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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2023/09/19 (2022-2024)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions 16th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii September 19, 2023 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions ORDER: was called to order at 1:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member (came in later) Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (came in later) Absent & Excused: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak in support of Resolution 241-23 (Comm. 427), and came forward when called by the Chair. Eileen O'Hara, representing Malama O Puna. Amedeo Markoff, representing Malama O Puna. CHR. INABA: Mr. Clerk, Resolution 241, please. Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Committee Members, of Business: the following items were taken out of order: LAAC-16 September 19, 2023 Res. 241-23: AWARDS A PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION MAINTENANCE FUND STEWARDSHIP GRANT TO MALAMA O PUNA Approves a grant of $53,200 to Malama O Puna, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to provide land stewardship and cultural education for the Wai`ele, Puna property, (Tax Map Keys: 1-4-003:003 and 037), pursuant to Section 10-16(h) of the Hawaii County Charter. Reference: Comm. 427 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 241-23. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR. INABA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair, for the opportunity to speak in favor of this really important funding opportunity. There are a number of incredibly special places within the Puna region. It's unfortunate that in 2018 a lot of our wahi pana and recreation on ocean access spaces were covered during the eruption. But this presents a unique opportunity through the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation) funding to now restore our public access very delicately and working so in partnership with anneal descendants to create a stewardship plan that just allows for responsible use and management going forward. I've counseled my constituents to ask for a little bit more money. Fifty-three thousand dollars is, I think, very generous and it seems like a lot of extra love and support is going into this project without, you know, I think fair compensation. So, perhaps folks that work part of the PONC program, Hamana (Ventura), we can take a look at a funding rubric or scale of some sorts that equitably distributes funding based on the activity that stewards are providing, just to ensure that funds are available to support a lot of this work. Some of the work that's going to be happening through this resolution includes archaeological studies because there are hundreds of cultural historical features in that area, a botanical survey, mitigation of invasive species, maintenance of a historic trail, and beach clean-up. And so, very important work that needs to be supported and we are so very fortunate that our County does have this program where we can support residents in their work to take care of our `aina. Thank you, Chair. Looking for everyone's support. I yield. CHR. INABA: Thank you. And for the record, we do have Council Members Villegas and Lee Loy joining us here in the chambers. Opening it up for any discussion, and we also have Mr. Ventura here in Kona, and I believe Page 2 LAAC-16 September 19, 2023 Ms. (Maxine) Cutler is either in Hilo Chambers or via Zoom. So, opening it up to the Committee at this time. Alright, if there are no questions, there's a motion on the floor to forward Resolution 241-23 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Res. 241-23: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 241-23 (Approved) was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada —1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: Moving on to Communication 303. Return to Order The Chair directed the Committee to return to the order of business. of Business: COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 303: FORMATION OF AN AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE COUNTY WAIWAI GRANTS From Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee Chair Holeka Goro Inaba, dated May 4, 2023. The ad hoc committee would evaluate and review the 2023-2024 application process, discuss and provide recommendations for improvements to the 2024-2025 application process, and make recommendations on the six-month progress report and review process. Postponed: June 6, 2023 (Note: There is a motion by Ms. Lee Loy, seconded by Ms. Galimba, to close file on Comm. 303.) ; and Comm. 303.1: From Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee Chair Holeka Goro Inaba, dated August 15, 2023, transmitting a request to report the ad hoc committee's findings and recommendations. ; and Comm. 303.2: From Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee Chair Holeka Goro Inaba, dated September 8, 2023, transmitting draft documents regarding the upcoming Waiwai Nonprofit Grant cycle. Page 3 LAAC-16 September 19, 2023 CHR. INABA: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. I'm going to just give us a recap via this report today. I want to first thank the members of the ad hoc committee; Council Members Lee Loy, Galimba, and Evans. Over the last couple months, we've met numerous times to go over the Waiwai application to simplify the questions and even the language in the application and the directions as well. Recommendations are that we only accept two applications per organization moving forward with a total request of up to $50,000 per request. If an organization is serving as a fiscal sponsor for another program, that two application limit does not apply to the others. We also are recommending that travel funding for training and conferences—let me rephrase this. Applications will be disqualified if they are requesting travel funding for training and conferences. This has been kind of an issue in the last round with significant requests for travel and not necessarily the direct service to community. Also, disqualifying those who score less than 70 percent, being that we are going to be providing the rubrics with the applications this time around. So, organizations do have all of the tools that they need to be as successful as possible. And also, not awarding any application whose administrative or overhead costs exceed 15 percent, which is in our County Code at this time. So, those are kind of the major takeaways that I'd like to point out. We've also decided to keep our six-month progress report as a means of just checking in to organizations and their status in carrying out the outcomes that they say that they would and perhaps even working to simplify that six-month progress report a little bit to make it easier for them. So, what we have today is Communication 303.2, and we have draft documents, and this is available for everyone in our Laserfiche system. And if anyone has questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. But we have the draft application, the draft rubric, instructions, and any forms that would be filled out so that all of you can review it as a committee before we take it up for discussion regarding the recommendations I've shared today. So, with that I just want to mahalo again and we'll take this up in two weeks at our Hilo meeting. I believe we need another motion to postpone to the October—is it 6d'? MS. LEE LOY: Three. Chair, motion to postpone Communication 303 and subsequent communications to our October 3rd meeting. MS. VILLEGAS: Could I ask a question before we do that? CHR. INABA: Is it procedural or is it regarding the recommendations? MS. VILLEGAS: It's sort of procedural. Page 4 LAAC-16 Vote on Motion to Postpone: (Approved) ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS September 19, 2023 CHR. INABA: Okay. MS. VILLEGAS: So, can I take this out of my board and take it with me, and then I'll just bring it to the next meeting? CHR. INABA: Yes. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, great. Thank you. CHR. INABA: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Ms. Lee Loy moved to postpone Comm. 303 and all related communications to October 3, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada —1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: That brings us to the end of our agenda. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. (Note: The item in this category were taken up previously, out of order.) Page 5 LAAC- 16 September 19, 2023 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:17 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewiez, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kagiwada — 1. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: This meeting is adjourned at 1:17 p.m. Approved: h Ilo 1 h--7--3 V4r-Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair (Date) Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee HI/tk Page 6