MIN CHARTER 2019-02-08 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -8 February 8, 2019 LESLIE COLE -BROOKS: the Charter Amendment. CA -17 which is also, I really applaud this effort of Commissioner Leithead-Todd to create a strong disaster relief fund which cannot be taken to balance the budget. Please say a very big, resounding yes to CA -18 and a very big rnahalo to Commissioner Rice who worked with us on this very, very diligently. This is about the maintenance fund and strengthening that fund. I have personally talked to all the people who are members of the groups who have received maintenance grants. There are only nine groups who received a total of nine percent of all of the money deposited out of the maintenance funds for the last six years. Again, only nine percent. When Council member Brenda Ford and I wrote this amendment back in 2011- 2012, the intent was to fund these non -profits which are literally the boots on the ground doing the hard work. CHR. ADAMS: Please summarize. MS. HECHT: But only nine percent of that money...I am almost done. Two minutes, one minute... CHR. ADAMS: Actually, actually, you've used your time so please summarize. MS. HECHT: I am. Okay, so I have heard the need to build toilets, facilities, and pay salaries and wages. I believe we have done this in the amendment that will be coming forward to you and we are still making additional amendments, so I hope you support the land fund with these particular amendments. Mahalo. CHR. ADAMS: Thank you. Alright, Kona do we have any other speakers at your site? MR. RUEDY: We have one more but she is not quite ready. CHR. ADAMS: Okay and then back to Hilo, Leslie Cole -Brooks. Thank you. Proposal No. CA -16 in opposition and Proposal No. CA -18 in support. MS. COLE -BROOKS: Good morning. Try that again, okay wake up. Leslie Cole -Brooks, I am here on behalf of myself, a concerned citizen. I was at the last hearing when you were in Kona and I was here and I am just really struck by a little bit of a groundhog's day here because we are talking about this still and there's such strong support for the PONC fund. I am just really impressed. I haven't heard anyone come in and say anything where they want to dismantle it so it just, I am getting that now, just sitting here now and hearing the testifiers. I am in support of the PONC fund, of keeping it strong as the electorate wanted, keeping in the perpetuity which is so, so, important otherwise it would just be Page 8