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<br /> <br /> Communication 1201 <br /> Bill 297 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> At the May 6, 2008 Committee on Planning meeting, Margaret Wille and Ken Melrose presented <br /> testimony in support of Bill 297 and Mr. Mark McNett provided comment. <br /> <br /> Council Chair Hoffmann presented a brief summary of the proposal explaining that when a <br /> Community Development Plan is completed, the CDP Steering Committee no longer exists and <br /> therefore regardless of the success of the CDP, there is no existing legislation or method to <br /> continue the effort of the CDP Steering Committee. Mf. Hoffmann stated that this proposal is <br /> the mechanism that will provide what takes place as the CDP moves ahead. <br /> There was discussion among Councilmembers regarding adequacy of the number of members <br /> comprising the action committee and whether that number should be less than nine especially <br /> due to the ongoing difficulty in securing volunteers from the community to serve on committees <br /> such as this. It was also discussed whether Chapter 16 was the appropriate section within the <br /> Hawaii County Code in which to imbed the proposed measure. <br /> <br /> Director Yuen explained that this action committee is being looked at as an advocate and <br /> implementation group. Mr. Yuen noted that because a great deal of effort has been expended in <br /> developing CDPs he does not see this group engaging in continuous planning efforts but rather <br /> saw the group as advocates for a CDP that has been adopted by the Council. Mr. Yuen envisions <br /> this group as the community's voice on implementing the CDP rather than another body that <br /> reviews and makes changes to the CDP. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Yagong said it makes good sense to him to have some of the CDP Steering <br /> Committee members also serve on the CDP Action Committee. Councilmember Jacobson stated <br /> this is a vitally important process containing the vision of the community who created the plan <br /> and expressed his support with the hope that the implementation team carries forward the <br /> community's desires. <br /> <br /> Council Chair Hoffmann stated there is the need for a consistent overview by the people within <br /> the community to ensure that the CDP is implemented as intended and that the important thing to <br /> remember is not the number of members, but the opportunity to have something on the books <br /> that allows for further input regarding the implementation process. This would allow the Puna <br /> community, who was the first to complete its CDP, the means for continued community <br /> oversight <br /> <br /> Councilmember Naeole stated she preferred a 9-member action committee because it equates to <br /> a well-balanced representation comprised of three members from her district, three members <br /> from Councilmember Yoshimoto's district and three members from Councilmember Jacobson's <br /> district. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Higa's concern was that formation of this action committee group seemed to be <br /> duplicating the CDP process. Mr. Higa felt that the administration, the Council and the Planning <br /> Commission's use of CDPs and the General Plan as their respective template for planning was <br /> adequate and therefore could not see how this new action group fits in. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> PC Report No. 85 <br />