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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.28.22 COG Commission Minutes - ApprovedCOST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION �:•' c/o Office of the Mayor, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES / July 28, 2022 INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): ZOOM WITH IN -PERSON LOCATIONS FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY PER AGENDA CALL TO ORDER [2:00 pm] Chair Konowicz called the meeting to order with quorum. ATTENDANCE Present: D9 Michael Konowicz, Chair DI Neal Herbert, Vice Chair D2 Matthias Kusch D4 Maddie Green D5 Shannon Matson D6 Kenneth Obenski D7 Daniel Malakie III D8 Karie Wakat Absent: D3 Chantee Shiroma Additional: Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel Pomaika`i Bartolome, Office of the Mayor Hamana Ventura, Hawaii County Property Manager Jeannie Miskovich, COG Commission Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None COMMUNICATIONS None [2:02] APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 14, 2022, REGULAR MEETING Comm. Herbert moved to approve the July 14, 2022, COG Commission Meeting Minutes Comm. Matson Seconded the Motion Discussion: Comm. Wakat was excused for the July 14, 2022, meeting and so abstains from the vote Voice Vote: Ayes: (7) 7/14/2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Approved [2:03] PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACES, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION (PONC) , Hamana Ventura, Property Manager, Hawaii County Department of Finance Background: The PONC Program has been in place since 2006. The "Preservation Fund" consists of 2% of Real Property tax revenue, plus 0.25% into a maintenance fund ($3 million cap).The PONC Commission reviews public suggestions of properties for acquisition through fee simple or conservation, performs interviews, fact finding, site visits, etc., and makes its recommendations to the mayor. PONC and the Finance Committee posts the list from Mayor to County Council, identifying properties in each District. In order to move forward with an acquisition, a County Council Member must put forth a resolution for negotiations to begin. Prior to 2020, the Finance Department was tasked with the acquisition of the properties/parcels and Parks and Recreation was tasked with the stewardship. Through a Hawaii County Charter change in 2020, the Finance Department took over both acquisition and stewardship for continuity. Current Status: The Roth Administration is supportive of the Program and is moving at a quicker pace than the prior administration. There is currently approximately $20 million in the "Preservation Fund". Three properties have been acquired (and are in escrow) with 4 additional property acquisitions over the next year. In the two years of transition time from Parks and Recreation to Finance stewardship, Covid played a role in backlogging progress compliance and site visit staffing were derailed. The program is currently back on track. Q&A — Comm. Kusch — How are properties on the "list" prioritized"? For properties on the "List" to acquire- one standard is to determine the property "fitness" for County ownership. A broad option is that parcels with maintenance hand -in -hand with partnerships, non -profits, stewardship entities already in place, can move up the list. Properties on the list may be unattainable but over time, with a change in ownership, become available for acquisition. Comm. Matson- The 2020 change also created PONC funds available for salaries, wages, benefits. Is there adequate staff currently and who decides to add additional staff? Staffing is currently adequate. PONC working with Department of Planning/Cultural Heritage Division. If additional staffing needed, Finance and Human Resources would decide. Comm. Konowicz -Does the County risk losing properties from the lengthy process required to acquire? If a seller cannot wait, there may be a private/non- profit to step in, or available funds in the CIP budget to move forward. The PONC Commission cannot side-step the rule and proper procedures but if a parcel pops up, we can quickly move on it. Comm. Kusch- Are there resources on-line? There is a PONC webpage within the County of Hawaii, Department of Finance website. [2:33] [7] STATUS REPORTS OF PERMITTED INTERACTION GROUPS 7(a) BUILDING DIVISION- The PIG received a 7/16,122 letter response informing the PIG that a consultant (through the Mayor's Office) had been contracted to answer many similar questions. The PIG will wait until the consultant's report, due in September, is filed. Secretary and Corp. Counsel will look into authorization of the 7/16/22 letter to be shared with the COG Commission. 7(b) IT — PIG has not met -- No update 7(c) DEM ,mm A Survey Monkey was shared with DEM employees -- fourteen responses were completed to date. 7(d) COUNTY FLEET — PIG has received only one response to their email requesting feedback — DPW requested a clarification. A list of questions has been drafted, and will be sent through Corp. Counsel, to the Secretary, for further disbursal to the Departments. 7(e) BOARDS/COMMISSION - A letter requesting feedback was mailed to all (45) Board and Commission Secretaries. 7(f) REVENUE- PIG met with Parks and Recreation Department Director, Maurice Messina. The County plans to implement usage fees and is doing an analysis. PIG will meet with Mass Transportation Administrator John Andoh regarding ad revenue on busses. 7(g) PONC a,,,. Newly established. [3:01 ] [8] DISCUSSION OF ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA Discussion: Chair Konowicz will redistribute the Cost Savings/Priority areas document and send to the Commission through the Secretary for further discussion. [3:15] ADJOURNMENT Comm. Matson made a Motion to Adjourn Comm. Kusch Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Voice Vote: Ayes: (8) Unanimous Meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.