REP PC 043 2020/01/07 2018-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: January 7, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 689 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:31 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 689, reports as follows: Communication No. 689, dated November 20, 2019, and transmitted by Managing Director Roy Takemoto on behalf of Mayor Harry Kim, nominates Mark Van Pernis of Council District 8 to the Leeward Planning Commission. If confirmed, he would serve a term to end December 31, 2024. Mr. Van Pernis has been a resident of Hawaii for more than 43 years and has volunteered with numerous community organizations. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Rose Bautista, Executive Assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, introduced the nominee before the Planning Committee. Mr. Van Pernis expressed gratitude for the opportunity. Council Member Maile David outlined her past experience with the nominee and conveyed her support. Council Member Sue Lee Loy raised concerns in light of information she discovered regarding the nominee. Specifically, information regarding a past Office of Disciplinary Counsel complaint against the nominee, which outlined"patterns of recidivism of professional misconduct." When asked to provide insight into the current nominee vetting process, Ms. Bautista stated she was unaware of the complaint. Ms. Bautista explained the nominee had been vetted"as best as we can,"and that Mr. Van Pernis possessed the knowledge,passion, and skills to serve in the role, and that his past service on the Kailua Village Design Committee should outweigh negative concerns. Mr. Van Pernis was given an opportunity to address the complaint, which he explained had been resolved by the Hawaii Supreme Court years ago. Council Members briefly discussed procedural issues and concerns with the Administration's current vetting process, and whether or not it was adequate. PC Report No.:43