2018-03-28 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Commissioner Osborne said the timing is perfect, as data is needed to form the design. Chair Bennett said he would like an update on the salt intrusion problem and more specifics on how DEM will be achieving the 90% reduction. Director Kucharski said he would check. b. Recognition of Commissioner Fear’s service to the Environmental Management Commission. Chair Bennett announced this was Commissioner Fear’s last meeting and it was appropriate to recognize his contribution. From his very first meeting, he appreciated Commissioner Fear. He read aloud a letter from Mayor Kim to Commissioner Fear, recognizing him for his service, and everyone clapped at the end. Commissioner Fear thanked everyone. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Director’s Informational Report. Lono Kona Sewer Project: Director Kucharski said the second round of bids would be opened tomorrow, and today it was on the County Council’s agenda for an increase in funding so that DEM can actually contract with whoever proposes on the construction. Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant: They are going through the punchlist and finalizing all the work that was done for the dredging and replacement of the pond liners. The project is essentially completed, other than the punchlist. R-1 Water Management System: It is a work in progress requiring them to essentially create an entirely new DEM function. The Wastewater Division is charged with operating and maintaining sewage collection and treatment, and the R-1 system will bring forth the obligation to be a distributor or purveyor of R-1 waters. This would require needing to ensure recipients are permitted by the DOH, meters, fixing leaks, and everything else associated with the system. They have approximately two years to get an organization designed and employee positions described and ready to be filled, so when the system comes on line everything will be fully and completely operational. Their hope is that by reusing water, the potable water use will be reduced, which will in turn reduce the pumping into the aquifer, lowering the chloride brought in. The R-1 system is positive on both ends—for the incoming water quality and the reuse water quality. CDL Program (Solid Waste Division): The union has approved DEM’s Certified Commercial Drivers License Program, so the department is now able to place people into driver positions permanently. For the past year and a half, people were being hired on a temporary basis to these positions because the union, which wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to step to a higher position, needed to approve the program. Having a CDL allows for a higher pay grade. Now DEM can place employees into permanent positions, and overtime should be reduced as a secondary effect. 7