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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-30 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)HAWAII COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES — REGULAR SESSION May 30, 2006, 10:00 a.m. Hawaii County Council Room 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Present: Kenneth Kaneshiro Laura Schuster Paul Campbell John Replogle (arrived at 10:17 a.m.) Jocelyn Garovoy (arrived at 10:20 a.m.) Hannah Springer E. Kalani Flores (left at 1:20 p.m.) Absent: Benedict Yung Ruth Walker Others Present: Bobby -Jean Leithead -Todd, Deputy Corporation Counsel Cathy Minor, Secretary Stacie Waltjen, Secretary Stanley Iwamoto, Department of Finance Alice Kawaha, Planning Esther Imamura, Planning Patricia Engelhard, Parks and Recreation (arrived at 10:45 a.m. left at 11:30 p.m.) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Hannah Springer at 10:04 a.m. All present Commissioners introduced themselves as well as the secretaries to members of public. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Deborah L. Chang Ms. Chang was born in North Kohala and raised mainly in Waimea. She grew up in a family that relied on traditional accesses for fishing and hunting. She represented herself and not as a County employee or the Na Ala Hele Advisory Council where she currently serves. She spoke in support of communication 06 -091 (Roads in Limbo.) Ms. Chang sent a letter dated April 19, 2006, to the Department of Public Works with a copy sent to this Commission because she wanted to make sure that this commission is aware of the diversity of potential public values in the Roads in Limbo. Many of these old roads have public access potential. Ms. Chang's primary message was that before the disposing of any road or trail that is presently in public ownership (as are the roads in limbo) very careful assessment should be done, including consultation with the local people with knowledge of the area. Historic Hawaiian trails were of the greatest interest to Ms. Chang. She has advocated that historic trails be protected and whenever possible, used. Ms. Chang stated that it is absolutely essential that we "landbank" lands that we have the opportunity to acquire and allow time to set -up /build the management capacity. In the meanwhile, such lands should remain closed to public use until they are properly managed for that purpose. Ms. Chang would be willing to share her information and experience that she has accumulated through the years and asked to be contacted if she can be of assistance. Commissioner Campbell stated to Ms. Chang that this Commission's jurisdiction ends when the list is given to the Mayor. Commissioner Campbell encouraged Ms. Chang to submit her testimony to the Hawaii County Council and to Mayor Harry Kim. Ms. Chang stated that she wasn't planning on presenting to the Hawaii County Council or Mayor Kim, however Ms. Chang indicated that she received a nice response from Mayor Kim in response to her roads in limbo letter. Commissioner Springer stated to Ms. Chang that if she has any particular trails or roadways that she would like to draw the Commission's attention to, she could do that by specific sites. Commissioner Springer is in agreement with Commissioner Campbell that testimony to the Hawaii County Council and Mayor Kim will be well done. Commissioner Schuster stated that the idea of banking the land and taking that view is a very difficult line to hold to the public when public monies are involved in purchasing of the land and so access to those lands is always going to be an issue. Commissioner Schuster agrees with Commissioner Springer about taking this to the community and County Council level because it's something that comes from community and their understanding of it. 2. Debbie Hecht Ms. Hecht is a board member of Hawaii Island Land Trust and coordinator of the Save our Lands Committee which is sponsoring the 2% Ballot Initiative Petition. Ms. Hecht stated that it's an island wide initiative to get this question on the November ballot to let the voters decide whether to set aside 2% of real property tax revenues each year to purchase open space. Ms. Hecht then stated that there was some confusion among the Councilmembers as to whether this was a change to the County Charter and it's not. It's a change to the Public Access, Open Space ordinance which also created this commission. The two suggested changes are: 2 1) "Two percent (2 %) of the Hawaii County real property tax revenues collected annually" will be deposited in the Public Access, Open Space Fund; 2) The cap of 5 million will be removed. Ms. Hecht thanked the Commissioners for their hard work and asked for the Commission's support of the initiative petition drive by way of a formal letter from this Commission. If 2% of real property taxes are set aside, this will allow the County to be a competitive buyer in the competitive land market. Ms. Hecht's goal is to assist the County in important lands purchases. Ms. Hecht informed the commissioners she has been advocating for Puapua`a properties makai of Alii Drive. Ms. Hecht indicated she met with Council Member Virginia Isbel and together they drafted a resolution which she hopes will come forth before the Hawaii County Council. The resolution is a request to the Hawaii County Council to purchase the Puapua`a properties. Commissioner Campbell stated to Ms. Hecht that the Kauai and Maui counties have similar programs in place and we are using Kauai county as a model. Commissioner Campbell then thanked Ms. Hecht for testifying. Commissioner Springer directed Ms. Hecht to the hand -out that she passed out, to the right hand bar, which indicates the properties that are recommended for "purchase" and the properties recommended for "acquisition through partnerships," those properties are not necessarily recommended for acquisition, the action is that the County will enter into partnerships with either the land owners or other government agencies to manage the resource. The better way to state it should be "properties and /or entitlements for partnerships." Commissioner Flores asked Ms. Hecht when her deadline is for the required 10,000 signatures, Ms. Hecht replied that she is aiming for June 15, 2006, because the "drop dead date" to get the count back from the County Clerk and the elections commissioner is June 22, 2006, to meet the deadline for the next County Council's agenda. 3. Josh Stanbro Mr. Stanbro represents Trust for Public Lands which is a non profit organization that works statewide to protect lands for the people. Mr. Stanbro commended this Commission for the great work which was done in a very methodical way and the amount of public outreach. Mr. Stanbro stated that it would be helpful to substitute the word "protection" for "acquisition" on the list provided to Mayor Kim and feels that there are a number of properties on this list that are viable candidates for acquisition, however not by the County. These properties would be viable candidates for acquisition by the State, federal government or a non - profit organization. Mr. Stanbro suggested prioritizing the partnership list sent to Mayor Kim. Mr. Stanbro specifically indicated three properties on the partnership list that are capable for acquisition and protection for partnership with the State. Mr. Stanbro stated that this Commission should refer to these properties in another way instead of by the owners name for sensitivity issues and also should ownership trade hands. For example, the Cohen parcel should be named South Parcel, in all likelihood would be number 1 because its closest to development. The Reish parcel (north parcel) would be number 2 and the Gordy parcel (middle parcel) would be 3rd Mr. Stanbro indicated that the Legacy Lands fund recently passed at the State level. The State has funding at their level and is interested in seeing these "in- holdings parcels" protect the integrity of the Kohala coastline. The one parcel that Mr. Stanbro did not see on list is Kapua, which is in South Kona, south of Milolii. This is a large parcel of land, with historical sites on it. Monies at the state level for inclusion of this parcel, Kapua, into the South Kona Wilderness area is still not enough. Having a supplement or grant from the County of Hawai` i fund maybe enough to push it over the edge. Mr. Stanbro indicates that the County of Hawaii would not be responsible for maintaining the property, there are no access issues, no members from the public looking for parks and recreational use, because these are what the State would like to see protected. However, the State is not able to do so without partnership with the County of Hawaii. Mr. Stanbro suggested that this commission review the list of protection through partnership sent to Mayor Kim and the County Council and indicate that these parcels are not necessarily for County acquisition, but can Mayor Kim and the County Council actively work towards that. Mr. Stanbro would like to clarify that the Maui and Kauai counties real property tax revenue "set asides" are in their County Charter. It is untouchable by their respective Council. City and County of Honolulu currently has their request on the ballot for November by charter commission and it will be a charter amendment to be voted by the people, it has not been approved thus far. The City and County of Honolulu is slightly different with it being a 1 % set aside, to be divided between affordable housing programs and land protection. Mr. Stanbro strongly endorsed the efforts by the Save our Land Committee initiating this 2% for the County of Hawaii. in Commissioner Garovoy clarified that the properties on partnership list was prioritized by numerical scores. Mr. Stanbro stated he would be happy to answer questions about specific parcels that the Trust for Public Lands is currently working on. Commissioner Springer asked why the urgency in the Cohen property. Mr. Stanbro stated the land owner has applied for a permit to build on the property and that permit recently went up to the State Land Board because it's a conservation property. Mr. Stanbro is interested in seeing the Cohen property protected through other means. There is a willingness at the state level to protect through acquisition. Mr. Stanbro suggested that in terms of ranking "in priorities" he suggested for our next list, which is due this December, this commission include something that states "level of threat." Commissioner Schuster stated having this commission hearing the comments of the people who have the information is an idea, because this commission doesn't always hear everything. This commission needs to establish better communication between other agencies. Mr. Stanbro further stated that the State has developed an application package for the Legacy Land Fund which will be finalized next week. Randy Kennedy from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife is currently managing it. Commissioner Flores requested to Mr. Stanbro that he draft a letter as to what capacity the Trust for Public Land could work with this commission and /or the County of Hawaii so that there is a clear idea of how partnerships can work with and what capacity. 4. Karen Clarkson Ms. Clarkson represented Save Our Land Citizens committee. Ms. Clarkson provided a three minute video prepared by students at Honokaa High School. The video depicted two boys in the process of pig hunting on one day and the next day they were unable to pig hunt, due to a gate being put up with a "No Hunting Sign." Ms. Clarkson requested support of the 2% initiative petition. 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Hannah Springer moved for approval of the minutes of April 24, 2006 regular session, seconded by Commissioner Kenneth Kaneshiro and carried unanimously by voice vote. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Communication No. 06 -084: Completed survey form received anonymously regarding Punaluu Black Sand Beach was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Kaneshiro, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Flores, all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -085: Completed survey form received from Sterling Robbins regarding Punaluu Black Sand Beach was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Springer; the motion was seconded by Chair Replogle, all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -086: Completed survey form received from Scott Tompkins regarding White Road Trail was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Springer; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Schuster; all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -087: Letter dated April 10, 2006 from Myles Y. Miyasato, Chair for the Cost of Government Commission regarding Commission's Annual Report. Commissioner Schuster asked for discussion. Attorney Leithead -Todd talked about the letter from the Cost of Government Commission asking for input and comments that would have to be completed by this Commission. The questions are intended to improve government functions. Chair Replogle moved this communication to New Business on the agenda. Communication No. 06 -088: Completed survey form received Anonymously regarding Holualoa Beach was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Springer; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Garovey; all members voted aye, motion carried. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that although Communication 06 -090 and 06 -091 were addressed in the Statements by the Public, they were not formally addressed in the agenda. Communication No. 06 -090: Email from Debbie Hecht dated April 19, 2006 regarding 2% Initiative for November ballot. The commissioners discussed sending a letter to the Mayor and Council to amend the existing charter. Attorney Leithead -Todd verified that the amendment would be to the existing County Code. 31 Commissioner Flores made a Motion for this commission to support the 2% ballot initiative for open space which would remove the current 5 million dollars limit on funds in the open space fund as well as have a set aside of 2% of Hawaii County property taxes revenues for the open space fund with a letter of support to the Mayor and a "cc" to Hawai `i County Council and any other appropriate individuals or agencies. Commissioner Kaneshiro stated that his biggest concern was that during the lean years when the County does not have enough funding to run the County, it does not state that the monies can be set aside so we don't have to put in the 2% into this account. There should be flexibility so that during lean years, these monies will not be mandated to be put into the account. Commissioner Campbell stated that there maybe a need for compromise down the road but it should not be initiated by this commission, this commission should just support it and let the compromise come from other sources. Commissioner Kaneshiro disagreed. Commissioner Garovoy stated that it's a change to the County Code, it can always be amended again. Should there was a state of emergency the County Council has demonstrated that it's more than capable of getting the money needed. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that because it's a proposed amendment to the County Code, the County Council at any time, can initiate an amendment to the code to change the percentage. Also because it's set up as special fund, the County Council also has the flexibility during budget to take the money for an emergency situation. However, because it's going into the County Code, the County Council would have to provide if they were going to amend code or adopt a budget session, in either manner the County Council would be required to provide public notice which would give the public an opportunity to testify as to how the County Council want money spent. Chair Replogle called for a vote on the motion, all members voted aye by raise of hands, motion carried. Chair Replogle will draft the letter of support to the Hawai `i County Council. Communication No. 06 -091: Letter from Deborah L. Chang regarding Roads in Limbo. Ms. Chang requested that they consider the specific examples in her letter regarding the acquisition restoration towards partnerships. Commissioner Springer requested to Ms. Chang that she fill out an intake suggestion form for those sites. The communication was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Springer; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Campbell; All members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -092: Letter dated April 12, 2006 from Elfie Wilkins regarding lands to be considered for purchase was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Garovoy; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Campbell; all members voted aye, motion carried. 7 Communication No. 06 -093: Newspaper article dated May 9, 2006 regarding Hakalau beachfront property gift was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Garovey; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Springer; all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -094: Email from Brian Szuster dated May 16, 2006 regarding Hawaii Coastal and Estuarine Conservation Plan was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Springer; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Garovoy; all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -095: Resolution 321 -06 regarding Waipi`o Park Ranger Pilot Program was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Schuster. Commissioner Campbell asked if this meant that they were going to forego purchasing the property. Commissioner Schuster clarified that it's just the Ranger program. There was discussion as to why this commission had this information being presented to them. Commissioner Flores clarified that it was a follow up to when Department of Parks and Recreation Director, Patricia Engelhard came and talked about the ranger program and how it could be incorporated in management for some of the lands. It had nothing to do with Waipi`o Valley not being listed on the report to the Mayor. It was moved to receive and file by Chair Replogle, all members voted aye, motion carried. Communication No. 06 -096: Letter to Stacy Higa, Chairperson and Council Members from Mayor Harry Kim regarding his recommendation on the report of the Commission was moved to receive and file by Commissioner Garovey; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Kaneshiro, all members voted aye, motion carried. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Stanley Iwamoto of the Department of Finance reported that the County Council has reduced the budget from $3 million dollars to $1 million dollars, with the appropriation of $1 million dollars for this fiscal year and another $1 million dollars for next fiscal year, the total amount of $2 million dollars. Mr. Iwamoto also commented on Debbie Chang's Roads in Limbo communication no. 06 -091. Mr. Iwamoto informed the commission that there is a committee currently being headed by Bruce McClure, Director of Public Works which is addressing this issue, Roads in Limbo and this committee is in the process of going from district to district getting input before implementing the procedure for the roads in limbo problem. Mr. Iwamoto indicated that this committee initially went to nine different districts and is now planning a second round for additional input. The schedule for meetings are being published in Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today. Contact the Department of Public Works for more information. Commissioner Flores asked Mr. Iwamoto if there was any budget process for the County. Mr. Iwamoto replied that for the fiscal year 2006 -2007, the Finance Director did budget for this commission. The Department of Finance is currently reorganizing and a new division will be created under the Department of Finance, called Department of Land Management which this commission will be under and there is a budget for this separate division which begins July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Commissioner Flores then asked if there is a budget for the operations of this commission. Mr. Iwamoto indicated that there is a budget set aside for this commission under the new division, Department of Land Management, however he did not know how much money was allocated for it. Commissioner Garovoy asked if he could bring that information to the next meeting. Commissioner Campbell stated his concerns as to the stability of this fund, as he was receiving conflicting information. Commissioner Campbell spoke to David Kimo Frankel and Mr. Frankel insisted that the County Council can not touch the fund. Commissioner Campbell felt this commission was missed informed that the County Council dipped into the fund by budgeting only $1 million dollars instead of the $3 million dollars that Mayor Kim asked for. Mr. Iwamoto indicated that the administration did ask for $3 million dollars, but through budgeting process, the County Council reduced it to $1 million dollars. Commissioner Campbell questioned if the County Council can dip into this fund anytime they please. Mr. Iwamoto replied in the affirmative. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated this would work solely to other special funds set up by State of Hawaii. History has shown that State legislature frequently moves monies around and because the money comes out of real property tax base, the County Council would have to announce it to the public and have it on the agenda. Commissioner Garovoy stated this commission was informed that the County Council had decided to make this move on the Mayor's recommended budget but was notified after the fact. It would be nice if it was apparent that this kind of discussion was going come up on the agenda, that this commission be notified so that this commission could have opportunity to send the chair or another commissioner to respond at the budget hearing. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that because we are governed by the sunshine law and unable to discuss with each other proposed amendments these things frequently surface on the floor, at the meeting with no prior notice to the public. Part of that is because they are held back from discussing with each other the proposals. 11 Commissioner Schuster stated that it should have been agendized six days prior to the meeting. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that the budget is agendized for first reading and on the first reading, everything in the budget can pretty much be amended. What frequently happens at the budget hearings, is that amendments are made on the floor, councilmembers vote on it and then it gets printed in the newspaper, that's when the public first get noticed. At the second reading of the budget, the public has the opportunity to respond to the amendments that the Council has made. Also at the second reading, the Council has the authority to amend the budget, or amend it back to what it was previously. The Council's only limitation is that it has to be a balanced budget, the expenditures must meet the income, so it would have to correspond to what the real property tax rates are set at. Commissioner Springer asked if Chair Replogle could attend and submit testimony on this budget item. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that with 2/3 votes this commission can amend the agenda to take up items, so long as they are not of major importance that would impact public negatively. Since what is being discussed is basically taking position for testimony before the County Council, Ms. Leithead -Todd did not consider it an item of major importance, that the public needed to be informed. This commission needs to amend this agenda, as long as this commission has the required 2/3 votes, to do so. Motion was made by Chair Replogle to amend agenda to take up the issue of testifying on June 5, 2006 before the Hawaii County Council under New Business of the agenda, Commissioner Schuster second the motion and all members voted aye, motion carried. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chair Replogle stated to the Commissioners the importance of attending the meetings. Did not have a quorum at our last meeting, May 8, 2006 in Kona and three members from the public came prepared to give testimony, one member from the public drove from Hilo. Chair Replogle stressed if something comes up in your personal life and you are unable to serve this commission, please contact your council person. Please be considerate of the public. There are other members from the public who are on a waiting list who requested to be on this commission. Commissioner Springer suggested for calendar, reducing the number of meetings in Kona because it appears to be the "greater problem." Maybe could bring it up at our next meeting of June 19, 2006. Commissioner Kaneshiro stated that this commission needs to be considerate of the public more so than ourselves. 10 Discussion among commissioners of perhaps adding this to our charter work on how to handle a certain percentage of absences. It was discussed that it actually may already be in the Charter. Commissioner Schuster suggested that if we are having visitors from the public, this commission should find out where the public is coming from. This commission should accommodate them. Chair Replogle stated that at times we don't know where the public is coming from. NEW BUSINESS ACTION TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM UP There being no objections, Guest Speaker Brian Szuster presentation was taken up. • Brian Szuster, is presently the Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Szuster did a presentation on the Hawaii Coastal and Estuarine Conservation Plan. Dr. Szuster passed out a hard copy of his power point presentation. The Costal Estuarine Land Conservation Plan was established by Congress in 2002 to protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, ecological, recreation, historical or esthetic values. The focus is on coastal areas that are threatened by conversion from their natural or recreational state for the benefit of future generations, with the priority assigned to lands with significant ecological value that can be effectively managed and protected. The purpose of the program funds is to acquire properties or interest in properties from willing sellers and the acquisition terms and conditions must ensure that properties or interest in properties are administered for conservation purposes in perpetuity. To be eligible for funding a project, the property must be located in a coastal or estuarine area included within an approved Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Plan, meet the criteria outlined in the national program guidelines, match federal program funds with non - federal funds at a ration of 1:1, be held in public or approved private ownership that provides for conservation in perpetuity, and provide access to the general public as appropriate and consistent with protection of project lands. Commissioner Garovoy asked if the plan to develop involves community input as well or just the agency's perspective? Dr. Szuster replied that the plan is a process, it's not a site. Specific sites are being developed locally and are going to be in the applications and forwarded to State's competition. So the general public is less involved in the general planning process. The applications will be developed at the local level. Dr. Szuster's commented how the tougher part would be negotiating the financial part at the local level in terms of getting the bid on the property and getting the 11 price settled. Dr. Szuster did state that there is a clear conflict in terms of the emphasis of the program on properties that are threatened with conversion and the amount of time that the process is going to take to free up the dollars. Dr. Szuster was not sure if there is any resolution. In terms of where they are in the process, to be able to participate in the competitive program, a state plan is needed, which he is currently working on now. Each individual State that wishes to participate has to create a plan and that plan is a process of identifying candidate sites, ranking them and then nominating them at national competition. Dr. Szuster wanted to come and present this commission with information about the program and go over the outline on how it could be an effective tool to meet our local coastal conservation need and playing that partnership role in terms of bringing in matching funds in to go along with the open space funds that the County funds and some of the State funds that are available and working with project partners as well. Dr. Szuster will email the draft plan electronically to the commission's secretary Stacie. Commissioners thanked Dr. Szuster for his presentation. • Soliciting Input from the Public for Updating List Chair Replogle asked commissioners for input on ideas for soliciting public input. Discussion among commissioners, one requirement that would help this commission in receiving the public's suggestion /intake request would be to require the public to include the tax map key number on their forms. One suggestion made regarding the intake form, instead of checking the appropriate box, maybe the public could attach a description of the subject parcel or have a section on the form for description. Also discussed was informing the public of the criteria in which their suggestion form will be scored. Commissioner Schuster volunteered to work on the Suggestions /Intake Form. It was suggested that all commissioners make suggested changes on all of the three forms and submit them at our next meeting. Given the timeline to work with, the new forms would not be ready until 2007, target date January 1, 2007. Commissioner Garovoy volunteered to work on cover letter that would accompany the suggestion /intake form. Commissioner Garovoy will present a draft cover letter at the next meeting date. Recess taken at 12:25 p.m Reconvened at 12:32 p.m. Each commissioner present agreed to make suggested changes to 1) Suggestion Intake Form (2 page form); 2) Category /Criteria Form and 3) Assessment Criteria Form (6 pages) and bring suggested changes to the next planned meeting scheduled for June 19, 2006. Commissioners Campbell will work on the Assessment Criteria Form and Commissioner Schuster agreed to work on the Suggestions /Intake form. After compiling the suggested changes 12 Commissioner Schuster and Campbell will put it on the agenda for commissioners to vote on. Completed suggested changes should be turned into Commissioners Schuster and Campbell by mailing it directly in to this commission's secretary Stacie or at the next meeting set for June 19, 2006. Commissioner Flores suggested that this commission don't do community public meetings until next year. Commissioner Flores suggested bringing someone in from the County of Kauai to share, as this commission is using their completed handbook as a guide. Having someone from the County of Kauai who sat on their Open Space Commission speak would give this commission his /her perspective as to what worked /what didn't work during their priority process. It may accelerate our process. Chair Replogle volunteered to contact the County of Kauai, Department of Planning for a speaker. Suggestion of video conferencing if available, would be convenient for all. Suggested September 5, 2006, as the cut off time for the suggestion /intake forms to be due by the public for this year. Commissioner Kaneshiro agreed to do an ad again in the Hamakua Times. Also suggested that Chair Replogle do a request to Finance Director William "Bill" Takaba to print an ad in the Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today prior to the deadline of submission of intake forms. Suggested that the Suggestion /Intake Form be physically made available at public libraries around the island, shopping centers, etc. Tentatively set September 11, 2006 as the start date for processing the forms and December 11, 2006, as the last date to work on submitted parcels before preparing list to Mayor Kim, which is due December 31, 2006. Commissioner Kaneshiro suggested that this Commission provide Planning Director Chris Yuen with a "tentative list" and request his comments, considerations and /or information regarding the parcels listed before sending list to Mayor Kim. Commission Kaneshiro requested site visits. Deputy Corporation Counsel Leithead -Todd advised the commissioners that group site visits needs to be publicly noticed. Lunch at 1:07 p.m. Reconvened at 1:35 p.m. Communication No. 06 -087, letter dated April 10, 2006, from Myles Y. Miyasato, Chair of the Cost of Government Commission Chair Replogle went over questions listed in communication. Commissioners discussed each answer. Chair Replogle to draft reply, however will not meet the deadline of June 3, 2006, as requested. Chair Replogle will send "draft" letter of 13 reply to secretary, Stacie to type and final for the Chair's signature. One of the comments solicited for the Cost of Government Commission is to have additional support staff at the county council level to convey this Commission's vision. Requested for more office space to conduct video conferencing on the Kona side of the island. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Liquor Control, Conference Room, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. ADJOURNMENT Chair Replogle moved to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Hannah Springer seconded the motion and all members voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacie Waltjen, Secretary 14