2007-06-12 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)

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Ms. Springer stated when this Commission considered the process was flawed they went back and reconsidered everything. That would be the only way we could capture everything. This Commission could go back and work with the comprehensive list all over again. Ms. Self stated her concern that if they go to Council and approve an amendment to the Code to allow people to take their land off the list, this Commission may not have any list left. Ms. Self stated she didn't know if that would happen, but it could. Mr. Yung asked if there is a property on the list and they don't want to sell to the County, what happens. Ms. Self stated if they don't want to sell it then the County would not pursue it; unless the Council wanted to condemn. Ms. Self stated that's what they have been doing; once they made those resolutions, Finance contacts the owner and asks them if they are interested in selling. No one is forcing them to sell. Ms. Self stated if they don't accept the offer, the County goes down to the next property that's been in resolution by the Council. Ms. Self stated she hoped the Council doesn't get to the point where they start condemning properties. Ms. Schuster stated this Commission has no authority over the decisions. The Commission's list is sent directly to the Mayor and the Mayor is the one that makes those decisions. Ms. Schuster stated she didn't think we need to go that route because this Commission is just advisory. Ms. Schuster stated this list is comprised of the community's suggestions, and the Mayor does all the regulations. Ms. Schuster believed that it was out of the Commission's hands, if it was something that was a legal issue, then that is where Ms. Self provides her guidance. Ms. Springer stated once Ms. Self's research was finished and the Commission gets clarity on the process, if they could put a little section in the annual report or on the web to disclose that information. That way the process would be transparent. Ms. Springer stated it could be a few sentences that would indicate that this was a list and there were no encumbrances attached to it. NEW BUSINESS • Discussion of updating the commission's website. Ms. Springer asked who was responsible for updating the website. Ms. Self stated the Finance Department takes care of that. Ms. Springer asked Ms. Self if this Commission wanted to include the proceedings from the workshop or their discussion of acquisition, would it be possible to insert that.