HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-14 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission-Approved
MINUTES
To view entire virtual live recorded public meeting #6, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDbdvg2C0fY
I. CALL TO ORDER:
On September 14, 2020, the regular session, virtual meeting of the Public Access,
Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) was called to
order at 9:11 a.m. by CHR. WARSHAUER. The Chair reads an opening statement
concerning public testimonies and the reason for virtual meetings due to Mayor's
Proclamation regarding COVID- 19 and the need to maintain social distancing.
Present: Mr. Rick Warshauer, Chair (CHR.)
Dr. Wayne Frank, Vice-Chair (arrived at 9:23 a.m.)
Ms. Alex Kelepolo, Member
Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member
Mr. Kekaulike Tomich, Member
Ms. Susan Wells Fischer, Member
Support Staff: Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary
Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance
Mr. John Mukai, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Absent: Ms. Koohan Paik Mander, Member
Mr. Justin Lee, Member
Vacant, District 5
II. PUBLIC TESTIMONIES FROM THE PUBLIC: (Comm. 20-226 to 230):
Motion to accept and file (deferred to next meeting)
Motion: MS. KELEPOLO moved to accept and file Comm. 20-226 TO 230. The motion
was seconded by MR. TOMICH. A short discussion ensued regarding the number of
communications received a few days before the meeting and there was little time to review
them. CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal vote, MS. KELEPOLO, MS. NAUNGAYAN,
MR. TOMICH, voted aye. MS WELLS FISCHER and CHR. WARSHAUER voted abstained,
DR. FRANK not present, and the motion was defeated.
Motion: MS. WELLS FISCHER moved to deferred accepting and filing the
communications to the next meeting. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO.
There being no discussion, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal vote, all members
present voted aye, and the motion was carried.
III. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION (P&R) STEWARDSHIP GRANT
REQUESTS: (STU. 21-001 to 009) Motion to accept and file (motion carried)
Motion: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to accept and file the Stewardship Grant Request
STU. 21-001 to 009. The motion was seconded by MS. WELLS FISCHER. There being no
discussion, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal vote, all members present voted aye,
and the motion was carried.
IV. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT: (none)
Property Manager Hamana Ventura has nothing to report and addresses any questions from
the commission.
CHR. WARSHAUER inquires the number of properties presently under negotiations.
MR. VENTURA confirms only the Kapanai'a, N. Kohala properties.
V. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
CHR. WARSHAUER reports that due to the pandemic and social distance, procedures
for site visits, and public meetings are held out of the norm. Chair suggested that the
commission may have to resort to monthly meetings and doing site visits on their own
in order to catch up.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Commission reviewed and discussed the subject of petitions.
Motion: DR. FRANK moved to table this item to a later meeting. The motion was
seconded by MS. NAUNGAYAN. There being no discussion, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for
a verbal vote, all members present voted aye, and the motion was carried.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Commission reviewed, discussed, and made recommendations to three out of nine
2021 Stewardship Grant Requests received.
A. STU. 21-001, Amy Greenwell's Ethnobotanical Gardens, S. Kona.
Applicant, Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens
represented by Maile Melrose, President. She gave a brief introduction of
their non-profit, grant project costs, and the highlights of projects.
CHR. WARSHAUER, Commissioners: MR. TOMICH expressed concerns
regarding the amount of the funding being almost 10% of the Maintenance
Fund. MS. NAUNGAYAN stated the project budget No. 2 details the amount of
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$112,120, which represents the restoration of existing buildings, maintenance
of buildings, and caretaker. CHR. WARSHAUER expressed the need to do a
site visit and more time to review the grant application. MR. VENTURA
mentioned that past commissions made recommendations that addressed
concerns or have P&R review certain budgeted items of the proposal.
B. STU. 21-002, Hālawa, N. Kohala; and
C. STU. 21-003, Kaiholena, N. Kohala; and
D. STU. 21-004, Pao'o, N. Kohala.
Applicant North Kohala Community Resource Center was represented by
Ms. Gail Beber and Ms. Toni Withington. Ms. Withington gave a brief
introduction about their non-profit, volunteer work, education projects, and
restoration, and then the importance of funding these projects. They gave a
presentation to the commission.
Commission held a brief discussion regarding project costs. CHR.
WARSHAUER expressed the need to do a site visit and more time to
review these three grant applications before making any recommendation.
MS. KELEPOLO requested clarification regarding the sponsor fees. She
mentioned in the past application were under the other non-profit, Kohala
Alii Kai. Chair suggested to deferred the recommendation to a later date.
E. STU. 21-005, Pohoiki, Puna.
Applicant, Na Maka O Waipio represented by President, Annamarie Kon. She
introduces herself and gave a brief history of her non-profit and projects that
they have completed in the past. She explained the need for grant funding and
project costs.
MS. NAUNGAYAN expressed concerns that most of the funding costs are
paying for (2) managers, (4) contractual project leaders, and various
administrative fees were not allowable costs in the PONC Maintenance
charter. CHR. WARSHAUER and MS. KELEPOLO confirmed that the bulk of
the grants were earmarked for educators. MS. KELEPOLO describes the
loss of the tide pools at Wai'opae due to the lava flow of 2018. She reminds
the commission that Puna is rich in culture and recreation.
F. STU. 21-006-Waipio Valley Lookout, Hāmākua.
Applicant, Pohaha I Kalani represented by President Jessie Potter, and
member Ms. Kulia Potter. He gave a ppt. presentation and detailed
progress in stewarding, educational workshop, sustainability, feeding the
community, the need for water (water line or water tanks), and the need for
a shipping container to store equipment, tools, and garden supplies.
MR. TOMICH requested for clarification of contractual costs. Mr. Potter
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explained to the commission the costs for independent contractor services.
The commission held a lengthy discussion regarding the storage shed
(shipping container), zoning, and what is permitted for the agricultural zone.
G. STU. 21-007-Kawa, Kawa Bay, Kā’u.
Applicant, Na Mamo O Kawa represented by President Pueo "KAI"
McGuire. He gave a brief introduction about the non-profit and highlighted
successful projects with contractors, working with the community, and
budgetary projections.
CHR. WARSHAUER requested for clarification regarding contractual
services. Mr. McGuire explained the need for specialized services: such as
consultants and collaborators to assist in the management plan preserving
the coastal ecosystems, cultural site, the spring, access, and safety
monitoring of the property.
H. STU. 21-008-Kahua Olohu, Kā’u.
Applicant, Ho'omalu Kā’u represented by Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Keoni Fox
gave a brief introduction about the non-profit, ongoing projects, and project
costs. He highlighted some successful events and Makahiki Celebrations of the
past. Due to the Mayor’s proclamation regarding social distancing, the Makahiki
Celebrations are on hold.
CHR. WARSHAUER requested clarification on the contractor mowing. Mr.
Fox explained that if the need arises, they would like to have that option.
Discussions ensued regarding the fire break and keeping the grass down to
help with fire management.
I. STU. 21-009-O'oma, Beach, N. Kona.
Applicant, Kohanaiki 'Ohana representative Project Manager, Mr. Mason
Myrmo gave a brief introduction about the non-profit, on-going projects,
reforestation of native species and plants, and removal of invasive species.
He highlights successful programs and partnerships with school groups,
Kohanaiki Shores for security, County P&R for removal of invasive species,
and Bishop Museum surveying endangered species. Mr. Mason also
reported problems with homelessness, trashing by users, and restoration of
the alkaline ponds.
CHR. WARSHAUER inquires if projects introduction of other plants on the
property and complements the efforts by the non-profit. He also requests
clarification regarding contractual services. Mr. Mason explains the need for
skilled labor to operate equipment, safety, and trash removal.
The discussion was held with MR. VENTURA regarding the expenditures to be
earmarked for contractual services and the need to ascertain them. He explained
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that there is no cap on grant requests and that these grants are funded by the
Maintenance Fund.
After discussions concluded, the commission was ready to make the following
motions to approve and make recommendations to P&R on the following grants.
CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a motion to make recommendations to P&R for
STU. 21-009.
Motion: DR. FRANK moved to approve the grant application STU. 21-009,
Kohonaiki Ohana for O'oma Beach and recommended that the grant be funded by
P&R within the guidelines of Hawai'i County Charter, Section 10-16 (g) and, in line
with previous grants as approved and funded. The motion was seconded by MS.
NAUNGAYAN. A short discussion ensued regarding the amount of funding that all
agreed was spent very wisely. There being no further discussions, CHR.
WARSHAUER called for a verbal and/or show of hands vote. All members
voted aye verbally or by the raising of their hand, and the motion was carried.
Motion: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved that we recommend this grant request STU.
21- 008, Ho'omalu Kā’u for Kahua Olohu, to P&R subject to P&R’s verification
that the request is in compliance with the Hawai'i County Charter, Section 10-
16(9), and in line with previous grants which were approved and funded. The
motion was seconded by DR. FRANK. CHR. WARSHAUER commented that
these two of these grants’ requests (STU. 21-009 & 008) were for small amounts
for the work that was done well. There being no further discussion or comments,
CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal and/or show of hands vote. All members
verbally voted aye or raised their hand, and the motion was carried.
Motion: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved that we recommend this grant request STU.
21- 007, Na Mamo O Kawa for Kawa and Kawa Bay, to P&R subject to their
verification that the request is in compliance with the Hawai'i County Charter,
Section 10-16(9), and in line with previous grants which were approved and
funded. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. CHR. WARSHAUER
commented that the funding per acre is a good use of the funds. There being no
other discussion or comments, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal and/or show
of hands vote. All members verbally voted aye or raised their hand, and the
motion was carried.
2. Commission to review, discuss, and approve the 2020 Prioritize List.
Discussion ensued with the results, and correction of the commission scores
by MS. WELLS FISCHER. MS. CUTLER made all corrections and confirms
the ranking scores.
CHR. WARSHAUER called for a discussion to allow MS. KELEPOLO to cast
her vote for Sugg. 20-017, Mahukona (Hawaiian Island Lant Trust (HILT). It
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was confirmed MS. KELEPOLO’s position is in an advisory capacity and only
as a volunteer on the HILT board. DR. FRANK expressed his concerns that
not factoring MS. KELEPOLO’s scores would penalize the nomination. The
commission agreed to accept MS. KELEPOLO's scores because she has no
vested interest in this suggestion. MS. CUTLER, as directed, made
corrections, and confirmed the scoring. The corrected 2020 Prioritized List
was presented to the commission.
There being no further comments or discussion to the Prioritized List, CHR.
WARSHAUER called for a motion.
Motion: MS. WELLS FISCHER moved to accept the 2020 Prioritized List. The
motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. There being no other discussion or
comments, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal and/or show of hands vote.
All members verbally voted aye or raised their hand, and the motion was
carried.
3. Commission to Assign the 2020 Prioritize List Summaries for the
2020 Annual Report to the Mayor.
Due to the result of the 2020 Prioritized List, the commission discussed
and selected their choice to write a bulleted summary assignment for the
2020 Annual Report to the Mayor. It was decided that all assignments are
due to the secretary by October 23, 2020, and no later than October 30,
2020.
4. Commission to review, discuss, and approve the 2021 Suggestion Form.
Due to limited time, CHR. WARSHAUER called for a motion to defer this to the next
meeting.
Motion: DR. FRANK moved to table this item for the next meeting. The
motion was seconded by MS. NAUNGAYAN. There being no other discussion
or comments, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a verbal and/or show of hands
vote. All members verbally voted aye or raised their hand, and the motion was
carried.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The next virtual meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00
p.m. This is for a special meeting.
2. Set agenda items for Unfinished business:
A. Commission to review, discuss, and make recommendations to P&R for
the remaining six (6) 2021 Stewardship Grant Requests.
B. Commission to review, discuss the subject of Suggestion Forms
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C. Commission to review, discuss the subject of Petitions.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business at approx. 3:33 p.m. CHR. WARSHAUER adjourns the
meeting.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maxine Cutler
Commission Secretary
Approved: Nov. 16, 2020
Posted: Nov. 17, 2020
Hawai 'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
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