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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 13, 2025 Minutes - DRAFT v.2 PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES —DRAFT 2 January 13, 2025 Public Meeting Hilo County Building, Hilo Council Chambers 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 CALL TO ORDER: On January 13, 2025, the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Chair Rosam, 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 • Amedeo Markoff, Commissioner CD-4 • Deborah J. Ward, Commissioner CD-5 • Jodie Rosam, Chair(CHR.) CD-6 • La Crivello, Vice Chair (V. CHR.) CD-8 Vacant: • District 2 • District 3 • District 7 • District 9 Support Staff: • Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel • Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance and acting commission secretary STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC: Chair Rosam 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. Kaleolani Haaniu Pasciuta and Makanahele Emsley spoke on behalf of Kupa Aina o Keauhou, established to continue the legacy of Lilly Kong. Carrying forward her legacy was shared. Ms. Emsley spoke of the value of stewardship and conservation. Further discussion included past malama aina and cultural events. They wish to create a space for lineal descendants and kanaka to return to the aina. Tammy Halliwell serves on the Board and talked of creating a space to gather, rebuilding palina with aina, and strengthening connections with each other. Immediate needs include the reduction of overgrowth and gaining an overall understanding of the area. This concluded public testimony. Chair moved on to Old Business. Chair mentioned that the commission considered 12 applications and took final votes on 4. Additional questions were sent to applicants. PM Hamana Ventura stated that during the process, one applicant did not submit responses on time and therefore were not forwarded to the Commission. However, the applicant did submit responses through public testimony. Another applicant revised an application outside of the directions that were given. One applicant withdrew as well due to a lack of time to complete the application. Chair went on to discuss that it is up to the commission to accept applications as submitted, recommend changes, which could include partial approval or denial of certain parts. Finance helped to streamline the process, but the Commission has the discretion to decide what is to be considered. STU.25-01 Hawaiian Islands Land Trust(HILT) Commissioner Chang moved to approve less $12,832 in fringe benefits. There being no further discussion, a roll call vote motion passed with 5 ayes. STU.25-02 Pohaha I Ka Lani Jesse Potter discussed the breakdown of costs, the need for signage and policies. Mentioned protestors using the site during Mayor Roth's emergency proclamation and being caught in the middle and having to be the buffer. Hosting groups is a primary function. Sharing space and gray water runoff was a problem. Commissioner Chang moved to approve less $8,000 for food. Commissioner Ward said that food is an important aspect when it comes to children. Commissioner Crivello agreed but pointed out that it could come from a different source. Deputy Corp Counsel Jean confirmed that this is not the right pot of money to cover food costs. Commissioner Chang sees water as a safety item and that water is not available on this parcel. Roll call vote motion passed with 5 ayes. STU.25-03 Kupa `Aina 0 Keauhou Commissioner Chang moved to partial approval to include security measures of$30,000, subject to PM approval, organizing of Aina workdays ($5,000), development of educational workshops ($10,000),tools, equipment, and supplies ($10,000) for a total award of$55,000. Commissioner Chang went on to clarify that future management planning items would be coming through PM to provide more consistency and guidance for new projects. Commissioner Markoff disagreed and felt that lineal descendants should drive the plan. PM Ventura mentioned that 3 community- based plans are under contract but have not been completed. Deputy Finance Director, Malia Kekai, addressed the Commission and stated that their goal is to put together management plans for all PONC-owned properties. They are the first steward of the land, their kuleana to evaluate needed components. A timeline is yet to be determined. Motion passed with 5 ayes. STU.25-05 Hawaii Environmental Restoration (HER) Commissioner Chang moved to approve as presented. Motion passed with 4 ayes and 1 recusal. STU.25-06 Na Maka Haloa O Waipi`o—Withdrawn. STU.25-07 Na Mamo O Kawa Kai Maguire, Chair, and Kaui Felder, contractor, were present and provided public testimony. Chair Rosam stated that responses to questions were submitted through public testimony and were not dispersed to all Commissioners prior to the meeting. PM Ventura shared with the Commission that the applicant missed the deadline to respond to questions and that responses were not forwarded to the commission. The commission recessed to review public testimony. At 11:14 a.m., the commission came out of recess. Commissioner Crivello moved that the application be approved, subject to Finance review and the applicant providing a detailed budget breakdown. Motion passed with 5 ayes. Deputy Corp Counsel Jean Campbell, clarified that if a person is doing a task that is identified in the budget, they can be paid regardless if they are an officer, board member, or employee of the organization. STU.25-08 Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden Lou Putzel, Patricia Todd, and Emily Ebert provided public testimony. Commissioner Chang made a motion to approve as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Markoff. Commissioner Chang wanted to point out that there should be an error clarification. 10-15 C3 refers to the ability of the County to hire staff to advance the PONC program's activities. Commissioner Chang expressed concerns about the applicant obtaining after-the-fact permits for work done for more than $7,500. The commission went into further discussions on the subject. Chair Rosam pointed out that the commission could not accept a significantly revised application. Commissioner Chang moved to approve as submitted on the original application. Motion passed with 5 ayes. This concluded Old Business. MINUTES: The approval of Minutes from the October 7, 2024, and November 18, 2024, meetings were deferred to the March 10, 2025, meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Crivello moved to form a permitted interaction group to review and revise the stewardship grant scoring sheet and rubric. Seconded by Commissioner Markoff. Members are Commissioner Chang, Commissioner Crivello, and Chair Rosam. VI. ADJOURNMENT (Motion required) MOTION: Commissioner Ward moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Markoff seconded the motion. Chair Rosam called for a verbal vote to adjourn. All present voted, "Aye." The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONER JODIE ROSAM, Chairperson