Minutes: July 29,1998

CALL TO ORDER: Acting Chair Jeffrey Harris called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeff Harris, Mark Heckman, Edward Laws, Elaine Murphy, and Christine Woolaway. There was no quorum.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Holmes, Roland Libby, Jr., and Donna Wong

CONSULTANTS: Donna Ashizawa

CSF: Judy Nakamura

GUESTS: Steve Kubota, Dave Krupp, and Joe Ryan

A.  Steve Kubota of the Ahupua’a Action Alliance reported that the State Technical Review Committee has formed a joint venture between NRCS ( Natural Resource Conservation Service) and the Department of Health. They have decided on five watershed areas throughout the islands and Koolaupoko has been chosen for the island of Oahu. Comments are needed by September 8th.

B.  Elaine Murphy announced that the city is involved in a national grant proposal for urban empowerment zones. If the grant goes through it would be $10 million for 10 years. The City wants to be designated as one of the 15 locations nationwide and she suggested that KBAC could become a community based partner. She will get more information and forward it to the council members.

C.  Joe Ryan of Waimanalo presented a letter from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) concerning Unisyn Biowaste Technology, who are his neighbor. The plant separates water from the garbage and the garbage becomes compost. The water goes into a spring and the odor is carried throughout the homestead to Waimanalo Beach. He hoped that KBAC would look at options for recycling waste handling facilities in the Kapaa Quarry area.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM REPORT - Eugene Dashiell Coordinator

Discussion on the prioritization of the implementation program will be tabled until the next meeting. Council members have met informally with Gene to voice their views on this matter.

VOLUNTEER WATER QUALITY MONITORING COORDINATOR REPORT - Donna Ashizawa Coordinator

Work highlights can be accessed at the above web site under the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator column.

A.  GPS Upgrade exchange - Trimble Navigation has released a new data collector, model TSC1, which is being offered at the same price but has several improved features. Judy will write a letter to Trimble requesting shipment of the newer, improved model.

B.  Insurance for GPS unit - After much discussion it was decided that Donna would request a copy of the policy from Rich Proctor and after the board members have reviewed it a decision would be made.

C.  Mapping to be done in phases - A suggestion was made by Steve Kubota to have Donna go out to the community to inquire what the community wants. Member Heckman suggested that KBAC draw up a minimum list of parameters to be mapped to which specific parameters can be added by each community for that area.

D.  Field Supplies - Certain supplies to aid in the mapping efforts are needed immediately and it was suggested that a fax vote be taken because there was no quorum. Judy will conduct the fax vote and forward the results to Donna.

E.  Technical Program Summer Interns Update - A suggestion was made to review the internship program before proceeding with more funding.

F.  Ala Wai Canal Watershed Improvement Project Ho’olaulea - The Ho’olaulea invitation has been extended to all KBAC members which will be held on Saturday, August 22, 1998 from 8am to 3pm at the Tapa Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS: Chair Jeffrey Harris Coordinator

A.  Approval of July 14, 1998 minutes - The minutes were approved by the sub-committee with a fax vote to be taken from the absent members for approval.

B.  MACZMAG letter of support - MACZMAG is redrafting the resolution so a letter of support from KBAC was not forwarded. Member Woolaway will keep abreast of the situation and inform the board.

C.  Mini-grants - The next round of mini-grants will be offered by KBAC in September. Chair Harris presented the following schedule:

Schedule timing

Announcements

Review proposals

Select participants

Documentation (contract agreements)

Award grants - community announcements

Publicity

Evaluation

Baseline data bank

Monitoring

It was suggested that Donna and Judy work on the wording of the grant and forward it to the council members for approval. From the date the grants are announced forty five days are needed for submission. This should give organizations enough time to submit their proposal because many do meet just once a month.

D.  Ken Schmidt (GIS Consultancy) - Ken submitted a draft which identifies some of the technical and administrative details for establishing a computing system and data base to store information being collected under the KBAC program. He has requested an extension of the time line to complete the document. This will give council members time to review the proposal and direct their comments to either Eugene or Ken at kschmidt@pixi.com.

E.  Letter from LeJardin - A letter was received from Stanley Lum, Director of Site Development of LeJardin, requesting a grant to handle the revegetation of raw hillsides surrounding their parcel. A reply will be forwarded informing them of the next scheduled grant announcement at which time they would be able to submit a proposal.

F.  E-mail from M. Nalani Mattox - A letter was received from Nalani volunteering to assist in getting meetings or presentations aired on Olelo. A reply will be forwarded thanking her and informing her that KBAC may use her services in the near future.

G. A thank you letter was received from Sandy Akana, head librarian of Kailua Public Library, for the donation of the textbook "Taro - Mauka to Makai".

The following are tentative KBAC dates for future meetings to be held at Windward Community College:

September 8, 1998 (Tuesday) - Hale Alaka’i #102

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Acting Chair Jeffrey Harris at 9:40 pm.