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

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purchase the property. The County put in just about all of it, but they got the community more involved in helping to clean up the place and taking ownership of the property. Mr. Flores asked if the County would consider land swaps regarding the Hamakua lands that was acquired. Mr. Takaba replied they approached different land owners such as Kamehameha Schools for land swaps however to establish value for value, it's difficult. Mr. Takaba stated what he would like to see when they sell lands such as the Hamakua lands, is that they put that into the fund. A good exchange happens when the timing is right and the values are equivalent. Mr. Takaba stated either the County or the other party would not want to put in additional monies should the properties be of different values. The cleanest way to do it would be to sell ours and then buy, unless we have something that they really want. In most cases, we found that the land that we want, the owner, doesn't want what we have to sell because we don't have anything hot that the public wants. Mr. Takaba gave an example of the Hamakua lands. It's not good agricultural land. There is no access to water. It's not excellent agricultural lands. Ms. Garovoy asked what Mr. Yada would be doing? Mr. Yada stated in terms of future facilitation of the Commission's job of identifying properties, he's looking at picking up a laptop and some GIS software, so at the Commission meetings, they can look at visuals; more than just tax maps. Mr. Yada stated he hoped to have that in place sometime next year, to facilitate the Commissioner's job in terms of selection. Mr. Yada stated he was open to suggestions and recommendations in terms of how to facilitate the Commissions' roles. Ms. Garovoy reiterated there was no one responsible to make it most efficient for the County. Ms. Garovoy stated that would be worth exploring. Ms. Garovoy stated the Hawaii Island Land Trust was in the process of hiring an Executive Director. That person would be involved in those activities and would make a logical ally for the County in certain situations. Mr. Yada stated the Ordinance itself talked about sharing in the purchases between the Federal, State and County funds. In order to do that, they would have to work with other programs such as the Trust for Public Land. Mr. Yada stated there needs to have a lot of dialogue to coordinate purchases. Mr. Yada stated his intent is to make that contact and start that dialogue. However, in discussions today, there a need for more clarification to the process before they could talk to the State or Federal. Mr. Yada stated from his position, in terms of defining what this division would do, they also have a Land Agent position transferred from Public Works primarily for the purpose of right of way acquisition . Mr. Yada stated they are hoping to use that person for other things. Ms. Garovoy asked about Mr. Yada about his title as Property Manager; does that extend to Park's issues too. 7