HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 024 2021/08/03 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 3, 2021 Re: Comm. 183
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 183, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 183, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated March 29, 2021,
recommends the removal of Mark Van Pernis from the Leeward Planning Commission.
Mr. Van Pernis's term is due to end on December 31, 2024. Mayor Roth recommended removal
of Mr. Van Pernis on the basis of his conduct and behavior during commission meetings, which
often became counter-productive and hostile.
Communication No. 183 was first read during the Planning Committee on April 6, 2021, to
which members of Your Committee had postponed the matter until May 4, 2021, to give
Mr. Van Pernis a chance to adjust his conduct with better accommodations including a
retraining on Sunshine Law and Roberts Rules, a hearing apparatus, and process to submit
written questions for applicants that will be read by the Commission Chair.
During the committee discussion on May 4, 2021, it was noted that although his conduct had
slightly improved, one month was not sufficient time to properly make a decision on the
recommended removal. Planning Committee Members Holeka Inaba, Maile David,
Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Rebecca Villegas, and Aaron Chung supported a motion to
postpone the matter for three months, to see if Mr. Van Pernis improved his behavior and
conduct.
On August 3, 2021, Communication No. 183 was before Your Committee following the
three-month postponement. Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz summarized that
Mr. Van Pernis has been given two chances to improve his behavior and conduct. Several
accommodations were made to address his speech with Zoom capabilities. The County had also
provided training opportunities on commission procedures and Robert's Rules of Order. She
noted that the Leeward Planning Commission had sent a recommendation on Mr. Van Pernis'
removal via Communication 183.57, which included meeting minutes from the July 15, 2021
commission meeting where a near-unanimous vote was held to recommend to the Planning
Committee Mr. Van Pernis's removal, with Mr. Van Pernis voting "no" and Ms. Shani
Armbruster abstaining.
PC Report No.: 24
PC-24 Page 2 August 3,2021
Committee Member Chum explained that he will be voting for the removal due to the lack of
progress made by Mr. Van Perris in correcting his attitude despite multiple chances given.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council With a favorable
recommendation and passed With 5 "ayes," 3 "noes," and Committee Member Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder absent.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord With the purpose and intent of Communication No. 183,
and recommends the approval of the Mayor's request to remove Mr. Mark Van Pernis from the
Leeward Planning Commission.
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AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNIN(s
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINF'ELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
VXL1-
LEELOY X A4&EY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 24
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: Alin 1 8 qn2i