2019-01-23 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

Home

Commissioner Fulton brought up that at the previous meeting, they had created a subcommittee which was to review alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment plants. Chair Bennett said it was a hope and has yet to materialize. Also, it is outside the purview of DEM, but that does not mean they have to remain silent. b. Discussion on Bill 210, which proposes to increase wastewater service charge rates to cover the costs of providing the services. The County Council wants the Commission to discuss alternative funding options other than sewer user fees and comment on the fee schedule options of 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. A recommendation to Council is also requested for these options. The Commission can also propose alternatives to these scenarios. Chair Bennett said it appeared the Council feels that Bill 210 is repressive and puts the burden on the existing sewer users, and is asking the EMC to look at what can be done to soften the blow. He had prepared a draft letter from the EMC to the Council responding in support of Bill 210, while also encouraging some alternatives for funding, operation, and maintenance. He read his draft aloud: Dear Chair Chung: At the last duly commissioned meeting of the Environmental Management Commission, a unanimous vote of support was communicated to the Council for Bill 210. Since that time, the chairman has been informed of concerns about raising fees, especially for lower-income residents. We appreciate that concern, and we encourage the Council to explore mechanisms for funding from all county residents and visitors in order to keep the sewer system operating as required by state and federal regulations. Some members of the County Council have suggested the EMC provide an analysis of financial options to fund sewer maintenance and operations. However, financing of community infrastructure is both outside the charge and expertise of the EMC. The EMC does offer some perspective as to why deferring maintenance and the expertise to manage wastewater operations is simply not a wise course of action. The sewer systems of the county were originally funded by a combination of federal, state, and county funds. Thus, all persons have contributed in some fashion and all persons benefit. Efficient sewer operations are critical for the public’s health and the beneficial uses of the near coastal waters. Both issues are very large in the current public discourse. The sewer systems in both East and West Hawaiʻi are aging rapidly in a highly corrosive marine environment. Now at 30 to 50 years of age, the rate of deterioration is increasing, making repairs expensive and in some cases technically unsound. Deferring maintenance can have the effect of making repairs as expensive as building a new system.