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From: Tlaloc Tokuda <tlaloctt@hotmail.com> <br />Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2019 9:01 PM <br />To: Charter Commission <br />Subject: Charter Commission [2% Land Fund] <br />Aloha Charter Commission members - <br />Do you realize that 95% of all the testimony at the Charter Commission regularly scheduled <br />meetings and the public meetings were about strengthening the 2% Land Fund Program? As <br />you make your decisions about the proposed modifications to strengthen the 2% Land Fund <br />Program, please remember that 63% of voters voted in favor of this program three times. <br />Since 2006, the 2% Land Fund has preserved 4,400 acres, with 2,200 acres being added when <br />Waikapuna (Ka'u) is purchased. The stewardship groups who care for these Lands have <br />received only 9% of all monies deposited in the Maintenance Fund. We can do better! <br />Please support our proposed amendments to preserve more of Hawaii Island's treasured places <br />for our keiki and grandchildren. <br />CA -9- ONE STAFF PERSON TO WORK ONLY ON THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM -We have <br />proposed to pay the salary, wages and benefits for one staff person to work only on the 2% <br />Land Fund program in addition to an already existing position to help the Public Access, Open <br />Space and Natural Resources Commission. The existing proposal is ambiguous: <br />(3) "Pay for the salary, wages and benefits of staff dedicated to advancing the Activities <br />contained within this section and Section 10-16 of this charter." <br />Mahalo to Commissioner Hopkins for this clarifying proposal! Here is the proposed language <br />that we support. WE hope you can support this too! <br />(3) "Pay for the salary, wages and benefits of one full-time staff member, employed by the <br />Department of Finance dedicated only to advancing administering the activities contained <br />within this section and Section 10-16 of this charter. This is in addition to a staff person <br />provided for in the Hawaii County Code to assist the Public Access, Open Space and Natural <br />Resources Commission" <br />There are problems with the AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE: <br />1. "STAFF" CAN MEAN ONE OR MANY STAFF PEOPLE <br />• The existing amendment says "staff" but that is ambiguous. The clause does <br />not define how many staff members. One, two, ten staff people? We want to <br />make sure that only ONE staff member's salary is subtracted from the 2% Land <br />Fund so as not to diminish the money for acquisition. <br />• Right now there is one staff member provided in the Hawaii County Code to <br />assist the Public Access and Open Space Commission. This is a necessary <br />position. Our language says that this staff member will be in addition to the <br />1 <br />Comm. No. 35.39 <br />