2020-09-23 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Adams moved to approve the minutes as corrected, Commissioner Gaffney seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 3. STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR Chair Pequeño thanked everyone for participating in the meeting, saying it appears the common theme for their meetings is to continue to engage in difficult conversations together. It is an understatement to say the county and DEM have an abundance of critical issues to address, in addition to the pandemic and other curve balls that have been thrown. Given that it is also an election year, it is imperative to begin setting an environmental management agenda for the new administration once the election is over. 1 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Cory Harden: She was testifying for the Sierra Club’s Hawaiʻi Island group regarding the illegal dumping at the old ōkala Mill. This issue should have been in the director’s report and Ōʻʻ should also be a future agenda item. Director Kucharski visited the site two days before the last meeting and said he would help with disposal and would contact Planning and Public Works. He should have informed the commission about this, as it falls under their purview, since the website says the purpose of the commission includes litter control, and the department’s website says it has the responsibility for solid waste disposal and all other environmental projects. The property owners are Darcy and Louie Nobriga, and they also did illegal dumping in 2018, getting off with a slap on the wrist. The items dumped in ōkala includeŌʻʻ munitions, animal carcasses, construction waste, vehicles, and scrap metal. Contaminated run-off may be going into the ocean. Dump trucks have been seen taking rusted metal and other debris to the site, and they go over a wooden bridge that may be inadequate for heavy loads. She urged the commission to send letters calling for thorough investigations and maximum penalties to the State Attorney General, the State Department of Health, and the County’s Planning and Public Works Departments. The Army should also be asked what contractors are responsible and how they plan to improve the vetting of contractors and inspections of work to prevent future problems. The commission should also ask for monthly updates from Director Kucharski on the status. Councilmember Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder: He also was concerned about the illegal ʻōŌʻkala dumping site, which came to his attention from other councilmembers and the public. It is a big concern for the Hāmākua community, especially as the site contains munitions and animal carcasses. He also wanted to know the status of the composting facility in the Shipman Industrial Park. The project was to have been completed in the summer, and it is now September. He is very concerned about this project and wants to see it happen, especially in 1 Due to technical difficulties, public statements by Jerome Warren and Sandra Demoruelle occurred later during the meeting. Their testimony is on pp 5-6. 2