Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board meeting minutes 3/16

Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board

DRAFT- MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010
MILILANI MAUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Lance Yoshimura called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., with a quorum of six (6) members. The Scouts from Troop 664 were asked to present the United States and State of Hawaii colors; Troop 664 led the pledge of allegiance, posted the colors, and retired from the meeting. Note: This nine (9) member Board requires five (5) votes to have a quorum and take official Board action.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Luella Costales, Stanton Oishi, Alan Suwa (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Keith Tamashiro, Lance Yoshimura, Pamela Young.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dana Agader, David Ellis, Dean Hazama.

VACANCIES—None.

GUESTS: Keanu Young (Office of Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz), Erwin Kawata (Board of Water Supply), Capt. Thomas Elison (130th EN BDE, Schofield), Lt. Eric J. Brown and Officer Andrew Bonifacio (Honolulu Police Department, District 2-Wahiawa), Representative Marilyn Lee, Tami Noracki, Captain W. Thornock and Firefighter C. Nolan (Honolulu Fire Department, Mililani Mauka), Will Kane (Mililani Town Association), David Aki, Senator Michelle Kidani, John White, Senator Robert Bunda, Collins Lam (Mayors Office/Deputy Director, Department of Design and Construction), Francis Keeno (Governor’s Office/Department of Transportation), Tinkle Malama (Paradise Film), Nola J. Frank (Neighborhood Commission Office staff)

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS:

Honolulu Police Department (HPD)—Officer A. Bonifacio reported the following:

February 2010 Statistics for Beat 255 Compared with Mililani—0/19 burglaries, 2/13 motor vehicle thefts, 2/21 UEMV (unauthorized entry into motor vehicle), 2/30 thefts.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Rash of Burglaries—Vice Chair Yoshimura reported receiving emails about a rash of burglaries including some reported license plate numbers. Officer Bonifacio responded that reports should be verified with HPD; and the alert email system would notify all Neighborhood Security Watches.

7:05 p.m. Suwa arrived; six members present.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)—Firefighter C. Nolan reported the following:

February 2010 Statistics—Included 3 structure (stove, assist other companies at various locations), 1 wildland, 32 medical, 4 miscellaneous (activated alarms, water evacuation, drop call, lock out/in); and 1 major incident - 1 - brush fire North Shore Ashley Road (involved 8 companies and 1 Battalion Chief).
Fire Safety Tip—As the Easter season approaches, please remember the following safety tips:
Scald burns are the most common injury among children ages four and younger. When boiling eggs for a coloring activity, be attentive to your cooking and children. Do not leave any cooking unattended.
If candles are used, do not leave them unattended or near drapes or other ignitable materials, such as artificial grass, which is commonly used as filler for children’s baskets. Ensure the candle holder is the proper size for the type of candle being used.
Familiarize yourself with the contents of your children’s baskets, especially if they contain small toys, and be aware of the manufacturer’s warning for choking hazards for young children.
Mahalo—HFD was commended for their hard work when there are high winds.

No questions followed for HFD.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s Representative—Collins Lam gave the following report:

Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget—The CIP budget is being worked on this week.
Traffic Operations at Meheula Parkway and Makaikai Street—The island-wide Traffic Signal Optimization Project recently completed optimization of traffic signal operations in Mililani Mauka. The traffic signal operations were optimized for several time periods during the day including AM peak, midday off peak, PM peak period, and evening off peak; timing routines were set for weekend operations. The Meheula Parkway corridor in the vicinity of the H-2 Interchange faces challenges because of the high concentration of traffic, especially during the AM and PM peak periods. During these times the area is at saturation, and although optimization increases the efficiency of the operations, the sheer volume of traffic still results in significant traffic queues. The optimization should demonstrate more visible improvements during off-peak times. Increase efficiencies during these time periods should result in less delay to drivers in the area. The optimization project is currently going through a refinement phase where the traffic signal timing programs are tweaked to provide maximum benefit for the community. This process would benefit greatly from any feedback the community can provide.
Community Park Fencing Start Date—The City Department of Design and Construction will advertise the project on April 13, 2010, with bids opening on May 13, 2010.
Illegally Parked Cars on Aelike Street between Makaikai and Kahele Streets—Lt. Eric Brown spoke with that area sector sergeant to make checks and take the necessary enforcement action. Due to a previous similar complaint, several citations were issued to low rider type vehicles.

No questions for Mayor Hannemann representative.

Board of Water Supply (BWS)—Erwin Kawata reported the following:

Water Main Breaks—No water main breaks reported for the month of February 2010.
Water Main Breaks Information—Water main breaks are an unfortunate and unavoidable factor in the water utility industry. No water utility is free of main breaks. The BWS works diligently to reduce the amount of breaks that happen every year having more than 2,000 miles of pipeline across the island of Oahu. Aging infrastructure is one of the greatest challenges facing utilities across the nation and world. While our own water infrastructure may not be as old, severely corrosive marine environments significantly impact the underground infrastructure and shorten the service life to the pipeline assets. Proactive steps being taken by BWS towards reducing the amount of breaks are as part of the Quality infrastructure Conservation Initiative (QUINCI), field crews gather data at the main repair site to determine why different pipelines fail. Collected data can be used to develop solutions that can later be incorporated in pipeline design, installation and/or maintenance. The Board also has a team dedicated to detecting leaks within the water system. When leaks are detected, a crew can execute a planned repair job on the main by fixing the leak before it turns into an emergency main break. In an attempt to extend the life of the waterlines corrosion control methods are being worked on.
In an ongoing effort to provide a safe and dependable water supply, BWS carefully manages and plans for the renewal and replacement of its infrastructure.
For more main breaks information visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

No questions followed for BWS.

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz—Keanu Young circulated the written report and highlighted the following:

2011 Budget—The City released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 operating, capital and legislative budgets on March 2, 2010. This year’s operating budget was proposed at $1.82 billion, a slight increase from the FY 2010 budget. The capital budget totaled $2.1 billion.
Budget Bill—Third reading for the Budget Bill is June 9, 2011. Councilmember Dela Cruz’s office is requesting an amendment to include construction funds for play courts with lights at the Mililani Mauka District Park.
Legislation—1) Resolution 10-38, charter amendments to create an office of housing. 2) Resolution 10-57, urges the Department of Customer Services to develop an online bicycle registration program. 3) Resolution 10-58, requesting the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) to initiate a needs assessment study on bicycle parking at transit stations and bus stops and bicycle storage to include

installing bicycle racks on buses. 4) Resolution 10-59, urging the City, State, and Federal government to prioritize and expedite the installation of new civil defense sirens and to repair and upgrade existing sirens.
Request for Investigation and Services Report (RISRs)—A RISRs was sent to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) requesting an update and anticipated start date for the traffic calming program at Ukuwai and Makaikai Streets.

No questions followed for Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS: None.

APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2010 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES—Oishi move and Young seconded approving the regular meeting minutes of February 16, 2010, as corrected, 6-0-0 (AYE: Costales, Oishi, Suwa, Tamashiro, Yoshimura, Young),

Page 3, Delete duplicate, 7:46 Costales arrived; 9 members present
Page 7, Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park delete after last meeting, A
Page 7, Resolution, second WHEREAS should read, the new West Oahu campus will bring equal access to the dream of a four year college degree programs to families in the neighborhoods in Central and West Oahu and North Shore removing barriers of the long commutes or renting housing near the Manoa campus and bring new programs including environmental sciences, healthy sciences, media production, elementary education, and much more while becoming one of the most sustainable campuses in the nation; and

BOARD BUSINESS: None.

REPORTS:

Military Capt. Thomas Elison reported the following:

Road Closures Road improvements and closures have been completed and all roads involved are open.
Special Olympic Volunteers Volunteers are being sought for the Special Olympics, which will be held at Schofield on Saturday, April 17, 2010 for the track and field competition at 6:30 a.m.; and Saturday, May 1, 2010 for the softball competition at 6:00 a.m.

No questions followed for the military.

Castle & Cooke A representative was not present.

Oahu Arts Center (OAC)  No report.

Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP)  No report, there was no March 2010 meeting.

Treasurers Report (February 2010)  Treasurer Alan Suwa reported expenditures in the Operating Account were $42.30, leaving the balance at $1,208.08; Publicity Account expenditures were $416.00 (January and February videotaping), leaving a balance of $1,252.00. The report was filed.

Committees:

Transportation Pamela Young reported the next Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 3:30 p.m., at the Mayors Conference Room 301, Honolulu Hale. The Honolulu Rail Transit Project will be updated by City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell.
Chairs Report Vice Chair Lance Yoshimura announced that Senator Kidani has sent a letter to Ronnie V. Simpson, Manager, Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, regarding aircraft activity in Mililani, Oahu

Elected Officials:

Senator Robert Bunda Senator Robert Bunda distributed his written report and highlighted the following:

2010 Legislative Session It is now the 32nd day of this years session. There were 5,000 bills at the start of the session, which is now down to about 500. On the average only 10 percent of bills introduced at the beginning of the session survive to become law.
Furloughs There are several bills aimed at ending Furlough Fridays and set classroom instruction requirements for public schools. However, Senate Bill 2469 will help by appropriating money from the States emergency and budget reserve fund to maintain essential programs in education, public health and public welfare.
Licensed Marijuana Centers SB 2213, co-sponsored by Senator Bunda, would permit each county to establish compassion centers (dispensaries) that distribute medical marijuana safely and legally to qualified patients and primary caregivers registered with the Department of Public Safety.
House Bill 2694 Further reduces the salaries for high ranking officials including the governor, lieutenant governor, justices, judges of the state courts, the administrative director of the State department heads or executive officers and the deputies or assistants of various state departments and legislators. An eight percent reduction beginning on July 1, 2010 is recommended by the Salary Commission.
House Bill 2169 Lowers the average unemployment insurance tax for the next two years. A bill signed into law last week by the Governor becomes effective immediately. This bill gives businesses a tax break during these hard economic times while maintaining the States unemployment fund, which is the weekly source benefit for people out of work. To help unemployment, the Volunteer Internship Program (VIP) was established allowing those collecting unemployment benefits to gain workforce training at local businesses for up to 32 hours.

No questions followed for Senator Bunda.

Senator Michelle Kidani Senator Michelle Kidani circulated her written report and highlighted the following:

Follow Up On Fireworks Checking Device According to the States Harbors Division there is no device that checks for illegal fireworks. However, the department does check for invasive species. The issue lies with the Coast Guard and Homeland Security.
Education Week at the Capitol This Thursday, Lisa-Anne L. Tsuruda, recipient of the Hawaii State 2009 Milken Award will be recognized.
Legislative Table The legislative table is on the second page of the written report.
Honoring of Hawaiis Fallen Military Members Members of the Legislature will hold a joint session in the House Chambers to honor 28 members of the Armed Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.
Office Tracked Bills Update a) SB 2614, excessive speeding, punishment, forfeiture of vehicle (measure deferred by the House); b) SB 2873, Code of Ethics; teachers passed in House LAB committee; c) SB 2874, Income tax check-off boxes; d) HB 2311, would allow flagpoles to be in planned communities passed in the House Housing Committee; Mililani Town Association supports the bill, and plans continued support when it is heard in the Senate.

No questions followed for Senator Kidani.

Representative Marilyn Lee Rep. Lee circulated her handouts and highlighted the following:

2010 Mid-Session Highlights Copies of the 2010 mid-session highlights were circulated with the written report.
House Bill 2200 House Draft 1, the State Budget Bill Summary The Legislature is in the supplemental or second budget year of the biennium for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Some of the key budget restorations such as restored critical positions in plant quarantine inspection, child protective services, adult protective services, public welfare eligibility workers, security officers at Hawaii State Hospital, commission on water resource management.
District 38 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)  The District 38 CIP projects include Mililani High School installation of synthetic turf, field repair and improvements to the sports stadium
($2,500,000), resurfacing of the school parking lot and driveways ($312,000); and Mililani Middle School Design and construction of covered play courts ($2,500,000).

Mililani High School Senior Projects On March 13, 2010, Rep. Lee served as a Senior Projects Board Panel Judge. Completion of this four-phase project is required in order to graduate with a Board of Education (BOE) diploma.
Kukui Connection Program The Kukui Connection is aired on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. on `Olelo Channel 54. The March 21, 2010 show will feature Ann Frost, President of the Hawaii Chapter American Physical Therapy Association; and on March 28, 2010, Keith Amemiya, former Director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) will be featured.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

Budget and House Lay-offs Recommendations Some positions were not funded while others were replaced. Per the Governor, all departments have cuts. The Department of Agricultures cuts were too severe, thus replacement of a few positions. The House is yet to receive the Senates budget.
Mahalo Rep. Lee was thanked for supporting the Mililani High Schools new turf request. Rep. Lee explained that the project was not approved. The high school is generously providing their facilities to all schools. The $939,000 will lapse because the project was not approved and started this year. However, the Board of Education (BOE) chooses the projects and lists them on a priority list. Community input is valuable.

Representative Marcus Oshiro A representative was not present.

Governor Linda Lingles Representative Francis Keeno reported the following:

Budget The budget is with the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Census Day Everyone was reminded that census day is April 1, 2010 and should be receiving the questionnaire in the mail. It is important that everyone be counted because funding for disasters are based on the counts from the census reports. Workers will be visiting those homes that did not reply to the mailed questionnaires.
United Public Workers (UPW) Bargaining Unit Ratification With the contract ratified, starting June 30, 2010 blue collar workers (general labors) will start furlough their 13 furlough days.
Lack of H-2 Freeway Lighting Follow-up The lack of lighting (due to copper thefts) on the H-2 Freeway does not qualify under safety requirement. State Department of Transportation is seeking alternatives.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Census Bureau Worker Pay Scale Worker pay would depend on the type of job.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-  2010 U.S. Census Bureau The 2010 U. S. Census Bureau is in need of people on Oahu to work 6-8 weeks. For further information call 1-866-861-2010 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov.
-  Next Meeting The next Mililani Mauka/Launani Valley Neighborhood Board No. 35 meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mililani Mauka Elementary School Cafeteria (95-1111 Makaikai Street).
-  Broadcast Videotape of Board meetings are scheduled to be shown on `Olelo channel 54, Mondays at 3:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Nola J. Frank                            
Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Lance Yoshimura
Vice Chair