HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0044.03 - Testimony - CA-27 - PONC fund - Easements - Eminent DomainFrom: listen1111@gmail.com on behalf of Leslie Wingate <lesliewingate7@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2019 5:42 AM
To: Charter Commission
Subject: APPROVE CA -18, as amended, for Initial Approval; Oppose Comm. CA -27
APPROVE CA -18, as amended, for Initial Approval; Proposal to amend Section 10-16, Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund, as submitted by Commissioner Rice.
Our intent of helping the stewardship groups has not come to fruition. Only 9% of all the Maintenance Fund money
has gotten to the non -profits. These are the reasons why we are proposing these amendments:
1- The application process will be administered by the Department of Finance. They already assist with a $1 million
grant program for social program non -profits.
2- Streamline the stewardship application process
3- Have the Public Access and Open Space Commission help with recommendations and oversight.
4- Allow the building, installing renting and maintenance of toilet facilities, sheds and structures.
5- Allow for the creation of trails or paths.
6- Allow officers, board members and employees to be paid by the non-profit for their work.
OUR GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN THE 2% LAND PROGRAM by having more land acquired, boost the purchase power of
the fund by obtaining more matching grants and awarding more stewardship grants to the non -profits. WE have
heard from staff and the non -profits over the years and we believe that the proposed changes to the Maintenance Fund
coupled with the the addition of a full time staff person who works ONLY on the 2% Program with accomplish these
goals.
OPPOSE Comm. CA -27 - Initial Approval; Proposal to amend Section 10-15, Public Access, Open Space and Natural
Resources Preservation Fund, to add language to place an emphasis on the acquisition ofEasements and that the
County may exercise eminent domain to acquire Properties and easements for the purposes of this fund; as
submitted byCommissioner Roehrig. see attached legislation.
Here's what it says:
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Comm. No. 44.3
We object to (g) because this is already being done so it is unnecessary. Conservation easements are being used to
acquire land at Waikapuna so this is unnecessary. If a full time person is hired to work only on the 2% Land Fund
program who has real estate and conservation land experience would know that. All of the staff that have been hired by
the County know this and so do the PONC commissioners.
I object to (h) because This option is open to the county through the courts already, it is also unnecessary to include
here.
The highest and best use to maximize taxpayer's money is to obtain dollar for dollar matching funds,
I agree with the Trust of Public Lands that grant funders would not match funds for properties obtained through
eminent domain. I am concerned with the legal costs. If the county had this power, would they pay for the extensive
legal fees to "take" someone land for open space or a park out of the 2% Land Fund? I don't want my tax money spent
on that use.
PLEASE SAY NO TO CA -27, it is UNNECESSARY.
Mahalo for your consideration of these very important issues and mahalo for your service.
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