04.14.22 COG Commission Minutes - Approved

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Comm Matson- Suggested a possible Plan B which could include a public/private partnership (as used in O‘ahu) and how to negotiate within the constraints of the Konno Decision. Malia Kekai – The County is currently in negotiations with the EPA to reset the deadlines and remove current penalty assessments; Comm Obenski commented that new technologies on the horizon to address the cesspool /septic/ wastewater sewage plane issues. Comm. Obenski – EPA eliminated all cesspools as they were cost prohibitive. Bobby Command – Ramzi Mansour is the subject matter expert. Chair Konowicz will invite Ramzi to a COG Commission meeting to follow-up on the Ka‘u wastewater issue. Malia Kekai - Pointed out current session state legislation pertinent to Cesspool Compliance: HB1212 HD1, HB2195 HD2; Cesspool Compliance Assistance, HB1806 HD2- SD 1, Cesspool Conversions and HB1525 HD1, Organic Waste \[4:00\] Agenda Item 6(e) Briefing on the Hawai’i Earth Recycling Contract – Malia Kekai, Deputy Corporation Counsel The fuel expenses to haul green waste across the island is cost prohibitive and stresses the Department workforce. The COG Commission will follow-up with Ramzi Mansour as a subject matter expert, and re-visit this in a subsequent meeting Agenda Items 7 and 8 \[3:54\] Chair Konowicz will re-invite Director Rodenhurst to report on DPW Roads, traffic and engineering studies, with additional questions to be sent to the Director through Chair Konowicz Comm. Wakat will draft questions for Director Uehara for his return to the COG Commission on May 26, 2022. Comm. Kusch specifically would like a list of Director Uehara’s goals and priorities regarding infrastructure and staffing. Comm. Matson suggested a model by which reoccurring payments and/or renewals are scheduled on dates easy to remember (birthdays) or other user- friendly reminder systems renewals in the county \[4:13\] ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT (OR FUTURE) AGENDAS  Presentation and overview on roads, traffic, and engineering studies by Ikaika Rodenhurst, Director of Department of Public Works  Presentation and overview on the EPA negotiations and Ka‘u Wastewater issue and on the Hawai‘i Earth Recycling Green waste contract by Ramzi Mansour, Director of Environmental Management  Presentation and overview by Cyrus Johnasen of the new County of Hawai‘i mobile app  Presentation and overview of Zero Emissions Future by Riley Saito, Economic Development Specialist, Department of Research and Development  Presentation and overview of Procurement by Diane Nakagawa, Purchasing and Procurement Specialist, Department of Finance \[4:29\] ADJOURNMENT Comm. Obenski made a motion to adjourn Comm. Matson Seconded the Motion Discussion: None Ayes: (7) Unanimous Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.