Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 080 06/06/2006 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: June 6, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 912 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 912, reports as follows: Communication No. 912 from Mayor from Mayor Harry Kim, dated May 19, 2006 states the Puna District Community Development Plan (CDP) process has been initiated by the County of Hawaii Planning Departrnent. It further states the Hawaii County General Plan provides that a Steering Committee be formed comprised of individuals who reside in the Puna District who would be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council. Communication No. 912 introduces eleven (11) individuals from the Puna District whom Mayor Kim has appointed to serve on the Puna District Community Development Plan Steering Committee (CDPSC). The primary purpose of the Steering Committee is to ensure that the Puna District CDP process has broad based community participation and prepared in the best interest of the health and welfare of the community. The Steering Committee would serve as ambassadors for the planning process for an 18-month period and would be extended, if necessary, to rnn parallel with the CDP process. Mayor Kim's appointees with excerpts of a personal statement from each, aze as follows: • Darren M. AhChong: As a citizen of Puna, he is concerned about how the Puna District will be built- out in the years to come and believes that doing what is right or "pono" is extremely important. • Eddie Alonzo: His prior participation in resolving community issues and experienced major flood areas, wind and lava flow damage, provides knowledge of areas in need of improvement. • Stephanie Bath: Believes it is a sacred responsibility to preserve what we have on this island for future generations, notjust for our grandchildren, but for all. • W. Gregory Braun: Believes a foundation for proper planning must be developed as resident population increases. • Barbara M. Lively: Wants to be a part of this exciting process to try to ensure "smart growth" for Puna's future. • Jon A. Olson: Has worked on planning and related issues in Puna for sixteen years. • Shirley M. Pedro: Has worked collaboratively with community associations and various businesses regarding establishing sustainable income and additional crops as well as marketing avenues for farmers and their products. PC REPORT NO. 80 Communication 912 Page 2 of 5 • Alan S. Rudo: Shares a true love and respect for the `aina and hopes to be a part of its cazetaking. • Kim D. Tavares: Recognizes the need to pool resourceful people from within and near the community to brainstorm and take action towards long lasting solutions. • Frederick R. Warshauer: Has experience in working with community partnerships involving numerous issues that were resolved by consensus. At the June 6, 2006 Planning Committee meeting, there were no statements received from the public on this matter. Chairman Pilago called representatives from Planning Department. Debbie Chang introduced herself as a planner with the Planning Department and manager of the Puna District CDP process. Ester Imamura, planner with the Planning Department, is also working with the steering committee. Ms. Chang distributed a flier to the committee informing of its first workshop set for July 22, 2006. 103 small group meetings have been held throughout the Puna district. Formation of the steering committee is anxiously anticipated and a review committee was formed the 38 applications received. Council Member Arakaki made a request to bifurcate the nominations because he has some concerns. Council Member Safarik asked Planner Chang to explain the process of selecting nominees. Ms. Chang stated the review committee consisting of four longtime residents of Puna, Paula Kekahuna (officer of Maku'u farmers market and resident of Hawaiian Homelands), Liz Feltzon (Nanawale Estates community who manages the community center), Andy Levin (Mayor's assistant) and Gerazd Filbrom (long-time resident of Puna). A list of criteria under broad areas of knowledge, attitude, skills and points of view were used in the selection process. Given the limitation of applicants, they came up with a point system by which the Review members rated the nominees. Point system was comprised of the following: • Knowledge (maximum of 10 points): Indicators include: knowledge of the geographic area, knowing the people of the community well, knowledge of the history of Puna Distirct, some understanding of the land use planning process, cultural competence in Hawai`i`s multi-cultural society and knowledge of living and working in the different parts of Puna Distirct. • Attitude (maximum of 10 points): Willing to be part of the new and evolving community implementation process; willing to assist in obtaining input from community groups and individuals with whom the member already has a relationship; willing and interested in learning about the planning process and principles; willing to attend training sessions; can-do attitude with optimism, moderated by realism; open-minded when considering old ways may no longer work; process and task oriented; willing and able to work and collaborate with people of different points of view; willing to work with government on collaborating and building partnerships. • Skills (maximum of 10 points): Demonstrative commitment to collaborate in seeking solutions to planning issues; ability to multi-task and follow through with assignment and tasks; experience in community visioning and/or long-range planning; worked on a project or understand strategic planning; experience in outreach (how to get community involved); a team player, including the county as part of team; ability to see the big picture and consider more than one's own agenda. • The other list is not a list, but items that we tried to keep in mind as people were ranted. Wanted to make sure we had certain points of views represented, such as business sector, human services PC REPORT NO. 80 Communication 912 Page 3 of 5 sectors, different cultures that exist in Puna, agriculture, landowners, non-resident land owners, educators, environmental, multi-generational mix, good mix of males and females, regional representation of the Puna area and awareness of history and historic preservation issues. Ms. Chang stated the four reviewers were chosen similar as it was for the Kona CDP. The Kona had a representative from Mayor's office so Andy Levin was the first chosen. They then looked for people who know the Puna area well and who live there for a long time with experiences in observing people in meetings and handling themselves. Council Member Holschuh requested a hard copy of the point system she just reviewed for use when Hamakua begins it CDP process. Council Member Ikeda noted his surprise the largest landowner Shipman was not a participant especially because this will really affect the community and they own about half the land in Puna. He stated if the steering committee had a representative from Shipman it would be easier to persuade them to release some of their lands. He noted Shipman has tendencies to give land away and was hoping to see a nominee from Shipman so we don't have to buy land from them, and they would give the county land. Ms. Chang stated no one selected by the review committee is directly connected to the Shipman Tnrst. Ms. Chang agreed they are a very important player and stakeholder and fully intends to bring them in as much as they would like to be. Ms. Chang noted certain Planning staff members aze attending Shipman's master planning meetings being conducted and trying to complete the master plan before the committee gets too far into CDP process. Shipman would like to fully be a part of it and share with the community. Council Member Ikeda asked whether there was anyone from Shipman who applied and Ms. Chang stated two people had applied with direct connections to Shipman. One, a direct heir of the trust, was felt to directly benefit personally from the results of the CDP and, by consensus, probably not a good idea. The qualifications of the other Shipman applicant did not rank very high. Mr. Ikdea stated he hoped they keep Shipman involved and stated if we can get the land for free, lets go for it. Chair Pilago stated Mr. Arakaki correctly requested the committee to bifurcate the question and have an opportunity to meet each steering committee nominee on his or her own merits. Council Member Jacobson inquired why Mr. Arakaki is requesting bifurcation and Mr. Arakaki responded because he wants to. Chair Pilago noted that it is Mr. Arakaki's right to make the request and that it was helpful because the members get to meet each applicant on their own merits. Mr. Safazik stated doesn't think taking each nominee individually is a bad thing. There's a lot of good people here and thinks we need to hear their story and bifurcation allows for it. Chairman Pilago introduced Ms. Barbaza M. Lively, a 20-year resident of Puna and currently council aide of Council Member Bob Jacobson. Council Member Jacobson confirmed that when Ms. Lively decided to serve on this committee she was not going to follow any instructions from him and that she was her own person, has her own freedoms and that this nomination is clearly outside the focus of her job. Ms. Lively stated that others had expressed some of the same concerns, but her thought when she applied was the process itself, not so much what she'd like to see happen out there in Puna, but to really ensure that what the people want is utilized at the end. She stated she trusts the residents in Puna to know what they want, what they need and how to get thcre and she believes that is the important thing. She noted small workshops should be the focus of the work and she plans on being the watchdog for the group to ensure that the consensus of the community and the committee, the thoughts regarding solutions aze at the forefront. She stated that PC REPORT NO. 80 Communication 912 Page 4 of 5 she hopes everyone realizes she is a separate entity from Bob Jacobson, he's not God, he's a good guy and got his own ideas and so does she. Council Member Jacobson noted that Ms. Lively keeps at things until the job is finished and hopes that if she takes the seat, her colleagues will understand and work with her because she's very task oriented and will keep the people going through the process. He stated she's likely not to put up with any stonewalling or stops in the process as she seems to carry things through and appreciates that. Ms. Lively has been very involved in facilitating community groups and working with the community in the past and will be stepping down in some of those tasks and acknowledged she understands what a commitment this will be and will be available. Council Member Arakaki noted his concern that Ms. Lively is employed as a Council Member's aide and the Council Member will vote on the plan if it becomes an ordinance. Mr. Arakaki said he cannot vote for her not because she's not qualified but because of the perception that she works for a Council Member. He stated he would not be voting for her, he respects her integrity, her character and experience, but he thinks a council aide should not be on a committee when ultimately a council member will be making a decision on. Noted this was nothing personal. Council Member Holschuh shared the same concerns as Mr. Arakaki. Mr. Holschuh stated he has no doubt she speaks her own mind and feel her own way, but will have trouble supporting her because of the perceived conflict. Ms. Lively responded she thought long and hard about it, and her decision was based on the fact that it will not be her own personal interest, it wouldjust be making sure what the community comes up with is always up front and that's what's really important to her, to protect the process itself. Council Member Ikeda stated he has no problem with Barbara, asked Ms. Chang from the Planning Department what is the difference between Ms. Lively's situation and his being asked to resign from the Board of Appeals when he became a legislative assistant. Ms. Change recited the opinion from corporation counsel stating nothing precludes Ms. Lively from serving. She also stated she was unqualified to respond to Mr. Ikeda's question regarding the difference between the two situations. She concluded that in the group process (as one of eleven members) Ms. Lively would not be in a position to control decisions that come out of people who are all very independent thinkers. Council Member Safarik stated he believes that discussions regarding perception of conflict is valid and that there is an obligation to discuss this. He noted after reviewing his understanding of the corporation council's report, knowing Ms. Lively, her education component, her family component, her commitment to the island of Hawaii and also to the Puna region, these will surpass any potential conflict that may have been surfaced today and therefore supports her. Council Vice Chair Ms. Isbell stated she is very happy to support Ms. Lively because first of all, no one knows whether the person she's working for is going to be re-elected. Ms. Isbell also noted Ms. Lively is her own person and is impressed that she is her own person and suggests the council watch and see and if there are any problems, and if so, people can be removed as well. Committee Vice Chair Hoffmann noted that because Ms. Lively is a member of that community, she has vested interest in what goes on and wants to see it done well. Mr. Hoffmann does not see where her Ms. Lively's job would get in the way. He stated it's more important to recognize the contributions one makes, and that's important. He concluded he understood Mr. Arakaki's concern, however, as long as the community who selected her doesn't have a problem with her nomination, then he certainly doesn't. PC REPORT NO. 80 Communication 912 Page 5 of 5 Mr. Ikeda stated in light of Ms. Isbell's comment he will support Ms. Lively because there's no guarantee that Mr. Jacobson's coming back and she shouldn't be held back from doing a good job. Mr. Safarik appreciates comments from both Mr. Ikeda and Ms. Isbell and asked Ms. Chang regarding the process of checks and balances of the process. Ms. Chang stated if there were concerns regarding the process it should be brought to the Planning Department's attention as soon as possible. Planning Director Chris Yuen stated with respect to Ms. Lively's application, they took the matter to corporation counsel and the opinion was that it was not a conflict of interest. Given the other qualifications she brought to the table she was selected as one of the group. Planning Chair asked Mr. Yuen whether the CDP process is protected, and Mr. Yuen stated yes. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with Mayor Kim's appointment of Ms. Barbaza M. Lively to the Puna District Community Development Plan Steering Committee and recommends her confirmation. and AYES NOES A&E EX RespecifUlly Submllled, ARAKAKI X x1cA X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING HOFFMANN X HOLSCHUH X IKEDA X ISBELL X aACOSSON X K. ANGEL PILA O, CHAIR PILACO X PC REPORT N0. 80 sAFAxIK X ADOPTED: JUN Z ~ 2006