2019-01-23 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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(3) Public testimony recommendations. Chair Bennett said he learned that public testimony does not have to be limited to three minutes. The time limit is at the EMC’s discretion. Ms. Wong said she believes it has to be a minimum of three minutes, and the chair has the discretion to allow someone to speak longer. Chair Bennett said he just wanted the commissioners to be comfortable with him making a judgment call if he feels a testifier needs to be given more time. (4) Standing subcommittee’s recommendation. Chair Bennett said that subcommittees are important to take on the work the EMC needs to take on. It cannot be done from one commission meeting to another. He encouraged the commissioners to participate in subcommittees that are of interest to them to further the missions of the EMC. (5) Commissioner recruitment recommendations. Chair Bennett said there are nine seats on the EMC, and they have never all been filled during his time. He encouraged the commissioners to seek people in the appropriate districts who may be willing to serve. Director Kucharski commented that the code section that gives the EMC only 45 days to provide comment on a bill is not conducive to their function, especially since if the EMC does not comment, it is taken as rejection or non-support. They may want to consider requesting the language be changed, because there may not be a quorum every month and there is no meeting in December. It is inappropriate for a bill to have a negative recommendation if the EMC is unable to meet and provide a response. Ms. Wong said a proposal to draft language to change the Hawaiʻi County Code Section 2-207 should be placed on the February agenda. b. Director’s Informational Report. • The Notice to Proceed for the design of the compost facility has gone to HER (Hawaiian Earth Recycling). Because the location of the facility was changed, the county had to bid out the construction according to County Code and procurement requirements. HER will be doing the design since they are going to be the operator. Once the design is done, a contractor will be hired by the county to construct the facility, and then HER will take control and manage it. • Since 2014, the county has towed over 12,600 abandoned vehicles and disposed of them. That is a huge number.