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submit a proposal in response to a request for proposals for a management and service provider for Nā Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini housing program in Kona. <br /> <br /> Mr. Balsis noted that the petitioner had requested a closed hearing. Ms. Schoen explained that under the Board’s rules, the Board would need to vote on whether or not to grant that request. <br /> <br /> Mr. Balsis said he had no objection to a closed hearing, but Mr. Henricks suggested they first inquire of the petitioner why he requested closure and then make a decision. <br /> <br /> Mr. Balsis asked the petitioner why he requested a closed hearing, and the petitioner said he did not think his petition was an issue necessary for full public disclosure. Also, because his agency is contemplating submitting a proposal in response to a County request for proposals, it would be beneficial to limit the amount of disclosure, if possible. <br /> <br /> Mr. Balsis asked whether it would hurt the petitioner in some way if the proceedings were not closed, and whether he felt strongly about closing it. The petitioner said no. <br /> <br /> Motion and vote: Mr. Balsis moved to proceed with the matter in open session, Mr. Hisashima seconded the motion, and they and Mr. Henricks voted aye. <br /> <br /> Mr. Balsis stated that the petitioner is Jeremy McComber, and he asked Mr. McComber to explain the petition. <br /> <br /> Mr. McComber explained that his current employer is anticipating responding to an upcoming request for proposals (“RFP”) for the Ulu Wini housing project in Kona. Because his former employer is the County, his new employer wanted to be proactive and address any concerns that could arise before the RFP is announced to the public. His employment with the County started in March 2000, and he left employment on July 31, 2012. In the last four years of his County tenure, he was responsible for managing the community development division of the Office of Housing and Community Services. This division oversees housing projects. He helped develop the first phase of the Ulu Wini project, which consists of 40 units. In the summer of 2011, the County put out an RFP for an operator to provide services and management of the first phase. There was a review and ranking panel, and the contract was awarded to HOPE Services. Mr. McComber asked Brandee Menino, the CEO of HOPE Services, to talk about HOPE’s involvement with the contract, since he was still employed with the County at that time. <br /> <br /> Brandee Menino introduced herself as the chief executive officer of HOPE Services and explained how the agreement with the County came about. It started with Community Alliance Partners, which is a committee of government officials and others concerned about homelessness in Hawai‘i County. The committee had been meeting for over a decade, and met with the County and other providers who were interested in developing services and strategies to address homelessness. When the County was developing the RFP, the committee gave input. HOPE Services was one of the providers who responded to the RFP in the summer of 2011. She wrote the grant proposal on behalf of her organization in response to the RFP, and HOPE Services was awarded a one-year service agreement to manage the units at Ulu Wini, which has 11 transitional housing units for families and 28 affordable rentals. They also contract with Aloha Coast Realty