2020-08-26 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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whole packet of better waste management could be done under an ESPC contract. Mr. Holmes said yes. He has a lot of passion on this subject and can talk to Commissioner Adams outside of the meeting about ways to do it. He is not talking about pie in the sky. He has actually done projects. Mr. Saito announced that he had to leave the meeting to host another one, and said he will continue working with Director Kucharski. Councilmember Rebecca Villegas spoke up and said she would like to have a presentation given to the County Council about what is possible and the potential project protocols, so there is a broader understanding of where they want to be headed. Though there will be a new administration coming in soon and the new Council layout is not known, she holds projects involving solid waste, recycling, wastewater, and coastlines close to her heart. She wants to be a part of moving to the next phase. Creative ways to finance projects are needed. She told Mr. Holmes she would have her staff look at dates for a potential presentation. Commissioner Cardwell asked about the possibility of using the Hilo landfill for methane even though it is closed. Mr. Holmes said the methane could actually increase now that the landfill is capped, and they could revisit it in the future. However, from analyses done so far, the amount of gas is unusable. Director Kucharski agreed and said the studies done over the past 30 years have not come up with the minimum amount of gas production that warrants further use. It could be due to the large amount of Hilo rainfall and the fact that the landfill is not lined. However, there are gas monitors that will be checked, and if there is an increase it will be followed up on. Further discussion was held on ESPCs and public-private partnership contracts, 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Status of the commission’s letter to the County Council in support of the draft 2019 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Update. Chair Pequeño apologized that he had not finished drafting the letter. He asked if there was an update on when the plan is up for approval by the County Council. Commissioner Adams and Director Kucharski both were of the understanding it would come up in September. Councilmember Tim Richards, who was also present, said he had not seen it come up. Chair Pequeño said he would get the letter out by the end of the week. b. Status of the commission’s letter to Councilmember Richards and Director Kucharski regarding inviting private entities to look into creating recycled/reclaimed water. 9