COM 0267.000 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JNZV OF/,,t, Mitchell D.Roth ,,,f IN's: ��'� `., Maurice C.Messina Mayor • ' •iIN's:~V'e c• Director If 4 y�qo *� Michelle Malia Hiraishi Ql ountp of atuat`i Deputy Director DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 6•Hilo,Hawaii 96720 _ (808)961-8311 •Fax(808)961-8411 r-i:; Email:parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov ._.. G,: ` http://www.hawai.icountv.gov/parks-and-recreation/ May 7, 2021 1 -.G •' Honorable Maile David, Chairwoman ,r:. and Members of the Hawaii County Council :w--->' County of Hawai'i .. is 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Subject: Department of Parks and Recreation's Evaluation of Applications for 2020 Public Access, Open Space,and Natural Resources Stewardship Grants Dear Chairwoman David and Members of the Hawaii County Council: The Department of Parks and Recreation [ DPR ] received five applications for stewardship grants associated with the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation{"PONC"] Iand maintenance fund and reviewed the recommendations provided by the Public Access, Open Space, 1 Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Due to DPR's role in managing the County's COVID-19 pandemic response, DPR was not able to review the applications and submit its recommendations. In the time since, the Hawai'i County Charter was amended via the November 3, 2020 election and the sections pertaining to the PONC preservation fund and PONC maintenance fund were modified accordingly. Of note, the responsibility for evaluating and recommending grant applications shifted from the DPR to the Department of Finance. In the interest of ensuring a smooth transition, the Department of Finance worked closely with the Department of Parks and Recreation to evaluate and develop recommendations for each grant application. As such and in accordance with Hawai'i County's Charter (2020) §10-16(h)(8), please find my written evaluations and recommendations for the stewardship grant applications submitted for calendar year 2020. To establish the basis of my evaluations, please accept the following significant reference points. Hawaii County's Charter(2020) Section 10-16, subsection (g) states"[t]he maintenance fund shall be used solely for public safety maintenance and preservation of those lands acquired by the public access, open space and natural resources (PONC) preservation fund and shall be used only for expenditures directed related to its purpose." It then sets forth 17 specific criteria upon which expenditures, including stewardship grants, may be presumed to be directly related thereto. Section 10-16, subsection (h) reinforces the requirement that moneys from the PONC maintenance fund must reflect the criteria stated in subsection (g). Section 10-16 subsection (b) defines"maintenance" as the preservation and conservation of PONC lands to keep them in good repair for public safety. These are all important to consider collectively in determining the appropriateness and eligibility of any proposed stewardship action(s). The evaluations provided are not an opinion as to the overall merits, importance, necessity, and significance of any or all the proposed stewardship actions. Instead, they are an assessment of the content of the grant applications relative to their perceived eligibility pursuant to my understanding of the applicable language of the County Charter, especially that set forth in the preceding paragraph. The recommendations provided are based on my evaluation/assessment of the grant applications as well as my understanding of the County's management responsibilities and best practices considerations for� the Comm. No. `Pi Ref. To: FC/ County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. Date_ MAY 1 1 2021