HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0035.29 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fundCA -18 THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCE MAINTENANCE FUND
At first reading on CA -18, the Charter Commission returned the Maintenance Fund to what now exists
in the charter. This may be due to a concern that Board members could be paid for their service on
the Board. This was not the intent, only to pay workers. In response to requests from the non -profits
and to further the good works of these groups, we respectfully request that you include this
compromise language as part of CA -18 in red
MO) No officer, board member, or employee of the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization
or the organization that operates under the u brella of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit
organization shall receive a salary or payment for labor, or receive any
reimbursement for the stewardship work on the project, unless t ley re p id
r specific di ut sfirt are a ppr 'd as ty rt 4 0( dr basin ss p a. The
501(c)3 nonprofit shall sign an agreement so stating these conditions and
submit it with the application.
WHY PAID WORKERS ARE IMPORTANT: The Feedback from the non -profits has been:
1. Volunteers are very important to help care for the land, but they are inconsistent because of
their responsibilities for their work or family. All of the stewardship groups requested that they
be able to pay people who work on the land. Paid workers show up to manage and keep
programs going!
2. As these programs grow, volunteer coordinators could be paid to maximize the land
stewardship programs and create school education programs to educate keiki about the land,
the history and culture.
3. The ability to pay dedicated staff would help create jobs in rural, economically depressed areas
of the island & minimize volunteer burnout. Right now the non -profits have to hire outside
contractors to do some of the work.
Brenda Ford and I wrote the Maintenance Fund Charter Amendment in 2011 in order to empower the
non-profit groups who are already caring for these lands. These are the groups who originally
proposed the land purchase to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission
(PONC). These are the people have been volunteering their time to care for the land. These are
strong kuleana communities that come together around the care for these lands. Please remember
that 63% of voters approved this measure in 2012. Only 9% of all the monies deposited in the
Maintenance Fund since 2013, have been granted to the stewardship non -profits. This was not our
intent. Our proposed changes to further the mission of the non -profits are necessary! Help us to
strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program with these changes.
Next meeting: CA -9 A FULL TIME STAFF PERSON WHO WORKS ONLY ON THE LAND FUND in
addition TO THE STAFF PERSON PROVIDED FOR IN THE COUNTY CODE TO ASSIST the
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION. Right now there is almost
$20 million in the 2% Land Fund and almost $3 million in the Maintenance Fund. In order for the 2%
Land Fund Program to achieve it's full potential, our group believes that a FULL TIME STAFF
PERSON dedicated to work ONLY on the 2% Land Fund Program would be able to contact property
owners to negotiate on purchasing properties, look for matching funds and helping stewardship
groups apply for and manage grants. This position is in addition to the part time staff person that
assists the commission that is already provided in the County Code. We do not want to diminish the
purchasing power of the 2% Land Fund Program by paying more than one person.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Hecht 40 hecht,deb@gmaH co.., 2% Land Fund Coordinator since 2006
Comm. No. 35.29