HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.041 2020-2022 /Cound I.
bill 111
COW.58q
From: Shannon Matson
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2022 4:18 AM
To: Chung, Aaron; David, Maile; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kierkiewicz, Ashley;11Cimb ather;
Lee Loy, Sue; Inaba, Holeka; Richards, Tim; Villegas, Rebecca; Council Testwony.—
Subject: Concerns on Bill 111 '
1 Dr
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers, -
I am tuning into this conversation late. I didn't hear about this bill until just a minute ago,but this is an issue that is
extremely important to me. I have worked in downtown(as a manager of a health food store and owner of my own
small business) Hilo for over a decade where I would have daily interactions with our houseless folks of Hilo. These
folks are my friends, they are people I care about and have provided them with food and a place to shower and be safe
regularly in my business. The way these humans get talked about and treated by our County and State is extremely
concerning. They need help, they need support,they need housing, they deserve dignity and compassion.
I just listened to the last reading and share the concerns of Lisa Miura at the real property tax office. It is clear that the
wording needs to be adjusted and I don't know if I understand that this was done fully. I trust Lisa Miura will weigh in I
again on this final reading and I highly recommend that this bill not be passed without the language being clear and
free from misinterpretation. Did the wording change? Is it acceptable/clear to the people who will have to be
explaining this change and administering collection of these funds? Please make sure this is the case before
proceeding.
Also when I read the bill it sounds like this additional funding program is to be spent on what houseless individuals
need, and yet the language is so vague when I hear Councilmember Chung talk on it there is talk of enforcement and
even increasing police presence. This is concerning to me. This is a large amount of money and there needs to be a
clear path and goal laid out first. I didn't hear enough of that at your last meeting. I am in firm support of ending
houselessness, but just to throw money at a problem without an agreed upon way to move forward doesn't make any
sense to me. To accomplish ending houselessness in Hilo in 5 years is a HUGE goal and there are many different
ideas and ways to work towards this. I know there are good people working on helping with the houseless community
but I think we need more clarity on exactly what these funds will be spent on and how we can move forward in an
efficient and practical way.
I am not sending this email in opposition of this bill- I am very much in favor of our focus and funds being spent on
addressing houselessness. I am just concerned that there needs to be compassion and focus on these humans as
autonomous individuals and that we need to always keep that thought in the forefront in any and all decisions being
made on behalf of these folks. Housing must come first, all other needs/services can be addressed after that and
through that as a means of support.
Mahalo for your work on this. This is crucial legislation, please do it right. Get clarity from the Real Property Tax
office on the language regarding the taxation and funds, get clarity from the stakeholders who will be utilizing these
funds and implementing these programs and make sure that there is a clear path AND AGREEMENT OF
ACTIONABLE GOALS of how these funds will be spent and what our goals are. I am unable to attend the upcoming
meeting but I look forward to hearing this discussion and final decisions all on the record.
Aloha no,
Shannon Matson
Comm.
Ref. To- CWI
Fief. ate MAR 9 2Q2='L
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