HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0455.005 2014-2016Ct Y 4 455
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From: rene siracusa <renesiracusa@hotmail.com> 2015 OI.T -b AN la- 07
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 9:59 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kelepolo, Alexandra; haumana.ventura@hawaiicounty.gov
Subject: Bill 90
Good morning council members.
As a member of PONC, I was authorized at our last meeting to provide testimony to you on the above Bill 90.
read in Tuesday's Hawaii Tribune -Herald that some of you still have questions and concerns, and I am making
myself available to you to provide you with any additional information or clarification that you may need.
In the article, it mentioned that Councilman Ilagan was concerned about additional funding that Parks & Rec
may need to conduct the stewardship maintenance program. It is our understanding that P&R will basically
be a pass-through, with PONC doing all the work. Thus, it will not be P&R needing additional funds, but
PONC. Why will PONC need more funding? Because:
1. Reviewing stewardship applications will require additional meetings and PONC staff support for same.
2. Additional site visits to ensure ongoing monitoring and compliance of grantees with terms and conditions
of contracts, and PONC staff support for same.
Additional meetings to prepare reports to P&R, and PONC staff support for same.
The above meetings and site visits expenses include copying costs, mileage reimbursements, travel costs,
and lunches (where applicable) or snacks.
These expenses will still be less costly to the County than it would be for P&R to hire professional staff,
because the PONC members are all volunteers - albeit professionals in their own areas of expertise. The
County will be getting more bang for the buck by transferring the work of the maintenance fund from P&R to
PONC. And PONC members are willing to take on this additional burden and workload to ensure that the
properties that they have recommended for purchase are properly maintained.
We are therefore in support of Bill 90.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, our chair Tim DeLozier, PONC staff liaison Alexandra Kelepolo (Finance)
or Haumana Ventura (Finance - land mgmt.) if you have additional questions.
Mahalo,
Rene Siracusa, member
Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission
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Ref. Date 0 7 2015