HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0327.007 2010-20128083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 08:00:51 a.m. 09 -21 -2011 1 /4
Ken Melrose
P.O. Box 109
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Fax: 323 -2304
Ken's Cell: 345 -0854
E -Mail: melrosek001@hawaii.rr.com
September 15, 2011
To: Hawaii County Council
Subject: Bill 87- Charter Amendment for the Open Space Fund
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Mahalo for this opportunity to provide input on the crafting of revision to the
Charter related to acquisition of Open Space. First, I support the set aside
of appropriate Open Space lands to benefit present and future generations.
However, I am troubled by the present structure that now purchases
remote lands with minimal access and without an apparent strategic
purpose focus, If we are using public resources to do so, we should be
more strategic and purposeful and for focused benefit.
The use of set aside Real Property tax revenues has a triple impact on the
fiscal conditicn of the County: first, the acquired land comes off the tax
roles, reducing tax base; second, the set aside portion of total RPT
revenues reduces operating income to the County; and, third the inevitable
care and maintenance of the acquired lands further strains the operating
budget. I would like to suggest three revisions to this Charter Amendment
bill 87 to improve the situation.
First, set asida funds should be useable for the maintenance, safety and
accessibility of the lands acquired. To do so, paragraph (f) should be
revised from "shall not be used for" to "may be used for" development,
maintenance ... If we can't afford to maintain the new land, we shouldn't be
acquiring the new land. If one owns land responsibly, one cares for that
land- a homeowner takes care of his house, a farmer puts his land to
productive use and a shop owner creates a property customers want to
come to see. So should the County, for the benefit of the broad public.
Second, Ian& acquired should maximize benefit to the citizens of Hawaii
County. While functionally retaining open space, remote lands have
marginal value to the broader citizenry. Targeting strategic acquisitions in 7
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high growth areas to help provide open space within urban areas, as
buffers between urban areas and recreational spaces to serve urban areas
should be included in the paragraph (c) (1) for the use of funds. Further,
the selection of sites should be guided by the Community Development
Plans adopted for the respective districts of the County. So, Please add a
new sub- paragraph (F) in (c) (1) to specify: "Urban open spaces, civic
spaces and buffer areas consistent with the district CDP ".
Finally, it would be further appropriate to allocate the fund among the
districts based upon a rough proportional share of the funds generated.
This would allocate more funds toward the higher growth areas where the
need for open space is most critical. Thus, adding a new sub - paragraph (c)
(3) to this effect would be appropriate.
Thank you for considering these three amendments to Bill 87 as you move
this Charter Amendment forward to the Voters for ultimate consideration.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Melrose
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