2007-10-08 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Communication No.: 07 -071: Letter to Mr. Robert M. Hunter from Kenneth Kaneshiro, Chair, Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space Natural Resources Preservation Commission, re: Suggestion Forms for Waimea Pu`u (Comm. No. 07 -048); Waimea Trails & Greenways Project (Comm. No. 07 -049) & Waimea District Park (Comm. No. 07 -050) Mr. Kaneshiro thanked Ms. Springer for drafting of this letter to Mr. Hunter. Communication No.: 07 -072: Letter to Ms. Johanna Ventura, Chair, Kauai Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission, from Kenneth Kaneshiro, Chair, Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space Natural Resources Preservation Commission, re: Request for updated information on the Kauai Commission. Mr. Kaneshiro informed the Commission that this letter was sent to request for any updated information and to share ideas with the Kaua `i Commission. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Mr. Yada informed the Commission that the purchase of Waipi`o will be tentatively closing on Friday, October 12, 2007. He suggested that in regards to media publication of the good news, that the Commission work with Janet Snyder of the Mayor's office to prepare a press release after escrow has closed and the sale has been completely finalized. In regards to the Kawa` a parcels, the Johnson property is currently on hold due to disagreements between landowners. Mr. Yada stated that they will be meeting next week to hopefully resolve their issues and come to an agreement between the partners. However, for the Kawa`a parcels owned by Mr. Olson, an offer letter was sent conditioned upon obtaining grants from both federal and state sources. The County is hoping that he will accept their offer or provide some kind of indication on the purchase price. Mr. Yada further noted that Ms. Lea Hong of the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) helped to prepare both grant applications to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Legacy Land Conservation Program and U.S. Fish and Wildlife for the Olson properties. Mr. Campbell asked if the Legacy Land Fund grant monies are contingent upon management plans already being in place. Mr. Yada replied that he is still awaiting significant feedback from DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife on their willingness to help on the management side. Mr. Yada also mentioned that based on a legal opinion from Corporation Counsel, open space fund monies cannot be used for management purposes. As an alternative the County would need to budget for management in the general fund or amend the ordinance to allow for the funds to be used for that purpose. Ms. Garcia suggested that they advertise through media publication to community groups with non - profit status to make them aware that they can apply for management of acquired properties. Mr. Campbell mentioned that he spoke with Council Member Emily Naeole who expressed willingness to talk more about the use of her discretionary funds for management plans. He further suggested to the Commission that another possibility would be to contact the council members in their respective districts. Page 2 of 6