HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 028 02/15/2011 2010-2012REPORT. OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE:. February 15,, 2011 Re: Comm. No. 86/Res: No. 34 -11
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:34 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 34 -11, reports as follows:
Resolution No 34 -11, transmitted by Director of Finance Nancy E. Crawford via
Communication No. 86, dated January 19 2011, authorizes the payment of funds of a later fiscal
year and of a multi - fiscal year contract for organic waste diversion and compost operations in
.West Hawaii and East Hawaii.
Your Committee was informed by Council Member Smart that she is recusing herself from
participating in this discussion and voting due to a conflict of interest.
Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Management,
appeared before Your Committee and provided a PowerPoint presentation. She explained that.
establishing organics diversion sites and compost operations are necessary steps towards banning
organics from the landfill by 2012, as requested in the adopted Council Resolution No. 826 -08.
Furthermore, this is consistent with principles of zero waste in Council Resolution No. 356 -07,
and creates a compost'diversion plan described in the Integrated Resources and Solid Waste
Management Plan. Ms. Peters also informed Your Committee of the following: 1) privatization
for greenwaste operations date back to 1995, according to available records; 2) the department
also intends to continue providing greenwaste drop -off sites at recycling and transfer stations for'
the convenience of residents;. and 3) through research of the industry, they determined that a 10
year contract is necessary to enable an adequate return on investment and attract qualified
contractors, providing for cost - effective organics diversion and compost operations.
Matt Pearson, Project Manager of Big Island EKO Systems appeared before Your Committee at
the request of Council Member Pete Hoffmann. As the current operator of the greenwaste
programs at the County of Hawaii landfills, Mr. Pierson expressed the importance that
prospective vendors cover and pay off their capital expenses within the term of the contract.
Furthermore, the length of contract is very important for interested bidders, due to significant
start-up costs.
Chair Ford relinquished the chair to Vice -Chair Yagong.
FC Report No. 28