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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: November 17, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 492/Res. No. 262-21 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 1:02 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Resolution No. 262-21, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 262-21, transmitted by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz via Communication <br /> No. 492, dated October 28, 2021, urges the Department of Planning to assess the feasibility of <br /> establishing a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the County of Hawaii. <br /> Resolution No. 262-21 requests that the Planning Department determine eligibility requirements <br /> and provide an assessment to the Council for establishing an MPO. If eligible, the Planning <br /> Department would work across jurisdictions to determine resources necessary for the <br /> administration of the organization which, once established, would provide access to certain <br /> federal funding and develop coordinated solutions to regional transportation issues in urbanized <br /> areas. <br /> Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz further explained that this resolution was triggered by a <br /> Senate Resolution adopted by the State Legislature, and the activation of an MPO is driven by <br /> Federal mandates based on a population count of 50,000 in a defined urban area. <br /> Chair Kierkiewicz noted that an MPO designation would open the door to more cooperative <br /> conversations with Federal and State jurisdictions, and give the County access to more funds. <br /> She noted that the U.S. Census Bureau will determine which census tracts qualify as urbanized <br /> areas, and should any part of the county be deemed eligible, the Planning Department is "trigger <br /> ready"to implement feasibility assessment and other actions specified in the resolution. <br /> Planning Director Zendo Kern was present in the Kona Council Chambers and spoke in support <br /> of the proposed measure. <br /> Committee Member Heather Kimball thanked Chair Kierkiewicz for introducing the matter and <br /> ensuring the County is ready to proceed should if deemed eligible. <br /> The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable <br /> recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes." <br /> PC Report No.: 33 <br />