REP FC 035 2015/09/16 (2014-2016)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: September 16, 2015 Re: Comm. No. 455/Bill No. 90 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i TIME: 2:30 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 90, reports as follows: Bill No. 90, transmitted by Council Member Karen Eoff, via Communication No. 455 dated August 26, 2015, amends Chapter 2, Article 42 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 edition, as amended), relating to Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation. This measure adds language to facilitate the administration of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund and to enable the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission to review and evaluate stewardship grant applications associated with this fund. Chair Karen Eoff explained that the main purpose of this bill is to add language into the code to facilitate the administration of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund so that it conforms to the Charter, which established the fund. She also stated there are no changes to the parameters of either the two percent fund or the maintenance fund, and that this bill was vetted with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and Finance, and the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission (PONC). Ms. Eoff further explained that duties are given to PONC to review stewardship grant applications and grant recipient reports, as well as perform interviews, site visits, and other duties necessary. Ms. Eoff introduced an amendment to this bill via Communication 455.1, and explained that these changes were suggested by commissioners during a recent PONC meeting. The motion to amend was unanimously carried. Council Member Maile David commented that this will now be a meaningful and complete ordinance with the oversight of the nonprofits into the appropriate department, which the original ordinance did not provide. Council Member Dennis Onishi shared his concerns regarding the monitoring of reports, and Council Member Greggor Ilagan shared his concerns as to whether staffing could be allowed from the maintenance fund. Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Ken Van Bergen stated that Parks and Recreation will be monitoring the grants, and stated that this ordinance is a positive move. FC Report No. 35