2019-06-26 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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in the subject. The EMC should still make statements they feel are important to the department, but there is this parallel track, because the Council has to be engaged before solutions are found. Commissioner Fritz said a ballot referendum should be done to create a new law. All he hears is we can’t, we can’t, we can’t. Chair Bennett said part of the answer is timing. Though the Charter Commission is done, the Council can also put a charter amendment on the ballot. Commissioner Fritz said they should suggest that to Councilmember Richards. Vice Chair Olson said that on a broader scale, there is the issue of climate change and the ocean rise, and whether it makes sense to invest more in areas that will be inundated. Commissioner Gaffney said the impacts of climate change to what the commission is should be added to the agenda for the meeting with Councilmember Richards. Chair Bennett said there are king tides and the potential for more dangerous storms, which are impacting everything done on the coast. It may be more sensible to remove the sewage lines from Aliʻi Drive and replace them with the one on Kuakini so they are moved out of danger permanently. He asked if the commissioners were ready to recommend that the department develop a feasibility study for both Aliō. They ʻi Drive and Puakcould provide input as the study is developed, and perhaps identify some funding sources. Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Gaffney moved to recommend that the county strive to develop feasibility studies for sewering Aliʻi Drive, the Keauhou peninsula, and Puakō. Vice Chair Olson seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Chair’s Informational Report: Clarification of terminology used in the Chair’s presentation on the Environmental Impact Statement for the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 Upgrade. • He originally wanted the EMC to be involved in bringing some experts over to talk about the sea level rise, but has been informed this would be outside the EMC’s scope. However, The Kohala Center is willing to sponsor this and will be working to bring in some experts and hold some community forums on the issue of climate change and resilience, and the unique hydrology of the Kona Coast. • When he gave his presentation last month on the R-1 Upgrade EIS, he used the term “subterranean estuary.” He wanted to make it clear he did not coin this term. It was coined around 2009 by a hydrologist named Moore. b. Director’s Informational Report. • As mentioned earlier, the county received grant money from the state to examine Puakō.