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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 127 2018/08/07 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: August 7, 2018 Re: Comm. No. 1008/Res. No. 650-18 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 9:15 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 650-18,reports as follows: Resolution 650-18, transmitted by Council Member Maile David, via Communication No. 1008 dated July 23, 2018, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of land or a conservation easement for all or a portion of the property identified as Tax Map Key: 9-5-007:016 in the Ahupua`a of Kahilipali`iki and Kahilipalinui, District of Ka`u, pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 42, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended). This parcel, which consists of approximately 2,013 acres of land makai of Na`alehu and includes the historic fishing village of Waikapuna, is listed as the highest priority for purchase in the 2017 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC). Committee Chair Maile David thanked all the people who came out to give testimony on this very special resolution. It was very appropriate, as stated by the testifiers, as to why this property is special and the reasons the finance director should be encouraged to enter into negotiations. Department of Finance Property Manager, Hamana Ventura, gave a brief background on the resolution. Based on all the testimony presented, Mr. Ventura asked the Council for approval to move forward with the resolution as this is part of the process that is outlined by County Code and Charter, the property made the 2018 prioritized list, and as part of the process, a resolution and acceptance is requested going forward. Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy asked for clarification of the timing element between the purchase and developer and what kind of window the County is looking at and what kind of window is there for this process. Laura Kahakua, from the Trust For Public Land (TPL), stated she has been working with Mr. Ventura and PONC on the purchase. TPL is well into the process and the landowners are willing to move forward; therefore, if the Finance Committee passes this to move forward and the Council decides to support the resolution, TPL is looking at moving forward with due diligence, and closing the purchase and conservation easement by the end of the calendar year. FC Report No. 127 FC-127 Page 2 August 7, 2018 Ms. Lee Loy asked for clarification regarding Thomas Yeh's (attorney for lot owners) comment regarding the pre-existing lots of record, other entitlements being pursued, and the status of entitlements of the 22 existing lots. Ms. Kahakua stated that Mr. Yeh has been moving forward on a parallel track with the County regarding conservation options, and at the same time, doing due diligence. If the Council supports the resolution and moves forward with the purchase, it will always remain as one tax map key and will have restrictions that it cannot be subdivided. The archaeological inventory survey as well as a cultural impact analysis are currently being done by the landowner, if they need to move forward with the development resubdivision option. Landowners are doing the surveys privately, but if PONC goes through, they will share with the County. Ms. David thanked all the Council Members for their words of support, and also expressed appreciation to Ms. Kahakua; Mr. Ventura; and Ronald Kim, Corporation Counsel. Ms. David stated as a collaborative effort, all the years in creating the PONC, this is like the poster child of a purchase that will be the top in all the purchases made because it is pristine, untouched, and the County would have the opportunity to continue the legacy of how important this property is. The County has an opportunity to do what the community wants for a district that is so rich in history. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 650-18, and recommends its adoption. dmm AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE EOFF X KANUHA X LEE LOY X '-- r ,01„, doe.460 O'HARA X ,l f'� POINDEXTER x MAILE DAVID, CHAIR RICHARDS x FC REPORT NO.: 127 RUGGLES X ADOPTED: AUG 2 2 2018