Laserfiche WebLink
2. Pahoa Regional Town Center Master Plan: Ms. Mercado provided an update on the Pahoa <br />Regional Town Center Master Plan. She explained that six categories on the County of Hawai'i's <br />Professional Services List were used to select 11 potential consultants for the project. Letters <br />requesting additional specific information had been sent out to each of the 11 potential <br />consultants. The potential consultants were asked to respond by 4:30pm on January 191h. If a <br />response is not provided, the potential consultant will no longer be considered. Once the <br />Planning Department has received the responses, a selection team will review each statement <br />of qualification and select the consultant best suited for the project. <br />It was asked if the Action Committee or members of the public would be able to serve on the <br />selection team. Ms. Mercado stated that the Planning Department is open to having an Action <br />Committee Member participate in the selection of a consultant. She continued to clarify that <br />while the selection committee is not an appropriate area for the general public to participate, <br />community and agency engagement is required of the consultant once their work begins. <br />Committee Member Pinto stated that she would like to see Chair Brown sit on the consultant <br />selection committee. Committee Member Pinto emphasized the importance of avoiding <br />resistance from the community by maximizing community participation in the masterplan <br />process. Chair Brown agreed to sitting on the consultant selection committee. <br />3. Action Committee Representation on Subcommittees and Community Partner Groups: <br />One person testified on agenda item #4 <br />1. Ms. Hannah Hedrick, testifying on behalf of herself expressed concern that some of the <br />upper Puna subdivision associations may not be receiving information from the Action <br />Committee regarding connectivity and emergency response and preparedness in Puna. Ms. <br />Hedrick stated that she would gladly share any information she receives on this matter <br />within the upper Puna community. <br />Chair Brown introduced agenda item #3 and opened the floor for AC discussion. It was asked <br />when new action committee members would be joining the AC and when the current <br />holdovers would be leaving. Ms. Mercado conveyed that there had been one nomination <br />before the County Council Planning Committee that was approved and set to go before the full <br />council soon. It is possible that the AC would have an additional person by the March <br />6thmeeting. <br />Committee Member Pinto urged the action committee to actively continue the work of the <br />Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS). She reminded the AC that CERS <br />meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2:OOp.m. in the Kea'au Community Center and <br />reiterated that the general public is always invited. Committee member Kawano volunteered to <br />take the lead on CERS. <br />Chair Brown stated that it was difficult for the Action Committee to take a proactive role in the <br />Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) <br />applications. After discussion, Chair Brown proposed to dissolve the PONC subcommittee. <br />Committee Member Bernard moved to dissolve the PONC subcommittee. Second by Committee <br />Member Pinto. The motion to dissolve the POMC subcommittee passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes <br />nay. <br />www.hiplanningdept.com puna(a-)hawaiicounty.,-ov Page 3 <br />