21-04-28 EMC minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Fulton replied that the advantage to referencing Honolulu’s experience is we have a template so we can have contacts made between the counties and smooth out the process, and streamline it. Commissioners Olson and Cardwell also saw no problem with mentioning the City and County of Honolulu. Chair Adams hoped that a consultant would look at an array of sustainable funding processes that we could use for wastewater treatment. Commissioner Cardwell said her only concern is that we are hiring an outside consultant who makes a recommendation, and that recommendation sits on a shelf somewhere and nothing comes of it. Some kind of followup needs to happen so that money is not wasted on hiring consultant and then nothing happens. Chair Adams agreed that was a valid concern and added that following up would be a role for this Commission. Or the Commission could disagree with the recommendation. She hoped the Commission would follow through and make sure it’s happening. Commissioner Cardwell asked if something could be added into the letter regarding followup, just to emphasize the point. Commissioner McIntosh agreed with the idea of an enterprise fund. He felt that Director Mansour would keep on top of the issues, but the Commission could always keep tabs on it as well and have the letter be more positive than accusatory. Chair Adams asked Director Mansour to add any comments. Director Mansour said the idea is to get the financial consultant to look at the pros and cons and lessons learned so we can avoid the bad mistakes, and move forward with a better system to our County. And the good thing now is we have a Commissioner with an economics and finance background. So Commissioner Robinson could assist and navigate through these requirements. It’s a win-win, no matter how you look at it, and the City and County of Honolulu is seeing dividends as we speak. They were in the same situation we were in, with a collapsing system. They are now providing top of the line system with resource recovery, water reuse, and fertilizer for compost. It’s amazing how they can be self-sufficient and financially stable to do all these projects without a subsidy from the General Fund. It empowers the Department to do what’s right. Health and safety becomes a priority, and funding becomes a priority. Chair Adams asked if any Commissioner wanted to amend the contents of the letter further. Hearing none, she proceeded to the vote on the main motion. Vote: The motion was approved by roll call. Ayes: 8 (Adams, Cardwell, Fulton, Gaffney, Hoopii, Olson, McIntosh, Robinson); Nays 0. Absent: 1 (Burns) Motion carried. Following the vote, 10