2017-11-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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Vice Chair Bennett stated that Sue Aronson had just walked in as a member of the public and asked her if she had any public comments to make. Ms. Aronson said she was waiting for an update on a court case involving the Lahaina sewage treatment decision. Maui County had appealed a federal court ruling on it. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Site visit for January. As public attendance to the visit of the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant next month would be dangerous to the health and safety of the public and impracticable, it is recommended that the Commission approve a limited meeting for the site visit portion of next month’s meeting pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes § 92-3.1(a)(1). Vice Chair Bennett asked if the site visit was to be of the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant and the disposal sump, and Director Kucharski said yes. Director Kucharski asked Ms. Wong whether the trip needed to be open to the public, and Ms. Wong said that it cannot be. She had spoken with Commissioner Olson earlier about what is required, since the treatment plant is closed to the public and is an active construction site. It would be impracticable to have the public there, so the visit would be limited to the Commission and staff. Motion and second: Commissioner Olson moved to recommend that a limited meeting be held for the site visit, due to the possible active construction dangers and because public attendance would be impracticable. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Fear asked if they would see where the wastewater comes out, and Director Kucharski said yes. Ms. Wong said she will need to submit a request to the State Office of Information Practices for the limited meeting. One requirement in having a limited meeting is that it be videotaped. However, they can ask for a waiver. A staff member will need to take general notes. Public notice of the meeting would also be needed. Vote: Vice Chair Bennett called for a vote, and all commissioners present voted aye. Director Kucharski said he recently gave Councilmember Ruggles a tour of the plant. They will go through the operating facilities where the dechlorination occurs, as well as the ponds, and he’ll give a breakdown of what the system is and how it operates. It is a full-on biological system with few moving parts other than pumps. Coots and stilts are there. One of the upgrades going on is the installation of new blowers, which are big energy users. The new blowers and new pumps will reduce their electrical use by about 40%. Vice Chair Bennett asked if photographs will be permitted, and Director Kucharski said yes. 3