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<br /> <br /> <br /> Communication 1349 <br /> Bill 333 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> highlighted the preservation of cultural resources and stated she was very impressed, especially <br /> with the analogy expressed by Ms. Palma-Glennie in her testimony. <br /> <br /> Council Chair Hoffmann extended his thanks and appreciation to the members of the Steering <br /> Committee and Planning Department staff for doing an excellent job, noting that with such a <br /> diverse community and large area covered in the plan, the outcome, although it may not meet <br /> with everybody's approval, is quite a tremendous accomplishment. Mr. Hoffmann concluded he <br /> was excited and enthused to see that this plan is implemented in the next couple of years. <br /> Ms. Nancy Pisicchio, CDP representative with the Planning Department stated this was a very <br /> personal matter for her and that for many years she strongly felt the need for communities to <br /> develop regional-based plans. She said that in her opinion this was a historic day in which the <br /> Council was considering "Bill 333" and not "Resolution 333." Ms. Pisicchio stated that she <br /> personally has never had an experience like this involving such diversity of people with <br /> potentially clashing interests who were able to come together and achieve solidarity. She <br /> thanked Jane Testa, Director of Research and Development who was very supportive of the <br /> vision of regional planning and who came forward to provide support and resources to finance <br /> the community outreach portion in its early stages. Ms. Pisicchio also thanked Director Yuen <br /> who, after approval of the General Plan in 2005, wasted very little time in starting the Kona CDP <br /> and initiating the RFP process and noted that his leadership in moving such an enormous <br /> program forward was greatly appreciated. <br /> <br /> Roy Takemoto explained there is one chapter in the Kona CDP which specifies what the <br /> financial plan should be in order to implement all infrastructure and public facilities identified in <br /> the Kona CDP and that their team did not want the financing plan aspect to end up as a "wish <br /> list". Mr. Takemoto stated they wanted to know how much these improvements would cost and <br /> where the funds could come from, especially since traditionally, government has looked only to <br /> general obligation bonds for funding, which is a very limited source. He said they felt that <br /> government needed to be more innovative in that respect. He thanked Councilmember Pilago <br /> and Councilmember Ford who provided funds which allowed the department to secure a special <br /> tax consultant who is to take a comprehensive look at infrastructure on a regional basis. <br /> Mr. Takemoto noted that this is a relatively new idea which has only been done on a project <br /> basis and not so much on a more complex regional basis. He said Kona would be the guinea pig <br /> in making this work and to develop a more practical and creative way of finding different <br /> sources of funding. Mr. Takemoto stated that a consultant has been hired and has begun the data <br /> collection process. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Higa stated it was his understanding that since the Kona CDP was the very first <br /> plan started in Hawaii County that it was going to be the first to be completed and used as a <br /> template. He inquired whether Mr. Takemoto's involvement in the Kona CDP was the same as <br /> his involvement in the Puna CDP. Mr. Takemoto responded that when the Kona CDP process <br /> began he was the Deputy Director of the Planning Department and that after transferring to the <br /> Mayor's office, he continued his involvement in the Kona CDP. Regarding his involvement with <br /> the Puna CDP, Mr. Takemoto stated that when Puna began its CDP process, due to his <br /> <br /> <br /> PC Report No. 90 <br />