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<br />Commissioner Frankel clarified that the plant has continued to receive an ÐUnacceptableÑ rating <br />from DOH, since the plant effluent is not being sent to the Kealakehe Golf Course (that has not <br />been constructed), as originally planned. <br />County is moving forward with plans for the semi-municipal golf course. <br />UNFINISHED BUSINESS: <br />6.None <br />NEW BUSINESS <br />7.: <br />MAYOR HARRY KIM PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION: <br />The Mayor: <br />-Reiterated that the department was one of his highest priorities, if not the highest, in regards <br />to the importance of what the county does in the long term. <br />-Requested that the commission and the department identify staffing and project needs and <br />ask for those in the budgetary process, regardless of the availability of funds. <br />-Depends on the commission for guidance and assistance in planning where the community <br />wants the county to go in the future. <br />-Appreciates the wisdom of the public to focus on solid waste and wastewater, but <br />acknowledged that no funds accompanied the creation of the new d <br />-Does not want solid waste to become a political issue because it is an issue for the whole <br />minimize <br />island. The goal is to what goes into the landfill and to establish a solid diversion goal <br />to work toward. <br />-Pledged the highest priority in providing the resources to reach the goals. <br />-Stated that because of the landfill closure, the first SORT station will be in Hilo. The next <br />one in Kona. <br />-Asked the commission to identify specific infrastructure and staffing needs, and ordinances <br />that they wish the Administration to pursue. <br />-Promised no politics in decision making and promised the highes <br />staffing and project needs. <br />Frankel noted three fundamental areas that have specific staffing needs: (1) support in <br />Wastewater Division to do proactive planning, permitting; (2) ad <br />diversion areas at all transfer stations and; (3) enforcement/compliance staff. <br />The Mayor stated that efforts have and are being made to carry out the department priorities. <br />$1M was released from State funds last year for this purpose. The council granted $4M out of <br />County bonds for the SORT Station. <br />The Wastewater wetlands project is a high priority and the Administration is actively pursuing <br />use of wastewater for the municipal golf course. <br />The Mayor is working with Civil Service to develop a selective group of highly skilled <br />volunteers to assist on projects. <br />Erway requested the MayorÓs assurance that the County will commit to recycling efforts in the <br />County Offices. The Mayor will work with Bell to have the County lead the way and set a good <br />example. <br />Chair Smith shared the commissionÓs frustration of having the responsibility but not the <br />authority to getting department needs addressed and funded by council. The commission and <br />administration have similar goals and objectives for the people of the county. The commission <br />will continue to work in the best interest of the county and appreciates the MayorÓs support and <br />assistance in all of their efforts. The Mayor confirmed that the administration will work with <br />the commission in any way they can. <br />-3- <br /> <br />