2020-12-31 (2020 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

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Stewardship Grants In 2012 Hawai‘i County voters approved a charter amendment which can be found in Article 10, Section 10-16, Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund, which provides funding for maintaining properties acquired by the PONC Fund. This past year, the PONC Commission was given the task of reviewing eligible applica- tions and making funding recommendations to the County Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R). Upon review of the application, this commission expressed many concerns and reservations about how the grant application process is structured and about the grant application form that is provided to the applicants. In 2020, PONC Commission was invited by the Charter Commission to render a recommendation to the charter that would make the process that would further enhance the PONC commission’s ability in their capacity to the mayor. In the meantime, nine Stewardship Grant Requests (Chapter 12) were received by P&R and passed on to the PONC Commission to review and make funding recommendations, providing they met the requirements as defined in the Hawaii County Charter Section 10- 16(g). Commission and Community Recommendations and Concerns The following is a listing of recommendations and concerns identified by the Commission for the Stewardship Grant Requests: Eligible expenses for maintenance using the Maintenance Fund recommends a re- view of the PONC Charter and Code. The Commission encourages local non-profits in each district to apply for stewardship grants. Extend the term from 1-year to multiple years. Give the PONC Commission ample time to review, interview applicants, conduct site visits, before making recommendations. Perhaps cap funding limitations per acre or per grant requests. Next Steps COVID 19 updates regarding gathering restrictions and social distancing. Charter Changes to duties and procedures. Schedule six Commission virtual online meetings Publicize and encourage the public to submit 2021 Suggestion Forms by February 28, 2021. Publicize the meeting schedule and encourage the public to submit or re-submit 2022 Stewardship Grant Application with P&R by August 31, 2021 Submit Annual Report and Prioritized List to the Mayor by December 31, 2021 Continue use of PONC Investigative Ad Hoc Committees to conduct site visits for selective nominations. Continue use of PONC Ad Hoc Committees to improve the Annual Report to the Mayor as well as other designated tasks or assignments. iv