HAWAI’I COUNTY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Date: February 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Hilo Council Chambers, Hawai’i County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Hawai’i 96720
Pursuant to Section 92-41, Hawai’i Revised Statutes, and Section 35-12, Hawai’i County Code, notice is hereby given that the Hawai’i County Council will hold a public hearing on the establishment of a Business Improvement District in Downtown Hilo, as proposed by Bill No. 230, Draft 2.
Bill No. 230, Draft 2:
Proposes to establish the County of Hawai’i Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District No. 2 to provide for the making and financing of supplemental services and improvements in Downtown Hilo in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapter 35 of the Hawai’i County Code.
Supplemental services and improvements, as described in the District Plan, would include:
(1) Enhancement of public safety, landscaping, maintenance, and sanitation using “Clean Sweep Crews”;
(2) Promotion of Downtown Hilo as a family gathering place through marketing, special events, and other creative means;
(3) Development of public restrooms, landscaping, lighting, pedestrian pathways and surfaces, kiosks for marketing and special events, and wayfinding and signage to enhance the movement, convenience, and enjoyment of the public, and other improvements recommended in the Downtown Hilo Multi-Modal Master Plan;
(4) A shuttle system for improved transportation; and
(5) If authorized by separate ordinance, parking management policies and services. Funds for these supplemental services and improvements would be derived from assessments paid by owners of commercial parcels of land within the district boundaries, based on the assessed rate of $1.50 for every $1,000 of “Total Net Taxable Value” of each parcel of land, for a total estimated budget of $367,000 for the first operating year of the proposed Business Improvement District.
Protest Procedures
Pursuant to Section 35-13 of the Hawai’i County Code, the owners of real property whom would be assessed under the proposed Business Improvement District may file a written protest against the formation of the Business Improvement District. The proceedings to establish the County of Hawai’i Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District No. 2 will cease if lawfully fi led protests equate to fi fty-one percent or more of the total real property tax assessed value of all land proposed to be assessed in the district or if a majority of the owners of land proposed to be assessed in the district protest its formation. Each landowner was mailed a copy of this notice of public hearing, which included a form to protest the establishment of this Business Improvement District. Landowners may either file their protests prior to or at the time of the public hearing.
All protests must be filed with the Office of the County Clerk prior to the conclusion of this public hearing.
Protests submitted via mail must be postmarked no later than February 7, 2023.
A protest may be withdrawn by the landowner prior to the conclusion of the public hearing using a Withdrawal
of Protest form provided by the Office of the County Clerk.
Participation
All interested persons are invited to attend and will be afforded the opportunity to be heard. Persons who require special accommodations should call (808) 961-8255 by February 6, 2023. Every effort will be made to obtain the required accommodation, though the County cannot guarantee that the requested accommodation can be provided.
To provide Oral Testimony via Zoom, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to register and receive login information.
Written testimony may be submitted via: (1) email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; or (2) mail to the Office of the County Clerk, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720.
Upon timely request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. Availability of Documents
Copies of Bill No. 230, Draft 2, which includes the District Plan, District Map Boundaries, and Assessment Roll, are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Offi ce of the County Clerk, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1402, Hilo and at the Kona Council District Offi ces, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A, Kailua-Kona. Bill No. 230, Draft 2, may also be viewed via the County’s website at https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/0/doc/1049938/Page1.aspx
Questions
Please call (808) 961-8532 for any inquiries regarding this public hearing or protest procedures.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE HAWAI’I COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY CLERK