2009-06-08 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Mr. Komata then questioned the interest deposits of March and May 2009 compared to the deposit made in December 2008 and asked what kind of interest rates are they looking at between those two periods. Mr. Inaba replied that he will need to clarify this information. Mr. Inaba also reported that Resolution 105 -09 was approved by Council for the prioritization of the lands and it was changed to reflect the properties in the following order: 1) Kawa; 2) Pa`o`o; 3) Puapua`a & Kaiholena; 4) Honolulu Landing; 5) Wai`ele Ms. Self added that Communication No. 257.18 amended the bill and circulated to the Commission for their review. Mr. Hirakami asked if the Council considers the County assessed values of properties when determining the prioritized list. He feels that this is in the Commission's pervue to maximize the monies currently in the 2% fund. Ms. Self stressed that the Council is working off of what the Commission submits and prioritizes. Ms. Self told Mr. Hirakami to have this item listed on the agenda for the next meeting OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL'S REPORT Ms. Springer asked Ms. Self if there are any implications for the nature or pace of the Commission's work for the next two years. Ms. Self replied that in the 4 years that the Commission has been created, they haven't spent 8 million dollars during that time since the County was able to get matching funds from state and federal grants. She added that if the budget is better next year, the Council can always go back and amend the suspension to the 2% fund. Mr. Komata asked what happened to the purchase of the additional properties in Kawa. Mr. Inaba replied that Mr. Olson was questioning the second appraisal that was done, and noted that with the current regulations to obtain federal grant monies, it will not meet all requirements now. Therefore the County most likely will need to pay for another appraisal to be done. Mr. Hirakami asked what the amount of the matching funds is and what the last appraised value of these properties was. Mr. Inaba replied that federal is 1 million, state is 1.5 million and the last appraised value was determined to be 3.76 million. Mr. Komata then questioned why they can't pursue the purchase of a conservation easement instead. Mr. Inaba replied that he's not sure that Mr. Olson will agree since his intention is to sell the whole property. Mr. Komata noted that the former owner, Mr. Thomas Okuna was sued to provide access to the surfing area in Kawa from the highway to the ocean. In addition he feels that the purchase of an easement would also provide tax breaks.