Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 692 Draft 01 2022-2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO AWARD FUNDS TO THE LEILANI ESTATES NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH THROUGH THE GEOTHERMAL RELOCATION AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LEILANI ESTATES COMMUNITY PARK. WHEREAS, chapter 2, article 25, section 2-139(a)(3)(A) of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), hereinafter “the Code,” states that grant awards in excess of $25,000 to nonprofit organizations shall specifically identify the organization receiving the grant funds and the purpose for which the grant funds shall be used in a resolution; and WHEREAS, chapter 2, article 25, section 2-136 of the Code defines “nonprofit organization” as an organization that is registered and in good standing in the State of Hawaiʻi as a nonprofit organization and maintains a 501(c)(3) charitable designation from the Internal Revenue Service; and WHEREAS, Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch (LENW) is a nonprofit organization as defined above; and WHEREAS, the 2018 Kīlauea eruption significantly altered the landscape and communities of Lower Puna, destroying Kapoho and severely impacting portions of Leilani Estates; and WHEREAS, the Leilani Estates Community Park serves as a vital public gathering place and hub for recreation and emergency response, hosting community events, government functions, and youth programs; and WHEREAS, the Leilani Estates community is the neighborhood closest to Puna Geothermal Ventures; and WHEREAS, the Planning Department has approved the awarding of $435,000 from the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund to LENW to support the revitalization efforts led by the Leilani Community Association to restore the Leilani Estates Community Park to its pre-eruption functionality; and WHEREAS, this one-time grant will fund critical repairs to park facilities, including a longhouse, pavilion, pickleball and basketball courts, baseball fields, driving range, and playground, ensuring the park remains safe, accessible, and fully functional for the residents of Leilani Estates and neighboring Lower Puna communities; and WHEREAS, under chapter 2, article 36, section 2-181(5) of the Code, allowable expenditures of the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund for public purposes include road improvements, water infrastructure, land acquisition, parks and recreational facility needs, civil defense, and mass transit improvements in Lower Puna; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that pursuant to chapter 2, article 25, section 2-139(a)(3)(A) of the Code, the Planning Director is hereby authorized to provide a grant of $435,000 to Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch for the purposes hereinabove described and further authorized to make the necessary expenditures out and from the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund in accordance with the terms of this resolution. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; Director of Finance; Planning Director; Parks and Recreation Director; Greg Armstrong, President of Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch; and Alan Morrow, President of Leilani Community Association. Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai‘i Hilo, Hawai‘i ROLL CALL VOTE    AYES NOES ABS EX   EVANS       GALIMBA       I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________. INABA       KAGIWADA       KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER       KIERKIEWICZ      ATTEST: KIMBALL       LEE LOY       VILLEGAS              Reference:  COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.