2002-02-27 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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Minutes for Wednesday, February 27, 2002Page 2 of 3 Mayor Harry Kim thanked the Commissioners for serving on the Commission. The Mayor wanted to select people that truly reflected care and concern for the community. The Mayor elaborated on the Hawai‘i Metal Recycling situation. HMR thought they signed a contract with the County of Hawai‘i that was beneficial to them financially, but because of international economics, the contract agreement signed several years ago is counter productive in profit today. HMR asked the County of Hawai‘i to renegotiate the contract. The short term resolution is that HMR will continue to work for the remainder of the contractual period which will terminate on October 14, 2002. During this period, the County will see what they can do on a long term resolution of this problem in regards to rebidding or negotiation. Of all the projects Mayor Kim is going to get involved with, nothing will be more important than the issue of solid waste and the closure of the Hilo Landfill. The County has limited resources and a tight schedule. The Commission needs to start addressing specific things that can be realistically pursued. Continuing with the mentality of putting everything into the landfill is totally unacceptable. This is the commitment we made to the island’s people. For the interim period, some things may have to be put in the West Hawai‘i landfill. There are many ideas about recycling, but many of them are not based on the reality of economics. We have to make sure we can do it financially. Mayor Kim will be involved at a micro-management level in some of these projects. It is not for interference, but because it is important. It is to work with the commission and the staff to see how we can help to get the projects going as fast as we can. 6.CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION Director’s Report  Discussed letter to Marjorie Ann Erway Re: Recycling and County Diversion Grant Program. Galen Kuba will provide data on cost comparisons for solid waste going into the Pu‘uanahulu Landfill, a comparison of what the budget is and what the budget should be, and also copies of the Resolution drafted by Corporation Counsel which will involve County Council in the approval of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. Solid Waste Division Chief’s Report (Including Update on HOVE Transfer Station)  As circulated. Larry Capellas asked the Commission to make a recommendation to give the Department of Environmental Management the authority to proceed with the development of a Regional Transfer Station prior to the adoption of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. Mr. Capellas will provide the scope, a cost estimate, and a schedule which will identify the role of the Commission. Galen Kuba will draft recommended language for a motion for the Commission to support the philosophy of doing this project without having to get an approved Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. Wastewater Division Chief’s Report  As circulated. Part of the chlorination system malfunctioned at the Kulaimano Wastewater Treatment Plant which resulted in 50,000 gallons of non-disinfected effluent being discharged into the ocean overnight. DOH requested that WWD advertise a public notice regarding this situation. The pump failed first, then the relay which triggers the backup pump failed, and then the alarm system didn’t go off. Riley Smith recommended that a preventative maintenance measure be implemented, along with periodic testing of installed alarms to prevent further recurrence. The Hilo WWTP has failed two of the six weekly toxicity tests performed. Testing is ongoing. Questions were raised on whether the Wastewater Division should disclose any potential safety concerns to the general public (in the near shore waters), due to these permit problems. It was agreed that the Wastewater Division would coordinate any disclosure issues with the State Department of Health, as they are the government agency that has oversight responsibility of the NPDES permit that governs wastewater disposal in the ocean. 7.OLD BUSINESS None. file://C:\Test1\minutes022702.htm6/22/2011