Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 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 November 14, 2011 25 Aupuni Street, Suite #1501 Hilo20 Present: Chair Sarah Moon Vice-Chair Terri Markovich Commissioner Enock Freire (left @ 2:17 p.m.) Commissioner Searle Grace Commissioner Debbie Hecht Commissioner Steven Hirakami Commissioner Wilma Matsumura Commissioner Marilyn Nicholson (left @ 2:07 p.m.) Absent: Commissioner Gail Byrne Baber Others Present: Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel Ken Van Bergen, Property Manager, Finance (arrived @ 10:16 a.m.; left @ 11:03 a.m.; returned @ 12:09 p.m.; left @ 12:45 p.m.) Alexandra Kelepolo, Clerk III, Finance CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Sarah Moon at 10:10 a.m. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS MARK McNETT Mr. Mark McNett reviewed the agenda and commented on each agenda item. He will look forward to reviewing the minutes from the October 10, 2011 meeting. As for written communication, it became an issue at the Finance Committee meeting in regards to the nomination of Mr. Enock Freire and Ms. Marilyn Nicholson whereas the South Kona Council Member recused herself due to a conflict of interest. He is very interested to hear what the Department of Finance report will be and added that he spoke to a commissioner regarding the 2% fund balance and she mentioned that the Corporation Counsel is opposed to the Commission. He concluded by saying that he will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of the agenda items under ioners for their time. - 1 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES referring to fee simple properties. Ms. Self said that they need to be voting on the approval of the minutes and if this is an issue then it must be put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. Ms. Moon asked Ms. Kelepolo to review the recording for clarification. Ms. Moon noted that approval of the minutes of October 10, 2011 will be deferred to the next meeting. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Communication No. 11-018: Letter dated October 5, 2011 to Council Chair Dominic Yagong and (Council District 7) and Marilyn L. Nicholson (Council District 6) to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) Ms. Moon welcomed Mr. Enock Freire and Ms. Marilyn Nicholson to the Commission. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Mr. Van Bergen reported that the County has finally closed escrow on the acquisition of the three now owns a total of approximately 700+ acres in The administration and Parks & Recreation (P&R) have already been talking with local community members and kupunas in regards to management and clean-up of these lands. A total of 2 million in federal and state grant monies was obtained for this purchase. Mr. Hirakami noted that since the County put up the $507,000.00 for the federal grant, when does the th County expect to be reimbursed. Mr. Van Bergen replied that it should be by November 18 and this whereas during this time no funds can be released. In obtained written approval from both federal and state agencies that the County will be getting reimbursed. In addition, we are now in final negotiations for Kingman and should be entering into a contract this week for parcel 20. The County will be acquiring these three parcels separately, two are being purchased with 2% funds and the fund has yet to be determined for the third. Once the appropriation is set Parcel 20 has a house on it and the owner will have it removed and cleaned up which could take about 90 days. An archaeological survey needs to be completed for parcel 31 and walls built around the historic sites which further needs approval from the State Historic Preservation Division. This will take about a year or so to finalize. th He added that we have a site visit scheduled for Kahuku on November 28 with commissioners from the Legacy Land Conservation Commission (LLCC) s grant application. - 2 - Ms. Hecht asked what the game plan for parcels 20 and 31. Mr. Van Bergen replied that step 1 is for management and once the owners clean up the parcels then a plan can be finalized. The other parcel will be purchased with general funds and P&R will probably put a pavilion up and expand the existing park across the street. Lastly, we are negotiating with the owner for Pohoiki since our appraised value came out to $845,000.00 and their appraised value came out to 2.3 million. W-connect and before we even enter into a contract we have to come to an agreement on the price. Ms. Nicholson asked if the commissioners are invited to go on site visits. Mr. Van Bergen replied that these are site visits for properties that the County intends to acquire with a portion of grant funding from state and federal agencies. obtained approximately 5 million in matching funds. Sometime in December, he will go to Honolulu Mr. Bill Moore. Ms. Nicholson asked how do the commissioners know when these site visits are scheduled. Mr. Van Bergen replied that he will inform them at Commission meetings when it comes up. Ms. Self reminded the Commission that they cannot go on a site visit and come back for discussion if Another thing to remember is if the site visit is on an agenda, it becomes open to the public and private landowners could have an issue with liability. Ms. Moon asked Ms. Self if two commissioners can go on a site visit and come back to report to the full Ms. Matsumura thought that when they consider properties for the prioritized list they could look at the s can Ms. Self added that Office of Information Practices (OIP) said that you can have site visits without inviting the public but the entire visit must be videotaped and you must obtain approval from OIP prior to going out. Ms. Hecht asked Mr. Van Bergen for clarification on the matching funds for PONC purchases and asked if there was a summary available since the public is always inquiring. Ms. Kelepolo will have this information posted on the web- OFFICE OF THE Ms. Self noted that since we have three new members, she will conduct a sunshine law training at the first meeting scheduled for next year. back clarification on the question raised about whether easements are qualified for purchase. Ms. Self replied that this item should be put on the agenda for the next meeting and she will have her discussion with the Commission in regards to that. - 3 - CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Ms. Moon asked the commissioners to go around the table and introduce themselves to Ms. Nicholson and Mr. Freire. Ms. Moon then asked Ms. Self if She then asked Ms. Matsumura if the library would be interested in the Com Ms. Matsumura replied yes, they accept documents for public review. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Drafting and completion of 2011 Annual Report to the Mayor for submittal (the commissioners went into discussion regarding drafting and completion of the 2011 Annual Report to the Mayor) Motion: Commissioner Hecht moved to delete the first bullet under recommendations and concerns. Seconded by Commissioner Grace; all members voted aye, motion carried. Commissioner Hecht moved to remove the first sentence in bullet #2 and however. No second, motion died. Recess: 11:49 a.m. Reconvened: 12:00 a.m. (the commissioners continued their discussion regarding drafting of the annual report) Lunch: 12:17 p.m. Reconvened: 12:45 p.m. (the commissioners continued their discussion regarding drafting of the annual report) Motion: Commissioner Hecht moved to approve the final report as amended giving Ms. Kelepolo the authorization to complete and make non-substantive changes. Seconded by Vice-Chair Markovich; all members voted aye, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Election of new officers for 2012 Ms. Moon asked if there are any nominations for a new Chair. Mr. Grace and Ms. Hecht nominated Mr. Hirakami. Mr. Hirakami stated that he enjoys being on the Commission but the time and effort required to be Chair since he has other commitments. Mr. Hirakami nominated Mr. Grace for Chair. - 4 - Ms. Moon emphasized that it does take a little more dedication and time but now that they only meet six Motion: Vice-Chair Markovich moved to nominate Commissioner Matsumura for Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Nicholson; all members voted aye, motion carried. Chair Matsumura thanked Ms. Moon for all her hard work as Chair for this year. She then opened up nominations for Vice-Chair. Motion: Commissioner Grace moved to nominate Commissioner Hirakami for Vice-Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Hecht; all members voted aye, motion carried. Schedule Commission meetings for 2012 Ms. Matsumura stated that they meet on the second Monday of every month. She then announced the preliminary meeting dates for 2012 as listed below: January 9 (Kona) March 12 (Hilo) May 14 (Kona) July 9 (Hilo) September 10 (Kona) November 12 (Hilo) st She then noted that since the suggestion forms have to be submitted by May 31 then they should th consider having a June meeting which would fall on the 11. She asked for any comments from the commissioners. Mr. Hirakami suggested that they move the July meeting to June instead. Ms. Matsumura re-stated the meeting dates by adding in June and removing July as noted below: June 11 (Hilo) July 9 (Hilo) ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 9, 2012, 10:00 a.m. in Kailua- location to be determined. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Vice-Chair Hirakami moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Grace; all members voted aye, motion carried. Chair Matsumura adjourned the meeting at 2:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alexandra Kelepolo, Clerk III - 5 -