Comm No 0035.31 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fund

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April 25, 2019 TO: Hawaii County Charter Commission From: Deborah Ward, Representing Sierra Club Hawaii Island Group Aloha, Volunteer Commissioners, thank you for your time! The members of Sierra Club have a special interest in the longevity and improvement of the PONC 2% land fund and the maintenance of the lands we purchase on behalf of the citizens of this county. In addition to offering hikes and service projects to assit in the awareness and enjoyment of these special places, we help to identify issues and potential solutions to the impacts of climate change, shoreline retreat, cultural practice, access makai and mauka without gates and barriers. We support our local communities in the maintenance of the acquired lands, and we are aware of the difficulties that non -profits are facing as they try to navigate the PONC maintenance fund process. We want to make the fund useable and more efficient, available in a timely manner with the support, not the impedance of the County. The original intent of this legislation as written by Council member Brenda Ford and Debbie Hecht, supported by Sierra Club, was to assist the stewardship non -profits to care for the land. Only 9% of all the monies deposited in the Maintenance Fund has been granted to the stewardship non -profits since 2013. We are trying to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program. What we have learned from research and feedback from the non -profits who have applied for grant funding is that the volunteer workforce can burn out when the plans are continually adjusted due to delayed decisions and late allocation for needed service and equipment. 1. All of the stewardship groups requested that they be able to pay people to help care for the land. 2. Every 2% Land Fund property needs the help of people who are committed to care for the land. Volunteers are very important, but they burn out and leave because of their responsibilities to work or family. 3. As these programs grow, volunteer coordinators could be paid to maximize the land stewardship programs and create school education programs to educate keiki about the land, its history and culture. 4. The ability to pay dedicated staff would help create jobs in rural, economically depressed areas of the island & minimize volunteer burnout. Right now the non -profits have to hire outside contractors to do some of the work. OUR MAJOR PROPOSED ADDITION IS IN RED: 5. (1No officer, board member, or employee of the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization or the organization that operates under the umbrella of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization shall receive a salary or payment for labor, or receive any reimbursement for the stewardship work on the prject, ur.. �hE �r:paid frrspecific duties thatare approved as _part of ill iiir Iaisiine „pllan. The 501(c)3 nonprofit shall sign an agreement so stating these conditions and submit it with the application. We respectfully ask that you support this change, and that the Finance Department be tasked with the responsibility of managing the grant requests and appropriations. Thank you! Comm. No. 35.31