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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 160 11/15/2011 2010-2012REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: November 15, 2011 PLACE: Council Chambers Kona, Hawai`i TIME: 1:34 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawai `i 96720 Re: Comm. No. 436/Bill 128 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 128, reports as follows: Bill No. 128, transmitted by Council Member Brenda Ford, via Communication No. 436 dated October 19, 2011, is a bill for an ordinance to initiate a charter amendment to Article X, Financial Procedures of the Hawai `i County Charter (2010 Edition), by adding a new section for a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund. The purpose of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund is to accrue and use moneys for maintenance of lands and easements acquired by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (PONC). The maintenance fund will be used to preserve the land, promote public safety, and maintain a healthy stewardship. Vice Chair Dominic Yagong resumes chair of the Finance Committee on November 1 and 15tH Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Fitzgerald appeared before Your Committee. Mr. Fitzgerald provided general comments to this proposed bill. Mr. Fitzgerald noted if this PONC maintenance fund is managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the financial aspect need to be distinguished from the Parks and Recreation functions. Director of Finance Nancy Crawford appeared before Your Committee. Ms. Crawford clarified that she was in communication with Ms. Ford on certain items of this proposed bill, and that it not be interpreted that administration fully agrees and is in support of this bill as it is drafted. Some members commented; 1) County struggles to balance its budget annually each year and declining revenues are a concern; 2) priority of maintenance should be on County -owned facilities instead of applying it to open space lands; 3) certain lands purchased with PONC funds may not be accessible to public if these areas are fenced off to be protected and liability issues is at risk. Ms. Ford further commented that these lands are not to be fenced to deny access to the public. Maintenance funds would be used to maintain, preserve and buffer archaeological sites on acquired open space lands. Ms. Ford seeks the support of Your Committee. At the meeting on November 1, 2011, by unanimous vote, the measure was postponed to November 15, 2011. FC Report No. 160 FC -160 Page 2 November 15, 2011 A proposed amendment was transmitted via Communication 436.2 from Council Member Brenda J. Ford, dated November 14, 2011. Those amendments contained in Communication 436.2 were unanimously approved. Ms. Ford summarized on the following proposed amendments as brought to her attention at the Finance Committee on November 1, 2011; 1) Financial aspect of the PONC fund will be handled by the Department of Finance and the other functions shall be managed by Parks and Recreations; 2) unencumbered amount over $3 million will be transferred to General fund and not to PONC fund; 3) added Biological studies for the protection of Native Hawaiian species of plants and animals; 4) the cap of $20,000 stewardship grant was removed since some projects may exceed that amount; 5) public notice by the Department of Finance will be paid by maintenance fund; 6) Director of Parks and Recreation will provide short written evaluation of proposed project to the Council and applicant's ability to complete the project according to project plan. Some members suggested: 1) transfer funds directly to Department of Parks and Recreation to manage acquired open space lands maintenance might be an alternative; 2) Council could increase Human Services total grant amount so that stewardship grants could be handled by Human Services, Social Services, and Public Safety Committee; 3) there is a possibility of real property tax increase if there is not enough money in the budget; 4) put this on the ballot for people to decide; 5) maintenance fund should be funded from 2% open space land fund; 6) simplify charter amendment and add details later. For information purposes, Council Member Yoshimoto voted "kanalua" twice. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 128, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first reading. dkr Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE BRENDA FORD, CHAIR FC REPORT NO. 160 ADOPTED: DEC 0 7 21! AYES NOES A &E EX BLAS X FORD X HOFFMANN X IKEDA X ONISHI X PILAGO X SMART X YAGONG X YOSHIMOTO X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE BRENDA FORD, CHAIR FC REPORT NO. 160 ADOPTED: DEC 0 7 21!