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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 233 Draft 01 2010-2012 -;M:!'... COUNTY OF HAWAII f.•, STATE OF HAWAII ti -yew:,: RESOLUTION NO. 233 12 A RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYOR TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO GROW FOOD CROPS AND EXPLORE OTHER FOOD PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES ON COUNTY LANDS SITUATED IN PA`AUILO (PORTION OF TAX MAP KEY 4-2-5:005) TO PROVIDE FREE FOOD TO THE FOOD BASKET INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES THAT FEED THE HUNGRY. WHEREAS, TMK No. 4-2-5:005 is a 140 acre parcel located in the Hamakua district that is currently owned by the County of Hawai`i; and WHEREAS, the County received this land in a tax settlement with the former Hamakua Sugar Company; and WHEREAS, in April of 2008 the County sought and received a special permit for this location indicating that it wanted to build a new public works base yard with an estimated completion date of December 2008; and WHEREAS, as of March 13, 2012, the only work done on the parcel has been the raising of a chain link fence around the 14.9 acres identified in the special permit; and WHEREAS, the 2012-2013 County budget reflects zero appropriations for a new public works baseyard; and WHEREAS, this parcel of land is zoned for agricultural use and has sat idle and unused since it was transferred to County ownership in 1994; and WHEREAS, on March 9, 2012, the Hawai`i County Council passed Bill No. 199 which found that a public health emergency existed and made an emergency appropriation of$200,000 to the Food Basket Inc. in order to provide food to the hungry; and WHEREAS, although the appropriation provides temporary relief to the hungry, the Council finds it is not a sustainable solution to the long-term problem of feeding the hungry; and WHEREAS, by allowing a nonprofit entity to grow food crops a consistent flow of freshly grown healthy fruits and vegetables can stock the shelves at the Food Basket Inc. and its affiliates on a sustainable basis; and WHEREAS, it should be written into the agreement that the nonprofit entity will have an educational component that teaches people how to grow produce thereby allowing them to grow their own food from sources such as backyard or community gardens; and WHEREAS, the fresh produce grown at the county site will be turned over to the Food Basket Inc. and its affiliates that give food to the hungry for distribution to the islands residents that are in need of a supplemental food source; and WHEREAS, a partnership with the local hunters be explored whereby smoke houses could be erected that would allow hunters to process wild game and contribute to the Food Basket Inc. and its affiliates; and WHEREAS, a partnership with the cattle industry and the State owned slaughter house in Pa'auilo, whereby a designated portion of the 14.9 acres could be fenced off and a tax deductable donation of cattle could be made, which would be used to produce hamburger and stew meat which would provide protein subsistence to the Food Basket Inc.; and WHEREAS, a partnership with the department of water supply providing water should be explored as well as the 14.9 acres should be leased for a fee of$1 per year as this would be an investment by the people of the county of Hawai`i to feed those less fortunate; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the Mayor is urged to issue a request for proposals to utilize the portion of TMK 4-2-5:005, consisting of approximately 14.9 acres, which has already been fenced by the County to allow a nonprofit entity to grow fresh produce and to educate interested residents on how to grow their own food from sources such as backyard or community gardens. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the food grown on this property should then be donated to the Food Basket Inc. and its affiliates BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that partnerships with local hunters be explored to provide that smoke houses be erected to allow the hunters to process wild game and contribute to the Food Basket Inc. and its affiliates. 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a partnership with the cattle industry be explored, whereby two acres of the 14.9 acres be fenced off and a tax deductable donation of cattle be made which would then be used to provide protein subsistence to the Food Basket Inc BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawai`i shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i and the Director Finance. Dated at Kona, Hawai`i, this 21st day of March INT DUCED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER, 0 , 2012. TY OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawai' i I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on March 21, 2012 ATTEST: tocil UNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDINt 0 ICER 3 ROLL CALL VOTE Reference: C- 628 /Waived -AWESC RESOLUTION NO. 233 12 AYES NOES ABS EX BLAS X FORD X HOFFMANN X IKEDA X ONISHI X PILAGO X SMART X YAGONG X YOSHIMOTO X 6 0 3 0 Reference: C- 628 /Waived -AWESC RESOLUTION NO. 233 12