Comm. No. 2019-10 Stephanie Bath Testimony 8.6.19

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What I am saying is lets implement the "plan" to serve all of Puna as adopted by ordinance in 2008 We need to look at the broader picture as we recover. How can we strengthen our community response? Yes parks are very important parts of community. Health and safe I believe take priority. During human trauma the first thing addressed are life sustaining measures, next come healing and things such as PT. With PT the end result is return of function. It also supports strengthening so re injury and crisis can be avoided. Are we as a County willing to do the work to strengthen our communities before disaster occurs again? I enthusiastically encourage the Action Committee to do all in your power to get CI's identified and purchased before development disallows for the best sites to be acquired. Where CL are already in place open them and put them to use. There will always be those who pretend to speak for the majority and create obstacles for progressing. Connectivity has been adopted as ordinance. The funds needed to acquire CLs are here. The 1/2% excise tax resources for Mass Transit and roadway are a blessing at this time. Overlavina Droiects Some months ago I spoke with Matt about the concept of County Departments overlaying projects. This is not a new concept. We brought it up during the PCDP process. For whatever reason it was not integrated into County policies. Here is what is proposed: 1. Each County department creates a priority project list of say top 10. 2. All departments review all priority project lists 3. Next each department selects projects from the other departments that could conceivably overlay with theirs. 4. The projects with the most overlaying get funded first. Example: Connectivity/linear parks Say Eden Rock and Fern Forest want a park. P and R prioritize this. Public works is looking at connectivity. A site is selected with adjoining parcels creating room for connectivity and a park. CD prioritizes a structure where emergency supplies can be store. It would also serve as a post disaster distribution site for adjacent communities. Office of aging overlays a structure/ gathering place for seniors within the linear park . It has room to house CD supplies. It has bathrooms .Mass transit creates a hele-on feeder bus route using the connectivity. It delivers a level of bus service within communities There is a bus shelter/stop at the senior gathering place. Law enforcement -Those needing to do community service hours help maintain the parks and structures. A job well done reduces hours. Slackers have hours added. Overlaying can save so much money. It can also demonstrate collaboration within the County. Business and Jobs It is my understanding that the State recently passed a law that will allow folks to work out of their residence legally in the State. It goes into effect Nov 2020 if the County does not adopt it sooner. That