2013-01-30 Minutes Environmental Management Commission

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This project has been delayed due to archaeological issues. The department has notified the State Department of Transportation (DOT) that the project will be redesigned from Kealakehe Parkway to Hulikoa Drive due to these issues. $1 M additional SRF funds will be requested for the redesign. H. Wastewater Equipment Replacement Projects: - Hilo Outfall: Commissioner Randle requested a map of this area. Solid Waste Division 2. Administration: - On January 8, 2013, the Finance Committee approved a resolution authorizing a multi -year contract for an Organics Diversion and Composting Program. At the January 23, 2013 council meeting, it was postponed to give the department time to provide additional information and education on the program. The department will request approval from the Mayor to ask for a postponement until early March to prepare the information appropriately. If the postponement is granted by the council, the presentation will be given to the Commission at the February meeting. - The director clarified that the use of crumb rubber for road work would be a Department of Public Works (DPW) decision and not DEM's. _Recycling Section I. Organics Diversion: - The mulching program for West Hawai' i was moved to the new West Hawai' i Organics Facility (WHOF) located at the WHSL. The mulching program for East Hawai'i is located at the East Hawaii Organics Facility (EHOF). - Questions/concerns received from the public include: "Wanting assisted loading at the Kealakehe pick -up area." The department will determine the availability of staff and equipment to allow for assisted loading. "The drive to drop off green waste at the WHOF is too long." The green waste area at Kealakehe was too small and it was not easy to maneuver and operate equipment within the area. There were environmental hazards that included fires that were a possible danger to the surrounding neighbors, i.e. Police Department and Humane Society. Once the green waste is mulched at WHOF, it will be delivered to Kealakehe for residential pick -up. Compost will not be produced until the organics diversion RFP is released and contract awarded. At that time, the new contractor will provide both mulching and composting services. The current mulching contract is for 1 year with option years if necessary. If the resolution for a multi -year contract is approved by the council, the possible start date for composting is January 2014. 5. HI -5 Certified Redemption Centers: - The State will no longer provide funds to the counties for the HI -5 program in FY 13 -14, intending to run the program from the State level. The county is prepared to address funding for the program and staff in the FY 13 -14 budget. Glass Recycling: Glass collected in the 2 -bin recycling is taken by an on -island vendor and used on the island. Commissioner Lim provided the name of the Hilo Department of Education (DOE) coordinator and suggested that the department contact her, Cheryl Sumida, regarding adding recycling to the school trash disposal contracts. He also spoke with Board of Education member Brian DeLima and State Representative Richard Onishi. Both were supportive of this effort. 5. Sort Station Update: - 5.6% of the total tons of trash taken to the Sort Station were diverted from the landfills.