2021-11-24 EMC draft minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Adams said one of the things we are looking at in the life cycle assessment study is, does it make sense from a life cycle standpoint to drive across the island to go dispose of some recyclable material? Is that really a net benefit? The Chair would like to move along, but at the same time would ask Commissioners to think outside the box about whether we could throw up some legitimate good barriers as long as we provide alternatives, and there are some specific materials that might warrant that kind of response. Commissioner Robinson asked whether the Permitted Interaction Group committee could consider what challenges the recyclers are having through permitting processes with regard to commercial space. If they have to rezone from Agricultural to Commercial what challenges do they have there. But there are a lot of other things. Not just DEM requirements, but other zoning requirements, other things, Chair Adams said. And we were looking more or at least hope to look at more broadly, County regulations and processes that are just a pain and prevent activity. Vice Chair Gaffney had another question to add to the list. There are a number of large companies on this island that are metal fabricators. For instance, one of them just replaced all the railings at the Hilton Waikoloa. So his question for the metal recyclers is, do they already have relationships with the large metal fabrication companies on the island? And are they receiving their scrap, or whats happening with it? Because its possible that some of those fabricators are also doing direct recycling, particularly the ones that are using high grade aluminum and stainless steel. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Legislative update Director Mansour said a public-private partnership would allow Wastewater Division to have the options and flexibility of getting some private funding. Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant is our top priority when it comes to the facility, he said. And we had been meeting with elected officials to address certain concerns about partnering with the private sectors or privatization of certain facilities, because the County does not have the funding. Even if the County finds the funding to rebuild Hilo WWTP, the big challenge is, how are you going to find the funding to maintain your investment? So there is a challenge. We could get grants and loans and rebuild, but it is still a challenge. How are we going to keep protecting that investment so we dont fall in the same predicament that we have been falling in for the last 30, 40 years? That is one of our top priorities. Council Member Heather Kimball was leading that with the Hawaii State Association of Counties. Chair Adams asked whether there any other legislative issues that we should be aware of, to which Director Mansour mentioned extended producer liability legislation that will be advanced by Sen. Laura Acasio and Rep. Nicole Lowen. 19