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Home My WebLink About2021-09-13 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes - Approved Deborah Chang Dr. Wayne Frank Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan Chair Debbie J. Ward Rick Warshauer Alex Kelepolo Justin Lee Vice Chair Anne Kamuela Meheula Diane ‘Maka’ala’ Kaneali’i County of Hawai‘i Department of Finance County Bldg. ● 25 Aupuni Street ● Suite No. 1101 ● Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-4245 Phone (808) 961-8069 ● Fax (808) 961-8248 PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION (PONC) MINUTES - DRAFT To view entire virtual live recorded public meeting #6, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoZPseuk8yA I. CALL TO ORDER: On September 13, 2021, the regular session, virtual meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by CHR. FRANK. The CHR. read an opening statement concerning public testimonies and the reason for virtual meetings due to the Mayor's Proclamation regarding COVID- 19, gathering re- strictions, and the need to maintain social distancing. Present: Dr. Wayne Frank, Chairperson (CHR.) Ms. Alex Kelepolo, Vice Chairperson Ms. Deborah Chang, Member Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member Ms. Debbie J. Ward, Member Ms. Diane Kaneali`i, Member Absent: Mr. Justin Lee, Member Ms. Anne Meheula, Member Mr. Rick Warshauer, Member Support Staff: Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance Ms. Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Page 3 of 4 II. MINUTES: (Approved) MOTION: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to approved the July 12, 2021, regular session and the July 26, 2021, special meeting with corrections sent to the secretary. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. A discussion was held to correct attendance for MS. CHANG who attended both meetings and referenced to MR. LEE’S absence. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for an amendment to the original motion. MOTION AMENDED: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to amend her original motion to include correc- tions to both minutes as discussed by MS. CHANG. This motion was seconded by MS. CHANG. There being no discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted, amended motion passed. III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY via WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: CHR. FRANK acknowledged the public testimonies received, accepted, and filed and moved to the next item on the agenda, Stewardship Grant Applications. IV. STEWARDSHIP GRANT APPLICATION: The Department of Finance received nine Stewardship Grant Applications by the deadline date of August 31, 2021, for the benefit year 2022-23. Stu. 21-009, was disallowed for applying for an ineligible property that was not published. Deputy Corporation Counsel, MS. CAMPBELL suggested differant ways of making motions either to accept/ or not to accept these applications. She gave examples on how to make recommendations to either fund/or not to fund them to the to the Director of Finance. CHR. FRANK called into the meeting the representatives from Kohala Lihikai, Ms. Beber and Ms. Withington, for Stewardship Grant Applications (Stu.) 22-007 and 008 to review and discuss their application with the commission. MOTION: Ms. NAUNGAYAN moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-007 from Kohala Lihikai for Kaiholena, N. Kohala as drafted. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. MS. CHANG asserted that non-receipt of a progress report makes the decision for funding difficult to accurately determine. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK calls for a vote. Four Members voted “Aye,” one member voted “Aye” with reservations due to the lack of progress reports, and one member recused herself from voting. Motion Passed. MOTION: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-008 from Kohala Lihikai for Hale O Kaili, N. Kohala as drafted with changes to the name from Hāpuna to Hapu’u and to require the submission of a new budget that does not include the fiscal sponsorship fee. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. Five members voted “Aye,” and one member recused herself from voting. Motion Passed. Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Page 3 of 4 CHR. FRANK called into the meeting the representatives from The Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Ms. Melrose, Ms. Schilt, and Ms. Britt, Stu. 22-001 to review and discuss their application with the commission. They stated that no funding was received for 2020 and 2021 grant applications with the Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R). They are working thru the process with P&R, and mentions it has been very slow. MOTION: MS. WARD moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-001 from The Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, N. Kona, as drafted. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted “Aye.” Motion Passed. CHR. FRANK called for a five-minute recess. He reconvened the meeting at 10:30 a.m. and invited representatives Ms. Eoff and Mr. Myrmo of Kohanaiki ‘Ohana for Stu. 22-002, `O`oma Beach, N. Kona to review and discuss their application with the commission. Mr. Myrmo stated that no funding was received for 2020 and 2021 grant applications with P&R, making delay in projects costs, and difficult to file this yearʻs grant applica?on. So, for this year, their projected budget covers basic needs, in hope of being funded for previous pending applications. MOTION: MS. KANEALI`I moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-002, Kohanaiki `Ohana for `O`oma Beach, N. Kona as drafted. The motion was seconded by MS. WARD. During the discussion, CHR. FRANK was impressed with the application, and MS. NAUNGAYAN was impressed with their funding and resource efforts. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted “Aye.” Motion Passed. CHR. FRANK invited representative Atty. McGuire of Nā Mamo O Kāwā, Stu. 22-003 for Kāwā, Ka’ū to review and discuss their application with the commission. MOTION: MS. WARD moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-003, Nā Mamo O Kāwā, for the Kāwā Lands, Ka’ū, as drafted. The motion was seconded by Ms. KANEALI`I. The Commission held a discussion regarding the contracted service and the subject of insurability. MS. NAUNGAYAN noted a change of Section V.B on page 15 with the date to be emailed to secretary. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted “Aye.” Motion Passed. CHR. FRANK invited representative Mr. Potter of Pōhāhā I Kalani, Stu. 22-004, for Waipi`o Valley Lookout, Hāmākua to review and discuss their application with the commission. The Commission held a discussion regarding the contracted service, portable toilet rental, chipper services, fencing issues, revegetation plan, and the depth of the progress reports. Mr. Potter stated that no funding was received for 2020 and 2021 grant applications with P&R. MOTION: MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-004, Pōhāhā I Kalani for Waipi`o Valley Lookout, Hāmākua, as drafted. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. There being no discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted “Aye.” Motion Passed. Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Page 3 of 4 CHR. FRANK called for a recess and reconvened at 12:30 p.m. He invited represent-tative Mr. Ayau, Stu. 22-005 Hui Ho‘oniho for Puapua‘a, N. Kona to review and discuss their application with the commission. The Commission held a lengthy discussion on the the following: clarification of the length of the contract; possible permitting issues; SMA exemptions with County support for regulatory compliance; explanation of the illustrations on various pages; independent contracting services; employee salary costs of their non-profit organization; equipment costs and ownership issues; utility transport costs; and reasons for other high-cost items. The commission was not ready to make a motion on Stu. 22-005 and moved on to invite representative, Mr. Fox for Stu. 22-006 Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū for Kahua ‘Olohū, Ka‘ū. Mr. Fox delivered a brief overview of the activities, projects, and achievements of his non-profit. He also stated that no funding was received for 2020 and 2021 grant applications with P&R. The commission was impressed by the reports and the well-written application from this organization. MOTION: MS. KELEPOLO moved to accept and recommend to fund, Stu. 22-006, Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū for Kahua ‘Olohū, Ka‘ū, as submitted. The motion was seconded by MS. NAUNGAYAN. There being no discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. All members voted “Aye.” Motion Passed. After motion approved for Stu. 22-006, the commission was ready to make a motion for Stu. 22- 005. MOTION: MS. WARD moved not to accept and recommend not to fund, Stu. 22-005, Hui Ho’oniho for Puapua’a, N. Kona as presented. The motion was seconded by MS. KANEALIʻI. Discussion was held which addressed: large ticket items; the very large budget; the need for outside funding; project budget items that are not allowed by charter; and the need for the budget to be reworked. There being no further discussion, CHR. FRANK called for a vote. Five members voted “Aye,” and one member abstained. Motion Passed. MS. WARD observed that during the interviews and discussions with each applicant, it was discovered that these applicants had received no funding for the 2020 and 2021 filed Stewardship Grant applications with P&R. With the lack of those funds, these applicants are faced with delay of proposed projects, financial hardships, and increases in costs for projects. V. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Discuss formation of Permitted Interaction Group addressing Mayor Roth’s request on the Past Prioritized Lists with Resolutions Report. The Commission held a discussion and formed a Permitted Interaction Group and established the scope of work. Selected members for this group are MS. KANEALIʻI, MS. KELEPOLO, and MS. WARD to address Mayor Roth’s request to take the past prioritized lists with resolutions, prioritize them, and report back. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Page 3 of 4 1. The next virtual regular meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 2. Commission suggested that the following to be on the agenda: a. Invite P&R to attend the next meeting for Stewardship Grant Funding issues. b. Form a Permitted Interaction Group to standardize the Stewardship Grant Application and process for next year’s application deadline. c. Report from the Permitted Interaction Group for Mayor Roth’s request. d. Election of New Officers. e. Proposed Calendar for 2022. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further agenda items, MS. WARD motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by MS. KELEPOLO. CHR. FRANK adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION DR. WAYNE FRANK, Chairperson Draft posted: November 1, 2021 Corrected posted: November 4, 2021 Approved: November 8, 2021 Approved posted: December 15, 2021 Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Page 3 of 4