2019-06-26 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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than being shouldered more by those connected to the sewer. He asked for suggestions from the commissioners on other items to discuss. Vice Chair Olson said he is in a zero waste group, and they are trying to figure out how to capture solid waste disposal costs at the point of purchase and make the purchaser responsible for it. If the disposal cost is paid at the point of purchase, people will be paying their fair share of the load. He would like this concept brought to Councilmember Richards, as it would take the cost of the waste stream off the property tax rolls. Commissioner Gaffney said he felt the starting point of the meeting should be to get a better sense of how much Councilmember Richards understands about the issues the EMC grapples with. He feels it should be more of a two-way street, where they can get a sense of what Councilmember Richards understands, and he in turn can learn about the issues the EMC feels are important. Part of the discussion would be more philosophical and economically oriented, to get a sense of whether or not he is up to speed or has unique views. The first meeting should be for both sides to understand where the other side is. Chair Bennett said he can conceptualize this and list it as an agenda item. They will probably have less than an hour to meet, as the Council meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Gaffney said it should not be a one-time meeting, as Councilmember Richards is head of the Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management Committee. Another possible agenda item is what the current hot spots are that should be dealt with sooner rather than later, such as Puakō, Queen Kalama to Keauhou, and Hilo Bay. Director Kucharski reminded the commissioners that DEM is not a regulatory organization, and many of the issues they were talking about are regulated by the state. DEM is an operating agency, and that is a core issue and conflict. DEM does not regulate, but rather is regulated. After further discussion, Chair Bennett said the purpose of the meeting with Councilmember Richards is to open a conversation, and they will see where it goes. b. Subcommittee’s status report on the progress made in formulating a recommendation for a nutrient reduction monitoring program for the R-1 wetlands and SAT ponds. Chair Bennett said he and Commissioner Burns had shared a number of communications, and he concurs with him that that they don’t have specific information on the actual operation of the wetlands and SAT ponds. Designing a highly specific monitoring program is not possible until these components physically exist. Commissioner Burns clarified that a major concern with proposing any kind of monitoring plan would be to know the specific schematic design and attributes of the plant. In his experience, monitoring plans are very complex, and it would be premature to propose one at this point. He does appreciate the direction the EMC wants to take. He asked whether an NPDES permit would be needed at some point, and Director Kucharski