2008-01-14 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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COMMITTEE REPORT Ms. Self asked if the sub - committee will be on- going. Ms. Garcia replied yes. Ms. Self then noted that the sub - committee will continue for the purpose of exploring other funding options and will report their findings back to the full Commission. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Discuss the 2007 Annual Report & 2007 Prioritized List Mr. Kaneshiro thanked everyone for their hard work in completing the Annual Report which looks great. He suggested that once the report is posted on the website, a small article be published in the local newspapers. Ms. Self noted that the Commission contact Ms. Janet Snyder of the Mayor's office to do a press release letting the public know that the report is available. Discuss concerns of the Commission for possible use of the Open Space Fund for maintenance and management of properties acquired with the Open Space Fund, which would require an amendment of the Hawaii County Code by the County Council Ms. Garcia expressed that it's a great idea for the start of maintenance, management, and finding additional funding. Mr. Campbell agrees that in conjunction with the open space bond, monies from the open space fund should be used to establish management plans for each property acquired. Ms. Springer stressed her concern over the expense of developing management plans and asked if the County can apply for HTA monies under County Parks and Recreation (P &R). Mr. Yada replied that in the case of Kawa`a, the surfing area would be for recreational purposes but in terms of the areas on both sides of the bay it may be more for conservation management purposes. Ms. Springer asked if funds are available, is there a County agency that could receive the funds for management of lands acquired under the open space fund. Mr. Yada noted that some funds are limited to private entities, not public. Ms. Springer asked if the sub - committee could do more research on the possibility of obtaining HTA funds. Mr. Flores suggested that someone draft "proposed language" in regards to Hawaii County Code, Section 2 -218 (c), describing in specific detail what the money can be used for. Mr. Yada mentioned that there is no identified funding. Ms. Hecht expressed that regardless of many discussions, there may not be a lot of money for acquisitions if funds are used for management plans. She suggests that the Commission approach the County Council to have the monies for management come out of P &R's budget. Ms. Springer asked how the Commission would proceed with this. Ms. Self suggested that the Commission as a whole needs to make a decision whether they're in support of this idea.