Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-10 Minutes ApprovedPUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION f►All0hj1�! July 10, 2023 Public Meeting Hawai'i County Building 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401 Hilo, Hawai'i 96720. CALL TO ORDER: On July 10, 2023, the regular meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Chr. Chang, who welcomed all in attendance, introduced the newest Commissioner, Samuel "Kamuela" Plunkett, Jr. of District 9, and asked him to give a brief introduction of himself. Chr. Chang introduced the rest of the Commission and PONC Staff. Those that were present constituted a quorum. Present: Deborah Chang, Chairperson (Chr.) Council District (CD)-1 Alexandra "Alex' Kelepolo, Vice Chair (V.Chr.) CD-2 Deborah J. Ward, Commissioner CD-5 Jodie Rosam, Commissioner CD-6 Justin Lee, Commissioner CD-7 La Crivello, Commissioner CD-8 Kamuela Plunkett, Commissioner CD-9 Excused: Shel lie Bee Allen Naungayan, Commissioner CD-3 Vacant: Council District 4 Support Staff: Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative There being no objections from the commission, Chr. Chang changed the agenda order and began the meeting with "Old Buisness, Item No. 1 to be followed by New Business, Items No. 1, and No. 2." Chr. Chang opened the floor for public testimony. REYNA RAMOLETE HAYASHI, a Trust for Public Land (TPL and nominator) representative, spoke in support of Sugg. 23-01. Reyna gave a brief background of TPL, whose mission is to protect public land for people, ensuring a healthy community for generations to come. She testified the property owners were willing sellers. She confirmed the participation of both Hui Aloha Kiholo and Na 'Oiwi o Pu'uanahulu. She confirmed that Na 'Oiwi o Pu'uanahulu would be the fee owners, with Hui Aloha Kiholo providing assistance in stewardship or maintenance of the property. She testified that there are trails, essential fishing areas, sites of cultural significance, anchialine pools, native plants, and cultural and historical values in this'aina. She confirmed the landowner signed a letter of intent. LEHUA OTA, a lineal descendant, spoke in support of Sugg. 23-01. She gave an account of how they visited the property with support from the landowner who opened the gate. She confirmed that her Minutes of July 10, 2023 Page 1 family fished and could perform their religious and cultural practices. LEHUA ALAPA`I, a lineal descendant, spoke in support of Sugg. 23-01. She gave a brief genealogy connection to the land. She confirmed that Na `Oiwi o Pu`uanahulu came later in the process. She confirmed that many lineal descendants had gotten together since the last meeting. TONI BISSEN, a member of the Pu`a Foundation, spoke in support of Sugg. 23-02. She recounted an open house held on April 11, 2023, which various religious groups attended. She gave an account of a biological reconnaissance report from Arizona State University based on data gathered in 2019. The report found Rapid `Ohi`a Death has been spreading in the kipuka, a major concern underscoring the urgent need for management planning. She said she did not have that report. There were no other testifiers, Chr. Chang closed PUBLIC TESTIMONY. OLD BUSINESS: 1. 2023 Permitted Interaction Group Reports for Site Visits. Chr. Chang called for a motion before any discussion. MOTION: Commissioner Crivello moved to accept the 2023 PinG Site Visits Reports. V. Chr. Kelepolo seconded the motion, and discussion began. (a) Sugg. 23-01, `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa, N. Kona, Hawaii. TMK (3) 7-1-03:10. Commissioner Lee gave an account of the largest U.S. Spear Fishing Tournament targeting invasive fish that was held along this coastline, where he participated with hundreds of participants worldwide. Being the first in over seventy years, over 5,000 lbs. of the invasive "Roi and Ta`ape," fish were removed from this coastline region. (b) Sugg. 23-02, Punahoa Heritage Forest, S. Hilo, Hawaii. TMK (3) 2-5-01:11. Commissioner Ward cited concerns about feral pig control and how it related to the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death (ROD). How would they address this if this becomes a County acquisition? Commissioner Rosam stated that fencing out ungulates has been shown to lower the incidences of ROD across the island, and a fence would be essential to prevent the spread of ROD. (c) Sugg. 23-04, Ke Ala Kahawai `O Waimea, S. Kohala, Hawaii. TMK (3) various. Commissioner Ward expressed the importance that the community works closely with the Finance department to acquire the trail due to the high demand for real estate properties in Waimea. The market of lands and demand may impact the trail in its entirety. MOTION cont.: There were no further discussions, Chr. Chang called for a verbal vote. All those present voted, "Aye." The motion passed unanimously. CHR. Chang continued to take the items out of the agenda and reverted to NEW BUSINESS, No. 1. and called for public testimony. DEBBIE HECHT testified in support of Sugg. 23-04 and the importance of acquiring all 14 miles of the "Waimea Trail." Ms. Hecht gave a brief background of her involvement with the Preservation Fund. She updated the commission on the recent failure to acquire Federal Highway funding. She stated the importance of matching funding that could come from FEMA and CS (acroynm was not given during the meeting) to protect trails, watersheds, and streams and provide pedestrian safety to local areas. Minutes of July 10, 2023 Page 2 There were no other testifiers Chr. Chang closed PUBLIC TESTIMONY. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 2023 Prioritized List. Commission to discuss and review. (motion needed). MOTION: Commissioner Crivello moved to accept the 2023 Prioritized List in order, Sugg. 23-01, Sugg. 23-02, and Sugg. 23-04. V. Chr. Kelepolo seconded the motion, and discussion began. Chr. Chang read the prioritized list ranked and opened the floor for discussion: Sugg. 23-01, `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa, N. Kona, Hawaii. TMK (3) 7-1-03:10 at 95.7% Sugg. 23-02, Punahoa Heritage Forest, S. Hilo, Hawaii. TMK (3) 2-5-01:11 at 84.57% Sugg. 23-04, Ke Ala Kahawai `O Waimea, S. Kohala, Hawaii. TMK (3) various at 73.1% Secretary Cutler explained the meaning of the percentages and ranking results to those in the audience and new commissioners. She said that all percentages over 50% are on the prioritized list, and any below 50% failed. A short discussion ensued with all commission members expressing their gratitude to the nominators for bringing the suggestions to the commission, the nominators' hard work throughout the process, and their support for all suggestions. There were a few commissioners who wished to change their scoring. Chr. Chang called for a 15- minute break and instructed Secretary Cutler to gather new scores, recalculate the percentages, and report back. At 11:29 a.m., Chr. Chang called the meeting to order, stated the ranking did not change, and asked for the results. Secretary Cutler reported: No. % Sugg. Nomination for Hawaii. Tax Map Key (3) 1. 95.714 23-01 `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa, N. Kona. 7-1-03:10 2. 85.286 23-02 Punahoa Heritage Forest, S. Hilo. 2-5-01:11 3. 75.571 23-04 Ke Ala Kahawai `O Waimea, S. Kohala. Various Motion cont.: There were no further discussions or changes, Chr. Chang called for a "roll -call" vote. Commissioners Crivello, Lee, Plunkett, Rosam, Ward, V. Chr. Kelepolo, and Chr. Chang voted, "Aye." There being 1-excused and 1-vacancy, the motion passed. MINUTES: (Motion required) Minutes (draft) of May 8, 2023, regular meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Ward moved to approve the May 8, 2023, minutes. V. Chr. Kelepolo seconded the motion. During the discussion, three grammatical errors were pointed out. AMENDED MOTION: CHR. CHANG moved to amend the original motion with three grammatical errors, as discussed. Commissioner Rosam seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Chr. Chang called for a vote by raising of hands to approve. Those present voted, "Aye." The motion passed. ORIGINAL AMENDED MOTION: There was no further discussion, Chr. Chang called for a vote Minutes of July 10, 2023 Page 3 by raising of hands to approve. Those present voted, "Aye." The motion passed. CHAIRPERSON REPORT: Chr. Chang announced the vacancy for Council District 4. She thanked Commissioner Crivello and V. Chr. Kelepolo for participating in a recent community meeting at the Ka'u Coffee Talk in Ka'u at the Kahuku Unit of the Hawai'i Volcanoes Nationa Park in Ka'u. They gave a presentation about the Preservation Fund. Chr. Chang encouraged the commission that community presentations are allowed and announced the deadline for filing the Stewardship Grant Application by August 31, 2023, before 4:30 p.m. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT: Property Manager Hamana Ventura announced the Halelua contract is underway, and soon the Keauhou Lots. He reported continuing movement forward with other projects such as Mahukona. He announced approved funding for a "stand alone" website for the Open Space Preservation Program. Commissioner Ward asked for clarification for contracts that were 18-month vs. 12-month terms for Stewardship Grant funding. Property Management Technician Maxine Cutler explained that previous contracts with Parks and Recreation (P&R) were accepted as either calendar or fiscal year grant terms. As part of "catching up" and unifying all applications to a fiscal year, all applications for the 2021 grant year received an 18-month term from January 1, 2021, till June 30, 2022, and also run parallel with the County's "Grant -in -Aid" program. She shared with the commission Communication 336, approved by the Committee on Legislative Approvals, which included an Accounting Report on the Preservation Maintenance Fund and Stewardship Grant Fund Report as of May 30, 2023, covering 2020 — 2023. Commissioner Ward voiced concerns for the Waipi'o Valley stewardship non-profit, Pohaha I Ka Lani having difficulty filing their tax returns due to the 18-month term change. She asked Finance to assist them with their filings. Mr. Ventura responded that tax issues are a private matter and need to be addressed by the organization. DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL REPORT: Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell addressed the issue of hybrid meetings. She summarized HRS Chapter 92 and the PONC Rules and Procedures and gave this opinion: that the Finance Director determines the disposition of hybrid or Zoom meetings. The Finance Director has been asked, and her response is, "No, it will take extra staffing to hold such meetings." Atty. Campbell assured the commission that your County staff has asked about hybrid and zoom meetings numerous times. OLD BUSINESS: 2. Report from the PInG for Pre -Review of Stewardship Grant Applications. Chr. Chang reported no grant applications were submitted for pre -review and expressed support for forming a PInG to offer a pre -review again next year. 3. Report from the PInG for 2024 Suggestion Form. Commissioner Rosam reported that the PInG met and is working on a draft for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS: (Motion(s) required) 2. Choose volunteers to write summaries for the 2023 Annual Report to the Mayor. V. Chr. Kelepolo mentioned that the Site Visits Reports were well written and followed the format of the summary for the Annual Report. Condensing or summarizing the site visit report would Minutes of July 10, 2023 Page 4 make the write-up's easier. The deadline for the summaries would be to the secretary by the week of August 15, 2023. Volunteers were: (a) Sugg. 23-01, Commissioner Crivello. (b) Sugg. 23-02, Commissioner Rosam. (c) Sugg. 23-04, Commissioner Ward. 3. Form a PInG to review/revise the Assessment Criteria Form. (Motion needed) Chr. Chang directed the commission to make a motion to form a PInG and discuss the scope of the work. MOTION: Commissioner Rosam moved to form a PInG to revise the Assessment Criteria Form, select members, and scope of work. V. Chr. Kelepolo seconded the motion. The commission discussed changes to include the following: address the flow of the assessment, review for recent adoption of the new rules and charter changes, and relationship to the Suggestion Form. Chr. Chang called for volunteers: Commissioners Crivello, Rosam, and Chr. Chang volunteered. There were no further discussion, so Chr. Chang called for a roll -call vote. Those voting "Aye" were Commissioners Crivello, Lee, Plunkett, Rosam, Ward, V. Chr. Kelepolo, Chr. Chang, one excused absence, and one vacancy. The motion passed. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. The next public meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at West Hawaii Community Center 74-5044 Keohokalole Hwy., Building G, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. 2. Suggested agenda items are: a) 2024 Stewardship Grant Applications. Commission to interview applicants, discuss, and make recommendations to the Department of Finance. b) PInG Report for the Suggestion Form. c) PInG Report for the Assessment Criteria Form. ADJOURNMENT (Motion required) MOTION: V. Chr. Kelepolo moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Rosam seconded the motion. Chr. Chang called for a verbal vote, and all present voted, "Aye." The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 12:38 p.m. Draft Minutes Posted: August 24, 2023 Approved: September 11, 2023 Posted: September 21, 2023 PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONER DEBORAH CHANG, Chairperson Minutes of July 10, 2023 Page 5