2009-11-25 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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- Komohana Heights Large Capacity Cesspool Project is 95% complete. The EPA will be imposing a fine for late closure but the department has been working with the EPA and is hopeful that the fine will be reduced from $ 177,500 to approximately $40,000. ADMINISTRATION: - The Director discussed and explained the Asset Management Syst implemented and developed by the Wastewater Division Chief, Dora Beck. This program is likely the first of its kind in the State and could serve as a model for other departments in this County. Director’s Report (attached to original minutes) LEGISLATION: - The Department continues to work with Council member Hoffmann in preparing the draft Ordinance to Ban Plastic Bags. The Director is recommending a ban, not a use-reduction. There are exemptions for small businesses in the current draft. - Resolution 255-09 was approved. This resolution requests the Council to pursue federal funding for the removal of the former Kailua-Kona landfill. The Administration formalized a request to EPA for federal financial assistance in this regard. The estimate to remove the rubbish from the former landfill to the West Hawai`i Sanitary Landfill is between $20-$4 PERSONNEL: - The Department provided Human Resources with a list of unfunded and vacant positions on th November 12 for budgeting purposes. The Director discussed his objection t operational and engineering support positions necessary to manage the CountyÓs environmental risks and liabilities. Additionally, the Director noted that furloughs, currently proposed for the next fiscal year, would set the department back further and would cost the department greatly in lost time, productivity, and progress on addressing operational and administrative deficiencies. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. None NEW BUSINESS 7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2010, TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATION OF SELE COMMITTEE Commissioner Boren made a motion to nominate and elect Steve Pavao as the 2010 Chair. - Commission member Okoji seconded and it passed unanimously. Commissioner Boren made a motion to nominate and elect Scott Enright as 2010 Vice - Chair. Commission member Paulette Pavao seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. STATUS REPORT ON THE UPDATE TO THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE SOLID WAS MANAGEMENT PLAN, TO INCLUDE NEW REVISIONS SINCE LAST MONTHÓS REP INPUT RECEIVED AND ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE NOVEMBER 16, 2009 SOLID ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TIME TABLE FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COUNTY COUNCIL. - With the absence of the Solid Waste Division Chief, the Director provided the following update: The last scheduled Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) meeting was held last week. The Draft public review period is over. The Draft has been sent to the State Department of Health for review and no comments have been received as of today. When the State Department of Health comments are received, if the comments are only of a regulatory nature, the SWAC would likely not be reconvened. However, if the State Department of Health comments affect the Draft recommendations, the SWAC may be reconvened to address the comments and make appropriate changes. Once the State Department of Health comments are incorporated, it will be sent to the Mayor for review and approval, and then on to Council for formal Some of the recommendations included are: investigation of a new Hilo landfill within the adjacent quarry; increased recycling efforts; and evaluation of long-hauling of waste during the