2018-02-26 Letter to Sylvia Luke and ty J.K. Cullen re HB 2641, HD 1 Relating to Funding for Kanoelehua Industrial Area and Waiakea Peninsula, Hilo

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February 26, 2018 Page 2 been created as a starting point. Now funds are needed to conduct the environmental impact statements necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and move forward. The Hawaii County budget is severely strapped, and 1 have already had to impose increases in our property, fuel, and vehicle weight taxes. Nevertheless, 1 can commit to you that 1 would include $250,000 in the 2018-2019 County budget, in order to provide matching funds for an EIS. We believe that it is just and proper to ask the State to share in the EIS expense, given that the redevelopment area consists almost entirely of State land, but we recognize that the County must do its pa as well, to the best of our financial ability. Although we think that SB 2972 offers the best path forward and builds on work already done, we do not want to risk having this Legislature take no action at all. Therefore, we also support measures, such as HB 2641, HD1 that would direct resources, both statutorily and financially, toward the redevelopment of Banyan Drive and KIA while providing some local perspective in decision-making. However, there seems to be an important deficiency in HB 2641, HD 1. The bill says that "The Kanoelehua Industrial Area and Banyan Drive region shall be established as a redevelopment district," but as far as I can tell, t ere is no determination of the boundaries of the district. 1 apologize if 1 am wrong, but if the County is to give up much of its planning authority over an important geographic area, we need to know what that area is. Or perhaps the County should be given the authority to designate the boundaries. Once that is resolved, we think HB 2641, HD 1 should be improved with the following amendments: ) Changing the makeup of the committee to include appointees by the Mayor (perhaps two or more by Mayor; an equal number fewer by Governor); (2) Providing that cultural/historical expertise be included in the makeup of the committee; (3) Providing that the new committee coordinate with BDHRA, which was established under HRS, Chapter 53. The work of the two organizations should be compatible and complementary. In fact, it would be best if, like the BDHRA, the committee's actions were subject to Windward Planning Commission review, and Hawaii County Council adoption of the redevelop ent plan; (4) Providing that all eetings of the committee be in Hilo, and open to the public; (5) Authorizing and requiring that the district or the cornmittee adopt rules; and (6) Providing that public hearings be held at least annually during the life of the pilot project. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.