Enchanted Lake Residents Association, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Tuesday, 9 April 2024
PRESENT: Linda Jenks, Gus Gustavson Connie Jewell, Todd Jewell, Margaret Novack, and Cindy Turner
ABSENT: Greg Colbert, Mike Compton, Fran Tannen, Danny Medeiros, Alan Richardson, and Melody Spencer (Admin Asst)
Guests: Bob Bourke, Scientific Advisor and Kelvin Char, Resident
CALL TO ORDER – Gus Gustavson, Treasurer: The meeting was called to order at 7:12 pm. A quorum was declared.
APPROVAL OF THE MARCH MINUTES – Gus Gustavson: Draft minutes were emailed to the Board prior to the meeting. G. Gustavson moved to approve the amended March minutes and L. Jenks seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Gus Gustavson: G. Gustavson emailed the Monthly Financial Report for the month ending March 2024 to the Board along with the following summary prior to the meeting:
There are no significant expenses for the ELRA finances in the month of March 2024. The American Savings Bank March end of month balance is $2,252 in Savings and $27,044 in checking. Comparison of expenses year-to-date and Year to Budget are not attached as our bookkeeper is consumed with income tax season. That said, there are no significant differences from the report for the March 26 2024 Zoom meeting and expenses are on track with the budget.
In March we have paid $1215. to Sean Connell for lake cleanup labor and supplies. Since the last meeting, two additional delinquent homeowners have paid up their accounts.
The Financial report was approved by acclimation, pending audit.
Delinquent Account Working Group: The working group continues to examine the facts and will bring possible recommendations for solutions to the Board when finished.
ADMINISTRATION:
2024 Goals and Objectives Review/Revisions – Todd Jewell: No Report
Communications Log and Communications Plan Draft – Margaret Novack had previously emailed the most recent version of the Communications Log. She pointed out that the Log demonstrates how much work actually takes place between meetings and that the most common means of communicating is email. Email can be very ephemeral. She requested that the Secretary be copied on all emails relating to ELRA. Also, that the Secretary be provided PDFs for any hard copy letters that are sent or received regarding ELRA business.
A draft Communications Plan had also been emailed to the Directors. This is a suggested format. Each Director should take ownership of the elements that pertain to their Committee. It would be helpful if ELRA could prioritize their issues. Prioritization will affect how the frequency and intensity of communications.
April Kailua Neighborhood Board (KNB) – Margaret Novack reported that the meeting was convened at 7:08 with a Roll Call of Board members.
Announcements of interest to ELRA:
- Annual Kailua Town Party will be held Sunday, 28 April 24, in downtown Kailua.
- The Lanikai Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held at the Lanikai Community Park. This event was organized in response to the recent Maui Wildfire disaster. The community realizes that their neighborhood is vulnerable to the same type of disaster.
There were seven (7) Committee Motions brought to the Board. All passed, some with amendments that will be published with the minutes of the Board Meeting. A full hour, of the three (3) hour meeting, was devoted to the first Motion, acknowledging that this had been in some form of development for over ten (10) years.
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board approved the recommendations and comments on the Draft Lanikai Transportation Management Plan.
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests that the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) close Kailua Beach Park (KBP) with suggested closed hours from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. at least one weeknight per week to facilitate necessary cleaning and maintenance.
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests that the City & County of Honolulu, City Council, Mayor, and the Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) allocate the resources and staffing to install and regularly maintain and fill vandal-proof soap dispensers and electric hand-dryers in all public restrooms in all DPR operated parks.
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board requests that the Department of Parks and Recreation install appropriate lighting to the Kailua Beach Park bike path to improve nighttime safety.
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board approves the recommended conditions for the 1070 Mokulua Drive Special Management Area (SMA).
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board supports the passage of Bill 57 (2023), Bill 58 (2023), and Resolution 23-228. This “Game Rooms Package” would provide additional tools for the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and other city agencies to deter and shut down illegal game rooms on O‘ahu. Bill 57 (2023).
- The Kailua Neighborhood Board will participate in the Lanikai Emergency Preparedness Fair on April 14, 2024, at the Lanikai Community Park.
So much time was spent on these Motions, that several of the regular reports were not provided.
The KNB meeting was adjourned at 9:53 PM.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Relations Committee — Connie Jewell reported on her efforts to identify a date in October for the Annual Meeting to take place at MidPac Country Club. There are no Saturday dates available and only two dates available in September (28 Sep and 14 Sep). After a discussion about whether ELRA Bylaws prescribe a month and day of the week for the meeting (they don’t), a Motion was made by G. Gustavson to reserve the MidPac Facility on 28 Sep 24 for a luncheon event. This was seconded by M. Novack and following discussion, unanimously approved by the Board. It was agreed that should the 28th not be available, we should request the 14th.
Jewell then recommended that ELRA announce the date of the dinner as soon as possible. She further suggested the use of a “Save the Date” postcard so that residents can enter the Luncheon on their calendar. Jewell provided several cost-analyses for the purchase, printing, and postage for these postcards. A Motion was made by G. Gustavson to approve the expenditure of $200.00 for the purchase, printing, and postage of “Save the Day” postcards. This was seconded by L. Jenks and following discussion, unanimously approved by the Board.
Elections Committee – Margaret Novack suggested that a search and recruitment effort should start now in order bring additional members onto the Board. The elections will take place at the Annual Meeting in September, meaning we have approximately four months to identify, vet, and encourage new potential candidates to run for election. In the past the Board has operated with about 14 members. Recently that number has dropped to eleven. Of the eleven, three members’ terms of office will end this year. They are eligible to run again for their seats, but this needs to be confirmed.
Novack indicated she would start making entries on the ELRA Facebook Page requesting nominations and asked that a short newsletter be created to go out to the ELRA Community.
Dredging Committee – Greg Colbert reported via email that he, Bob Bourke and Linda Jenks from ELRA and Berna Senelly from Oceanit attended a virtual meeting with representatives of the owners of a potential dredge material deposit area on Tuesday 2 Apr 24.
ELRA submitted a written request to the State of Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch seeking a two year extension to their prior approval of the 401 WQC. In addition, notarized online signature requests were submitted to DOH for both Gus Gustavson and Greg Colbert to work with their online systems. The requests were hand carried to the appropriate DOH office and a verbal confirmation that they would be expedited was obtained. This was done as a back-up alternative should the DOH insist that we use their online system. The current certification expires at midnight May
9, 2024.
Environmental Committee – Linda Jenks: No recent berm openings.
Letter sent to Council Member Esther Kia’aina regarding ELRA’s thoughts on City & County DFM’s current plan on using the CIP funding she has secured. We do not support the money being spent on a BMP that appears to be unable to significantly reduce the pollutants entering the lake, while ignoring other efforts that have been proven to have a significant impact on our waterways. Bob Bourke kindly drafted the well written letter, which was signed by myself, and hard copies were also sent by mail to Mayor Blangiardi, DFM Director Gene Albano, and DFM Stormwater Program Administrator Randall Wakumoto, with the last three having cover letters included. A copy of the letter and cover letters are on file in DropBox.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Town Hall was well attended, and Cindy, Hugo and I were also able to speak with DFM Director Gene Albano and discuss our mutual goals. We were able to establish our immediate goals of working together going forward, with more direct communications to follow with in person meetings. Cindy spoke to the group regarding the impact of construction sites in our watershed that cause significant runoff into the lake, and the need for penalties for violations of codes. Overall, a positive impact with several board members present making our case for improving the water quality in our waterways.
From G. Colbert: Spoke with Gene Albano (Director of Facilities) and Mike Formby (Managing Director) after the Mayor’s Town Hall meeting on Thursday March 28. We talked about the importance of clean water in the bay, but how opening the berm during non-brown-water events was beneficial to the health of the Kailua waterways. The discussion was positive in that I think it helped clear some items for Albano and Formby. Albano gave me his business card and asked that I call his officed to arrange a meeting. Greg is attempting to get a meeting scheduled.
Operations Committee – Mike Compton: Two issues this month; illegal fishermen and windblown boats. Plus, we have several requests for dock maintenance.
On 2 April, two men entered the lake from the canal fishing, with two lines. They caught a large barracuda before I asked them to leave. Per ELRA rules they were asked to release the fish (I don’t think it survived). The boat was a 12’ Gray painted aluminum boat with a 9.9 2-cycle Johnson outboard. It did not have the required State Hull registration. One man was around 50 the other around 70.
We are actively working on a standard “Notification to ELRA” for major dock repairs that don’t require permanent footings in the lake and are the same size as existing dock. We are also working on a standard “Request to ELRA” for dock construction to add to the required Easement agreements.
- Removal of dock structure at 836 Halula. A request was made through the ELRA Survey that the dock structure currently on the waterfront of 836 Halula be removed. It had previously been used to moor the Security Boat when the resident provided security. He no longer fills that role and wishes to have the structure removed.
Board discussion followed and it was agreed that ELRA should remove the structure. C. Turner observed that there may be another use for it if it is sturdy.
Membership Committee – Danny Medeiros: No report.
AJOURNMENT: G. Gustavson adjourned the meeting at 8:13 pm.
MINUTES SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Novack
NEXT MEETING:
- Board of Directors Meeting: 14 May 2024 at 7:00 pm via Zoom
- Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting: 2 May 2024 at 7:00 pm – L. Jenks