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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br /> DATE: April 3, 2012 Re: Comm. 626.5/Res. 232-12, Draft 2 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 6:58 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Comm. No. 626.5/ <br /> Res. No. 232-12, Draft 2, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 232-12, was transmitted by Council Chairperson Dominic Yagong, dated <br /> March 12, 2012, urges the Mayor to develop and implement a fully funded diversion grants <br /> pilot program for the County of Hawai`i. The purpose of the Resolution is to develop and <br /> implement a diversion grant program for recyclable materials at the County transfer stations by <br /> July 1, 2012, by providing a monetary incentive to motivate the general public with a financial <br /> reward and thereby increasing the diversion rates. After four public testimonies in support were <br /> heard, Res. 232-12 was amended with the contents of Communication 626.2 which extended the <br /> length of the pilot program from six months to one year. The amendment also allowed the pilot <br /> program to be sited at many locations instead of just selected transfer stations. <br /> Mr. Yagong stressed that it will allow some of the $1.7 million going to the current two-bin <br /> recycling to go to people and community organizations. Mr. Ikeda raised concern about <br /> funding, and Mr. Yoshimoto asked for the continuation of the two-bin recycling program at the <br /> transfer stations. <br /> Ms. Ford suggested that the pilot program run for three years, and overlap with the existing <br /> two bin system. She suggested using the "Other Miscellaneous Contracts" line item as being one <br /> source for extra funding. Communication 626.2 was withdrawn and Res. 232-12 was then <br /> amended with the contents of Communication 626.3, which called for a three-year pilot program <br /> alongside the current two-bin system. The amendment passed and further action was postponed <br /> to April 3, 2012 meeting to give the Dept. of Environmental Management (DEM) time to review <br /> the measure and respond. <br /> On April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., the 14th Session of the Committee on Environmental <br /> Management convened in the Hilo Council Chambers. Res. 232-12, Draft 2, was taken up after <br /> five testifiers gave positive testimony. Acting Director Dora Beck felt that the July 1, 2012 <br /> deadline was too soon for DEM to adequately develop and implement a fully funded diversion <br /> program. She cautioned that there might be procurement and budget difficulties and declined to <br /> comment further on the resolution. <br /> EMC Rept. No.: 07 <br />