HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.032 - Testimony - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fundFrom: Lea Hong <lea.hong@tpl.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 3:31 PM
To: Charter Commission
Cc: Lea Hong
Subject: CA -7 (oppose) and CA -9 (support) - Charter Commission continued hearing January 11, 2019
Aloha Chair Adams and Commission Members:
We understand that no additional public testimony will be allowed at the continued Charter Commission hearing on
January 11, 2019. However, The Trust for Public Land would like to be on record opposing CA -7 and supporting CA -9. As
discussed in prior testimony, The Trust for Public Land was originally involved in and supported the creation of the PONC
fund through its 501(c)(4) organization, the Conservation Campaign.
Opposition to CA -7 - The Trust for Public Land opposes CA -7 as it would decrease the fund and cap it. As we all know,
land is very expensive in Hawai'i, and where opportunities arise, we need to be prepared to conserve special places
before they are developed, destroyed, or gone, rather than wait years (as the County of Kaua'i does) for the fund to
build up to a level where land can be purchased. The Trust for Public Land also opposes reducing the maintenance fund,
and opposes changes to the Charter that would expand the use of the maintenance fund to large capital projects which
could easily deplete the fund in one project. However, The Trust for Public Land does not oppose use of the fund for
smaller projects such as educational facilities, sheds for storage of equipment, or portable restrooms in remote
locations. The Trust for Public Land also opposes removing the protective covenant requirement — this type of perpetual
covenant is required if the County is to qualify for matching funding from federal and other programs. The Trust for
Public Land also opposes the transfer provisions as they may also jeopardize matching funding.
Support of CA -9 — The Trust for Public Land supports us of PONC funds to pay for a full-time staff person under the
Department of Finance dedicated to administering the PONC program, acquiring property, obtaining matching funds,
administering the suggestion forms, stewardship/maintenance applications, and the maintenance fund.
Mahalo -
Lea Hong
Hawaiian Islands State Director
Edmund C. Olson Trust Fellow
The Trust for Public Land
1003 Bishop Street, Suite 740
Honolulu, HI 96813
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for
generations to come. www,tpLorg
Comm. No. 24.32