2002-04-24 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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Minutes for Wednesday, April 24, 2002Page 2 of 3 5.CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION Director’s Report  Galen Kuba provided a written report to the Commissioners. All comments on the Draft Addendum to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan should be presented to the Department by April 30, 2002 for submission to Harding ESE. The intent is to give administration’s point of view to the Consultant. The next draft will be presented to the public for review. Riley Smith suggested that the mid 2004 closure of the Hilo Landfill should be identified on the timeline so we understand how the timeline relates to the closure of the landfill. David Frankel explained that in regards to the State Bottle Bill, Senator Inouye proposed that beyond the five cent deposit, the tax would be ½ cent rather than two cents. She has changed her position from an ADF to a true bottle bill format. Since the legislature is not taking any more testimony, copies of the Commission’s April 4, 2002 letter to Mayor Harry Kim will be sent to Senator Inouye. The Department sent a letter to Mayor Kim regarding the Property tax issue and the East Hawai‘i Regional Transfer Station. No response was received. The Department will send out another letter regarding tipping fees. The Recycling Coordinator position was approved by the Executive Review Committee with the provision that it be filled after June 30, 2002, the next fiscal year. On April 11, our Personnel Specialist turned over all materials to Civil Service for processing and recruitment. Solid Waste Division Chief’s Report  Larry Capellas provided a written report to the Commissioners. Mr. Capellas suggested the possibility of transfer stations on the border for transportation to the Hilo Landfill rerouting to the West Hawai‘i Landfill to get a better break on the Waste Management contract. He will need to check if the hauling cost is going to be feasible. Diversion Credits are residential credit claims. Commercial haulers get a credit of $2.00/per household to pickup refuse and haul it to the landfill to offset the cost of initial charges that the hauler passed on to the residents when the landfill tipping fee was started. Mike Allen questioned if this is a legitimate rebate and suggested that this be looked into. Galen Kuba will provide the Commissioners with the memo to Councilman Aaron Chung Re: 7.7% Budget Cuts. Wastewater Division Chief’s Report  Peter Boucher provided a written report to the Commissioners. Riley commented on David Frankel’s concerns as to whether it would be a good idea to notify the public near the location of the Hilo outfall. Peter Boucher’s report stated that notification is not required and that this is a moot issue. Peter Boucher will provide a summary of Brown and Caldwell’s findings at the next meeting. 6.OLD BUSINESS Volcano Transfer Station – Container Donation (David Frankel)  The Volcano Community Association does not want to donate their recycling container to a private business because the private business could do anything they want with it. Business Services is currently picking up in Volcano once a month at no cost. Hugh Ono stated that the County is not in recycling, so the County should never be expected to get into the Hugh Ono moved that this matter be referred recycling program. Maintenance should not be County’s responsibility. to the Corporation Counsel to investigate the liability concerns based on County ownership and purchasing concerns and make a recommendation. Carolyn Witcher seconded the motion. Mike Allen stated that if they do this on their own, they have the option to deal with any hauler they want. If the County takes ownership of this container, it will have to go up for bid for the hauling.If the County owns it, are they bound to have it go out to competitive bid? Motion was carried unanimously. Diversion Grant Credits (David Frankel)  David Frankel moved that the Environmental Management Department’s Solid Waste Division should immediately offer waste diversion grants of up to $40 per ton to remove up to 4 more tons per day from the waste stream from the Pu‘uanahulu Landfill. The County Council should appropriate funds to increase diversion of waste from the Hilo landfill. This motion and the accompanying rationale shall be forwarded to each member of the County Council and to Mayor Kim. Barbara Bell seconded the motion. There is no recycling section in the Department of Environmental Management to monitor this 4 tons/day without creating a new process. The County does file://C:\Test1\minutes042402.htm6/22/2011