Comm No 0035.37 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fund

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From: Debbie H <hecht.deb@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 5:10 PM To: Charter Commission Subject: CA -9 and CA -18 both to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBERS. Aloha Charter Commission members - A very heartfelt mahalo for taking time from your work and families to represent the people of Hawaii County. Do you realize that 95% of all the testimony at the Charter Commission regularly scheduled meetings and the public meetings were about strengthening the 2% Land Fund Program? As you make your decisions about the proposed modifications to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program, please remember that 63% of voters voted in favor of this program three times. Since 2006, the 2% Land Fund has preserved 4,400 acres, with 2,200 acres being added when Waikapuna (Ka'u) is purchased. The stewardship groups who care for these Lands have received only 9% of all monies deposited in the Maintenance Fund. We can do better! Please support our proposed amendments to preserve more of Hawaii Island's treasured places for our keiki and grandchildren. CA -9- ONE STAFF PERSON TO WORK ONLY ON THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM -We have proposed to pay the salary, wages and benefits for one staff person to work only on the 2% Land Fund program in addition to an already existing position to help the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission. The existing proposal is ambiguous: (3) "Pay for the salary, wages and benefits of staff dedicated to advancing the Activities contained within this section and Section 10-16 of this charter." Mahalo to Commissioner Hopkins for this clarifying proposal! Here is the proposed language that we support. WE hope you can support this too! (3) "Pay for the salary, wages and benefits of one full-time staff member, employed by the Department of Finance dedicated only to advancing administering the activities contained within this section and Section 10-16 of this charter. This is in addition to a staff person provided for in the Hawaii County Code to assist the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission" There are problems with the AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE: 1. "STAFF" CAN MEAN ONE OR MANY STAFF PEOPLE • The existing amendment says "staff" but that is ambiguous. The clause does not define how many staff members. One, two, ten staff people? We want to make sure that only ONE staff member's salary is subtracted from the 2% Land Fund so as not to diminish the money for acquisition. • Right now there is one staff member provided in the Hawaii County Code to assist the Public Access and Open Space Commission. This is a necessary position. Our language says that this staff member will be in addition to the existing staff member. Otherwise we may be paying for at lease two "STAFF" positions, but 1 Comm. No. 35.37