2019-04-24 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Commissioner Gaffney asked how a homeowner would know whether their sewer line is leaking, and discussion was held on the various camera devices used to check pipes, as well as devices homeowners can install to monitor leaks and measure conductivity. Commissioner Gaffney said there is an opportunity to require new or redeveloping restaurants to obtain a chloride level analysis, and Chair Bennett said they can bring it up to Councilmember Richards. Chair Bennett asked Commissioner Fritz to contact people in the Roto Rooter business to see if they have the ability to check laterals. The commissioners discussed how it would be good to have a business in Kona break the ice on voluntarily having their sewer pipes checked and fixing any leaks, so that others will follow suit. Commissioner Gaffney said the County Council needs to get involved in protecting the shoreline. c. Discuss the options and procedure to update the Commission’s scope in order to be more aligned with the Department’s functions in the foreseeable future. Chair Bennett asked how the scope of the EMC could be changed to be more contemporary, and Director Kucharski said he believed it would require a charter amendment. He said he could check with Corporation Counsel on the process and report back at the next meeting. Vice Chair Olson said he would need to think about whether their scope should be changed, as he did not want them to open a door they cannot close. On the matter of the letter they wanted to send to DPW about the UPC, they could explain the situation to Councilmember Richards and say that further connectivity is needed with other departments in order to accomplish their mandate. Director Kucharski said the EMC’s function is to advise DEM on those issues over which it has jurisdiction, which is wastewater treatment, solid waste, and recycling. The Plumbing Code comes under DPW, and the EMC does not advise DPW. DEM is an operating entity, not a regulatory entity. Chair Bennett said Councilmember Eoff had asked them some time ago what they would recommend in terms of water and wastewater. One of the recommendations was to adopt the new plumbing code, which is outside DEM’s scope. However, it is fundamental and he is sorry departments are so balkanized in terms of interdepartmental cooperation. Commissioner Pequeño said part of the Plumbing Code is related to the functions of DEM and is therefore within the scope of the EMC. Vice Chair Olson said they should see if Councilmember Richards agrees. Commissioner Fulton said they should approach Councilmember Richards with the idea that although the EMC was created by the County