2018-09-26 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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the compost facility building and dealing with the compost receiving areas on the west side. ᵒ DEM will be going to the Council to ask for an increase in sewer fees. They have not had an increase since 2007. If their $27 fixed fee is doubled, they will still be cheaper than Kauaʻi County, and much cheaper than Oʻahu and Maui. The fee increase is just a start to help in upgrading the system. He pointed out to Commissioner Fritz, who stated during Chair Bennett’s water quality presentation that Kealakehe’s discharge was not permitted, that the discharge is permitted and fully treated pursuant to standards set by the DOH. • Report on the Director’s testimony to the Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission: Director Kucharski pointed out that he cannot argue with all of the statements made during Chair Bennett’s presentation. However, it must be noted that all the authority resides with the state, not with the county. DEM has only five sections under the Charter—they have a very limited scope and obligation. DEM was established to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment by promoting the wise management of our waste. The Charter limits DEM to waste stream operations. Regarding DEM’s duties and powers, DEM shall manage the solid waste, wastewater, and recycling programs of the County and exercise other functions as prescribed by the mayor. DEM cannot be prescribed to do something it doesn’t have an obligation to deal with. For DEM’s Statement of Policy, he wanted to add “and regulating” the wise management of our waste. Though it is implicit that DEM is to do this, the added phrase provides clarification and makes it explicit. For DEM’s Powers, Duties, and Functions, he wanted to add “and enforce” the solid waste, wastewater, and recycling programs. They have been given enforcement requirements and obligations, such as with the Styrofoam ban. If an enforcement action is pursued, it would come before the EMC. Here again, the added phrase provides clarification and makes it explicit. Given the conditions, regulations, and obligations that are being imposed upon DEM, which he does not object to, he felt it should be more explicitly stated. He will be finalizing his response to the Charter Commission with costs and what sections of the Charter would need to be modified. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS a. Commissioner Neff: Report on the Hū Honua Bioenergy incinerator. Commissioner Neff said Hū Honua is a biomass energy plant in Pepeō and is ʽeke located at the old mill. It is not yet open but is getting its last permit to operate. It has been