2009-08-10 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Mr. Inaba reported to the Commission on the update of Pa`o`o. He noted that the appraisal was completed and forwarded to the owner for review. In addition the grant monies, or total amount available has increased, however the decision on who will obtain the funding has been pushed back to October/November. Mr. Flores asked which federal grant is this. Mr. Inaba replied that it's a NOAA grant that TPL applied for both Pa`o`o and the Reish property. The anticipated grant amount should be 2.5 million of which the County would match 1.25 million for Pa`o`o and the State would match 1.25 million for the Reish property. Mr. Inaba noted that the reason Tax Map Key 9 -5 -17:05 for the Kawa property was not included in the 2008 Annual Report were due to error. He clarified with the Commission that the open space fund does not lose any money in any way even though the interest deposits are not consistent when it's deposited into the fund. Mr. Inaba read an excerpt prepared by Ms. Deanna Sako, Deputy Director of Finance which stated that Ordinance 06 -150 appropriated 2 million for the Honoli`i Gulch property acquisition with the funding source being General Obligation Bonds, Capital Projects Fund— fund balance and /or other sources. Therefore, funding for the project is not guaranteed and while all ordinances are considered law, in this case the ordinance is just to amend the capital project budget for fiscal year 2007. The appropriation for this project has since lapsed on June 30, 2009. Ms. Crawford clarified that every year the County does an Operating Budget and a Capital Improvements Budget (CIP). The CIP entails a list of projects that the County hopes to do, whether it's construction or acquisition of a property, however there were never any funds so no money is lost. Ms. Self noted that this bill was sponsored by then Council Member Stacy Higa and it was to purchase the property at Honoli`i with any County funds available. It didn't restrict the purchase to the open space fund. Mr. Komata suggested that since the County already purchased the Johnson property in Kawa and the trail easement goes from the highway to the shoreline, the County should just approach Mr. Olson to get a conservation easement instead. Mr. Flores noted that the purchase of Kawa was for more than just access, it was also for protection of open space, cultural resources and protection of natural resources. Ms. Garcia told Mr. Komata and Mr. Flores to continue their discussion later in the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Vice -Chair Springer moved to defer approval of the minutes of July 13, 2009 to the next meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Komata; all members voted aye, motion carried. -2-