2007-12-28 (2007 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

Home

public and engaged in discussion with invited guests: Irving Kawashima, a Na Ala Hele Specialist with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Nancy Piccichio, a contractor with the County Planning Department working on the Kona Community Development Plan; and Patricia Engelhard, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of the County of Hawaii. The monthly meetings scheduled in 2007 were: January 8 Kona February 12 Hilo March 12 Kona April 9 Hilo May 14 Kona June 12 Hilo July 9 Kona August 13 Hilo September 10 Kona October 8 Hilo November 13 Kona December 10 Hilo Additionally, during the months of March through May, the Commission held evening meetings in each of the nine County Districts to receive suggestion forms and discuss community concerns. In 2008 the Commission will work with the Deputy Corporation Counsel to develop a policy for conducting site visits to improve the site selection process. Commission Training In 2007 the Commissioners participated in a live teleconference and attended a workshop which focused on the importance of open space, land conservation, and the advantages of conservation easement designation to landowners. Both of these programs provided the Commissioners with additional training and information on these areas which are so critical. A summary of the teleconference along with a summary of the workshop are attached as Appendix 4. Suggestion Form The 2007 Suggestion Form (see Appendix 5) was revised on February 12, 2007 to include additional questions and requests for supplementary information and documentation relating to the suggested site or project. In addition, the suggestion form format was also revised so that it would correlate with the revised assessment criteria form. The Commission assessed the suggestion forms received from the public between September 6, 2006 and June 29, 2007. There were a total of 57 suggestion forms that were received during this time period. -2-