MIN CHARTER 2018-11-09 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -5 November 9, 2018 DEBBIE HECHT: MS. HECHT: My name is Debbie Hecht. I am the campaign coordinator for the Save our Lands Citizen's Committee and I will be speaking on the Open Space, on the Communication on the two percent land fund. So, I have been the campaign coordinator since 2005 when we collected 9,600 signatures to get the issue on the ballot the first time when it was first approved by 63% of voters. Three times voters approved this measure so it is pretty much a mandate at 63%. I was also a member appointed by Mayor Kenoi to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission where I served. We are proposing two changes to the Charter. We are against reducing the two percent land fund amount, we are against putting a cap on the two percent land fund, we say no to reducing the maintenance fund amount, and we say no to removing the protective covenant as suggested by Mayor Harry Kim so the County can sell the two percent lands. We believe that this will one, diminish or cut off completely the matching funds of which we use 33% in order to acquire these properties so far, we also feel that the County could be opening themselves up to lawsuits because it is not the donor's intent to donate for instance on O`oma, the private donor, two million dollars and then the County would go to sell it, that is not his intent for it to then go into the general fund. Also U.S. Fish and Wildlife donates or gives matching funds for endangered species and there are covenants that go along with those donations, Legacy Lands also donates money or contributes matching funds, so we think that could open the County up for lawsuits. Definitely ask to increasing staff and increasing the scope of the maintenance fund so that it can include toilet facilities, paths, roads, small buildings for maintenance and for educational purposes. We do believe there was a time with Ken Van Burgen and Alex where the land fund was really humming along, they acquired three properties that year, that's almost 14 years and only 14 properties have been acquired. If staff was paid from the proceeds from the two percent land fund, and dedicated just for the maintenance fund and just for the two percent acquisitions, I think this program would really hum along and fulfill the mandate of 63% of the voters. So we ask you to do that. I gave you all a packet. I handed it out. We also e-mailed it. There is the land fund process with a map of what's been done, a list of the acquisitions, so you can see how important the matching funds are about 33% of the money spent, and then also the two proposed Charter Amendments, one on the maintenance fund again which is to include rent and leasing toilet facilities, small structures, oh, and it also takes it out of the Department of Parks and Recreation and puts it into Finance which I think it is more consistent. CHR. ADAMS: Ms. Hecht, please summarize. Page 7