2006-11-13 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Kona Mtg)

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Mr. Takaba stated there was some confusion as to the process. First, the Commission recommends to the Mayor, the Mayor takes the Commission's list and recommends to the Council. The Council is supposed to come up with their own list of properties that they want purchased. Mr. Takaba stated the Council didn't come up with a single list stating their priorities and what they want pursued. What the Council did instead was pass Resolutions as they thought of properties to purchase. There was no priority in the Resolutions that passed. Although, the Mayor as well as the Ordinance that passed says, first priority will be given to shore line properties. Mr. Takaba stated out of the three properties recommended, the Rice property isn't one of those however that could still be purchased. Mr. Takaba stated they have no directions from the Council. For this year's budget, the Mayor proposed three million dollars in addition to the one million already in the fund however the Council reduced it to one million so now there's two million dollars in the fund. Mr. Takaba stated with the 3 properties they are currently looking at purchasing, it was obvious that the cost would go far beyond the two million dollars that they have. Mr. Takaba stated there was a good chance they will go back to the Council and appropriate more monies into the fund, when they certify the fund balance or the carry over balance from last year that will be available for appropriation. Mr. Takaba stated there's a source of funds that can be appropriated as long as the Council sees fit to do so. Ms. Garovoy asked if there was five million dollars that had moved around at one point out and then back in. Mr. Takaba replied they proposed three million in addition to the one million already in which ended up four million. Mr. Takaba stated in the budget process, in reducing the three million to one million, the Council instead appropriated two million in capital project for purchase of lands but they didn't set aside the money to do that. They just allowed us to do that but with no monies. Mr. Campbell asked when does the 2% initiative fund kick in and what difference would that make. Mr. Takaba stated the 2% land fund passed therefore 2% of the real property taxes would be set aside for purchase of open space public lands. Mr. Takaba stated there was still a question as to when the beginning date was, however in looking at the law, it says that this should take affect upon approval. Mr. Takaba stated you could interpret that to mean you start from the day you get approval or the next Fiscal Year. Mr. Takaba stated as far as administration was concerned, they are not too worried about that because they want to put in more money. Mr. Takaba stated they were not sure if they have to start from November 7 or 8th or when they certify the election. The administration does plan to appropriate more funds to the Public Land fund because of the three properties they want purchased. Mr. Takaba stated Kawa'a Bay and Waipi`o would probably be the top 2 priorities since both properties were on the Commission's report. Mr. Takaba stated the Mayor had expressed interest in moving forward with these properties. Mr. Takaba stated they would go back to the Council to replenish the amount they originally wanted.