2017-02-22 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES February 22, 2017 Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room, Hilo, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Christine Dochin Richard Bennett,Vice Chair Jerome Warren Jeffry Fear Nancy Cook-Lauer Trina Nahm-Mijo Susan Osborne STAFF: William Kucharski, Director EXCUSED:• Luana Neff Diane Noda, Deputy Director Rick Vidgen Marcie Toguchi, Private Secretary Renee Schoen, Corp Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER&ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:18 a.m. Chair Fritz reminded the commissioners they need to be more aware of getting our recommendations in on a timely manner. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2017 MEETING: Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a correction to the minutes under 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: Commission Member District Update Reports, District 9 noting correct spelling of Chair, not Chari as written. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the January 25,2017 minutes as amended. Commissioner Nahm- Mijo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett,Fear,Nahm-Mijo and Osborne voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Jerome Warren stated that the R-1 water from Kealakehe will still suffer high salinity because the sewer lines on Ali`i Drive are near seawater. Therefore there will be no salt free water for irrigation for farmers, or for golf course owners. How will the County keep them happy? How much will the County charge those owners? • Jerome Warren stated we should not raise the sewer fees for homeowners. We should also stop charging for gang cesspool since they've been illegal since 2005. Businesses should bare the increase. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None 6. NEW BUSINESS • Discussion relating to seawater intrusion on Alii Drive to include estimates of volumes, locations and plans to reduce salt content of the influent(attached to original minutes) o Commissioner Bennett stated it has been a frustrating situation since we can't define the situation a little better. But is hopeful we will get an answer today from the Director. o Director Kucharski stated the Wastewater Division took readings along four different manholes along Ali`i Drive in the beginning of February. The further north you go,the higher the concentration reading is. The southernmost manhole had an average concentration content of 250 mg/1, compared to the northernmost manhole had an average County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.