HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-05 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission_Minutes_Approved
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
PRESERVATION COMMISSION (PONC)
MINUTES-REGULAR SESSION
Hilo Hawaii Council Chambers
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
November 5, 2018
I.CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Re-
sources Preservation Commission was called to order at 10:13 a.m. at the Hilo
Hawaii Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401 by CHR. TOMICH
Present: Mr. Kekaulike Tomich, Chair (CHR.)
Ms. Rene Siracusa, Vice Chair (V. CHAR.)
Ms. E. Koohan Paik Mander, Member
Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member
Dr. Wayne Frank, Member
Mr. Rick Warshauer, Member
Ms. Susan Wells Fischer, Member
Absent: Ms. Cynthia Nazara, Member
Mr. Kai’ena Bishaw II, Member
Support Staff: Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary
Ms. Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager, Department of
Finance
II.STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS:
CHR. TOMICH: directed the commission to the next order of business, state-
ments from the public on agenda items and invites the only testifier Mr. Re-
pogle to the microphone.
Mr. REPOGLE: testifies about PONC’s Preservation Fund and Maintenance
Funds. He expresses his concerns regarding the Charter Commission’s pro-
posals to reduce the percentages, reduce, and cap both funds. He strongly
emphasizes the County’s handling and the extreme lack of granting Mainte-
nance Funding to the communities to steward these lands purchased with the
Preservation Funds in a timely manner. He believes that due to this lack of
process, these funds are in danger of change. He continues to stress the
need to create a position, whether in Finance or Parks & Recreation to over-
see the maintenance, stewardship grants/contracts, coordinate equipment
usage, and facilitate activities of these places.
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III.WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
CHR. TOMICH: closed statements from the public and directed the commis-
sion to proceed to the next order of business, written communications, there
was none.
IV.APPROVAL OF September 10, 2018 MINUTES:
Motion to Approve (Approved)
CHR. TOMICH: moves to the next item on the agenda and calls on the com-
mission for approval of the minutes.
MS. SIRACUSA: moved to approve the September 10, 2018 minutes with the
suggestions of corrections submitted by MS. WELLS FISCHER, Seconded by MS.
WELLS FISCHER. Being no further discussions, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal
vote; all members present voted aye, motion carried.
V.DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT:
CHR. TOMICH: moves to the next item on the agenda, Department of Finance
Report and invites Mr. Ventura to the microphone.
MR. VENTURA: updates the commission regarding Waikapuna since the resolu-
tion was passed. He summarizes with the commission that any issues that Trust
for Public Lands (TPL) has are not part of the conversation for a Conservation
Easement acquisition.
VI.OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL REPORT:
Being no further questions to Mr. Ventura, CHR. TOMICH: moves to the next
item on the agenda, Corporation Counsel Report, and invites Ms. Self to the
microphone.
MS. SELF: has nothing to report
VII.CHAIRPERSON’SREPORT:
Being no further questions from the commission to MS. SELF, CHR. TOMICH
moves to the next item on the agenda, Chairperson’s Report.
CHR. TOMICH: updates the commission regarding the PONC’s recommenda-
tion letter to the Charter Commission has been submitted. Ms. Cutler confirms
that Chr. Tomich’s letter was submitted twice and can be found on the Char-
ter Commission’s public website. She also reminds commission regarding OIP
Sunshine Law that if three members from the commission attend the Charter
Commission’s meeting, they cannot discuss PONC’s business.
MS. SIRACUSA: reports being that she announces she will be resigning at the
end of this meeting.
VIII.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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Being no further questions to CHR. TOMICH, he moves to the next item Unfin-
ished Business and notes there is no unfinished business.
IX.NEW BUSINESS
CHR. TOMICH moves to the next item New Business starting with Item No. 1.
1.Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R)’s Stewardship Grant Program
MS. CUTLER: reports to the commission, an invitation was extended to P&R
Director Waltjen and Deputy Director Messina. They were unable to attend
today’s meeting.
2.2018 Annual Report to the Mayor: Motion to Approve: (Approved)
A lengthy discussion held composing and finalizing important information
for the report (it will continue after lunch)
3.2019 Calendar approved: Motion to Approve: (Approved)
MS. WELLS FISCHER moved to accept 2019 Calendar, seconded by DR.
FRANK, discussion held moving Nov. 11, 2019, to Nov. 4 due to the holiday,
being no further discussions, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal vote; all mem-
bers present voted aye, motion carried.
4.2019 Criteria Assessment: Motion to Approve: (Approved)
MS. SIRACUSA moved to change the word “or” to “and” and to insert un-
der district a box for Ka’u, seconded by Dr. Frank, being no further discus-
sions, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal vote; all members present voted aye,
motion carried.
5.Election of New Officers: Motion to Approve: (Approved)
MS. WELLS FISCHER nominates CHR. KEKAULIKE TOMICH as the 2019 Chair
and DR. WAYNE FRANK as 2019 Vice Chair for PONC. CHR. TOMICH and DR.
FRANK both accepted their nomination. Being no further nominations, Ms.
Siracusa moves to close nominations, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal vote;
all members present voted aye, motion carried.
6.Presentation of Appreciation Certificate to Ms. Rene’ Siracusa for the Five
years served as a PONC Commissioner for District 5. Congratulatory
speeches made by the commission.
Being no further items, other than item No. 2, 2018 Annual Report to the
Mayor; CHR. TOMICH calls for a lunch break at 12:00 p.m.
CHR. TOMICH calls the meeting to back to order at 12:31 p.m.
After a short discussion composing the report to include the important infor-
mation;
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MR. WARSHAUER moved to approve the 2018 Annual Report to the Mayor to
include the text and changes just made, seconded by Ms. Wells Fischer. Be-
ing no further discussion, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal vote; all members
present voted aye, motion carried.
X.ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHR. TOMICH announces:
1.The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2019, at the West
Hawai’i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg. G in Kailua-
Kona, Hawai’i 96740.
2.Set agenda items for Monday, January 14, 2019 meeting:
A.Ad Hoc PONC Committee (Format and Selection Process)
B.Charter Committee Updates
C.OIP Sunshine Law Training
XI.ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business at approx. 1:03 p.m., CHR. TOMICH adjourns
the meeting.
Drafted minutes
Respectfully submitted by:
M ax ine C ut ler
Commission Secretary
Posted: December 3, 2018
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