COUNTY OF HAWAI’I PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUBLIC COMMENTS ON DRAFT INITIAL ACTION PLAN AND PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – MITIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing and public comment period held by the Department of Planning of the County of Hawai’i for the purpose of adopting a draft Initial Action Plan for the allocation of $6,862,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program. A draft Initial Action Plan will be released for a 45-day public comment period on October 25, 2021. PRE-RELEASE PUBLIC MEETING Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Place: Virtual via Zoom online platform PURPOSE The purpose of this public meeting is to discuss the CDBG-MIT program, the relevance of the County’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) and potential actions from the MHMP to be pursued with the MIT funding, and to receive input on the proposed approach for project selection. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND TESTIMONY The public may join the pre-release public meeting from a computer, smartphone, or telephone. To provide oral testimony during the online meeting via phone or Zoom, we suggest you register by 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 18 by emailing your name, phone number, and include in the subject line “Register to Testify” to cdbgmit@hawaiicounty.gov. For details on how to connect to the meeting, visit https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdbg-mit or call 808-961-8288. PUBLIC MEETING Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2021 Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Place: Virtual via Zoom online platform PURPOSE The purpose of this public hearing is to receive public input on the draft Initial Action Plan prior to its submission to HUD. To comply with HUD requirements, the draft Initial Action Plan will describe the County’s strategy for utilizing limited CDBG-MIT funds to implement strategic hazard mitigation activities. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND TESTIMONY The public may join the public hearing from a computer, smartphone, or telephone. To provide oral testimony during the online meeting via phone or Zoom, we suggest you register by 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 15 by emailing your name, phone number, and include in the subject line “Register to Testify” to cdbgmit@hawaiicounty.gov. For details, on how to connect to the meeting, visit https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdbg-mit or call 808-961-8288. The public comment period for the draft Initial Action Plan begins on October 25, 2021 and ends December 8, 2021. Attendance at the public hearing is not necessary to submit testimony. At the beginning of the public comment period, the draft Initial Action Plan can be viewed online at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdbg-mit and in-person at 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. Office hours are 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Comments also can be submitted: By email cdbgmit@hawaiicounty.gov In-person at 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720 during office hours By U.S. mail to 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720 All comments will be given the same consideration regardless of the method of submission. The County of Hawai’i will consider all comments and views expressed by members of the public on the draft Initial Action Plan and may make modifications to the draft, if deemed appropriate. The County of Hawai’i is committed to the full inclusion of all members of the public in this public comment period without regard to disability or any other classification protected by state or federal law. As part of this commitment, the County of Hawai’i will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as it pertains to accessing and providing comments to the draft Initial Action Plan. If you are unable to access the draft Initial Action Plan document or require information in a language other than English call 808-961-8288 or contact cdbgmit@hawaiicounty.gov. By: ZENDO KERN, Planning Director HI County is an Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer (HTH/WHT1345280 10/10/21)