2006-05-18 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Dworsky said that they are studying curbside recycling in Waikoloa, since it is a tight community and has in its covenants the ability to charge as part of the fees. Solid Waste would like to do more curbside recycling, like the mainland does. It would not work for the whole County, but in certain more populated areas it might be feasible. He does not know how the compensation via real property tax would work, though. However, the County should look at curbside facilities so that presorting is done, rather than having people throw washers and mattresses down the chute. Honolulu and Maui already have curbside pick -up. Hawaii County is the only county with transfer stations instead. Ms. Nicholson asked for clarification on who is doing the studying on this, whether it is the DEM, or the Council, and what method is being used to study the issues. Mr. Dworsky said that consultants put together a survey, which has been funded by the County. Pete Hoffmann had worked on this. Ms. Nicholson asked who goes over the consultant report when it comes in, to decide what is viable and what to put forward to the Council for funding. Mr. Dworsky said the DEM does. They are hoping the recommendations that are being studied from Waikoloa could also conceivably be the model to be used in other areas. Waikoloa is already set up with a fee structure to get the public to participate. Hawaiian Paradise Park or Hawaiian Ocean View Estates might be other areas where it would be feasible to try this model, rather than building more transfer stations. Ms. Nicholson asked Mr. Dworsky if he felt this was an effective process to look at this issue, and Mr. Dworsky said he hopes so. He is optimistic that it is moving the DEM in the right direction. They have to be open- minded and look at new technologies and approaches. They cannot keep doing things the same way. Ms. Cushnie asked whether, when a small development like Waikoloa proposes to do this, it runs into privatization issues. Mr. Dworsky said it could be privatized, or contracted out, by the community on its own, without dealing with the County. The County would just get the tipping fee when the waste comes to the landfill. If all people individually dropped off their solid waste at transfer stations, the County would only receive the funds from real property tax. Ms. Cushnie asked whether Mr. Dworsky thought the County would always be expanding its work force with union employees, or whether certain areas could be developed which would provide their own water, fire stations, and infrastructure. As examples, she mentioned HOVE or Paradise Park. Mr. Dworsky said it is possible. When he reviews plans from the Planning Department, if there is a Special Management Area or special project or rezoning situation, he asks them to put together a solid waste management plan. The ability to charge is not always in the covenants, but the DEM wants to see what they are doing, whether they think ahead about how the garbage is to be handled. Ms. Cushnie asked if that is an automatic part of the permitting process, and Mr. Dworsky said that from his perspective, it is. They are allowed to ask for the solid waste management plans. They need to know what the subdivisions are planning to do. He sees the County's Solid Waste Division growing. Many of the transfer stations are old 6