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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commision Minutes - 1 - HAWAI‘I COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES-REGULAR SESSION March 9, 2015 Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street, Suite #1401 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Present: Chair Timothy DeLozier Vice-Chair Barbara Bell Commissioner Wilma Matsumura Commissioner William Meyers Commissioner Marilyn Nicholson Absent: Commissioner Enock Freire Others Present: Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Hamana Ventura, Property Manager, Finance Alexandra Kelepolo, Property Management Technician, Finance CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Timothy DeLozier at 10:35 a.m. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NONE. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. DeLozier asked if there are any changes to the minutes. Ms. Nicholson asked Mr. Masuda for clarification on a statement that he made on Page 3 that it’s the job of the Council to gather support. She feels that it should be the community and asked if he’s talking about the resolution. Mr. Masuda said yes, that would be an appropriate amendment to change the language to gather support for the resolution. Ms. Bell said that on Page 4 regarding the revision to the suggestion form it should read: “please be as specific as possible.” Mr. Masuda added that the form itself can actually be corrected since this is just a grammatical error and it doesn’t change the tone. Ms. Kelepolo noted that she will make the change to the suggestion form. Ms. Nicholson also added that on Page 4 the word “rotary” be capitalized. Motion: Commissioner Nicholson moved to approve the minutes of January 12, 2015 as amended. Seconded by Vice-Chair Bell; all members voted aye, motion carried. - 2 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Communication No. 15-001: Letter dated February 18, 2015 to Council Chair Dru Kanuha and Members of the Hawai‘i County Council from Mayor Kenoi, re: Nomination of René Siracusa to PONC for Council District 5 Communication No. 15-002: Letter dated February 25, 2015 to Council Chair Dru Kanuha and Members of the Hawai‘i County Council, re: Transmittal of the 2014 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor Mr. DeLozier read Communication No. 15-001 and asked for a motion to file. Motion: Vice-Chair Bell moved to file Communication No. 15-001. Seconded by Commissioner Nicholson; all members voted aye, motion carried. Mr. DeLozier read Communication No. 15-002 and asked for a motion to file. Motion: Vice-Chair Bell moved to file Communication No. 15-002. Seconded by Commissioner Nicholson; all members voted aye, motion carried. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Mr. Ventura reported that on February 20th the County closed on the acquisition of Banyan Tree Park in Hāwī, North Kohala. We will now work with the non-profits in Kohala on a plan for maintenance and management. Prior to acquisition we made sure that the landowner mowed the grass, trimmed the trees and cleaned up the property. On February 27th the County received BLNR approval for the Wai‘opae grant and hopefully by the end of the year we can move forward with this acquisition. Ms. Nicholson asked when do we expect a real property tax transfer into the fund. Ms. Kelepolo replied approximately 2 million at the end of March. Ms. Bell asked what will be the next expenditure to come out of the fund for acquisition. Ms. Kelepolo replied Pohoiki which will be about 1.6 million and the Countys’ portion for Kahuku is estimated to be about 900,000.00. Ms. Bell asked if anyone has applied for stewardship grants from the Maintenance Fund. Ms. Kelepolo replied that Mr. Van Bergen has to answer that question. As of right now no monies have been expended out of the Maintenance Fund to any non-profits. Mr. Masuda suggested that the Commission ask Mr. Van Bergen to submit a status report on the stewardship grant applications submitted to P&R. OFFICE OF CORPORATION COUNSEL’S REPORT Mr. Masuda had nothing to report. He noted that now that the Commission passed their rules, 10 days after the rules are submitted to the Mayor and approved by the County Clerk it will be in effect. - 3 - CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Mr. DeLozier had nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS  Commission to discuss, review and approve draft press release to publicize through various radio stations and newspapers soliciting suggestion forms from the public (the commissioners went into discussion) Motion: Vice-Chair Bell moved to approve press release with adjustments as discussed. Seconded by Commissioner Nicholson; all members voted aye, motion carried.  Commission to discuss and schedule who will be attending various CDP/community meetings to provide information to the public regarding PONC and the submission of suggestion forms for 2015 Mr. DeLozier asked the commissioners if they will be attending any meetings. Mr. Meyers wants to attend the Puna CDP meeting in March. Ms. Kelepolo told Mr. Meyers that he won’t be able to attend until April since it would have to be listed on their agenda. Ms. Nicholson will check with Council Member Maile David and see if she will be doing a community meeting in Ka‘ū that she could be included in. Ms. Bell said that in checking the calendar she will be able to attend the South Kohala CDP in Puako. Ms. Kelepolo told Ms. Bell that she will contact Planning Dept. to have her put on their agenda. Mr. DeLozier asked about the Hāmākua CDP. Ms. Kelepolo said that they are still in the beginning phases along with the Ka‘ū CDP. Mr. DeLozier said that he can provide information to the public at the Pauka‘a Community Association meeting. Ms. Kelepolo will provide the handouts and materials for these meetings when they are scheduled. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. DeLozier asked Ms. Kelepolo what the agenda items will be for the next meeting. Ms. Kelepolo replied that she will ask the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) and/or Nature Conservancy to come and do a conservation easement presentation along with the commissioners reporting on the various CDP/community meetings that they attend for public outreach. In addition she will check with Mr. Van Bergen and ask him to provide a status report of the stewardship grant applications that were submitted. Ms. Bell asked if they are allowed to go out and attend community meetings to provide information about the Commission. Mr. Masuda said that’s fine, materials can be given out, you just cannot advocate for one parcel in particular. - 4 - Ms. Nicholson commented that HILT is having a series of meetings regarding conservation easements around the island and asked if they could attend. Mr. Masuda replied yes. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m. in the Hawai‘i County Building, Puna Conference Room, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite #1501, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 11:27 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Alexandra Kelepolo Property Management Technician