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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2024 Minutes - DRAFT v.3 PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES - DRAFT 3 November 18, 2024 Public Meeting West Hawai'i Civic Center 74-5044 Keohokalole Hwy., Building A Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 I. CALL TO ORDER: On November 18, 2024, the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Chair Kelepolo,who welcomed all in attendance and introduced the Commissioners and PONC Staff.Those who were present constituted a quorum. Present: Deborah Chang, Commissioner CD-1 Alexandra "Alex" Kelepolo,Chair (CHR.) CD-2 Amedeo Markoff, Commissioner CD-4(joined the meeting at 9:20 a.m.) Deborah J. Ward, Commissioner CD-5 Jodie Rosam, Vice Chair(V. CHR.) CD-6 Justin Lee, Commissioner CD-7 La Crivello, Commissioner CD-8 (joined the meeting at 9:26 a.m.) Vacant: District 3 District 9 Support Staff: Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative (DCC) Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance Eva Braman, Commission Secretary II. STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC: Chr. Kelepolo opened the floor for public testimony and explained that testimony may be made at the beginning of the meeting or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Commission. No testifiers were wishing to speak at that time. III. MINUTES: The approval of Minutes from the October 7, 2024, meeting was deferred to the January 13, 2025, meeting. Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 1 IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. The Commission conducted Question and Answer(Q&A) interviews with the 2025 grant applicants in attendance. Commissioner-only discussions followed the interviews before voting to recommend approval of each application or to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. a. Application: STU.25-01 Applicant: Hawaiian Islands Land Trust(HILT) Property: Mahukona Navigation & Ecological Complex Tax Map Key: (3) 5-7-002:027, 036, 037 (3) 5-7-003:001, 002, 003, 007, 008,018 Project Name: Maintenance & Public Education Activities at Mahukona Navigation and Ecological Complex Requested Amt: $76,348 Proposed Scope: Invasive species removal, native plant restoration, educational curriculum development, and public educational activities such as guided hikes and school site visits. MOTION: Cmr. Ward moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. V. Chair Rosam seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None b. Application: STU.25-02 Applicant: Pohaha I Ka Lani Property: Waip'io Valley Lookout Tax Map Key: (3)4-8-004:006 Project Name: Koa'ekea Requested Amt: $80,400 Proposed Scope: Vegetation management, volunteer hosting, fire hazard reduction, and fence repair. MOTION: Cmr. Crivello moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Lee seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 2 c. Application: STU.25-03 Applicant: Kupa Aina O Keauhou Property: Keauhou Bay Tax Map Key: (3) 7-8-012:035, 106 Project Name: Keauhou Stewardship Program Requested Amt: $83,000 Proposed Scope: Native plant and aquaculture restoration, educational workshops, community involvement, and security measures. *This applicant did not attend the commission meeting and,therefore, did not participate in a Q&A session with the commissioners. * MOTION: V. Chair Rosam moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Crivello seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Absent:Cmr. Lee d. Application: STU.25-04 Applicant: Kohanaiki Ohana Property: O'oma Tax Map Key: (3) 7-3-009:004 Project Name: Malama O'oma Stewardship Project Requested Amt: $48,000 Proposed Scope: Invasive species removal, native plant restoration, and integration of stewardship activities into local school curriculums. MOTION: Cmr. Chang moved to approve the recommendation of this application. Cmr. Markoff seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Absent:Cmr. Lee e. Application: STU.25-05 Applicant: Hawaii Environmental Restoration (HER) Property: Wai'ele Tax Map Key: (3) 1-4-003:003, 037 Project Name: (Maintenance) Ho'ohui No Wai'ele and (Management) Digitized Resource Database—Implementation Phase Requested Amt: $45,037.01 Proposed Scope: Invasive species control, fire ant control, path creation, and marine debris removal. Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 3 MOTION: V. Chair Rosam moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Crivello seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Absent:None Excused: Cmr. Markoff(recused himself from the vote) f. Application: STU.25-06 Applicant: Na Maka Haloa O Waipi'o Property: Pohoiki Tax Map Key: (3) 1-3-008:097 Project Name: Pohoiki Management Requested Amt: $237,000 Proposed Scope: Creation of a management plan, community education, cultural workshops, and consistent property maintenance MOTION: Cmr. Crivello moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Ward seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None g. Application: STU.25-07 Applicant: Na Mamo O Kawa Property: Kawa Tax Map Key: (3) 9-5-016:006, 025 (3) 9-5-017:005, 007 Project Name: Kawa Stewardship Program Requested Amt: $137,280 Proposed Scope: Trail maintenance, resource monitoring, invasive species control, and volunteer group hosting. *This applicant did not attend the commission meeting and,therefore, did not participate in a Q&A session with the commissioners. * MOTION: Cmr. Markoff moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Crivello seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 4 h. Application: STU.25-08 Applicant: Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden Property: The Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens Tax Map Key: (3) 8-2-013:002, 003, 014 (3) 8-2-014:043 (3) 8-2-015:059 Project Name: Na Mala O Kona—Planning, Maintenance, and Education Requested Amt: $362,920 Proposed Scope: Maintenance and improvement of facilities and use of space for community activities, exhibit restoration,trail upgrades, forest canopy expansion, and public education. MOTION: Cmr. Ward moved to to approve the recommendation of this application. Cmr. Markoff seconded the motion. After a discussion ensued, Cmr. Ward withdrew her motion and made a new motion. Cmr. Ward moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Markoff seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None i. Application: STU.25-09 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Waikapuna, Kaunamano, Kiolaka'a Tax Map Key: (3) 9-5-007:016 (3) 9-5-011:001, 004, 005, 006 (3) 9-5-012:001 (3) 9-4-001:008, 009,016, 017, 023 Project Name: Ka'u Heritage Preserve Ranger Program Requested Amt: $145,025 Proposed Scope: Field crew management,trail and road maintenance, marine debris removal, and habitat restoration. MOTION: Cmr. Lee moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Markoff seconded the motion. After a discussion ensued, Cmr. Lee withdrew his motion and made a new motion. Cmr. Lee moved to approve the recommendation of this application. Cmr. Markoff seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 5 j. Application: STU.25-10 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Kiolaka'a Tax Map Key: (3) 9-4-001:008, 009, 016, 017, 023 Project Name: Kiolaka'a Community Resource Management Plan Requested Amt: $86,750 Proposed Scope: Development of a Community Resource Management Plan MOTION: Cmr. Chang moved to approve the recommendation of this application. V. Chair Rosam seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None k. Application: STU.25-11 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Kahua Olohu Tax Map Key: (3) 9-5-012:005 Project Name: Kahua 'Olohu Stewardship Program Requested Amt: $22,750 Proposed Scope: Grass mowing, debris removal, public education, cultural events, and waste management. MOTION: Cmr. Chang moved to approve the recommendation of this application. Cmr. Lee seconded the motion. The Commission engaged in a discussion about a particular applicant's request for funds to cover general liability insurance.After thorough deliberation, the Commission reached a consensus.They agreed to recommend approval of the application on the condition that the applicant revises their application to exclude the request for insurance funding. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 6 I. Application: STU.25-12 Applicant: Vipassana Hawaii Property: Halelua Tax Map Key: (3) 5-3-007:010 Project Name: Halelua Management Planning Requested Amt: $1,000 Proposed Scope: Food and refreshments for community meetings regarding property management planning MOTION: Cmr. Ward moved to defer the recommendation vote to the next meeting. Cmr. Lee seconded the motion. The applicant's request for funds to purchase food and refreshments was discussed. Since food and refreshments are not one of the seventeen allowable expenditures under the Charter,the commission decided not to recommend approving this application. Cmr. Ward withdrew her motion and made a new motion. Cmr. Ward moved to not recommend approval of this application. V. Chair seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Commission Members Chang, Markoff, Ward, Lee, Crivello, Rosam and Kelepolo Noes: None 2. Review of the PONC 2025 meeting calendar It was discovered that the commission did not receive Comm. 24-053 before the meeting. Secretary Braman ensured that all commissioners would receive a copy of the schedule shortly after the meeting. The PONC Secretary addressed the Commission regarding the scheduling of meetings for 2025. It was explained that while the usual practice is to alternate the location of the year's first meeting between East and West locations, the 2025 calendar requires an exception. Due to venue reservation conflicts, the first meeting of 2025 must be held in Hilo. 3. Election of the commission's Chair and Vice-Chair for 2025 Chair Kelepolo called for nominations for the 2025 Chairperson. Cmr. Crivello nominated current V. Chair Jodie Rosam as Chair. The nomination was seconded by Cmr. Chang. V. Chair accepted the nomination and the Chair asked for a raise of hands to approve the nomination. All commissioners present voted in favor by raising their hands (7 ayes). Chair Kelepolo then called for nominations for the 2025 Vice Chairperson. Chair Kelepolo nominated Cmr. Crivello and asked for a second. The nomination was seconded by current V. Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 7 Chair Rosam. Cmr. Crivello accepted the nomination, and the Chair asked for a raise of hands to approve the nomination. All commissioners present voted in favor by raising their hands (7 ayes). 4. Recognition of Chair Kelepolo and Commissioner Lee for their service on the commission. The commission and PONC staff congratulated and thanked Chair Kelepolo and Cmr. Lee for their years of service on the commission. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. The next public meeting is scheduled for Monday,January 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. at the Hawai'i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720. 2. Suggested agenda items for the regular meeting on Monday,January 13, 2025: a. Discussion amongst commissioners only (no discussion between applicants and commission) regarding the remaining grant applications that were deferred to the January meeting. Conduct final recommendation vote. b. Create a Permitted Interaction Group (PInG) to review and revise the stewardship grant scoring sheet and rubric. VI. ADJOURNMENT(Motion required) MOTION: Cmr. Ward moved to adjourn the meeting. Cmr. Lee seconded the motion. Chr. Kelepolo called for a verbal vote to adjourn. All present voted, "Aye."The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONER ALEXANDRA KELEPOLO, Chairperson Draft posted: December 6, 2024 Draft 2 posted: January 9, 2025 Draft 3 posted: March 4, 2025 Approved: Approved posted: Draft 3-Minutes of November 18, 2024 Page 8