2007-03-12 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Mr. Yada stated that Mr. Kaneshiro and Mr. Campbell were at the Council meeting and the Council accepted the Mayor's report with the Commission's report attached. The Mayor's recommendation was to focus on the top two properties that were already identified on the Commission's previous list. The recommendations were based on Kawa`a, and the number of parcels identified on that list; and on Waipi`o, which is currently being worked on. Mr. Yada stated with all the monies anticipated being deposited into the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources fund with property taxes, there probably will not have enough to cover both Kawa`a and Waipi`o. Mr. Yada stated that the Mayor thought there was no purpose to go beyond those two properties. Mr. Yada stated there has been no progress other than a call from the Kawa`a owner. They were evaluating the appraisal and having their own appraiser do a review of our appraisal. They asked for a couple of months to look into it, although there was no reason for them to ask because they rejected the first offer and there is nothing pending at this point. However, discussions are still on- going. As far as the additional parcels in Kawa`a, discussions are beginning with the owners. Mr. Yada stated at the request of the Waipi`o owners an extension of time was granted for them to consider the County's offer until the end of April. Mr. Kaneshiro asked what the current total in the fund was. Mr. Yada replied there was two million in the fund now. Assuming another 1.6 million gets added from the Mayor's fund balance appropriation proposal, it should be 3.6 million however the fund balance proposal needs to be approved by the Council. Mr. Campbell asked if there was any contact by anyone with other entities such as Trust for Public Lands, etc. Mr. Yada stated the owners of Waipio's representative was talking to the Trust of Public Lands and they were investigating the possibility of getting something beyond what the County's appraisal came out to be. Mr. Gilmartin stated the Trust of Public Lands cannot pay over the appraised value. He spoke with Lea Hong and she said that it's not likely that they can step in and assist us. Mr. Campbell stated that their focus should be getting State money or Federal funds to match. Mr. Yada stated regardless of the source of funds as long as its government related, he didn't think they would see any allowance for anything beyond the appraisal. Mr. Yada stated there may be a possibility of redoing the appraisal but he didn't think any government source of funds allows for something beyond the appraisal. Mr. Gilmartin asked Mr. Yada if he knew what happened at Honu`apo because they had to get additional public monies to make that deal.