Enchanted Lake Residents Association, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Tuesday, 13 February 2024
PRESENT: Greg Colbert, Mike Compton, Linda Jenks, Gus Gustavson Connie Jewell, Todd Jewell, Margaret Novack, Alan Richardson, and Cindy Turner
ABSENT: Don Young, Fran Tannen, Danny Medeiros, and Melody Spencer (Admin Asst)
CALL TO ORDER – Greg Colbert, Vice President: The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm. A quorum was declared.
APPROVAL OF THE January MINUTES – Greg Colbert: Draft minutes were emailed to the Board prior to the meeting. A. Richardson moved to approve the amended January minutes and G. Gustavson seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Gus Gustavson: G. Gustavson emailed the comparison of expenses in January 2024 to 2023 and the Monthly Financial Report for the month ending January 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 January 2024.
The American Savings Bank January end of month balance is $2,252 in Savings and $26,918 in checking.
There are no significant differences and expenses are on track with the budget.
Thanks to Alan Richardson and Adam Bookatz for their support of the ELRA finances. And thanks to Melody Spencer for the timely distribution of the delinquent assessment demand notices.
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: T. Jewell passed out the current version of the document, asking that everyone to update or amend as necessary.
Committee Assignments for 2024 – Margaret Novack: M. Novack Passed out (1) 2024 Committee Assignments, (2) 2024 Board of Director Roster, and (3) 2024 Kailua Neighborhood Board attendance roster. She asked that each person initial if correct and amend if not correct. She will email these back to Board when completed.
February Kailua Neighborhood Board – Both Linda Jenks and Cindy Turner attended the meeting in person. There were two items of interest to ELRA:
- The Kaelepulu Stormwater Quality Improvements Project will be reported on in more detail as part of the Environment Committee Report.
- A Motion was passed to request the Department of Health Clean Water Branch provide an in-person update on the status of the Kaelepulu TMDL study to the Kailua Neighborhood Board. We further request that a representative from the Department of Facilities Maintenance Storm Water Branch be available to discuss the implementation phase of the TMDL process for Kaelepulu Pond and waterways.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Dredging Committee – Greg Colbert
Extension of US Current Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Letter Permit:
Bob Bourke created a draft letter for the USACE requesting an extension of our current USACE Letter of Permission (Permit) that would otherwise expire in June of this year. Greg Colbert completed the letter and sent it to the USACE with cc’s to:
Mr. John Nakagawa, State of Hawaii DBEDT Office of Planning
Mr. Edward Chen, State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Clean Water Branch
Mr. Jordan Moniuszko, Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
Mr. Jiny Kim, USFWS Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office
We will also apply for an extension of our 401 State Permit which requires use of the new Electronic Submittal System within the State Department of Health Clean Water Branch.
Greg Colbert and Jordan Moniuszko have had independent discussions with Ed Chen, the branch chief to confirm the submission requirements. Gus Gustavson is currently listed as the Treasurer and person responsible for the permit. We plan to use Gus as the continuing ELRA Treasurer and person responsible.
We also got a preliminary proposal from Kris Gorlay regarding use of his suction dredge if we can acquire permission to locate dredge materials on property in close proximity.
Environmental Committee – Linda Jenks: The report for this month is focused on the work that Cindy and I have been doing on the ‘green infrastructure’ projects, now called “Kaelepulu Stormwater Quality Improvements Project” proposed by City & County. For FY 2024, the City Council approved Councilmember Kia’aina’s inclusion of another $2 million in Capital Improvement Project funding, to plan, design, construct, and inspect storm drainage for best management practices in the vicinity of Kae’elpulu Pond. This is in addition to previous funding secured but was not fully spent in time.
C&C wants to spend all of the CIP funding currently available ($2.1 million) on a ‘pilot project’ on Akiohala Street, just above Keolu Drive near Kaelepulu Elementary School. It is a place that does not contribute any significant pollution into the lake, so it is unclear why C&C has chosen this project, other than it seems easy to build and would require little maintenance. It blatantly neglects the more significant sources of pollution that come into the lake.
Cindy did an incredibly awesome presentation at Levani Lipton’s subcommittee on water quality, for the Kailua Neighborhood Board, that met at the Kailua Community Center 2/8/24. She did a thoughtful critique of their proposal, and then came back with many alternatives that would do far more to improve the quality of the water in our lake and waterways. There was a good turnout and a lot of intense discussion. Cindy’s argument against the proposed project and her cogent alternatives were received with much appreciation by the crowd in attendance.
I hope you all had a chance to read the letters that I sent earlier. This project proposal is a huge waste of our taxpayer’s money and will divert funding from more appropriate measures that could enhance the health of the lake and subsequently the bay.
There were two berm openings in January, January 8th and 29th, in anticipation of a storm. Jan. 8th was the better of the two, but still did not stay open long enough to bring much ocean water into the lake. There are no other major changes to the lake currently.
G. Colbert raised the topic of pay for Sean Connell, the ELRA Contract Worker who cleans debris from the lake. He asserted that Sean’s current pay rate was inadequate. He had been hired at this rate but has proven to be a valued worker who goes above and beyond what might be expected of him. The Board was unanimous in their praise. Colbert made a motion that was seconded by M. Compton that Sean Connell’s pay be increased to $45.00 an hour. The motion was unanimously approved.
Operations Committee – Mike Compton reported that he made one stop of a boat on the Lake. It appeared to be a commercial effort, but the person onboard demonstrated that his cooler was empty and departed the lake.
Compton was made aware that a lakefront owner was behaving erratically and threatening boaters who passed in front of his sea wall. Compton talked to the spouse and was assured things were all right. Following Board discussion, it was agreed that this would be a police issue if repeated.
Membership Committee – Danny Medeiros: No report.
OTHER BUSINESS: M. Novack observed that there had been a series of recent correspondence, whether email, oral testimony, or letters in support of a variety of ELRA interests: berm openings, TMDL, clogged storm drains, street sweeping, extension of permits, cleaning of storm drain cages, etc. Each of these efforts and topics are valid and important, however, they might have more impact if ELRA prioritized the issues – most of which are long-term – and develop a strategy for communicating our interests. M. Compton suggested a Strategic Communications Plan might be helpful. There was no action taken, but this might be addressed in a future meeting.
AJOURNMENT: G. Colbert adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
MINUTES SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Novack
NEXT MEETING:
- Board of Directors Meeting: 12 March 2024 at 7:00 pm via Zoom
- Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting: 7 Mar 2024 at 7:00 pm – T. Jewell