HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-07 Minutes - DRAFT v.3 PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES - DRAFT v.3
October 7, 2024
Public Meeting
Hilo County Building
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401
Hilo, HI 96720
I. CALL TO ORDER:
On October 7, 2024, the meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Preservation Commission (PONC) was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Chr. Kelepolo welcomed all
in attendance and introduced the Commissioners of the Commission and PONC Staff.Those who
were present constituted a quorum.
Present: Deborah Chang, Commissioner CD-1
Alexandra "Alex' Kelepolo, Chair (CHR.) CD-2
Amadeo Markoff, Commissioner CD-4
Deborah J. Ward, Commissioner CD-5
Jodie Rosam, Vice Chair(V. CHR.) CD-6
Justin Lee, Commissioner CD-7
Absent: La Crivello, Commissioner CD-8(excused)
Kamuela Plunkett, Commissioner CD-9 (excused)
Vacant: District 3
Support Staff: Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative
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.
There being no testifiers, Chr. Kelepolo continued the meeting with the approval of minutes.
III. MINUTES: (Motion(s) required)
Chr. Kelepolo asked for a motion to approve the July 8, 2024 regular meeting minutes.
Motion was made by Cmr. Chang and seconded by V. Chair Rosam. There being no
discussion, Chr. Kelepolo asked for a raise of hands to approve the July 8, 2024. All
commissioners present raised their hands. The July 8, 2024, meeting minutes were approved.
Draft 3-Minutes of October 7, 2024
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Chr. Kelepolo then asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2024, regular
meeting. V. Chr. Rosam made the motion, which was seconded by Cmr. Lee.There being no
discussion, all commissioners present raised their hands to vote to approve the March 11,
2024, meeting minutes.The March 11, 2024, meeting minutes were approved.
IV. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT:
Property Manager Hamana Ventura gave a verbal presentation to the commission to
introduce a newly established timeline for the 2025 Stewardship Grant cycle. Mr. Ventura
shared that the Finance Department has been working diligently on the outstanding
stewardship grants and developing a procedure to assist the Commission with evaluating and
recommending the grant applications.
He continued by saying that the additional intent in developing this new process is to better
align the use of the Maintenance Fund with the reasons each property was acquired in the
first place. Doing so should help ensure that each stewardship grant includes only allowable
expenses, meets all the legal requirements, and gives us all the best shot at properly
protecting the properties.
Deputy Finance Director Aaron Brown addressed the commission and thanked them for their
service. A discussion ensued, with commissioners asking questions about the timeline and
processes.
V. DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL REPORT:
Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell provided reminders about Robert's Rules of Order.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Existing Permitted Interaction Group to report on the Pre-Review of Stewardship
Grant Applications.
Cmr. Chang provided her Permitted Interaction Group (PInG) report on the Pre-Review of
Friends Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden's stewardship application. No other
applicants submitted their applications to be pre-reviewed.
2. Discussion regarding the possible formation of a Permitted Interaction Group(PInG)for an
out-of-meeting review of all 2025 stewardship grant applications.
The commissioners agreed that this discussion was unnecessary as the information provided
by the Finance Department earlier in the meeting provided enough information.
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next public meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 18, at a time to be determined, at
the West Hawai'i Civic Center, 74-5044 Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740.
Draft 3-Minutes of October 7, 2024
Page 2
VIII. ADJOURNMENT(Motion required)
With no further agenda items, Chr. Kelepolo called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION:V. Chr. Rosam moved to adjourn the meeting. Cmr. Lee seconded the motion. Chr.
Kelepolo called for a verbal vote, and all present voted, "Aye, " except for Cmr. Ward, who
abstained from the adjournment vote.The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 12:13
p.M.
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL
RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COMMISSIONER ALEXANDRA KELEPOLO, Chairperson
Draft 2 posted: December 3, 2024
Draft 3 posted: March 4, 2025
Approved:
Approved posted:
Draft 3-Minutes of October 7, 2024
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