2002-05-22 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes

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maintenance clean up and security at the transfer stations, we were able to keep public misconduct and commercial misuse to a minimum. The cuts would severely impact the progress that we are trying to make. Councilman Yagong is assuming that the revenue from the tipping fees at the landfill will stay constant even if you stop the security, but technically, if commercial haulers are going to the transfer stations instead of the landfill, then your revenue will drop. Another large line item is the Household Hazardous Waste Program. This program is basically twice a year in Hilo and Kona. If this program is cut, people would either store toxic chemicals and create a fire hazard or would dump them illegally in the ground and/or in the water. Barbara Bell stated that cutting the Green Waste Program has impacts of filling up the landfill more David Frankel moved that quickly since 30% of whatÓs going in East HawaiÒi is green waste. this Commission submit testimony to the Council opposing cuts in the Departments budget because of impacts it will have and the letter should explain why it is important the Department be fully funded. Hugh Ono seconded the motion. The letter should state that these cuts will be a burden on future generations. Although other Departments are important, recreational needs are less critical than basic health and safety needs. Would like to see Residential credit audit done. County pays the State of HawaiÒi a Disposal surcharge for every ton of refuse disposed of which is approximately $52,000 per year. Gerald Takase will check with the Department of Health on the interpretation of the law stating that the County can charge Motion was carried unanimously. 35 cents per ton to commercial haulers. The Food Waste Recycling Bill passed and there are concerns about applicability to the Big Island. The law allows DOH to set up exemptions for counties based on capacity to recycle food waste. A memo was sent stating that it should be island-wide and not by individual districts. There are a lot of implementation problems with this and it is going to cost a lot of money, which will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. Galen will keep track of this bill and work with DOH to insure that our interests are protected as far as the exemption program. The Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan will be available for review at all Big Island libraries, UH, DPW, MayorÓs Office, and the County website. The publishing a notice as to availability at these locations. Public meetings to be held in late June or Barbara Bell moved that public meetings should be held in Hilo, Kona and early July. Honokaa. David Frankel seconded the motion. Carolyn Witcher amended the motion to include Naalehu. Barbara Bell seconded the amendment. Will try to hold the public Motion was unanimously carried. meetings in the evening. Councilman Yagong and Councilman Tyler continue to object to the East HawaiÒi Regional Transfer Station. The County is currently doing the update to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan and the regional transfer station would be a part of that plan. To pull something out was subversive to an overall comprehensive plan. The Commission feels this is a any necessary part of technology. With the landfill closure and the timeline of 2 to 3 years with no other technology in place, that was a logical decision. Councilman Tyler said he was going to have the staff look into trying to get rid of the $9.5 million CIP line item under Solid Waste Programs. Not sure if it has been accomplished or not. Just be CIP budget, that money does not necessarily become available on the program, but doesnÓt have money at this time. -2-