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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 043 2016/01/05 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: January 5, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 592/Res. No. 360-16 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 2:15 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 360-16, reports as follows: Resolution No. 360-16,transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, via Communication No. 592, dated November 24, 2015, accepts the donation of Lot 31 of the Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision, being Tax Map Key: 1-5-039:267, situated at Kea'au, District of Puna, County and State of Hawai`i, from Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association. This donation of approximately 20 acres would be used to establish a park. Council Member Greggor Ilagan moved to approve Resolution 360-16, and thanked the Finance Department, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Mayor Kenoi and the community for making this happen. Mr. Ilagan commented that they are working on cleaning up around undeveloped parcels to maintain them so that it will benefit the current County park area. Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Ken Van Bergen came forward for comments, concurred with Mr. Ilagan's comment, then stated that Parks and Recreation fully supports this project. Mr. Ilagan moved to amend Resolution 360-16 with the contents of Communication 592.1. Communication 592.1 would direct the Department Parks and Recreation to complete a Master Plan for the park within two years from the date of conveyance to the County, and if not, it directs the Finance Director to revert ownership back to the Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association. Mr. Ilagan explained that this amendment was created to protect Hawaiian Paradise Park because of concerns raised that the County may not do anything once the land is donated. He then stated that there is no funding for construction at this time, and that the Master Plan can be worked on until it is shovel ready. Council Member Dennis"Onishi suggested that an amendment for construction funds with five years for construction to begin would give residents something secure to look forward to. FC Report No.: 43 FC-43 Page 2 January 5, 2016 Deputy Director Van Bergen commented that it is not a bad suggestion, but council would have to allocate the funds, and had no opinion as to whether that is good or bad. He stated that with or without the timeline, the motivation is there, and this is already a priority for Parks and Recreation. Finance Director Deanna Sako commented that she is okay with the two year timeline, but as to construction deadlines, there is no funding and it would be crossing over administrations as well. Council Member Aaron Chung stated that he understands Mr. Ilagan, agrees with Mr. Onishi and suggested going with the departments representations. He suggested reconsidering the need for an amendment, and advised to keep it general. Council Member Margaret Wille recommended against the amendment, and said that the "threat" in the amendment is not needed. Council Member Valerie Poindexter commented that she will support Mr. Ragan. Council Member Daniel Paleka voiced his support for Mr. Ilagan and Hawaiian Paradise Park, then stated that he feels the amendment is not necessary and that he sees no problem with the project coming to fruition. He suggested that Mr. Ilagan reconsider the necessity of this amendment. Mr. Van Bergen stated that as former property manager for parks and recreation, this amendment is highly unusual from a historical standpoint Mr. Ilagan stated that his trust lies only on what is written, and that the community thinks the County will not be held accountable if no action is taken showing the County's commitment. Mr. Van Bergen stated that this amendment does not force the County to do anything other than give the property back after two years. This amendment gives the County one shot; and if the County does not do it in two years, then the property is taken back. Mr. Ilagan stated that the two-year deadline is only for the Master Plan, and that the consultant says it will take six months to complete. He further explained that two years is a very conservative time frame and that it does not say the park has to be completed in two years. Mr. Chung commented that the primary purpose is to get the project done. He believes that this is a great start and will support Mr. Ilagan 100 percent. Mr. Paleka made a Motion to Call for the Question, which passed with eight ayes. Council Member Dru Kanuha was absent and excused. The vote was taken on the motion to amend Resolution 360-16 with the contents of Comm. 592.1, and passed with seven ayes and one no from Ms. Wille. Mr. Kanuha was absent and excused. FC-43 Page 3 January 5, 2016 Mr. Onishi commented that the residents want see this built by a certain time, and requested the Council Member that replaces Mr. Ilagan to initiate legislation to float a bond in the event the next administration does not move forward. The vote was taken on the main motion to approve Resolution 360-16, as amended with the contents of Communication 592.1, and passed with seven ayes. Council Members Chung and Kanuha were absent and excused. Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 13-12 of the Hawai`i County Charter, the Council, on behalf of the County, may accept gifts of donations of money, securities or other personal property or of real estate or any interest in real estate. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 360-16, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its adoption. wb AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE EOFF X ILAGAN X KANUHA X ONISHI X A o iv - �a PALEKA x KAREN EOFF, C AI POINDEXTER X FC REPORT NO.: 43 WILLE x ADOPTED: JAN 2 2 2016