HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0614.002 2004-2006 Questions that might be helpful fbr 1?nv. Mgm[. Committee Pagc 1 of 3
Murashige, Laura
From: Marjorie Erway [merway@hawaii rr.comJ
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 10:27 AM
To: Safarik, Gary; Higa, Stacy; Holschuh, Fred; Jacobson, Bob: Hoffmann, Pete; Arakaki, James;
Pilago, K. Angel; Isbell.. Virginia; Ikeda, Donald
Cc: cohmayor@co.hawaii hi.us; demdir@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Questions that might be helpful for Env Mgmt. Committee
Aloha Council Members!
in regards to the two solid waste service provider proposals planned for County Council discussion and
recently described in Wcst Ilawaii Today (1/14/2006) and the I lawaii'Cribune Herald (1/15/2006) the
ti~llowing questions arc provided for pour consideration:
L BioGncrgy Hawaii (BEE[) Proposal
BI?H indicates they will spend $40 Million of their own money -How do they propose to recover
their investment and at what rate of return (interest rate)?
2) What guarantees that BEI1 ~~III be able to live up to their pnnnises'? What happens if they cannoC'
I low much money would the County need to get back into the Solid Waste system, if they took over the
whole thing and then could not perform adequately?
3) Who specifically comprises the BEII team and what are their roles? What Icvel ofcontact ha~c
they had with the County Administration and the County Council`?
4) BF.f I indicates they have spent $300,000 preparing their Proposal for the County. 'this is a very
large amount to put together the smallish proposal that the newspapers reported. What was their major
expenses? Why should the County contract with a firm that has spent considerable funds wide no
assurances of compensation?
5) ] [ow many of the proposed facilities has BEH designed, permitted, constructed and operated
commercially and what is the current status of these facilities. What experience does the BF.H team
have in delivering a project costing approximately $40 Million?
6) ~fhc Hilo Landlill is a unique site that may likely be permitted to maintain operations fbr an
additional two years and maybe even longer. What specific experience does BI?H have operating,
performing landfill closure construction, monitoring and maintaining municipal solid waste landfills and
where are these landfills locatcd°
7) BEH indicates that they can save the County $13 Million to close and monitor the Milo Landlill.
How is this possible when the landfill, per State/Federal regulations, must undergo closure within 180
days from receiving waste?
8) BEH claims that they can save the County $1~.~ Million necessary to build the Sort Station.
How does BEH's proposed Facility significantly differ from the County's Sort Station and what is its
estimated cost'?
9) I low does BI?H intend to use County employees and honor existing collective bargaining
agreements`? Which County employees would he hired by BF.H'? Who has BEH discussed th~'r
Comm. No.
Ref. To:~rese
1/18/2006 R~• Uute `
Questions that might be hclpfu' fir 1?nv. Mgmt. Committee Page ~ of 3
proposal with at UPW or HGL.~ and what were the results of those discussions?
10) Has BF.H discussed their proposal with the State of Hawaii Department of [ [eakh and what
were the results of those discussions?
11) Uiven previous prgjects proposed by Pacific Waste such as proposing to re-compact the Hilo
I,andlill, etc.. what assurances or guarantees does the County have that BEH is capable of delivering
their project at minimal risk to the County?
IL Hawaiian Waste Systems (HWS) Proposal
I) 1IWS has indicated their willingness to construct a solid waste management facility to
manage County waste at no cost to the County -How do they propose to recover their investment and at
what rate of return (interest ratcl? What guarantees that HWS wlll be able to live up to their promises,
etc.?
2) Who specifically comprises the I [WS team and what arc their roles? What level of contact have
they had with the County Administration and the Cowlty Council?
3) How many of the proposed facilities has ]IWS designed, permitted, constructed and
operated commercially and what is the current status ofthese facilities? What experience does the
HWS team have in delivering a project similar to the one they currently propose`?
4) What experience dots 1 IWS possess in barging waste out of state?
5) Has HWS discussed their proposal with the State of 1 Iawaii Department of Health and what were
the results of those discussions?
6) llas H WS discussed their proposal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and what were the
results of those discussions'?
7) The Big Island possesses many sensitive eco-systems. What assurances and guarantees can
HWS provide to ensure that biological contaminants are not introduced to the Big Island as a result of
their projeet°
8) I low does H WS propose io marage ('onstruction and Demolition waste and other types of wastes
not easily baled.
9) I low does HWS' proposed Facility significantly differ from the County's Sort Station and what is
its estimated cost?
I don't know the answers to the above yucstions, myself, but thought since ['ve come up with them, that
maybe you'd want ui consider them as you talk with the proposers at the Env. Mgmt. Committee
meeting on Jan. 19. Some may have already been answered in written materials you have received. I f
so, please ignore those questions and review those which may not have easy answers for you. These arc
very important issues that will ]iv e with us for years to come.
Mahalo lin~ your consideration.
Marjorie Erway
PO Box ?807
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
I /18/2006