Minutes: May 23, 2001

Kailua Bay Advisory Council

Business Meeting Minutes

Windward Community College

Hale Ala`ka`i #118

May 23, 2001

http://www.kbac-hi.org/

  1. CALL TO ORDER

Acting Chair Christine Woolaway called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm. There was a quorum.

Attendance:

      1. Board members present: Scott Derrickson, Jeffrey Harris, Benjamin Kama, Toby Rushforth,

Donna Wong and Christine Woolaway. Board members excused: Mark Heckman and

Christopher Winn.

      1. Director: Maile Bay
      2. CSF: Judy Nakamura

4. Guest: Jim Wood

  1. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

Community Input:

Terra Zyme – Derrickson commented about Terra Zyme, a company that uses soil amendments to hold vegetation. They use a natural, non-toxic liquid enzyme (made from molasses derived from sugar cane) that improves the engineering qualities of local soil, facilitates high soil compaction densities, and increases soil strength and stability for lasting roads.

The Hawai`i Farm Bureau has published an article called "Agriculture Hawaii – Navigating Hawaii’s Rivers" that addresses TMDLs, written from an industry perspective.

Hanalei Heritage River Program – Working together with USDA Forest Service, currently has a water quality project in the Hanalei region of Kaua`i that uses volunteers to collect water samples. They have received a $100,000 grant from the Department of Interior USDA Forest Service to further their work. They also use a GIS system and have a web site.

MAILE M. BAY – Director’s Report

  1. Amended Consent Decree: The Director has just received the amended Consent Decree signed by Judge Ezra, effective May 21, 2001, which allows the Council members to recuse themselves from participating in any selection process for contracts. All contracts must still be approved by a minimum of six votes, as previously stated in the Consent Decree.
  2. Continuing work and meetings with project team on KBAC Master Plan / WRAS. Researchers have been meeting with Dave Krupp from Windward Community College and the Director has spoken with Lawana Collier from the Dept. of Health regarding the WRAS requirements, i.e., definition of natural resources.
  3. Drafted and circulated to the Executive Committee for its review and comment six RFPs per the instructions of KBAC: generic Restoration, generic Education, PCR sampling & test kits, Kailua Water Circulation, including concerns with Ka`elepulu, Highway Cut Revegetation, and Higher Education water sampling program. The seventh proposal for a TMDL for Kapa`a Stream has been abeyanced pending input from DOH sometime in May. Draft RFPs mailed with cover letter to the parties on 5/21/01. An answer should be received by June 25th from the City and plaintiffs. J. Harris would like to have Council in the loop on Executive Committee discussions.
  4. On May 2, 2001, DOH advertised RFPs to fund Section 319 project in Category I watershed projects, (which includes Koolaupoko), due date for receipt of proposals is June 29th. We are almost in sync with their cycle, but we need to get our review process to the City ASAP and its response back and out for proposals. In addition, the State is authorizing the use of funding for education coordination efforts; since KBAC needs additional work for its GIS/GPS effort and to coordinate both education RFP efforts, we should apply for Section 319 funding to provide for 1/2 these positions; funding from the State will take at least 9 months (approximately March 2002) before receipt of State funds, but will help KBAC leverage its funds. Funds are available to non-profits, but CSF as KBAC’s fiscal agent can be the sponsor. We should include the printing and distribution of education materials, including how to access our data, from KBAC in the proposal. Grants can be awarded for a two-year period; KBAC should aim for 18 months if the contract is to begin in March 2002.

KBAC action: Approve proceeding to seek the Section 319 funding from the State to support these KBAC efforts, with the Executive Committee reviewing the process produced by the Director for the grant application and other Council members forwarded a copy for comments.

A motion was made by Rushforth and seconded by Wong to move forward in seeking Section 319 funding from the State. Discussion ensued. Woolaway asked if these funds were available to all of the community groups and was concerned that KBAC would be competing for the same funds. The Director explained that DOH has $2.5 million in federal grants and the highest priority will go to watersheds designated category 1; the watersheds that encompass Nawiliwili, Ko`olaupoko, and South Molokai. These three watersheds will get the bulk of the money. Derrickson commented that South Molokai has not submitted a proposal and that there are enough funds to go around. KBAC can also decide to recuse itself if it decides in the future to not receive a grant. Rushforth said that he doesn’t mind going for the funds and KBAC could defer if another organization has a better plan. Harris was concerned that we do not dilute our directions but has no problem if KBAC’s goals are met. He does have a problem if we start a task that takes KBAC in another direction. He also noted that the money would go back into the community because KBAC will be hiring community people to do the work. Harris moved to amend the motion by including the excused members via a fax vote. The members present were in favor of the amended motion. An advisory vote was taken to move forward to seek Section 319 funding from the State. The vote was five in favor, Woolaway opposed. Judy will send a fax vote to the excused members.

  1. Worked with the Acting Chair and CSF on reviewing VWQMP invoices and tasks.
  2. Submitted KBAC report, budget, and time schedule to DOH on the proposed use of the $10,000 Purchase Order; funds must be expended by August 31, 2001, near the completion date of KBAC Master Plan / WRAS.
  3. Contacted Tim Steinberger, Director, City and County Department of Environmental Services and his staff on the status of the position of Toby Rushforth, since he no longer is on the Kane`ohe Neighborhood Board. Rushforth expressed an interest in continuing with KBAC; it appears that he can serve as a representative for local organizations with his involvement with his church and flying group, to fulfill the requirements of the Consent Decree. A letter has since been received from the City informing KBAC that Rushforth can remain on the Board.
  4. Incorporated language in the Strategic Infrastructure Plan to authorize an Executive Committee; revised draft has been circulated to the KBAC in an amended Strategic/Infrastructure Plan.
  5. Revised, using KBAC input, the informational brochure to be printed and mailed to KBAC mailing list through a mailing service. Director is now getting quotes for the mailing service.
  6. Received a request from Maqs Alam’s staff for a no-cost extension until October 2001, of the water quality-sampling program due to emergency leave by the senior staff person.

KBAC action: Recommend approve of no-cost extension.

Harris moved, seconded by Derrickson, to accept the no-cost extension until October 2001. The Director believes that there are two more stages to be completed and will send a letter to Dr. Alam requesting the fourth quarterly report before the final report. The Board voted unanimously to accept the no-cost extension. His reports should be made available for proposals so the PCR RFP can build upon what he has done to date.

  1. Closed the KBAC Kane`ohe Office. The majority of furnishings, books, and materials are in a storage unit in Kailua; the water quality sampling equipment and chemicals, GPS Trimble, Power Point projector, lap top computer, fax machine, and copy machine are at the Director’s home-office. Sean Casey has requested the temporary use of one of the computers to close and move its offices to California; the YES computer was stolen from its offices. The Executive Committee has approved the use of one computer subject to ensuring KBAC’s existing data on the computer is protected; Director is working out the arrangements. Also discussed use of computers by KBAC members. Director will obtain quotes of the depreciation of our equipment to see if KBAC wants to sell its computers at fair market value and establish a protocol to disburse the same. The Director announced that the Trimble and LaMotte equipment are available to community groups.
  2. Master Plan/ WRAS team met with members of the Community Trust for Kane`ohe Bay regarding how KBAC will interface with it during the development of the KBAC Master Plan/WRAS. We shared information on the tasks and schedule and offered to assist and share information with CTKB. A full-day region-wide workshop will be held at the YWCA Kokokahi Branch on September 22nd.
  3. Met with Representative Gomes at the request of the Acting Chair. He expressed concern regarding the State and County’s actions or lack of on the Kailua Reservoir on the down-stream residents. He requested that I meet with Kim and David Kalama about their concerns for restoration of the area above them that used to be a stream. I advised due to our RFP process and the proposed scheduling of it, they should be prepared to submit an RFP for any restoration work and asked him to get their address to me to keep them informed. I offered to have either Malia or Jael, our researchers, contact the Kalama’s to get their knowledge about the possible water quality problems associated with a feature that appears to be a gap in the Technical Report. He said he would get me that information. Kama commented that the City’s Vision Team has made $300,000 available for Waimanalo. Kalama and their neighbors may want to do restoration of the stream under the RFP process via KBAC. We need to get information on the volume of water, perhaps, and how the stream has been altered.
  4. Still awaiting the Waimanalo TMDL Implementation Plan from Wendy Wiltse, EPA; Wiltse has since informed the Director that the plan would be available next week.
  5. Lisa Ferentinos delivered a copy of the stream video to the Director who gave three additional short videos of stream restoration videos to CSF who will be making CD copies of all three for our library of materials. I have a personal copy of the Stream Corridor Restoration CD that KBAC members may borrow. Copies of the CD of various stream restoration efforts were distributed.
  6. Drafting position description for GIS/GPS consultant awaiting input from additional sources. Working on draft for Education Compliance consultant. Additional position descriptions should be available for review for the July meeting. This will be included with the Section 319 grant proposal if approved above in No. 2.

Business Portion

1. Peer Review Panel:

Chair Woolaway visited the discussion concerning peer review panels for the RFPs. Rushforth commented that the formation of panels could wait because the panel might not be needed and that it should not be too difficult to get some people together for the initial process. Woolaway noted that M. Heckman was concerned about the criteria for the initial screening process. Derrickson suggested that rather than formally creating a panel, have the Executive Committee members contact, ahead of time, key people. Harris said that he can understand Winn’s apprehension from the previous meeting regarding need for outside expertise input on certain RFPs but the RFPs are pretty straight forward and he sees nothing out of the ordinary that the members would not be able to understand. He doesn’t want the process delayed but agrees that we should have an informal process of thinking of key people that can be called on for assistance but that the Council ultimately needs to make the final decisions. We can contact people 1-2 weeks ahead of time and ask if they’re willing to participate. Harris also said that he is willing to look at the engineering concerns. Chair Woolaway summarized the discussion by restating that the Council doesn’t need a formal process but should think about who we want to review and call on for input because each member has specific expertise that will be useful.

2. Minutes:

April 11, 2001 minutes - Rushforth moved, seconded by Derrickson, to accept the minutes with minor edits. The minutes were unanimously approved.

III. Meetings for the rest of the quarter - Meetings will be held at 6:45 pm at Windward Community College:

                        May 23, 2001             - Hale Alaka`i #118

July 25, 2001               - Hale Alaka`i #118      (date change from July 11th)

August 22, 2001           - Hale Alaka`i #118

October 24, 2001        - Hale Alaka`i #118

December 5, 2001       - Hale Alaka`i #118

IV. ADJOURNMENT

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

ADDENDUM:

4. Section 319 Funding under Maile M. Bay – Director’s Report

A motion was made by Rushforth and seconded by Wong to move forward in seeking Section 319 funding from the State. Harris moved to amend the motion by including the excused members via fax vote. The members present were in favor of the amended motion. An advisory vote was taken to move forward to seek Section 319 funding from the State. The vote was five in favor, Woolaway opposed. A fax vote was sent to the two excused members on May 31, 2001. The vote was one in favor and one opposed. The total count was six in favor and two opposed. The motion passed.

BACK TO TOP