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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: November 19, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 612 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:09 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 612, reports as follows: <br /> Communication No. 612, transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim on October 31, 2019, submitted for the <br /> Council's review his nominee for the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency(BDHRA), <br /> Ross Birch of Council District 1. The communication noted that Mr. Birch is the Island of Hawaii <br /> Visitors Bureau Executive Director who has been a resident of Hawaii for approximately 30 years. He <br /> has been active in many community organizations, including the Hawaii Island United Way, Japanese <br /> Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. <br /> Appearing before Your Committee was the nominee, and via videoconference from Hilo, Mayor's <br /> Executive Assistant Rose Bautista to introduce him. Mr. Birch expressed his appreciation for the <br /> Mayor's nomination. He noted that Banyan Drive is a critical component for Hawaii Island's tourism, <br /> and that he was appreciative to have this opportunity to aid in leading the Redevelopment Agency in the <br /> right direction. <br /> Committee Vice Chair Susan Lee Loy stated that Mr. Birch was a phenomenal fit for"the only resort <br /> area in East Hawai`i," and looked forward to the public and private partnerships that she knew Mr. Birch <br /> would bring. She mentioned that there was a clear"hiccup" between the state and the ground leases of <br /> the area, and urged Mr. Birch to lend all of his networking capabilities to help in"synthesizing"the two <br /> through his position on the Redevelopment Agency. She looked forward to his contributions to stand up <br /> and move forward Banyan Drive as an economic generator for Hawaii Island's tourism industry. <br /> Council Member Rebecca Villegas thanked Mr. Birch for his willingness to serve and made note that he, <br /> "must have a big hat rack for all the hats,"he wears, as he serves in many capacities on behalf of <br /> Hawaii Island. <br /> Council Chair Aaron Chung wanted to echo the sentiments of his colleagues; noting that Mr. Birch is a <br /> not only a valuable asset for the tourism industry, but a great advocate for the things he believes in. He <br /> pointed out that Banyan Drive could be a significant"economic engine" for East Hawaii and asked that <br /> Mr. Birch do his best to develop it. <br /> Council Member Valerie Poindexter thanked Mr. Birch, and also wanted to give "special thanks"to <br /> Mr. Birch's wife, Tammy, for allowing him to serve Hawaii Island in so many different capacities. <br /> PC Report No. 36 <br />