2007-05-23 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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Advertising for the Wastewater Division Chief position should begin in a month. The division reorganization was the result of examination and adjustments made of types of positions we have, types of positions we need and job descriptions. Deputy Director’s Report (attached to original minutes) Chair Witcher introduced Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, the new Department Director. WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The proposals are being evaluated. It is expected by the evaluation committee will request an Executive Session of the County Council at the end of June to discuss the proposals and ask for direction regarding how to proceed. There will be a meeting in early June with the consultants and a proposer. Something must be in place before the landfill closes. Bail and barge appears to be the only option that is ready for interim use between landfill closure and securing a waste reduction technology. As of today, the 3 bail and barge companies do not have DOH permits. An RFP for Bail and Barge may be prepared in the next six months. There was a consensus of group, that the County needs to be more aggressive in diversion. INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN Via a resolution, the Council mandated the department to modify the plan to include a new East Hawai`i landfill as an option. 120” of rain a year and leachate are the problems to building another landfill in Hilo. Commission Chair Witcher asked how the Commission can support the new Director. Leithead-Todd requested testimony in support for department requests to Council such as approval to charge daily fines for residents who should be, but are not, hooked up to the sewer; the Update to the Solid Waste Management Plan and finalizing the department vision statements. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. DISCUSSION: FY 07-08 DEPARTMENT BUDGET The final reading of the Budget by Council is June 1, 2007. Councilmember Yagong is proposing to remove vacant positions funds from the department budgets and putting it in the Council contingency fund, requiring departments to request funds before they can hire into vacant positions. NEW BUSINESS 7. DISCUSSION: WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY VISION STATEMENT FOR COUNCIL Leithead-Todd requested the vision include: (1) recycling and reuse for the public at every transfer station; (2) green waste diversion at all transfer stations; (3) aggressive diversion; and (4) improving solid waste goals. The commission and staff members agreed to prepare a waste stream vision instead of a waste technology vision. Leithead-Todd will do a first draft of the vision and bring it back to next meeting for brainstorming, discussion and finalization. DISCUSSION: WASTEWATER DIVISION VISION STATEMENT Commissioner Mayhew made a motion to table this item for discussion at a later