and his staff to
make a decision if they're fixing a shoulder or putting a little extra on because of
wear and tear, so forth, so I just want to make sure that is the minimum
requirement that you're pointing out to and it will be a discussion as we. go forward
in budgets. The next item is the five, one, five, eight has been reconciled and it's in
this CIP schedule and that is our starting point going forward. It looks like when
they merged money they might have exceeded the roads that we have identified
plus or minus by about two hundred thousand dollars, you're correct.
Mr. Mickens: Two hundred fifty -six thousand, yeah okay.
Chair Furfaro: Yeah, okay. But what I want to make sure
we understand is that at the time we're showing this schedule, they don't have a
firm price for the black top.
Mr. Mickens: Okay.
Chair Furfaro: That could be representing some of the
variance.
40
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Mickens:
about?
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Mickens:
Sure. The cost per ton a year, you're talking
Yes.
Sure.
Chair Furfaro: But even as we're talking now the range is
two, fifty to two, eighty.
'Mr. Mickens: Right.
Chair Furfaro: It's not a firm number yet.
Mr. Mickens: Right, right. Could even be three hundred
by the time the oil prices keep escalating.
Chair Furfaro: Could be. We don't know.
Mr. Mickens: Right.
Chair Furfaro: So there is room for a variable.
Mr. Mickens: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: And then the number this year in the
budget, that's where the one, four comes from and it's based on the current trends of
what might we actually be consuming in gas prices based on the fact that we're not
consuming as much as we did 5 years ago, the reality as you heard me say to Larry
is during the budget session we may have to start putting in a subsidy in addition to
the fuel tax.
Mr. Mickens: As you did before.
Chair Furfaro: Yes but you know that's kind of where we're
at. Those are the questions we can answer, the other operational questions have to
be directed to Larry. We have to give him that kind of autonomy to run his
department.
Mr. Mickens: I understand.
Chair Furfaro: So I hope I helped with some of your
questions.
Mr. Mickens: Sure. The biggest thing again Jay, why has
the Administration changed directions of not coming to the Council with their
yearly budget and saying here, here is what we want to repave this year, why did
we accumulate this thing up to, it's up to eight million dollars now.
Chair Furfaro: All I can answer that, I have gone to places
Eke Tonga and Tahiti and the first thing a general manager does is he changes the
dishes... because he doesn't like the pattern. So we have changes that are going...
I don't know what else to say to you Glenn.
41
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Mickens:
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Mickens:
Okay, okay.
That has to be in Mr. Dill's purview.
Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. But we got a good starting point and
we got a list that's going to get preliminary approval on May 18.
Mr. Mickens: And how the roads are picked.
Chair Furfaro: Yes.
Mr. Mickens: It's so important. People come up to me
continually asking why isn't our road being repaved, I've been 20 years on this
thing.
Chair Furfaro: I made a special note of Waipouli. I'm going
to do some research on it myself.
Mr. Mickens: Waipouli?
Chair Furfaro: Yes.
Mr. Mickens: And please take a look at Kawaihau, okay?
Chair Furfaro: Let me ask if there's any other questions, I'll
take a look at Kawaihau as well but let me ask if there's any other questions of your
testimony Glenn. Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: Glenn in an earlier testimony I asked
whether there was a history of political influence about which roads get picked to
repave and which don't... and I think we all know that... well I assumed that there
was in the past, I would like that determination made objectively and get it from
Public Works. I don't want as a Councilmember to come in as much as I recognize
Olohena Road that you and. I drive looks .like it needs some work, right? . I don1
want to come in and say, hey pave the road in my neighborhood, right? I want
Public Works to do what I believe they're doing now, making an objective
determination of where the greatest need is and I don't want Mayors or
Councilmembers to interfere, would you agree with that statement?
Mr. Mickens: Surely because there's a spring on Olohena
Road there where you're talking about, there's a spring under the road. We keep
coming along keep paving over the top of it, the spring keeps on leaking and cracks
the road but we got to go fix it first right? And again it's going to take a big budget
for Larry to do it right.
Mr. Bynum: And I think when there's specific problem
areas that need short term public, you know safety repair and maintenance that we
have a Public Works Department right now that can be responsive to that but I
wanted to get your answer, you agree with me then that these decisions about what
42
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
has the greatest need should be objectively by the Public Works Department
without interference by Councilmembers or Mayors...
Mr. Mickens: Exactly, exactly.
Mr. Bynum: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mickens: Like poor Kahuna Road over there.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Any other questions of Mr. Mickens?
Seeing none, Glenn I think we're at a good starting point with Mr. Dill.
Mr. Mickens: Well again I... sincerely appreciate you
keeping this thing before the public because the frustration I show for 15, 17 years
of doing this, is really... been so bad for me and you know we haven't been able to
pinpoint it but it's never stayed on the agenda and now you've at least put it on the
agenda and we got a new sheriff in town and I...
Chair Furfaro: It will be back on May 18.
Mr. Mickens: May 18.
Chair Furfaro: May 18 for final approval of that list and
we'll take it from there.
Mr. Mickens: That list on May the 18, that's the...
Chair Furfaro: That's the list that Larry just submitted to
us.
Mr. Mickens: Yes 11 -12, I haven't had a chance to look at
it.
Chair Furfaro: I'll make sure you get a copy of it, how's
that?
Mr. Mickens: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Ken did you want to speak on this item? No.
Okay. Mr. Rosa.
JOE ROSA: I must say good afternoon.
Chair Furfaro: Yeah it's almost lunch time.
Mr. Rosa: For the record Joe Rosa. I've been hearing
all this session about repaving, resurfacing... you know before you can think of
resurfacing or repaving, I've heard nothing about the base course (inaudible)
because now in the particular area I heard so. much concern about is in the Wailua
Homestead area. A lot of those roads were built in the 30s for (inaudible) cars
which at that time the road was ten to twelve feet wide, either on five feet, five feet.
Today's average car is eight feet wide, now the county has resurfaced those roads
after a while like when Glenn brought my attention to it I took a trip out there, I
43
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
told him the (inaudible) might be only eight feet wide Glenn and whatever here is
asphalt that was paved with something with no base. So that's what you get, you
pave asphalt on nothing, you get nothing. You need a base at least county
standards I think is about twelve inches, four inches, and two inches, to get the
finish of the asphalt surface. I haven't heard anything as far as reconstruction of
the roadways. (inaudible) if they're going to resurface the roads, the original that
was built in the 30s how wide it was. That's why you got so much (inaudible) in the
shoulders. I work with the State and the State, we had a standard. We had so
much of untreated base (inaudible) then the finish of the two inch base and that all
cost money. Because you pay so much for the untreated, so much for the select
(inaudible) and then the finish the asphalt. (inaudible) paving, is that all for
resurfacing of the black top?
Chair Furfaro: That's all it is. The category we're talking
about is resurfacing.
Mr. Rosa: Yeah but let I said Jay, you cannot get good
finished product without a good solid base. I worked 15 years with asphalt, I went
to seminars and I can put my knowledge as to what I'm saying. I don't think you're
aware that you have to go through that process of getting a good select base. That's
why there's so much failure. Today we've got heavier cars. (inaudible) so those are
the kinds of things that we are faced with.
Mr. Nakamura: Three (3) minutes Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rosa that's three (3) minutes, I'm giving
you your next three (3) minutes.
Mr. Rosa: Yes I know. That's why I keep emphasizing
that we need a good solid base. You cannot put a big high rise without a good base
or a good structure, that's what this whole thing boils down to. If you don't do it
right, you're just wasting the tax payer's money and I know it cost so much for
untreated base and so much for select barrel and so much for asphalt. You're
supposed to get a breakdown of every particular road that you're going to do. When
I was with State DOT if you're going to widen it, we'd give it to the contractor, the
paving contractor (inaudible) hire Nelson or whoever... and they do the widening
and then when the time comes, we just put the black top. (inaudible) used the
untreated base instead of packing it with coral road, it'll take time, expose the
public to the trenches to the side of the road. We use asphalt treated base and get it
done faster up to the last two (2) inches that we have to pave over, so don't let comes
in from the Engineering section and I haven't heard it mentioned as far as given a
good base structure for your highways which is totally in need to get the highways
that you're seeking with the tax payers money. That's all I have to say, think about
it.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you Mr. Rosa. I do want to say and
we have to get to a Housing item before we break for lunch but your comments are
well received. This item is Highway Fund, it's actually broken down in several
levels, one is clearly resurfacing which is the topic here. Mr. Dill has indicated that
they've inspected the roads that are in this area and based on the inspection, he
agrees that there are areas where the core base has to be, the integrity be
reestablished but any additional work that goes on should end up as a different
44
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
item in the Highway category, such as you know redoing the entire base core or
work on...
Mr. Rosa: As I say...
Chair Furfaro: Those are separate line items. The line item
right now is resurfacing of which he's attempting to fix some core base where the
integrity has been sacrificed.
Mr. Rosa: Well like I said Jay, you don't have a good
base (inaudible) it won't even give you seven years, it's going to start cracking out
on the edge because on the State highway...
Chair Furfaro: Understood. I didn't pose a question. Your
time is up Mr. Rosa.
Mr. Rosa: Yeah.
Chair Furfaro: But...
Mr. Rosa: But I want you to be aware and members of
this body to be aware of what I can tell you people about what can be done to have
better highways and roadways on Kauai for the people on Kauai. Even on the
shoulders... the asphalt doesn't end on the edge, there's six more inches of select
(inaudible) so that the shoulders don't wear out. Those are the things like as I say
on the county road.
Chair Furfaro: Understood sir and your experience.
Mr. Rosa: So the Engineering has to update their...
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rosa your experience is important to us.
Mr. Rosa: Yeah so I hope that you...
Chair Furfaro: No questions are being posed and you've
given your six (6) minutes, I just wanted to explain how you read the various
account numbers, the account numbers we're dealing with right now are about
resurfacing. But your other comments are well taken, thank you.
Mr. Rosa: Yes. I'm glad because I know that we have
women that are not aware of highway paving construction.
Chair Furfaro:
understand road repair as well.
Mr. Rosa:
Chair Furfaro:
Well I do also know some lady engineers who
Yes I do know too.
Thank you Mr. Rosa.
Mr. Rosa: Thank you.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: On that item, I'm going to call the meeting
back to order. You heard me, I want to go to 12:35 today so we can take Housing.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
Chair Furfaro: This is an item to receive.
Mr. Nakamura: We have a motion Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Are there any further dialog?
The motion to receive C 2011 -76 for the record was then put, and unanimously
carried.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Dill, we'll see you on May 18. Mr. Clerk,
could you read the Housing item that is on the agenda still?
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on page two (2) of the
Council's agenda communication C 2011 -133.
C 2011 -133 Communication (04/14/2011) from the Director of Housing,
requesting Council approval to sell the property situated at 3229 -A Unahe Street
which was purchased utilizing CDBG funds at an affordable leasehold sales price
based on a leasehold appraisal of $213,000.00, and to authorize the County Clerk to
sign all legal documents related to the sale of the property: Mr. Bynum moved to
approve C 2011 -133, seconded by Mr. Rapozo.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Jimenez if you can come up.
EUGENE JIMENEZ, HOUSING DIRECTOR: Mr. Chairman and
members of the Council, Eugene Jimenez, Housing Director. Thank you for
allowing this opportunity to go early on the agenda although it's a late hour. You
have before you our request from the Housing Department to the Council to approve
a sale of home on Unahe Street. We.did have an appraisal done, it'was appraised
leasehold appraisal at the amount of two, thirteen which we are... that is the
amount that we're planning on selling this dwelling. We have an tentative buyer
from our Homebuyers Program and with that I'll be open to any questions you may
have and for any specific questions which you may have and if I'm not able to
answer I have my sales coordinator here who can answer, you know the specifics of
the sale of the appraisal or anything of that nature. So thank you very much.
Chair Furfaro: Would you like to introduce her?
Mr. Jimenez: Yes. In the gallery is Fay Rapozo, Sales
Coordinator for the Housing Agency, she also functions as the Fair Housing Officer
for the County.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. On that note, Mr. Bynum.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Bynum: I just want to thank the Housing
Department for doing a really good job in setting up these programs with CDBG
and NSP. I understand we're going to have some properties made available at an
affordable rate in the coming year to people on Kauai that are on our housing list,
right?
Mr. Jimenez: Yes.
Mr. Bynum: And I think this is great, you've worked out
some of the financing arrangements as I understand it and this is solid evidence of
the County's effort to use available federal funds and our own expertise to make
housing available for people and you know for people on Kauai that are interested
in being homeowners, we offer a homeowner education program which gets them on
the list and makes them available for these opportunities. We can't do enough to
encourage people who would like to be homeowners but this is really good work and
we'll see how it goes with this leasehold arrangement which can ensure affordability
into the future.
Mr. Jimenez: That's correct.
Mr. Bynum: I just wanted to make those statements and
celebrate that we're at this point with one of these properties. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Anyone else? Council Vice
Chair Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. I too want to say thank you because
this is an example of a housing program that's promoting affordability in
perpetuity, it's quite extraordinary that someone with eighty percent (80 %) and
below of the median income would be able to purchase a house, a single family
house.
Mr. Jimenez:
Yes.
Ms. Yukimura: So I think this program is good. I presume
that the person on the waiting list has gone through one of our housing courses...
Mr. Jimenez: That's correct. They are buyer qualified.
Ms. Yukimura: So that the issues of monthly payments and
that kind of thing will be met well and will have a successful sale, so very, very
good. Thank you.
Mr. Jimenez: Thank you very much for your comments.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: This is a leasehold right, it's not a fee
simple?
Mr. Jimenez: It's a leasehold, yes.
Mr. Rapozo: And the lease is how long?
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Jimenez:
Mr. Rapozo:
affordability of the property, right?
Mr. Jimenez:
Mr. Rapozo:
Chair Furfaro:
The lease is for ninety -nine (99) years.
So that will definitely preserve the
Yes.
Thank you.
Okay. Any... Councilmember Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: Good afternoon. How many... Eugene, I
wanted to find out how many single family homes like this does the county own?
Mr. Jimenez: Currently...
Chair Furfaro: Six (6) or seven (7)...
Mr. Jimenez: we have seven (7) and we just completed
construction of three (3) more, two (2) in `Ele`ele...
Chair Furfaro: That's right.
Mr. Jimenez: ... and one (1) in Waimea, so approximately
about ten (10) at this point in time.
Ms. Nakamura: And is it our policy to sell versus rent...
leasehold versus rent?
Mr. Jimenez: Right now it is, yes.
Ms. Nakamura: And what are the proceeds of the sale used
for?
Mr. Jimenez: Proceeds goes into the dwelling unit
revolving fund to further the purposes of that specific fund which is to provide
homebuyer loans, gap loans, and/or to purchase property... whatever... it goes into
a special fund to further the purposes of the Housing Agency in regards to housing
development.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you very much.
Mr. Jimenez: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Councilmember Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuali`i: I appreciate Councilmember Nakamura's
questions, I was interested in that as well. The other question I had was where are
you purchasing the homes from originally?
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Jimenez: Okay the homes were originally homes that
were foreclosed by the banks, we're purchasing it from the banks not from
individuals.
Mr. Kuah'i:
Right.
Mr. Jimenez: It started off under the Neighborhood... the
NSP program and then we expanded it to include some of the funds from the Block
Grant Program to purchase these homes. They are varying in criteria for the
various sources of funding. This specific home has to be sold to an individual
making eighty percent or less of the area median.
Mr. Kuah'i: I see and I appreciate the service you're
doing for families who need to get a home and couldn't afford it otherwise but I'm
curious as to if anywhere in the Housing Agency are we doing anything for those
families who lost the home?
Mr. Jimenez:
Mr. Kuah'i:
Well what we've done is...
Habilitation or whatever...
Mr. Jimenez: Well we have funded the Homeownership
Counseling, HHOC which does provide foreclosure counseling to families but we
don't do it in house per say.
Mr. Kuali`i:
Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Jimenez, I think that was a reasonable
question to ask about going forward if there's anything we could pursue. How do we
kokua with someone in this environment?
Mr. Jimenez: I appreciate your comments and we'll be
addressing this as part of our Housing Fair coming on June 17 at the...
Chair Furfaro: Well I'm going to dismiss you from the other
side of the rallying, may I congratulate on the completion of the other repairs and so
forth to add the other three (3) homes, congratulations.
Mr. Jimenez:
Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: On that note, I'm going to see if there's any
public testimony. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to testify on this
item? Seeing no one, I'm going to call this meeting back to order.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
Chair Furfaro:
Discussion? No further discussion?
The motion to approve C 2011 -133 was then put, and unanimously carried.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 12:35 p.m.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
The Council reconvened at 3:02 p.m., and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Members, we're going to go back to page one
(1), could I have the Clerk read the communication section?
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on page one (1) of the
Council's agenda a communication for receipt, communication C 2011 -129 and C
2011 -130.
C 2011 -129 Communication (04/07/2011) from the Chief of the Building
Division, Department of Public Works, transmitting for Council information, the
Building Permit Information Reports for March 2011 that includes the following:
1) Building Permit Processing Report
2) Building Permit Estimated Value of Plans Summary
3) Building Permits Tracking Report
4) Building Permits Status
Ms. Yukimura moved to receive C 2011 -129 for the record, seconded by Mr. Chang,
and unanimously carried.
C 2011 -130 Communication (04/08/2011) from the Chief of the Engineering
Division, Department of Public Works, requesting Council consideration to establish
the installation of a speed hump on Makeke Road, vicinity of Waimea Neighborhood
Center, Waimea District: Ms. Yukimura moved to receive C 2011 -130 for the
record, seconded by Mr. Chang, and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Page two (2) please.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on the top of page two
(2) of the Council's agenda on communication for receipt, communication C 2011-
131.
C 2011 -131 Communication (03/28/2011) from the Director of Parks &
Recreation, requesting Council consideration to establish crosswalks, a shared -use
path, and redefine traffic lanes on Ala Road, Niulani Road, Keaka Road, Makaha
Road, Panihi Road, and Moanakai Road: Mr. Rapozo moved to receive C 2011 -131
for the record, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Mickens: For the record Glenn Mickens. You have a
copy of my testimony and let me read it for the viewing public please. This Council
and past Councils have had many issues come before them over the years. Some
are extremely important as my previous testimony was about the wrong way our
roads have been paved costing tax payers millions of dollars. And our solid waste
program without a new landfill that has been going on since I've been here for
twenty -one years, which cost us I think eight million dollars a year we're putting in
it. But this bike path is not an issue of extreme importance and yet a small group of
people are pushing it like it's an emergency issue, the big question is why?
We desperately need alternate roads on Kauai opening other cane haul roads
to alleviate traffic as the Kapa`a Bypass Road has done. These and so many other
issues are high priority projects that need addressing and not a recreational bike
50
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
path. I dare any of you to tell those workers and commuters who use our roads
daily that this path is more important than helping them get around our island.
And now we have Mr. Bynum introducing a Resolution to get this path put
along Moanakai Road where I'm sure you people remember that were on this
Council at the time, engineering reports several years ago showed that this road
was undermined by ocean action and had to be replaced by proper construction and
infrastructure shoring up before any path could be placed along it.
The expert on shoreline activity Chip Fletcher has repeatedly said that
hardening of our shoreline is not wise and yet we push this path along a route that
does exactly that. Thus until Moanakai Road is brought up to safe, engineering
standards and the Pono Kai wall is repaired to proper specifications, I would oppose
Resolution No. 2011 -53 and I hope that this Council will do the same thing.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you for your testimony Glenn. Is
there anyone that has any questions of Glenn on this item?
Mr. Mickens: Thank you Jay.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Ken, I understand you wish to
testify as well? Please.
KEN TAYLOR: Chair, members of the Council, my name is
Ken Taylor. Before I get started this morning when Waldeen was here she asked
me to just verify that you had received her piece that she has turned in?
Chair Furfaro: Rick, could you get that and make sure
before I say yes, I can see it better? Go ahead keep going...
Mr. Taylor: I want...
Chair Furfaro: I want to see what you're showing us.
Mr. Taylor: I just wanted to read...
Chair Furfaro: Go ahead, continue...
Mr. Taylor: I'd like to read a...
Chair Furfaro: Yes we have this.
Mr. Taylor: I'd just like to read one (1) paragraph out of
there.
Chair Furfaro: Oh I see, surely.
Mr. Taylor: On page two (2) of her document in the I
guess it's the third paragraph before the list of violations, it says violations of
Federal and State of Hawaii authority consist of Civil and Criminal Offenses of
environmental historical preservation and procurement violations including the
following and there's a list of about ten (10) items that she list that she claims that
are violations and so I... anyway she asked if I would make sure that you had that
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
and would read that one (1) paragraph for her. As you know in the past speaking
for myself now, I have always been supportive of the bike path but there has been
some issues recently that have been very concerning and I think in light of what
Walden has raised here, I think that until those issues are resolved one way or
another, we should not be going forward with anymore activity of the bike path
until we see are these real concerns or have all the questions been answered. Until
then we should back off. The other issue along this route is certainly the concern of
the seawall and I have real problems with hardening of the sea shore and have
watched over the few years the action of the water in front of the seawall especially
down in front of Pono Kai where you can see a section of beach without the seawall
where the water comes in and rolls up the sand and rolls right back out with no,
little to no erosion. When the water rolls in, it hits the seawall in front of Pono Kai,
it picks up force and washes back out and creates erosion. I'm not an engineer but
you don't have to be an engineer to observe what's going on and I personally believe
that all the seawall should be removed and... because we're going to spend a lot of
time and money if we decide to move forward with rebuilding it and with climate
change and the potential of sea level rising we're going to have serious problems
down the road anyway. We might as well address the fact that it's coming. By
spending a lot of money today on those seawalls is not going to solve the problem
down the road so let's do the right thing and take the seawalls out, let go... let
things go where they may and one of the prices you pay when you live along the sea
shore. In closing, until these questions that are raised by Waldeen are answered
and the seawall issues are answered, let's back off on this at this time. Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Any questions of Mr. Taylor?
Seeing none, thank you Ken. Mr. Clerk.
There being no one else to speak on this matter, the meeting was called back to
order, and proceeded as follows:
The motion to receive C 2011 -131 for the record was then put, and unanimously
carried.
Chair Furfaro: Next item.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter is a communication for
approval, communication C 2011 -132.
C 2011 -132 Communication (04/13/2011) from the Prosecuting Attorney,
requesting Council approval to purchase a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (asset # 9275)
that was purchased in 2003 with VOCA grant funds from the State of Hawaii
Attorney General's Office (Grantor) and has been used exclusively for victims and/or
witnesses transportation to Court, the vehicle has 7,735 miles on it and has an
estimated. value of $3,500.00.
Chair Furfaro: Before we go any further, Mr. Rapozo the
floor the Chair will recognize you.
Mr. Rapozo was noted as recused from this item. As shown by the documents
attached to the request, Mr. Rapozo was employed at the Office of the Prosecuting
Attorney and obtained the appraisal of the vehicle.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Yukimura moved to approve C 2011 -132, seconded by Mr. Chang, and
unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Will someone bring Mr. Rapozo back in?
Next item please.
Mr. Nakamura: Next communication for approval is
communication C 2011 -134.
C 2011 -134 Communication (04/13/2011) from the Chief of Police, requesting
Council approval to purchase a commercial grade ice maker machine with a storage
bin, which will be part of the department's disaster preparedness equipment which
would produce and store much needed ice to support continued operations during a
disaster or major event. Ice from the machine will also support regular, planned,
field operations, as well as other departmental functions. The cost of the ice maker
is approximately $10,000.00 and would be purchased with unexpended funds under
the Patrol Services Bureau, account no. 001 -1005- 551.30 -00: Mr. Chang moved to
approve C 2011 -134, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
Chair Furfaro: Is there anyone in the audience that wishes
to speak on this? Any members that wish to speak on this?
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair?
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: It occurred to me that one of the things that's
not reported here is the cost of operations, I'm recalling that somebody actually
analyzed some of the coke vending machines and found that they are on a twenty -
four basis they actually draw a lot of electricity. I'm not saying this to stop the vote
on it but it just occurred to me that we maybe need that kind of information as well
in the future.
Chair Furfaro: Very good. I was going to raise the same
piece dealing with, I think on an ice machine like this, we would like to know the
bin size, the tonnage, how much ice it produces and also an estimate on the utility
consumption. So in the future we would do as such. I just happen to be familiar
with this brand, that's all.
Ms. Nakamura: Chair, I also had some questions about in an
emergency if electricity goes out... they have generators? Sure... but just to make
sure that... and will there be a policy for other departments to use this ice maker?
Chair Furfaro: Well these are all very good questions if we'd
like to get to that kind of detail, I have no problem sending a communication but it's
good information for the future. As far as a power source, I would think Public
Safety, Civil. Defense and so forth, they understand where their backup generators
plugs are, what kind of electricity they draw, what kind of volume the ice maker
makes? I hope that was all considered in their deciding the specs and putting it out
for bid. If you like we can defer this and... I'll just send over a communication. Mr.
Clerk?
Mr. Nakamura: (inaudible)
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Okay. This would not be something I would
think to be sent to Committee but rather send a communication over but I just been
informed that they're trying to close out their budget process. As I shared with
you, I'm familiar with these and in future communications, utility consumption
which is stated by the manufacturer, AC backup for emergency purposes can all be
put into future communications if you'd like to vote on this today but they are... this
is time sensitive from a standpoint of trying to close out and secure the purchase
before the next seven (7) weeks. So it's your choice...
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair?
Chair Furfaro: Yes.
Ms. Yukimura: I think... let's see... if we actually put it in
Committee next week and get the information or, or else... or move it for two (2)
weeks just defer it, that still should give them time.
Chair Furfaro: I wouldn't send it to Committee, I would
defer it for two (2) and have the answers come back to us as a whole.
Ms. Yukimura: That sounds fine with me.
Chair Furfaro: But I do want to let you know that it is time
sensitive and I'm familiar with this brand of ice maker. Any further discussion?
Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: I think these are all interesting questions
maybe... but I'm just speaking for myself, I'm ready to vote on this. This is the
Police Department, they do good due diligence and they can give us a written
response to these questions.
Chair Furfaro: Okay... Tim check your mic.
Mr. Bynum: Yes. So I'm ready to vote.
Chair Furfaro: You're ready to vote, okay. Any further
discussions? I do want to confirm that I will send the questions over for the
future...
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
emergency backup power.
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Yukimura:
Ms. Nakamura:
Thank you.
As I just specify consumption, tonnage and
And access during emergency.
Okay. Who has access to it?
Councilmember.. .
Policy for other departments.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
policy across but we'll send it over.
Ms. Yukimura:
Chair Furfaro:
to agree on sharing ice, we're in...
Ms. Yukimura:
Department.
Chair Furfaro:
Ms. Yukimura:
That's what I meant.
Oh, that's going to take a while to get a
Send it over anyway.
I mean if you can get three (3) departments
Oh, it will all be in the hands of the Police
So we'll put it...
But...
Chair Furfaro: We'll send that question over, if that's what
you want, we'll send it over. But I would suggest that we call for the vote now.
Let's call for a roll call vote:
The motion to approve C 2011 -134 was then put, and carried by the following vote:
APPROVAL: Bynum, Chang, KuaYi, Nakamura, Rapozo,
Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Nakamura:
Seven (7) ayes Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Please make note of the communications
that's been requested and I'll put it under my signature.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Next item. Mr. Chang, I'd like to recognize
you before we go to 135.
Mr. Chang:
Thank you very much Mr. Chair, I'm going to
recuse myself from this communication. Thank you.
Mr. Rapozo:
No, you don't recuse yourself..
Ms. Yukimura:
No, you can stay.
Mr. Bynum:
You can stay for this, I think.
Chair Furfaro:
If he wants to do, it's his choice, we all have
personal choices.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, I'm sorry I just had to fix the
mic... we're on communication C 2011 -135.
55
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011.
C 2011 -135 Communication (04/28/2011) from Councilmember Chang,
providing written disclosure on the record of a possible conflict of interest and
recusal on Bill No. 2404 (An Ordinance to Appropriate $150,000 to the Kauai
Marathon Grant), because he is the Owner of Wala`au Productions which tapes and
aires footage of the Kauai Marathon and also he serves as an emcee for the Kauai
Marathon at several pre and post events: Mr. Rapozo moved to receive C 2011 -135
for the record, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
Chair Furfaro: I would like to ask that in the future if I ask
for a member to step out and that was my choice as Chair that please make sure
that we note that you will not vote on this item.
The motion to receive C 2011 -135 for the record, was then put, and carried by a
6 -0 -0 -1 vote (Mr. Chang was noted recused).
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Next item.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matter is a communication C 2011 -136.
C 2011 -136 Communication (04/28/2011) from Council Chair Furfaro,
requesting agenda time for discussion regarding possible changes in the following:
1) Resolution No. 2011 -02, Draft 1 (Adopting Rules of the Council of
the County of Kauai for the Organization of Committees and the
Transaction of Business).
2) Resolution No. 2011 -49, Draft 1 (Relating to the Appointment of the
Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Members of the Several
Standing Committees of the Council of the County of Kaua`i).
Mr. Chang moved to receive C 2011 -136 for the record, seconded by Mr. Rapozo.
Chair Furfaro: Any discussion?
Ms: Yukimura: Yes Mr. Chair, this originated out of a
previous meeting and you made a commitment to put this on an agenda out of
concerns for a couple of us but I think, in thinking about it... there's no need for
this, so I support the motion to receive.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Before we go any further, is
there anyone in the audience that would like to testify on this item? Seeing no one,
may I ask all those in favor signify by saying aye.
The motion to receive C 2011 -136 for the record was then put, and unanimously
carried.
Chair Furfaro: Next item.
Mr. Nakamura: We're at the top of page three (3) of the
Council's agenda on a Legal Document attached to communications C 2011 -137.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS:
C 2011 -137 Communication (04/19/2011) from Deputy County Attorney Ian
Jung, recommending Council approval for Grant of Non - Exclusive Pedestrian Beach
Access Easement.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
1) Grant of Non - Exclusive Pedestrian Beach Access Easement;
Grantor, CTF Hawaii Hotel Partners Limited Partnership; Grantee,
County of Kauai, a political subdivision of the State of Hawaii; TMK (4)
2 -8 -017, 018 and 019; with referenced Lot Nos. 175, 176 and 177.
Ms. Yukimura moved to approve C 2011 -137, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Chair Furfaro: Any discussion?
Mr. Rapozo: I just have a question as to where this is?
Chair Furfaro: This is, I already looked into the same
question, it is the piece between Kiahuna and the Po`ipu Beach property. Did you
have a question Councilwoman Nakamura?
Ms. Nakamura: I have two (2) questions. One (1) is, is there
any... I see the shoreline access and easement P -1 but I was just wondering if there
was any... that would be the lateral access, is there any other access mauka?
Chair Furfaro: If we'd like to take a recess, I have a map
that was sent to me from Mauna Kea.
Ms. Yukimura: Can we be handling other business?
Chair Furfaro: Well I know exactly where it is on my
computer, so I will excuse myself and turn the meeting over to you.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay.
Ms. Nakamura: And my second question is the condition that
was passed by the Planning Commission says that the access shall be a minimum of
ten (10) feet in width and the easement document, the grant of non - exclusive
pedestrian beach access easement, says such walkways shall not be more than six
(6) feet in width, so I was just wondering about that discrepancy.
Chair Furfaro: I decided not to leave the meeting because
the answer went to my home email when I raised it but if you could can Mauna Kea
please and get a print of the actual map to answer these particular questions. Yes,
I'll move it to the end of the agenda.
Ms. Yukimura: (inaudible)
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: And I guess I would ask that Mr. Trask be
here as well to answer any questions.
Chair Furfaro: May you make that same request.
Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: That was my request also. Thank you.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Well I'm glad I asked about this. We're going
to move this item to the end of the agenda, I'm going to ask the Clerk if he could
read the portion on claims.
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on Claims.
CLAIMS:
C 2011 -138 Communication (04/12/2011) from the County Clerk,
transmitting a claim filed against the County of Kauai by Progressive Direct
Insurance Co., as subrogee for Klaus Burmeister for damages to his vehicle,
pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kauai.
C 2011 -139 Communication (4113/2011) from the County Clerk, transmitting
a claim filed against the County of Kauai by State Farm Insurance Company as
subrogee of Chad P. & Rufina T. Plowman for damages to their vehicle, pursuant to
Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kauai.
C 2011 -140 Communication (4/26/2011) from the County Clerk, transmitting
a claim filed against the County of Kauai by Jared Someda for emotional distress,
loss of enjoyment of life and possible lost wages, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter
of the County of Kauai.
C 2011 -141 Communication (4/27/2011) from the County Clerk, transmitting
a claim filed against the County of Kauai by Robert Abrew, for damages to his
vehicle, pursuant to Section 23.06, Charter of the County of Kauai.
Mr. Kuali`i moved to refer C 2011 -138, C 2011 -139, C 2011 -140 and C 2011 -141 to
the County Attorney's Office for disposition and/or report back to the Council,
seconded by Mr. Bynum, and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Next item Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Nakamura: Next matters are Committee Reports. First
Committee Report for approval is from the Committee on Planning.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PLANNING COMMITTEE
A report (No. CR -PL 2011 -03) submitted by the Planning Committee,
recommending that the following be approved as amended:
"Bill No. 2401 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
CHAPTER 9, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE,"
Mr. Rapozo moved for approval of the report, seconded by Mr. Bynum, and
unanimously carried. (See later for Bill No. 2401, Draft 1)
FINANCE 1 PARKS & RECREATION /
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
A report (No. CR -FPP 2011 -02) submitted by the Finance/Parks &
Recreation/Public Works Programs Committee, recommending that the following be
received for the record:
"FPP 2011 -01 Communication (04/20/2011) from FPP Chair Bynum,
requesting Committee agenda time to discuss the County's financial
condition as it relates to the Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (CAFR),"
Mr. Bynum moved for approval of the report, seconded by Ms. Yukimura, and
unanimously carried.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
A report (No. CR -COW 2011 -14) submitted by the Committee of the Whole,
recommending that the following be received for the record:
"COW 2011 -05 Communication (04/20/2011) from Human Resources
Subcommittee Chair Bynum, transmitting the "Report of the Human
Resources Sub - Committee," pursuant to Resolution No. 2011 -04, Draft 1, as
amended by Resolution No. 2011 -43, for the committee's information
and consideration,"
Mr. Rapozo moved for approval of the report, seconded by Ms. Yukimura, and
unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: We now move to Resolutions.
Mr. Nakamura: Next Resolution is Resolution No. 2011 -51.
Resolution No. 2011 -51, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE TRAPPING,
NEUTERING AND RETURN METHOD OF CONTROLLING KAUXI'S
HOMELESS AND FERAL CAT POPULATION: Mr. Chang moved to approve
Resolution No. 2011 -51, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Ms. Yukimura: ' Mr. Chair?
Chair Furfaro: Go ahead.
Ms. Yukimura: The Humane Society could not be at this
meeting because Ms. Ori is on the mainland and will return on Tuesday and she
asked if we could refer it to Committee of the Whole next week so she could appear.
With Councilmember Rapozo, the introducer's agreement, I'd like to make that
motion which superseds the motion to approve.
Ms. Yukimura moved to refer Resolution No. 2011 -51 to the Committee of the
Whole, seconded by Mr. Rapozo, and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Next item.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Nakamura: Next Resolution for approval is Resolution
No. 2011 -52.
Resolution No. 2011 -52, RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SPEED HUMP
INSTALLATION ON MAKEKE ROAD, VICINITY OF WAIMEA
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, WAIMEA DISTRICT: Ms. Yukimura moved to
approve Resolution No. 2011 -52, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Chair Furfaro: Anyone wishes to speak? Councilwoman
Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. I spoke to County Engineer Larry Dill
and he said there's a way to accommodate, they're actually going to do speed humps
for the first time. They're going to divide it up so that a fire truck can go over it
easily but a regular car cannot and so they have it really well thought out and I
think we can just proceed in approving this Resolution.
Chair Furfaro: Just to add to that that was the same
discussion we had when Larry wasn't the Chief Engineer but it came up in Hanalei,
for the fire trucks to go over so thank you for reconfirming that.
Ms. Yukimura: You're welcome.
Chair Furfaro: This will be a roll call vote.
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2011 -52 was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
APPROVAL: Bynum, Chang, Kuali`i, Nakamura, Rapozo,
Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL — 7,
AGAINST APPROVAL: None TOTAL — 0,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Nakamura: Seven (7) ayes Mr. Chair. Next Resolution
for approval is Resolution No. 2011 -53.
Resolution No. 2011 -53, RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CROSSWALKS, A
SHARED -USE PATH, AND REDEFINING TRAFFIC LANES ON ALA ROAD,
NIULANI ROAD, KEAKA ROAD, MAKAHA ROAD, PANIHI ROAD AND
MOANAKAI ROAD, KAWAIHAU DISTRICT, COUNTY OF KAUAI: Mr. Bynum
moved to approve Resolution No. 2011 -53, seconded by Ms. Yukimura.
Chair Furfaro: Any discussion? Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Yes Mr. Chair, I had asked that we send this
to a public hearing. After reading the Resolution and looking at the communication,
I would actually would rather have this refer this to the Parks Committee because I
would like to get a presentation from the Parks Department and I guess the
Buildings Division. One of my concerns and I've expressed these concerns with
Parks and the Building Division that in fact this Resolution also authorizes the
construction of the path in front of the park of the seawall that needs to be repaired.
And what I don't want to see is what's happening at Pono Kai is, we're going to lay
down this concrete path, I don't have a problem with the rest of the Resolution as
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
far as the traffic realignment, converting it into a one -way and the crosswalks but
what I don't want to see happen is we lay out all this concrete on Moana Kai Road
for the pedestrian path and then we come back to repair the wall and have the
heavy equipment and the construction of the reconstruction of the wall create
damage to our asset. As I spoke with Mr. Haigh and Mr. Rapozo last week, there's
some concerns because there's some problems arising in the permitting process of
the repair of that wall. So I'm asking that we refer this to Committee so we can get
a briefing from them, so we can better understand what's happening out there with
the seawall and what the timetable is to get a permit to fix the seawall and what it
will entail. The last thing I want to do is spend all that money and end up having it
destroyed by the equipment that we'll be repairing the seawall. That is my request.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Mr. Bynum then Councilwoman
Yukimura.
Mr. Bynum: I think that the Public Works met with all
the Councilmembers last week and on Moana Kai, we also received testimony from
most of the neighbors from Moana Kai supporting this change and several of the
other communities because they've done good due diligence and outreach to the
community there. But let me be specific about Moana Kai, eventually we're going to
repair the seawall, just like eventually we're going to repair the seawall at Pono
Kai. Those things are complicated and they take a long time to plan. At Moana
Kai, so you have a seawall, you have a road and then you have homes... the plan
there for the path as I understand it is to move some of the utility poles to make the
road somewhat wider, the path will be on the mauka side, away from the seawall, it
won't be concrete, it'll be asphalt and when they repair the seawall they don't need
the room where the path will be but... and so you know I'm ready to move ahead
with this vote now because I've been assured that it's not a concrete path... it's not
going to be... and even if it were like at Pono Kai the path has been, we had
testimony at the time, let's not put the path in until we fix the seawall, well that
path has been there for what four (4) years being used by thousands of people. If
eventually the repair of the seawall impacts it and this was test money from Chip
Fletcher, you know it's a six (6) inch slab on grade, it's minor in terms of the scope
of the path and it has this use for four (4), five (5) years. The people on Moana Kai
and Niulani, I think it's the pronunciation have... are anxious for this to move
forward because it's going to improve the safety of their neighborhood and the
testimony says it's going to cut down, cut through traffic and I see no, nothing from
the neighborhood that was in opposition, I have only seen a lot of support. I think
we're going to have a quarterly update from the Parks Department soon so I'd like
to move ahead with this.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Thank you. I agree with Councilmember
Rapozo that it'd be good to look at the coordination of Public Works projects as
respect to Pono Kai because I think there's chance for more impact. The way I read
this Resolution it doesn't cover that area by Pono Kai and as Councilmember
Bynum explains, the path will be actually mauka... on the mauka side of the road
so if anything gets damaged, it would likely be the road itself which is existing. So
I think I feel comfortable going ahead with this Resolution but I would like to see on
the agenda an item that addresses or asks the questions that Councilmember
Rapozo's asking about Pono Kai.
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COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Anymore discussion? Mr. Rapozo let me just
check if somebody else wants to speak who hasn't yet. Okay, you have the floor.
Mr. Rapozo: I want to make sure I made myself clear, all
the testimony I saw from the residents was about the traffic change, the one -way
traffic and the crosswalks and I support that part of the Resolution. I think
converting Moana Kai to a one -way street is going to do wonders for that area,
that's not my concern. My concern is and I'm kind of disappointed and I don't even
see anybody from Parks or Buildings here to answer any questions. I mean it's a
Resolution that they wanted approved today and they're not here. I think it's a
reasonable request to get a briefing, this is a big project, this is not a small project.
This is not a speed hump this is a complete realignment of the road, rebuilding
utility poles, creating a pedestrian path in front of a deteriorating wall. I think we
deserve to get a briefing, I do and I think the public deserves to get a briefing. I was
there on the site visit with the experts at the time when they analyzed the seawall
and I would encourage everyone of you and I understand the path is mauka of the
road but that's a huge undertaking to rebuild that wall. Mr. Haigh and Mr. Rapozo
did show me what needs to be done, it's huge. And we're getting difficult time to get
some approvals and permits but it's not just a little backhoe that's going to be there
working, it's going to be heavy equipment bringing in boulders and fixing that wall.
All I'm asking for is a briefing. If I'm assured as Mr. Bynum is that they're not
going to interfere with the construction of the path, then I'll support it but I'm not
convinced because it's not a very big area to work. It's a pretty big stretch of wall
that needs to be repaired so that's a simple request and it will delay the project two
(2) weeks because if we get it to Committee next week, it can be in the full Council
in a month. I don't see the time sensitivity of this one because it doesn't include
funding from our current budget. That's all I'm asking.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Councilmember Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuah'i: In listening to Councilmember Rapozo's
thought and what he shared with us, I think it is a big project and we should give it
just a little more time and perhaps refer it to Committee next week and can come
right back to the Council in two (2) weeks. If we can have someone from Public
Works here to make sure all our questions are answered and that way we're
reassured like Councilmember Bynum is reassured.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Is there any other member that wants
to speak before I recognize other members a second time? Mr. Chang.
Mr. Chang: Thank you. I actually as we all did met with
both Mr. Rapozo and Mr. Haigh and I actually felt assured that the path was
mauka as we talk about the road but the way that they made it sound to me and
this was just my impression that there would be a lot of room. They wasn't using
real heavy equipment and I think, I don't want to sound like it was minor but the
way it was expressed to me was that the wall shouldn't take a long time to build. It
really wasn't going to be a hindrance with moving forward. With that being said, I
would have to agree with Mr. Rapozo, I mean if they were here they could reassure
the information they gave me but I don't think and my questions and I went past
there, right after the briefing I went up there and I was assured, I like the way that
the flow went with the one -way and the side roads that you can detour and bypass
that area, so I didn't really have a concern, however in fairness maybe somebody
should have been here that they could have gave us the information. What I want
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
to say is that my questions were answered and I don't believe that the way that I
heard it that it was going to be that big of a problem.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me, members. There's a discussion
on the side about having them come right now and so forth... Mr. Chang has the
floor. Are you finish with your statement?
Mr: Chang: Yeah well you know what obviously they're
not here.
Chair Furfaro: Well there's two (2) ways we can do this, we
can give them the easy way out by having them come now, or we can make it very
difficult... we can vote on the Resolution and ask them for a briefing in two (2)
weeks. So they understand that in the future if we have a serious project like this,
somebody should be here. So we have two (2) choices. Is there anything more you
want to add?
Mr. Chang: That's fine.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Bynum, I'll recognize you a second time.
Mr. Bynum: I want to make sure my position is clear, I
have no problem having a briefing, let's do that... I believe that they made
appointments with all of us last week and were not asked to be here right now, we
can ask them to come. But I don't want our employees sitting out there waiting on
every agenda item when they met with us in advance and they don't have any
request. I want us to discuss this and brief it as much but this Resolution is about
changing the roadway, that wall is not going to get rebuilt for years, probably. I
believe they intend to these roadway changes in terms of the one -way prior because
even without the path or a wall, it makes the community safer and actually... so...
no problem with having a briefing but this is a Resolution about changing the
roadway, it's not about the wall at all. Sometimes... I guess if I was talking about
the wall... somebody would say hey it's not on the agenda you can't talk about it but
I don't want to say that because it's related and we should discuss it. But this is a
roadway change and I rather have them come today if they're available so we can
move this rather routine matter through and ask for the briefing.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Would someone from the staff call
over to Parks and Recreation and we'll defer this when I come back after
(inaudible), I'll give you the floor KipiiKai and then I'll give you any other
Councilmember who would like to speak, okay? On that note, we're calling for
them. I agree with Mr. Bynum, the fact that of the matter we don't want people
sitting there all day but they can pace the agenda on Wednesdays, it's no secret we
meet on Wednesdays. They should make themselves available. Going towards the
Clerk's Office... is someone making copies of the map and we have Mr. Trask.
Okay...
We're going to take a recess while we can copy some documents.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 3:43 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 3:55 p.m., and proceeded as follows:
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Trask thank you for being here. On that
note, we are...
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair.
Chair Furfaro: We were having copies made and the item I
want to go back to is the easement for Kiahuna Beach access. These are the
electronic files that I was given by the Attorneys. Mr. Trask, I want to thank you
for that but I had not shared this... after I just asked the one question but other
questions have come up on the easement, there is a map in your package, so I'm
going to suspend the rules and ask you if you can come up as we go through these
documents going back to 1962 on the easements.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Chair Furfaro: I believe the first question again came from
Councilmember Rapozo. I expressed that the documents that I saw dealt with the
Po`ipu Beach Hotel, the Kiahuna area for this easement and subsequently
Councilwoman Nakamura had asked some questions dealing with lateral access.
On that note, I'm going to give the floor to Mr. Rapozo and then to Councilwoman
Nakamura.
Mr. Rapozo: I'm done...
Chair Furfaro: Okay, so you're good... you seen the map...
Mr. Rapozo: Yes, yes.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: Thank you. Thank you Mauna Kea. My
question is the condition of the County permit, approving the hotel said that there
should be a minimum ten (10) foot in width access easement and in the easement
document that's before us, it says such walkway shall be not more than six (6) feet
in width, so I want to just ask you about this discrepancy.
MAUNA KEA TRASK, DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY: Okay. Thank you
and just if I may for a minute to clear orient of the members...
(Inaudible)
Mr. Trask: Oh, sorry. Deputy County Attorney Mauna
Kea Trask for the record. The easement we're talking about right now, if you look
at... there's two (2) maps that I have provided. One (1) is the tax map key from our
Real Property Tax Division, the other is a Land Court map. In reference to the tax
map if you look, I'm going to refer to the bottom portion of that map which is a
wavy coastline sort of a demarcation and that is, if you look where the true north
arrow is pointing approximately in the middle of the bottom of that map, that arrow
points directly towards Waiohai Beach and that lot behind that is a Marriott
Waiohai Beach Club, okay? And so to the left, if you're looking at the map, those
are lot nos. 17, 18, 19 respectively and this easement is traversing the shoreline of
the... it traces the laterally the shoreline along those three (3) properties and that's
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
currently where the new Koa Kea Hotel is. I believe it was built over the old
Waiohai Beach Club or something like that and if you're familiar with the area, it's
currently built, it is about six (6) feet wide and it's created from some kind of plastic
concrete mix slats, large horizontal slats and it's there right now. From my
understanding, that is what is being dedicated. Also if you look at the document,
the grant of recreational pedestrian access easements, on page three (3) condition
six (6) it says relative to the shoreline setback minimum width of six (6) feet and
dedicated to the county in perpetuity and so I was told to look at the metes and
bounds description that is attached to this document and... I was informed that... in
looking at that as you can tell this is page eleven (11), twelve (12), thirteen (13) and
fourteen (14), exhibits (b) and (e) respectfully, they describe the easement not in
width but in total square feet so I'm not able to, I think specifically address how
wide the easement is actually is without knowing the total calculation. My belief is
that because the easement in front of Marriott Waiohai Beach Club was six (6) feet
long, the easement fronting the three (3) lots in front the Koa Kea Hotel was built to
match that width. This document talks about that width of the actual slats versus
what has been conveyed which is the ten (10) feet so if you would like I can look
further but it seems to me that they're talking about the actual path itself.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Trask, I want to thank you because I
bring to the members attention, this was actually Mr. Jung's, Ian Jung's project and
you're filling in for him while he's on maternity leave. So good fill in, you can play
left field for me anytime.
Mr. Trask:
He took care of me when I was out, so.
Ms. Nakamura:
Thank you for answering the question.
Chair Furfaro:
Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum:
So this is the easement in front of Koa Kea?
Mr. Trask:
Correct.
Mr. Bynum: . And I'm very familiar with it and so I just...
you know Waiohai put in public easement, Koa Kea did, you know the goal is
eventually a person with disability could move between Po`ipu Beach Park and the
Sheraton?
Mr. Trask: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: But there's that Koa Kea easement ends in a
flat dead end at Kiahuna, are we... and they have some kind of access... are we
working on that so we don't have a huge puka in this public easement?
Mr. Trask: I believe we are but my understanding and
possibly Chair would know about this that when Kiahuna phase two (2) which is
the hotel, I believe the hotel that abuts directly the end of that easement, when that
was built, whenever it was built sometime ago... there was no shoreline setback
requirements so that literally if you're familiar with the area, it's right there at the
beach. It goes fence, naupaka bush, sand and so if that were to have been built now
there would be more of a setback to connect but I think that easement is going to be
placed further mauka and then try to connect to and also if you know, I'm sure
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
you're familiar, there used to be an easement fronting further down near Sheraton,
the other Kiahuna phase, I think it's phase three (3) or four (4).
Chair Furfaro: It's four (4).
Mr. Trask: Four (4). And it had eroded away, so I don't
know specifically where Planning is with that.
Mr. Bynum: Well, excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt
but it's not the agenda item, so we'll follow up but you agree that the goal is to have
ADA access from Po`ipu Beach Park to the Sheraton along that entire coastline?
Mr. Trask: That is my understanding.
Mr. Bynum: Because I've been out there and walked with
the owners and walked with the... you know... and there was a boardwalk plopped
right on the sand that nature took away, so maybe we'll do a separate follow up
because this is since 1962... so we need to bring these things to fruition.
Chair Furfaro: So be prepared we'll in the future have
something specifically for Kiahuna. The reality there though is that association is
divided, there's two (2) different boards so it might be more challenging to approach.
Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: I had a question. So what I heard was that
the condition of the permit was to provide a ten (10) foot access but what this grant
of easement, we don't have the measurements but you're assuming it's ten (10) feet
but the improved walkway is six (6), so the six (6) foot walkway will sit inside of the
ten (10) feet easement?
Mr. Trask: I believe that the six (6) foot walkway is
currently within that six (6) foot easement that's my understanding by looking at
that.
Mr. Rapozo: And the other question is I'm not sure ADA
kicks in if we... if they conveyed this over to the county now, does that meet the
ADA requirement or do we have to go in and improve that to ADA standards?
Mr. Trask: I don't think I'm prepared to specifically
answer that question right now because getting familiar with ADA it is a unique
area in and of itself but having walked that path, being familiar with my kids... I
have seen you know elderly people being able to walk over that path with the
assistance of a walker and they were able to do it... I'm able to push my daughter's
stroller along that path with relative ease, extreme ease...
Mr. Rapozo: I wasn't sure what the standard is for the
walkway.
Mr. Trask: And they do have you know feet
requirements and stuff like that. I'm not prepared to answer that today.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay, thank you.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Are there anymore questions? If not,
Mauna Kea, I want to thank you for coming over on short notice, I would encourage
the Legal Department to review the metes and bounds, have Engineering calculate
that square footage because that metes and bounds imply that it is ten (10) foot, the
concrete implies it's only six (6) feet of (inaudible) concrete but I think you want to
ask Engineering for some k6kua there.
Mr. Trask: Yes Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Okay anymore questions? No. Again once
again thank you for filling in for Ian and thank you for coming over at the request of
the Council.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
Mr. Kuali`i: I just have one other thought and earlier we
had talked about basically if we are receiving this access but with that we're
receiving the maintenance and liability of that access as well , so it would have been
good to know what that is, as far as what additional cost are we taking on, of the
public.
Chair Furfaro: I'd be happy to send over a communication
on your behalf asking not only for this one but in the future it would be good to
understand when we accept an access what the annual maintenance upkeep might
be.
Mr. Kuali`i: Maintenance and insurance.
Chair Furfaro: Yes.
Mr. Kuali`i: Thank you.
The motion to approve C 2011 -137 was then put, and unanimously carried.
Chair Furfaro: Where is Councilmember Yukimura...
Mr. Nakamura: We're back on...
Chair Furfaro: She was just...
Mr. Nakamura: We're back on page four (4) of the Council's
agenda on Resolution No. 2011 -53 Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Crowell if you would like to come up we
have some questions, the question started with a query from the Water Department
that the Water Department had sent to us indicating that they had some concerns
and then they attached something that went to the Planning Department that was
dated November 24 that we had not seen until the Water Department had sent this
over to us.
Mr. Rapozo: Are we on... did you move onto the Bill for
second reading, is that where we are?
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: I?
Mr. Rapozo: We're... We didn't call that item yet right?
Okay... we're pretty much in limbo right now...
Chair Furfaro: We're no longer in limbo, we're in recess.
There being no objections, the Council recesses at 4:09 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 4:11 p.m., and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo is here now, Dee let me apologize
to you, you were the target in the room because you were here. Mr. Rapozo is here
now and we are on... Thank you Lenny for coming over. Lenny, we're dealing with
the Resolution that is here 2011 -53, there were some queries made as we weren't
privy to individual discussions. There was some possibility here of us either acting
on this Resolution by a vote today with a briefing to be scheduled in the future to
answer some of the Councilmembers questions or to direct some questions to you
now so that we can get some clarity. So since you're here... we'll start with
Councilmember Nakamura, you had questions on this Resolution, no? Mr. Rapozo.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you Lenny. I had requested that this
be referred to Committee so we can get a briefing not just from Parks but from
Buildings on the project in that area. Would that be a problem for you folks to have
it referred so we can get a complete briefing on not just the realignment because
that's not my concern. I think the realignment is a good thing, we've gotten the
testimony from the residents that it's, you know... I think it's going to be a good
thing. My concern is we had discussed in the meeting that we had was the fact that
we were going to improve the roadway and install the pedestrian path knowing that
we're going to have to go back there and I don't know, Doug told me that it was
probably within a year at our meeting that the permitting would take to get the
wall project moving and that would be my concern. We need to try to get the wall
fixed first because I think that's where, that's just my opinion... my question was
real simple, would it be a big problem if we refer it to the Committee next week, it
would show up on the Council agenda in two (2) weeks for final approval, does that
cause a problem for you folks?
LENNY RAPOZO, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION: For the
record Director of Parks and Recreation Lenny Rapozo. What we had hoped to have
this measure pass this week is so we could request to obligate the funds from the
State to move this project forward, to get construction going to get the project being
constructed. As far as the seawall is concerned, we were... when we were moving
the path as far over mauka as possible and with... a lot of the work with the seawall
and I want to just clarify that, the seawall is a Public Works project, it's not part of
the Parks project but because the path is going alongside of it I have some
knowledge of what the work is going to entail. Most of the rocks that's going to be
used to reconstruct the seawall is there, it's just that when they constructed that
seawall, they didn't put the rocks from what I understand deep enough and that's
why we have the problems that we have today. If there are going to be any
additional rocks that's going to be brought in, it's not going to be big rocks that we
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
think of but maybe some smaller rocks. Mostly the material that's going to be used
is already there and with the path being as far mauka as it is, we believe that we
have enough room there that it won't jeopardize the path and they'll be able to use
whatever machinery there to do the work. That has also been part of our discussion
between Parks and Public Works and I too... would not want to have the path
damaged. In discussion, it looks like it's going to work but we wanted this
Resolution passed today so that we can move to start obligating the funds, the
Federal and State funds to get this construction done.
Councilmember Rapozo: Where are we on the wall construction?
Where are we as far as permitting?
Mr. Rapozo: That's a question for Doug.
Councilmember Rapozo: And that's...
Mr. Rapozo: I wouldn't know that. I can tell you what I
know as far as the construction, what the work is entailed but those details, it's a
Public Works project.
Councilmember Rapozo: And that's why I'm asking for a complete
briefing so we can be given the right information from the right people so that we
can make the right decision, that's all. I understand we want to move it forward
but you know I don't feel confident with that area, knowing that what needs to be
done on that rock wall, I think it's pretty substantial, I think it is a big project. I
just want to be sure that in fact it can be done without damaging and it's not a very
big area to work from where the damaged wall is, it's not. It's going to be a busy
area when that construction starts.
Mr. Rapozo: Yeah and we've talked about restricting
access to other vehicles but... I don't want the path damaged anymore than you do
because we're the ones responsible and I'm going to deal with all the call ins and
wanting it to be repaired as soon as possible but we believe that there is enough
room because the path will be moved as far mauka as it is now. You know it's on
the shoulder of the road and some of the road to get the necessary ten (10) foot
width of the path so there's a good portion of the existing road already that is going
to be clear, so you know... I feel comfortable that it'll be okay. But as far as
permitting, those details about the project needs to come from Public Works.
Councilmember Rapozo: Right and that... would two (2) weeks
jeopardize funding?
Mr. Rapozo: Well as soon as we get this we would like to
try and move to get the State to move to obligate and they're ready to do it.
Councilmember Rapozo: Right but would two (2) weeks jeopardize it?
Ms. Yukimura: It's getting close.
Mr. Rapozo: Maybe not... it'll be close, it'll be close.
Chair Furfaro: On that note, Mr. Bynum.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Bynum: This Resolution is not about the Moana
Kai... or the Pono... the Moana Kai seawall right?
Mr. Rapozo: No.
Mr. Bynum: It's about allowing the County to make the
roadway changes?
Mr. Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: And the path surface there that's mauka is
going to be asphalt, correct?
Mr. Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: So basically you have an asphalt road, it's
going to have a painted section that delineates the path... if they come in there to
replace the wall they may have to do the asphalt, right? But even if they went into
the path area, it just be asphalt right?
Mr. Rapozo: Yes but again they shouldn't have to go into
the path area.
Mr. Bynum: And having watched this process going on for
a number of years now, getting the funds obligated, we are in a tight timeline right
now.
Mr. Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Bynum: Okay, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: So there is some chance that the existing
road might be damaged?
Mr. Rapozo:. Correct.
Ms. Yukimura: Yeah? And that is going to be a necessary
evil sort to speak because I don't know how else you would rebuild the wall. I mean
you will have to have your equipment mobilized from above the wall.
Mr. Rapozo: Correct.
Ms. Yukimura: And part of the contract would be to repave
that road to fix it...
Mr. Rapozo: Definitely.
Ms. Yukimura: ... after the construction work is done.
Mr. Rapozo: Yes.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura:
Mr. Rapozo:
The wall rebuilding is done.
Yes.
Ms. Yukimura: So actually there's not much alternative.
Were you going to set it up so that there'll be as little damage or no damage as
possible, if there is damage it'll be part of the construction... the contract to fix that
and it's likely to be the road and not the path...
Mr. Rapozo: That is... yes... yes.
Ms. Yukimura: Right?
Mr. Rapozo: Yes.
Ms. Yukimura: So... yeah I'm not sure how much more
discussion it would take to make us think differently about this Resolution before
us. I mean I don't know if a discussion will change how we act on this Resolution
today.
Chair Furfaro: Okay, that's not a question that was a
statement.
Mr. Rapozo: Okay.
Chair Furfaro: Does anyone else want to say anything
before I recognize Councilmember Rapozo a second time?
Councilmember Rapozo: I don't have another question.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: You're coming here soon with an update for
the whole path project?
Mr. Rapozo:
Correct. A quarterly update.
Mr. Bynum: And you wouldn't object to us posting a
specific item to discuss the path and the seawall in this area?
Mr. Rapozo: Again the path is the path, the seawall is a
separate project. Just so happen they're together and we making sure that it
doesn't have any adverse affect on the path.
Mr. Bynum: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Kuali`i.
Mr. Kuali`i: Though I think I heard my answers but let
me just confirm... so you're assuring us that whatever improvements are made
according to this Resolution that will now create the path on the mauka side of the
road, it's really just going to be asphalt, so it's not going to be six (6) inches of
concrete and all that (inaudible).
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Rapozo: No.
Mr. Kuali`i: And whatever other improvements you
make, I don't know if you're moving telephone lines... telephone poles or whatever...
that all of that is being made with the thought that in the future you still have to
come in there with equipment to fix the wall.
Mr. Rapozo: Correct.
Mr. Kuali`i: And that whatever you have to redo like
Councilmember Yukimura was saying as far as repave that fine line area hopefully
that they stay in, that they don't go up and down all the way to Moana Kai and
destroy everything because I know it would be... we should wait but you're assuring
us that the cost after the Moana... the seawall improvements will be minimum?
Mr. Rapozo: I will assure you this... any damage which I
don't think... I'm assuring you this, any damage to the path inadvertently.
Mr. Kuali`i: Right.
Mr. Rapozo: I will request... or insist that Public Works
gets a contractor to...
Mr. Kuali`i: I'm not asking about the road, I believe it
will be fixed... I'm just trying to prevent the loss of Moana Kai.
Mr. Rapozo: The roadside if they're damaged... I cannot
speak for Public Works but I will impress upon them that it is the wish of this body
that any damage to the road would need to be repaired.
Mr. Kuah'i: It has to be minimized because it's paying
twice basically, you going to pay once to put it in and it's going to be torn up by the
equipment to the wall and then we're going to have to fix it.
Mr. Rapozo: The path improvements like I mentioned
earlier, even in our meetings... I believe that with the improvements to path we
would obtain the shoulder side and part of the road they'll be sufficient room for the
machines to do the work that is necessary without damaging any part of the path.
Mr. Kuali`i: Okay, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Anymore questions for Lenny? Lenny thank
you for coming back over. Lenny, I do want to say something and I want you to be
aware... in today's way of communication and so forth, today's episode of us having
to find people to come and testify, I would share a preview with you as I will with
Planning, as I will with the Administration... each Wednesday when we know we
have agenda items that deal with your departments, please in the future designate
somebody who can be available for on call or questions and so forth. I think it
shows mutual collaboration and cooperation because when you brief individual
Councilmembers, I'm revisiting this, the fact of the matter is I don't know what
went on in your meeting with Councilmember Bynum or so forth... it's best to make
sure we have an understanding. We meet on Wednesdays, if a department has
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
something there whether it's Building, Planning or so forth... somebody needs to be
designated on Wednesday to be available for a call.
Mr. Rapozo: Alright.
Chair Furfaro: And I wanted to let you know how much I
appreciate you coming over, how much I appreciate Mr. Crowell coming over but we
have no more questions for you now.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
Chair Furfaro: Members, we've had discussion and we can
have some more discussion from you folks before we look if we're going to take
action on the Resolution. Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you and I appreciate Mr. Rapozo
coming. I guess my questions was targeted for Public Works because it was
involving the wall. I think my concern is that that wall should be the priority, I
think the repairing of that wall should be the priority. We're going into this whole
thing ready, fire, aim where we're going to build something... and then go fix the
wall that's going to protect the asset. In my career on the Council, I've been assured
of many things that never came through... bathroom at Isenberg, I mean I come
back in this budget and I see stuff from the CIP project that's been there for years
and we were assured that it was going to be done. My concern is the... it's the
instability of that wall number one (1) and more so the question about the
permitting process that I wanted clarified and maybe some feel that it's part of this
Resolution well I disagree because this Resolution is going to place an asset in front
of a seawall that needs to be repaired, that's significantly repaired. All I was asking
is for a briefing, a complete briefing and I got the Parks briefing and I appreciate
that... if we could get the Public Works briefing, I would appreciate that. I know
Councilmember Yukimura said that she doesn't feel that comes up in a briefing
would change her mind and that's her... I mean I can tell you right now, on the
Resolution that we just referred to Committee that I agreed to, the extra time is not
going to change my mind on how I'm going to vote either but it was a courtesy that I
offered and I said sure... because I think we could have called for a question and got
it passed but it was a courtesy because you wanted more information of the
Humane Society... sure... I'm asking for more information from... this is a huge
project, this is not a TNR Resolution, this is a huge project. As far as the time
sensitivity I do not believe and I have a little knowledge about the budget process
and how state funding work and I don't think two (2) weeks at this time in May will
affect the funding, it won't... it won't. And if it did if it was so time sensitive this
Resolution should have been in our Council two (2) months ago if it was that time
sensitive. So I think... I don't want my back against the wall saying hey you got to
pass it today or we going lose the money, I'm not going to play that game no more.
There's some information that I'm seeking and I'm asking this body, I'll respect the
wishes of this body if you pass it out, that's fine. But I'm simply asking for an
opportunity to find out the project, the scope and where we at as far as that wall
and that's all I'm asking for and again I'll honor the wishes of this body and that's
it, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Vice Chair Yukimura.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: It's not so much whether I'm satisfied with
the information or not... it didn't seem like there were... there's any real option I
mean we're... in terms of addressing what I thought was the main issue damage...
potential damage to the bike path in the process of rebuilding the wall. If there
would be damage it's most likely to be on the road rather than the path and if there
is damage it's going to be fixed so I'm not sure how any of this, any information is
going to change (inaudible)... basic path and then I do believe that there is six (6)
weeks before the end of the fiscal year is not a lot of time and I don't think we
understand all the sequence of paperwork and stuff when three (3) agencies are
involved. I guess I'm willing to take the word of those who are having to do the
paperwork that there is some time concerns here so I'm thinking and maybe I'm
misunderstanding Councilmember Rapozo but I heard that damage was the main
concern, damage of the bike path and that seems unlikely but if it is, if it does
happen the road will have to be fixed anyway and fixing the bike path should be
just part of it and then the time constraint. So that's how I'm looking at it. This is
just a Resolution about basic flow, it's not even a Resolution that is... well... anyway
I don't see how things will change because there may be damage and the damage
will have to be fixed.
Chair Furfaro: Before I recognize you a second time
Mr. Rapozo is there anyone else want to speak on this item? If not, Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Mr. Chair if I may I'd like to ask
Councilmember Yukimura a question, if that's okay?
Chair Furfaro: That's fine with me, go ahead.
Mr. Rapozo: Do you know how much this project is going
to cost?
Ms. Yukimura:
No but I'm sure it's in many millions.
Mr. Rapozo: That's my point. I mean wouldn't you want
to know how much this project will cost?
Ms. Yukimura: Well what... but... the question is... do you
want... is your position that you want to stop the project until the wall is fixed, is
that what you want?
Mr. Rapozo: I want to...
Ms. Yukimura: Because I think we'll lose the money.
Mr. Rapozo: Well you think...
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. I think it's very likely we will because...
Mr. Rapozo: Let me just say for the safety of public
fronting that road I think the wall restoration is much higher priority than this
Resolution, I'll admit to that. If there's a reasonable time that that wall is going to
be built I think we can... it can be put into... (inaudible) do it as a project and you
do the wall restoration with the path, you could do that. There's a lot of options...
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
but right now I don't even know and nobody can tell me when this... restoration of
the wall can occur.
Ms. Yukimura: Well... okay so if the wall is proceed, the
construction of the wall is proceeding to the best of its ability and we find that out,
if it is within a reasonable time like a year then we encumber the moneys and ask
the contractor to schedule the work accordingly. If not, we have to proceed and we
take a certain risk but to stop the project and to stop it from getting its money
doesn't make any sense at all.
Chair Furfaro: Okay on that note, I'm going to end this
discussion, the question was posed to me if a question could be asked of you...
Councilwoman Nakamura.
Ms. Nakamura: I'm personally ready to vote on this matter
today. In the past Councilmember Rapozo have extended the courtesy so that I
could study an issue further, so I feel like... you know I would. like to reciprocate but
I'm also concerned about losing the funds so I'm... I feel torn about this one. But I
feel that we... Mr. Rapozo is raising a lot of questions that I would hope will get
addressed at a future briefing.
Chair Furfaro: On that note let me share with you, I intend
to put an agenda item on in four (4) weeks, I expect Mr. Haigh to be ready for a
preview of these questions but in the meantime I'm going to call for the question of
the Resolution and the Resolution is only a policy statement for the purpose as I see
it to secure and move forward on the funds. Mr. Clerk may I ask for a roll call vote
on the Resolution?
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2011 -53 was then put, and carried by the
following vote:
APPROVAL: Bynum, Chang, Kuah'i, Nakamura,
Yukimura, Furfaro TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: Rapozo TOTAL — 1,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Rapozo in four (4) weeks we will have a
discussion on the table. Thank you Mr. Clerk. Lenny, thank you for coming over.
And now we have...
Mr. Nakamura: A bill for second reading Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
Bill No. 2401, Draft 1 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
CHAPTER 9, KAUAI COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE: Mr. Rapozo moved to approve Bill No. 2401, Draft 1,
on seconded and final. reading, and that it be transmitted to the Mayor for his
approval, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
7s
COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: Thank you Mr. Rapozo. Thank you
Mr. Bynum. I had marked my page earlier... Mr. Crowell what has risen here is
we had gotten a new correspondence from the Water Department Executive
Director, he was making reference to testimony on this bill at second reading which
first of all I want to say I'm rather disappointed that we would get down to this
point before there was testimony especially since it was not directing us to the
Planning Department's Committee Report dated November 24, 2010 where he
specifically pointed out two (2) concerns. Number one (1) not knowing that the
consolidation would involve any more than four (4) units, I understood it to be four
(4) units or less and then also talking in terms of items (c) in his correspondence
offsite county improvements that may not be required. So I would like to ask you if
you're able to enlighten us a little bit, why the Water Department would send
correspondence to us at this late date and we probably have some questions for you
that reflect the process at the Planning Commission and the testimony as such. On
that note, I'm going to let you... we understood you may not have been present but
we have some questions from couple of Councilmembers. I also want to thank you
for coming over on short notice. Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. Is Mr. Kua available since this letter
was addressed to him and he should be familiar with the files? Okay... So did
Planning ever respond to the issues raised by the Water Department.
Mr. Crowell:
I don't believe a response was necessary.
Mr. Chang:
Dee can you state your name for the record
please?
Mr. Crowell:
Dee Crowell, Deputy Planning Director.
Mr. Chang:
Thank you.
Ms. Yukimura:
Go ahead.
Mr. Crowell: I don't think a response is necessary, I think
you know, you... we accepted the testimony and it is what it is. I think the points
are valid but what... if you're not creating any more density, what has changed?
Ms. Yukimura: Well he says here that the density of the
resulting properties should be restricted or limited and that the total resulting
numbers of dwelling units does not exceed four (4) units.
Mr. Crowell:
That's...
Ms. Yukimura: Because based on higher CZO zoning
designations and resulting lot size despite the bill's provision for no additional.
density, there is a potential that the actual residential development may result in a
larger number of single family or multi- family units that will be exempted from
providing necessary offsite infrastructure improvements under this proposed bill.
Mr. Crowell: No... but that's what the bill says. No
additional lots or no additional density if you add another house like an ADU, all
bets are off.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: And this is on... okay so in terms of the
Water Department I'm told that if this moves a potential hundred thousand dollar
improvement requirement to the first lot owner, the buyer of the first lot... is that
correct?
Mr. Crowell: Well if that's what the Water Department
desires then that's it.
Ms. ' Yukimura: They don't desire it but that's the implication
of our actions.
Mr. Crowell: But if there are two (2) lots, theoretically
each lot is entitled a water meter, now we're just moving the lot around means you
got to put in more water lines then... is that...
Ms. Yukimura: So it moves the cost...
Mr. Crowell: (inaudible)
Ms. Yukimura: But it moves the cost from the subdivider to
the buyer?
Mr. Crowell: Possibly.
Ms. Yukimura: Possibly?
Mr. Crowell: Or the buyer may choose to get water in
other. ways.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay so...
Mr. Crowell: This is typical in subdivisions where you
know the Water Department will force the developer or the subdivider to put on the
drawing water is not available from the Water Department.
Ms. Yukimura: But is this good policy to create lots where
water is not available, basic necessities are not available. I mean don't we try to...
oh Mr. Kaneshiro if you want to talk, you can come and testify.
Chair Furfaro: Let's keep it directed at Mr. Crowell for right
now please.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Crowell: Again I just go back to the fact that any lot
or (inaudible) would be entitled to a water meter and does moving it around mean
now you're not entitled to a water meter? That's the kind o£..
Ms. Yukimura: Can you repeat that again?
Mr. Crowell: Any lot of record is entitled to a water meter,
unless there's a moratorium, so does moving around that lot mean now that you're
not entitled to a water meter?
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: It may mean that you're not entitled to a
water meter?
Mr. Crowell: Doesn't mean that you're not entitled to a
water meter that you would have to put in these water lines because... just because
you moved the lot around.
Ms. Yukimura: I don't know, you tell me.
Mr. Crowell: Well unless there's a moratorium there
shouldn't be a provision.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay but in terms of cost, basically the
developers, the subdividers getting out of the cost, the upfront cost now and the
buyers... the first lot buyer to want to develop will now have to pay the cost.
Mr. Crowell: Well again that depends on the Water
Department now says your lot is not entitled to a water meter and you have to meet
all these requirements.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay so...
Mr. Crowell: Because no additional lots or density is
created.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay. So there's a proposal to include
kuleana, it's a last minute... and what is the implication of this?
Mr. Crowell: In terms of?
Ms. Yukimura: In terms of water policy.
Mr. Crowell: Well the... it's kind of in the level of in the
CZO there's a exemption from one (1) time subdivision standard in the Ag district, if
you're dealing with four (4) lots or less. And you're not creating any additional lots
or any additional density. So it's limited to four (4). Now technically all four (4) lots
are entitled to a water meter. Now moving it around mean that they're not entitled
to a water meter?
Ms. Yukimura:
Mr. Crowell:
Chair Furfaro:
other Councilmembers?
Ms. Yukimura:
This is kuleana?
Yes.
Councilwoman would you yield the floor for
Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you. Mr. Bynum.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Bynum: Hi Dee thanks for being here today. My
question is about (c) and I think I know the answer but the question says... because
I understand the bill says hey if you're just going to move the lot around...
Mr. Crowell: Yeah.
Mr. Bynum: ... under four (4) that's not a time when the
Water Department can require anything or put conditions... but if you want to
actually develop those lots, then the Water Department could put conditions on,
right?
Mr. Crowell: Well.
Mr. Bynum: Excuse me?
Mr. Crowell: That's... well that's...
Mr. Bynum: So the intent of this Bill is not to say the
Water Department never gets their say.
Mr. Crowell: Right
Mr. Bynum: It's just to say you don't get to pull this
trigger at the subdivision reconsolidation... okay... thank you for that answer.
Mr. Crowell: Yes.
Mr. Bynum: And I just wanted that to be on the record.
The other one was I was confused at first why we didn't get this sooner but this
letter was addressed to the Planning Department, do you know if this came over as
part of the packet that came over from Planning to the Council?
Mr. Crowell: That I wouldn't know.
Mr. Bynum: So I'm assuming that it did.
Mr. Crowell: It did?
Mr. Bynum: Yeah, yeah. So I'm assuming that Water
Department faxed it over to us but it's not really addressed to us, the questions, so
you answered my question. Thank you very much.
Chair Furfaro: Any other questions for Dee at this point? If
not, thank you very much Mr. Crowell and I will call this meeting back to order.
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and
proceeded as follows:
Mr. Nakamura: We have a motion and a second Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: We have a motion and a second, am I
correct?
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Nakamura: Yes.
Chair Furfaro: Is there anymore discussion?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes Mr. Chair. The fact that this was sent to
us... this letter was sent... these comments of the Water Department was sent to us
last week and asked our review of the comments related to the bill... which
indicates that there's a concern from the Water Department about the implications
of this bill, I would like to... and I was trying to reach Mr. Craddick to try to
understand it but he's in Honolulu, I would like to at least have him come forward
to express what concerns there are, before we take final action on this bill. We
really need to understand the implications of this bill.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much for your comments. I
do want to point out that although Mr. Craddick wrote us on April 29, his comments
from January of 2009 were actually part of the staff report that was sent over to us.
On that note, I'm going to suspend the rules again, it seems that someone else
would like to speak on the item and that is Mr. Kaneshiro.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
DARYL W. KANESHIRO: Thank you for that Mr. Chair Furfaro. For
the record Daryl Kaneshiro. I wasn't going to speak on this particular issue but
hearing the dialog that went along through the Deputy Planning Director and also
Councilmember Yukimura... brought up some concerns that I had. I'm neither
speaking for the Board of Water Supply or Department of Water, I'm just speaking
for myself. In this instance if you move a kuleana currently because this is
considered a subdivision and a ridge subdivision or a (inaudible) adjustment, the
Water Department treats this as a subdivision. Therefore whatever even water
improvements you put on your project, if you drill your own well, you do a
catchment basin or whatever you do... just because the Water Department don't
have their infrastructure up to this lot, they will require you to meet county
subdivision standards and this is a problem many people face. A typical example on
a lot because you can't get whatever meters are allowed, you can go (inaudible)...
you know do a private system which some people have private system but anytime
you move a kuleana or do a boundary adjustments, no matter what... even with the
private system or not and if the Department of Water does not have the
infrastructure up to that point where you're moving that system, you want to
develop one thousand six hundred feet of unimproved water facilities. Because
currently the definition is not clearer and this bill will kill this definition to state
that by moving boundary and by just moving kuleanas, you are not subdivided.
Agencies previous to this, twenty years ago... as testified by previous Planning
Director's stated that that at one time there wasn't a policy, as time changed...
policy change. Currently this is the policy the different department are used and
are using:.. meet county subdivision standards. This is why is very basic.
Basically saying that we're not creating any density, we're not creating any
additional lots, let me drill my own well, let me hook up to my own private system,
let me do a catchment basin... currently you cannot. Because there's the word
subdivision and under some department subdivision means you meet county
standards regardless of what and that means improving the system to meet the fire
code, improving the system to meet all the subdivision standards or even moving a
single one density, meet subdivision standards of fifty (50) lots.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Simao:
Mr. Kaneshiro:
for the opportunity to speak.
Chair Furfaro:
question?
Three (3) minute.
So this is why this is before you. Thank you
Councilwoman Yukimura, you have a
Ms. Yukimura: So you're saying that you can move kuleana
then do consolidation and resubdivision and not meet the water codes... I mean the
fire codes, excuse me. So that you'll end up with lots that don't get fire protection
but you don't think that's important?
Mr. Kaneshiro: There is because you can meet, there's
different agriculture fire codes. If you are in an Ag zone, the agriculture side, they
allow you to move a lot and meet the fire codes as long as you're within two hundred
fifty feet or five hundred feet of a fire hydrant, then that's fine. But there's no
reason why... and if it's not there, fine you don't get a building permit, we're not
saying that you'll just get a building permit, you know. If you move this kuleana
and there's some structures around there or you know to meet the standards then
that's fine.
Ms. Yukimura: But it's...
Mr. Kaneshiro: Or you can also put in... you can also put in
your own sprinkler system.
Ms. Yukimura: Well I thought there was a general policy
that we didn't want to create lots that would be unbuildable essentially that people
would buy a lot, assume they can get a building permit but then start to go and then
they can't get building permits because there's no water and I mean I thought there
was also a policy that we didn't want to encourage a lot of offsite systems because
eventually they fail. And then we have a public emergency or... or else the lot
owner doesn't get to consummate his dream and get a house built.
Mr. Kaneshiro: But isn't the whole purpose of this bill to
move it closer to where county infrastructures are? It says so in the bill.
Ms. Yukimura: And does this bill apply only...
Mr. Kaneshiro: If you read the bill it specifically states that
this bill is to allow that.
Ms. Yukimura: To allow what?
Mr. Kaneshiro: Is to do that.
Ms. Yukimura: To do what?
Mr. Kaneshiro: To move where you can be closer to county
infrastructures.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: I don't think that's actually going to happen
though... and does this only apply to Ag land? This applies to any lot, right?
Mr. Kaneshiro: If... you read this bill, basically the whole
findings and purpose of the bill is so that at some point where you need to move a
kuleana or make it so where it's more closer to county infrastructures or road
infrastructures, this is the purpose of the bill to do that.
Mr. Yukimura: I don't get that from the bill or maybe we'll
call back the Planning Deputy and see if that is the case. Mr. Kaneshiro are you...
will this bill help you in your development?
Mr. Kaneshiro: This bill I think will help everyone who has a
kuleana and moves the kuleana and don't have to put on many of the
infrastructures that are more demanding than you creating in density where you
are really creating density and strain on the county infrastructures.
Ms. Yukimura:
projects?
So are you planning to do that in your
Mr. Kaneshiro: I can say yes I am.
Ms. Yukimura: Well I mean isn't there a certain conflict of
interest that you're speaking against a Department of Water policy but you're a
board member?
Mr. Kaneshiro: I just said I'm not speaking either for the
Department or am I a board member, I'm speaking on my own, as my own... you
know.
Ms. Yukimura: But you still... that's the conflict actually.
Mr. Kaneshiro: If you believe there's a conflict, that's fine
but I would wait until the County Attorney advises me or the body. So what you're
saying is that because I'm on the Board of Water Supply, I cannot speak on any...
on an issue that is here before us that is in regards to a kuleana or. movement of
kuleanas?
Ms. Yukimura: Well I think there is actually a policy against
board members speaking before other boards.
Mr. Kaneshiro: I'm not speaking for the Board.
Chair Furfaro: Excuse me... I'd like to recognize the County
Attorney.
AL CASTILLO, COUNTY ATTORNEY: Council Chair, County Attorney
Al Castillo for the record. I would like the discussion to be on the agenda item,
anything other than the agenda item, if the Councilmember has a concern then that
is a separate concern that can be pursued after or at a later time.
Ms. Yukimura: That's fine, thank you.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Chair Furfaro: On that note Mr. Crowell, I think we have an
additional question for Planning, so Mr. Kaneshiro, I'm going to bring Mr. Dee
Crowell up and then I'll come to you Mr. Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: Mr. Chair, I was just going to say the 5:00
public hearing.
Chair Furfaro: I know. We've got a 5:00 public hearing and
I believe one of the members have an amendment to introduce and so we're inside
ten minutes of the public hearing.
Mr. Rapozo: Thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Yukimura, I think you
implied to me that you have a tentative question for the Planning Director?
Ms. Yukimura: Yes, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Go right ahead.
Ms. Yukimura: So Dee, I may be wrong but I thought that
we try not to create lots where people will be independent of public infrastructure in
general, is that not a general planning policy?
Mr. Crowell: ...
Ms. Yukimura: And...
Mr. Crowell: Yes, general.
Ms. Yukimura: ... and according to Mr. Kaneshiro this bill
will actually go against that basic policy.
Mr. Crowell: Well... I hate to throw the Water
Department under the bus but I'm aware of situations where even in the urban
district when three (3) lot owners tried to consolidate a fourth lot into their own
three (3) lots, so... from four lots creating three, the Water Department made
them...
Ms. Yukimura: Well...
Mr. Crowell: ... made them put in another water line.
Ms. Yukimura: I mean if this bill is to circumvent a Water
Department policy that is not proper and it's much more broader than just the
Water Department impact, wouldn't a better process be to change the water policy?
I mean or the Water Department?
Mr. Crowell: It's a possible alternative. This is a basic
Planning 101 the rough proportionality test, you can only ding a developer so much
if their... if they're creating a fifty lot subdivision it's different from doing a kuleana
relocation.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Right. I'm very sympathetic to that but
trying to understand the larger implications of that. I mean I don't know how
many, if you add up all these four (4) lot subdivisions, do you eventually get an
island where you don't have lots that are properly supported by infrastructure?
Mr. Crowell: Well I don't know if it's...
Ms. Yukimura: And I don't know the answer to it but I think
we should know the answer before we pass this.
Mr. Crowell: I don't know that there's a whole lot of
subdivisions...
Ms. Yukimura: Okay then...
Mr. Crowell: ... to be made.
Ms. Yukimura: Being a leader in the Planning Department,
speaking for Planning on the island of Kauai, do you feel that this bill is not going
to have... and including water because this does affect the Water Department is not
going to create problems for an end lot subdividers or for the larger collective scene
of the island.
Mr. Crowell: I would say...
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Crowell, I just want to let you all know,
I'm going to move that we go into recess on this item because we have a public
hearing on the bills scheduled at 5:00 and we have questions from other
Councilmembers just not Councilmember Yukimura... and we have other members
that want to introduce an amendment. We're not going to be able to conclude all of
that in three (3) minutes here, so we're going to have to go into recess.
Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Council Chair may I suggest that we just
defer this for two (2) weeks so that we can have the time to talk to Mr. Craddick and
just understand more the implications of this, there isn't any big rush.
Chair Furfaro: Well I have made a decision for right now
and that decision is we're going to go into recess and prep for the public hearing.
There being no objections, the Council recessed at 4:57 p.m.
The Council reconvened at 7:40 p.m., and proceeded as follows:
Chair Furfaro: We are back from a dinner recess, Mr. Clerk
can you tell us exactly where we are?
Mr. Nakamura: Council Chair, we're on page four (4) of the
Council's agenda on a bill for second reading, Bill No. 2401, Draft 1 and we have a
motion and a second to approve.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman Nakamura.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Nakamura moved to amended Bill No. 2401, Draft 1, (see Attachment 1 hereto)
as circulated, seconded by Mr. Rapozo.
Ms. Nakamura: This amendment just makes two (2) changes.
One (1) is it adds kuleana lots to the definition of lots under consideration and on
the last sentence it... there's just a grammatical error so it's just those two (2)
changes.
Chair Furfaro: So we have a draft one (1) amendment as
introduced, we have a motion and a second, is there any discussion?
Councilmembers? Councilwoman Yukimura.
Ms. Yukimura: Yes. I'd just like to understand why and
what the implications are of this?
Ms. Nakamura: The reason why is that in the definition of
lots it does not, in the CZO and the Subdivision ordinances, it does not identify
kuleana lots, although as a matter of practice the Planning Department looks at
kuleana lots as lots of record. So this is just to make sure that there is a clear
understanding and on the implementation side, I ran this by Dale Cua and he said
that this would help to clarify his work.
Ms. Yukimura: So does it mean that it's basically
documenting what is already the Planning Department's practice?
Ms. Nakamura: Practice... correct.
Ms. Yukimura: And how does it affect the four (4) lot
provision?
Ms. Nakamura: The kuleana lot would have to be one of the
four or part of that... one of the four lots.
Ms. Yukimura: Okay, thank you.
Chair Furfaro: Any further discussion? This would just be a
voice vote.
The motion to amend Bill No. 2401, Draft 1, was then put, and unanimously
carried. (Attachment 1)
Chair Furfaro: We're back to the main motion.
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair?
Chair. Furfaro: Yes Councilwoman.
Ms. Yukimura: Because of the concerns that were raised, I'd
like to ask for a deferral but I want to have some discussion before I make a motion.
I am concerned about the issues raised by the Water Manager Mr. Craddick and I
would like a chance to really hear his explanation of his concerns so that we are
making our decision with all the information and understanding. It may be that
this bill is partly circumventing water requirements that may or may not be
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
improperly (inaudible) but I don't know for sure and I don't know of the implications
so I think and there's no moneys that are going to lapse or real urgent deadlines, so
it would behoove us, I think to get all our information before we make a final vote
on this matter.
Chair Furfaro: Okay. Is there any discussion on the...
Councilwoman Yukimura's query?
Mr. Chang: I have a question for Councilmember
Yukimura. I know you were talking to him and you were trying to talk...
Ms. Yukimura: I was trying to talk to him...
Mr. Chang: You didn't get your answers or weren't able
to get through?
Ms. Yukimura: No. I talked to him briefly but I had to come
back into the meeting and it seemed kind of complex to me but no I didn't get the
answers just by the fact that I can't tell you what the answers are.
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Bynum did you want the floor.
Mr. Bynum: Just that... yeah I was initially concerned
that we didn't receive this testimony until recently. I realize that it came over as
part of the packet from Planning but... and Mr. Craddick has had an opportunity to
come here three (3) times that this bills been before... but I did... when I did get
this last week I asked staff to help me with some questions, I heard Mr. Crowell
tonight answer the ones at the top, my questions was about (c) which is basically is
hey if the Water Department can't or kind of intervene at the subdivision but they
can still intervene at building permits and if people move to actually develop those
lots, that was the most important question I wanted answered... and so I feel that
the questions that are in this memo I have sufficient answers to move forward. On
the other hand if a Councilmember really wants Mr. Craddick to come here and
testify and it's not time... I would reluctantly support a deferral but I'm ready to
vote on this today.
Chair Furfaro: Councilmember Rapozo.
Mr. Rapozo: I agree the questions as far as I'm concerned
have been answered. I think they've been addressed at Planning and went through
the Planning process and we got Planning's recommendations. The amendment
was reviewed by Mr. Cua and he is satisfied with the amendment that it clarifies it
so I'm prepared to vote tonight and I would expect and hope that the rest of the
Council would vote tonight and pass this out. Item (g) and (1)(g) in Mr. Craddicks
letter really says...
Ms. Yukimura: There's no (g).
Mr. Rapozo: I'm sorry?
Chair Furfaro: (E).
Mr. Rapozo: (1)(e).
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
Ms. Yukimura: Okay.
Mr. Rapozo: Our suggestion is that the system before lot
changes must be able to service the lot, this does not mean they can't do the
subdivision, it just means that they may not be able to get water services if none is
available. So it's really... the burden is on the landowner that they may not be able
to get water but I think it clarifies a lot of the items that needed to be clarified, so
I'm prepared to vote. I'm not going to support a deferral.
Ms. Yukimura: Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Councilwoman.
Ms. Yukimura: The thing is if it can be addressed at the lot
time when the building permit is requested, the Water Department may just say we
don't have any water and you can't get a building permit and that's a terrible thing
to do to someone who buys a lot with the expectation that they'd be able to build on
it. So I think we... I mean we don't want to create situations where people buy lots,
well people subdivide lots and sell them off with profit and then the buyer is not
able to build. I mean that's not good planning, that's you know... you're just
creating a problem. into the future and so... and I don't understand all of this but
there's some suggestion that that would happen. I think we need to know that
because that's very much against the policy that I understood of subdivision where
we would... as public planners, we'd make sure that the lots are pretty much
buildable and livable on them otherwise why create a lot?
Chair Furfaro: Any further discussion?
Ms. Yukimura: So...
Chair Furfaro: If not...
Ms. Yukimura moved to defer Bill No. 2401, Draft 2, seconded by Mr. Bynum.
Chair Furfaro:
Let's do the vote by roll call.
The motion to defer Bill No. 2401, Draft 2, was then put, and failed by the following
vote:
FOR DEFERRAL: Bynum, Kuali`i, Yukimura, TOTAL — 3,
AGAINST DEFERRAL: Chang, Nakamura, Rapozo, Furfaro TOTAL — 4,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Nakamura:
Three (3) yes, four (4) nos.
Chair Furfaro: Motion to defer does not pass. Is there other
members that would like to offer another motion?
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COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 4, 2011
Mr. Rapozo: I believe the motion on the floor is to
approve.
Mr. Nakamura: Approve with the floor amendment.
Chair Furfaro: Yes, Mr. Bynum.
Mr. Bynum: Can I ask Mr. Crowell one quick question?
Chair Furfaro: Mr. Crowell before we go to the vote on the
bill as amended, we have a question, so I'll suspend the rules. Mr. Bynum.
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Bynum: Thank you. So the Bill has been amended
and the Planning Department, I just want to confirm Planning Department's
recommendation is to approve as amended?
Mr. Crowell:
Commission also.
Mr. Bynum:
And it passed
Thank you.
out of the Planning
There being no objections, the meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as
follows:
The motion to approve Bill No. 2401, Draft 1, as circulated hereby, was then put,
and carried by the following vote:
FOR APPROVAL: Bynum, Chang, Kuah'i, Nakamura, Rapozo,
Furfaro TOTAL — 6,
AGAINST APPROVAL: Yukimura TOTAL — 1,
EXCUSED & NOT VOTING: None TOTAL — 0.
Mr. Nakamura: Six (6) ayes, one (1) no Mr. Chair.
Chair Furfaro: Thank you very much. We'll go to the next
item on our agenda. May I have the County Attorney up?
There being no objections, the rules were suspended.
Mr. Castillo: Good evening Council Chair,
Councilmembers, Al Castillo, County Attorney, at a not so late night but late
enough. On ES -486.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Haw. Rev. Stat. ( "H.R.S. ") §92 -7(a), the
Council may, when deemed necessary, hold an executive session on any agenda
item without written public notice if the executive session was not anticipated in
advance. Any such executive session shall be held pursuant to H.R.S. §92 -4 and
shall be limited to those items described in H.R.S. §92 -5(a). (Confidential reports on
file in the County Attorney's Office and/or the County Clerk's Office. Discussions
held in Executive Session are closed to the public.)
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2011
ES -486 Pursuant to Haw. Rev. Stat. sections 92 -4 and 92- 5(a)(4), and
Kauai County Charter section 3.07(E), the purpose of this executive session is to
provide Council with a briefing and request for authority to settle claim filed
against the County by Garden Isle Disposal on February 23, 2011, and related
matters. This briefing and consultation involves consideration of the powers,
duties, privileges, immunities and/or liabilities of the Council and the County as
they relate to this agenda item.
The meeting was called back to order, and proceeded as follows:
Mr. Rapozo moved to convene in Executive Session at 7:52 p.m., as recommended by
the County Attorney, seconded by Mr. Bynum, and unanimously carried.
There being no objections, the meeting was in recess at 7:52 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT.
The meeting was called back to order at 8:13 p.m., and there being no further
business, the meeting was adjourned.
ectfully submitted,
PETER A. NAKAMURA
County Clerk
/ds
(May 4, 2011)
Floor Amendment
Bill No. 2401, Draft 1, Relating to Subdivision Ordinance
Introduced by: Nadine K. Nakamura
Amend Bill No. 2401, Draft 1, by amending Section 2 to read as follows: .
SECTION 2. Section 9 -2.13 of the Kauai County Code 1987, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec.9 -2.13 Consolidation of Lots
The consolidation of lots, including Kuleana lots, shall be processed
through the Planning Commission and shall require its approval before
recordation of any maps or documents pertinent to the consolidation.
Consolidation involving not more than four (4) existing lots of record and re-
subdivision where no additional lots or density are created by the resultant
properties, shall not be required to provide any off -site infrastructure
improvements, except as needed to connect to an adjacent roadway or utility
line. If the resulting lots do not result in an increase in density, the Planning
Commission shall not impose additional conditions pursuant to Section 9-
3.4(b). The Planning Commission shall establish rules and [fee] fees for
consolidation of lots."
(Material to be deleted is bracketed. New material is underscored.)
V\csofficefiles \amendments BillNo. 2401, D 1 section 9 -2.13 consolidation of lots(JY5- 4- 2011)PM:ds
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