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suggestions of properties for acquisition through fee simple or conservation, <br />performs interviews, fact finding, site visits, etc., and makes its recommendations <br />to the mayor. PONC and the Finance Committee posts the list from Mayor to <br />County Council, identifying properties in each District. In order to move forward <br />with an acquisition, a County Council Member must put forth a resolution for <br />negotiations to begin. Prior to 2020, the Finance Department was tasked with the <br />acquisition of the properties/parcels and Parks and Recreation was tasked with the <br />stewardship. Through a Hawaii County Charter change in 2020, the Finance <br />Department took over both acquisition and stewardship for continuity. <br />Current Status: The Roth Administration is supportive of the Program and is <br />moving at a quicker pace than the prior administration. There is currently <br />approximately $20 million in the "Preservation Fund". Three properties have <br />been acquired (and are in escrow) with 4 additional property acquisitions over the <br />next year. In the two years of transition time from Parks and Recreation to <br />Finance stewardship, Covid played a role in backlogging progress compliance <br />and site visit staffing were derailed. The program is currently back on track. <br />Q&A — Comm. Kusch — How are properties on the "list" prioritized"? For <br />properties on the "List" to acquire- one standard is to determine the property <br />"fitness" for County ownership. A broad option is that parcels with maintenance <br />hand -in -hand with partnerships, non -profits, stewardship entities already in place, <br />can move up the list. Properties on the list may be unattainable but over time, <br />with a change in ownership, become available for acquisition. <br />Comm. Matson- The 2020 change also created PONC funds available for <br />salaries, wages, benefits. Is there adequate staff currently and who decides to add <br />additional staff? Staffing is currently adequate. PONC working with Department <br />of Planning/Cultural Heritage Division. If additional staffing needed, Finance and <br />Human Resources would decide. <br />Comm. Konowicz -Does the County risk losing properties from the lengthy <br />process required to acquire? If a seller cannot wait, there may be a private/non- <br />profit to step in, or available funds in the CIP budget to move forward. The <br />PONC Commission cannot side-step the rule and proper procedures but if a parcel <br />pops up, we can quickly move on it. <br />Comm. Kusch- Are there resources on-line? There is a PONC webpage within <br />the County of Hawaii, Department of Finance website. <br />[2:33] [7] STATUS REPORTS OF PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUPS <br />7(a) BUILDING DIVISION- The PIG received a 7/16,122 letter response <br />informing the PIG that a consultant (through the Mayor's Office) had been <br />contracted to answer many similar questions. The PIG will wait until the <br />consultant's report, due in September, is filed. Secretary and Corp. Counsel will <br />look into authorization of the 7/16/22 letter to be shared with the COG <br />Commission. <br />7(b) IT — PIG has not met -- No update <br />7(c) DEM ,mm A Survey Monkey was shared with DEM employees -- fourteen <br />responses were completed to date. <br />7(d) COUNTY FLEET — PIG has received only one response to their email <br />requesting feedback — DPW requested a clarification. A list of questions has been <br />