2022-07-11 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes - Approved

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quiring past prioritized properties listed in the PONC's report dated December 29, 2021. Mayor Roth recognized the commission's hard work to make these recommendations for our Keiki and generations, to gather, to enjoy, and practice sustainability. Chr. Kelepolo thanked the Mayor for his continued support and taking time to address the commission. Chr. Kelepolo reminds the public that the 2023 Stewardship Grant ap- plications are due by August 31, 2022, to the Department of Finance and moved on to the next agenda item. III. STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC: Chr. Kelepolo acknowledged the presence of Ms. Toni Withington who will be speaking later as the agenda indicated. There being no one from the public present, Chr. Kelepolo closed the oral public tes- timony and moved on to the next agenda item. IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: (ACKNOWLEDGED) Chr. Kelepolo acknowledged, accepted, and filed Comm. 22-018 to Comm. 22-025, no motion required and moved to the next item on the agenda. V. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT: Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager addressed the commission and gave the follow- ing report: "The County has three active escrows and up to four additional properties soon may go under contract by the end of this year. We expect to close on one in August. We are continuing with projects for mitigating wild fire and vegetation control; and processing management plans. As for the stewardship grants, we have presented one 2020 grant agreement was transmitted to the applicant pending execution. Last week, Communication 884 went to Finance Committee to fund the 2021 grant applicants and expect more in August. Property Manage- ment already templated the grant agreements, and concluded compliance with our grantees. For the 2022, the draft evaluations has been prepared and will pre- sent to council next month, which brings our grants current to date. In addition, we are also addressing the possibility of multi -year grant agreements in order to make the process more efficiently, apply less frequently for everyone, commis- sion's review fewer applications, creating efficiency. As far as guidelines posting of the agenda, documents, we heard the pub- lic concerns on posting the agenda and documents on the county calendar. The finance departments staff is unable to control the county's calendar or IT [Infor- mation Technology] systems. To avoid delays, we plan to post them earlier, in timely manner to avoid any IT glitches. Finally, the subject of updating meetings and formatting. In staying con- sistent 14 years public meetings will continue to be held in person. We enjoy get- ting together and keeping our boots on the ground, to keep to six times a year, keeping us within our budgetary requirements. That's it for the finance report." Mr. Ventura answered questions asked by Ms. Ward regarding the hybrid meetings, hir- PONC Minutes July 11, 2022 Page 2