2015-01-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

landfill another 8-10 years. - It is unlikely that the Mayor will revisit the WRT RFP after the HELCO ownership transition because of the cost of oil. Ordinance 12-92 - The Director indicated it would assist the department in managing the county solid waste if Ordinance 12-92,which directs transfer station solid waste to specific landfills,was amended and the restriction removed. It would allow more trash to be disposed of at WHSL to ensure that the disposal requirements were reached allowing a lower monthly payment to the operator. It would also save costs by allowing trash to be directed to cover and line the bottom of new cells when they are being opened. Amending this ordinance would lower the cost of operations and salaries by not being required to have two cells open concurrently. The request will be addressed with the Mayor and, if approved,will come to the commission before being submitted to Council. The estimated life of the WHSL is approximately 40-50 years. Clean-up of Scrap Metal Areas - Abandoned Vehicle funds are being used for clean-up of the scrap metal areas; $3M for Kealakehe and$10M for Hilo. Upon completion, it will create more space to provide more services to the residents. Modification at Kealakehe could include a more suitable traffic flow. The department will also look at the possibility of obtaining the use of the Humane Society area when they vacate. Possible expansions of some recycling services are being discussed, along with improved traffic flow at both locations. Composting - The department is preparing to request Council's approval for a multi-year composting operations contract. In-vessel composting would include the intake of food waste and contaminated paper while an open air system would take in only mulch and green waste. - A mandate to recycle, as a deterrent to landfilling all garbage, would require having a composting facility available to process the waste. - With the cancellation of the RFP,the department will ask Finance to redirect the remaining $300,000 to recycling and composting. - Issues relating to the start-up of a composting program: o Procurement—the existing green waste contract cannot be amended to include composting; o New procurement will have to go out and could take approximately 6 months to hire vendor; o Vendor will need time to get permits, equipment and staff in place; o Current county permits don't allow composting at our facilities so new requests to amend permits must be submitted,taking approximately 6 months from date of receipt at DOH for approval; o The total process could take up to two years. June 27th Lava Flow update: - The county will receive a 75%reimbursement from FEMA for lava flow damage. - Lava viewing area located at the transfer station will be returned to the department on 2/1/15. - Monday, 2/2,the department will start removing the 800 cubic yards of lava following blessings held at the site. - The department will keep lava information materials at the Pahoa transfer station and attempt to preserve all lava features possible. - The HI-5 contract will be rebid as the last one was cancelled with the move to the temporary transfer station. - The Pahoa transfer station will reopen March 1, 2015 with collection of green waste, rubbish and 2-bin recycling. Volcano Transfer Station Construction - Contaminated soil found at the transfer station is being hauled to the landfill per DOH requirements. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.