Comm No 0021.006 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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From: Maya Parish <mayaparish@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 11:10 AM To: Charter Commission Subject: 2% Land Fund Testimony Aloha Kakou, I am unable to attend the meeting this Friday to offer testimony in person, and as such am submitting my testimony by email. Mahalo for your consideration. I am a strong proponent of the 2% Land Fund, as are the majority of residents of this island, as evidenced by the three times it was put on the ballot and passed by the voters by a strong majority. I am gravely concerned over the proposed changes the commission is considering to weaken the fund (Comm. 21 which proposes CA -7), and expressly go against the voters' wishes, and I strongly urge you to consider the proposed changes to strengthen the fund, its administration and efficacy instead (Comm. 7.6). I am submitting testimony in support of changes to the 2% Land Fund outlined in Comm. 7.6, summarized as follows: 1. A senior staff person shall be hired by the Department of Finance and work ONLY on the 2% Land Fund program. This staff position is in addition to the staff person who works with the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission 2. The salary shall be funded from the 2% Land Fund. 3. This is a benefit to the Department of Finance, because it will erase one staff salary, since the salary does not come from their budget, but from the Land Fund. 4. Mayor Kim publicly talked about selling the land purchased with our tax money and matching funds. Why would Legacy Lands or USFWS want to give us matching funds if the County can sell the land? There may also be lawsuits. This proposed amendment does NOT delete the Perpetuity Protection clause: "This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai'i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way." 5. THE GOAL is to strengthen the 2% Land Fund by having more properties acquired and more stewardship grants funded to help community groups to care for these lands. From 2006 to today, citizens have proposed 180 properties and only 14 have been acquired. I also am writing in support of adding the following language to the Charter Amendment (highlighted in yellow below): (g) Fund a senior staff person dedicated ONLY to the administration of the provisions of this section, who shall be employed under the department of finance and whose duties shall include, but not be limited to: assisting the public with applications for acquisition; assisting the public access, open space and natural resources preservation commission with its prioritization of properties to be acquired; negotiation and acquisition of eligible properties; seeking and acquiring matching funds; and managing the maintenance of lands acquired by this fund, by overseeing and implementing the provisions of Section 10-16 of this charter. This position shall be exempt from civil service laws and classifications and be distinct from any other positions that provide support for the provisions of this section, Section 10- 16 of this charter, and any matters related thereto. THIS STAFF POSITION IS IN ADDITION TO THE STAFF PROVIDED FOR THE PUBLIC ACCESS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION IN THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE AT SECTION. Comm. No. 21.6