2018-11-28 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Vice Chair Olson said the general thinking is that everybody benefits from infrastructure, so the money to fund it is supposed to come from the general tax base. The actual user of the infrastructure is who pays for its maintenance. Director Kucharski agreed. Chair Bennett said everyone in the county is concerned about the quality of the environment close to the ocean, but he doubts that most people have made the connection that their sewer rates going up is one way of protecting the ocean and providing some insurance to maintain its quality. People need to be taught that sewer operation is part of their responsibility, their kuleana to the ocean. Chair Bennett called for a vote on the motion to approve adoption of Bill 210. Vote: Chair Bennett, Vice Chair Olson, and Commissioner Fritz voted aye. Commissioners Pequeño and Fulton abstained. Mr. Kamelamela said if a commissioner abstains, it counts as a no vote. Five aye votes would be needed to recommend adoption of the bill. As only five commissioners were present today, all five needed to vote aye for the bill to pass. Commissioner Fulton said her concern was about agriculture. Farmers enjoy a lower rate to begin with, but it seems like they will pay inordinately for sewage costs under the plan. Director Kucharski explained the increases are only for people connected to sewer lines. There are no water use charges. With that information, Commissioner Fulton said she would support the bill. Commissioner Pequeño said he needed clarification on the services provided by the department in treatment or decontamination to those on gang cesspools. Director Kucharski said the fee increase is not for treatment or contamination, but simply to maintain the flow. If there is a back-up or blockage, there is a maintenance cost because workers need to go there and clear the blockage so that disposal can continue. It is a matter of fairness. He cannot come up with a reason why those on a gang cesspool would be in a different category from everyone else that receives services from the department. Commissioner Pequeño said he was concerned because those people will have to pay approximately $20,000 per home to convert to the sewer, and Director Kucharski clarified that the county will be paying the conversion costs. Those who are not on a gang cesspool but who will need to connect when the sewer lines are available do not currently pay a sewer fee, because they currently have their own individual waste treatment systems. Mr. Kamelamela said the record needed to be clear that there was already a vote on the original motion and someone needed to move to reconsider the approval of Bill 210. Motion, second, and vote: Vice Chair Olson moved to reconsider and approve Bill 210, Commissioner Fritz seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 10