2016-11-23 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES November 23, 2016 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Hale, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Jeffry Fear Luana Neff Rick Vidgen EXCUSED: Trina Nahm-Mijo Susan Osborne ALSO PRESENT: STAFF: Georjean Adams Sue Aronson Christine Dochin Susan Kim Jerome Warren BJ Leithead Todd, Director Belinda Hall, Corp Counsel Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz thanked the public for attending and noted that this is the last meeting for Director Leithead Todd and Secretary Sharron Henry. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 26, 2016 MEETING: Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the October 26, 2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Rick Vidgen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Fear, Neff and Vidgen voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: - Jerome Warren clarified that his testimony as noted in the 10-26-16 minutes regarding reclaimed water was "vegetation and short rooted, small topped trees are NOT the best filters. He stated the interchangeable use of "cesspool" and "cesspit" is confusing to the general public and said if the county owns the system, it should be a cesspool, not a hole in the ground, i.e. cesspit. He noted that the big picture should be determined environmentally, not academically. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None 6. NEW BUSINESS Election of 2017 Commission Chair and Vice Chair o Commissioner Bennett nominated James Fritz for 2017 Chair and himself for 2017 Vice Chair. Commissioner Jeffry Fear made a motion to accept Commissioner Bennett's nominations. Commissioner Vidgen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Fear, Neff and Vidgen voting yes. Tentative 2017 Meeting Schedule (attached to original minutes) o The tentative schedule was reviewed and accepted as the schedule for the 2017 commission meetings. o Discussion and Review of Draft Letter to Council (attached to original minutes) recommending o the current $12 portion of the vehicle registration fee that goes to the Vehicle Disposal fund be increased; County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.