HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EMC 007 04/03/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DATE: April 3, 2012 Re: Comm. 626.5/Res. 232-12, Draft 2
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 6:58 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Comm. No. 626.5/
Res. No. 232-12, Draft 2, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 232-12, was transmitted by Council Chairperson Dominic Yagong, dated
March 12, 2012, urges the Mayor to develop and implement a fully funded diversion grants
pilot program for the County of Hawai`i. The purpose of the Resolution is to develop and
implement a diversion grant program for recyclable materials at the County transfer stations by
July 1, 2012, by providing a monetary incentive to motivate the general public with a financial
reward and thereby increasing the diversion rates. After four public testimonies in support were
heard, Res. 232-12 was amended with the contents of Communication 626.2 which extended the
length of the pilot program from six months to one year. The amendment also allowed the pilot
program to be sited at many locations instead of just selected transfer stations.
Mr. Yagong stressed that it will allow some of the $1.7 million going to the current two-bin
recycling to go to people and community organizations. Mr. Ikeda raised concern about
funding, and Mr. Yoshimoto asked for the continuation of the two-bin recycling program at the
transfer stations.
Ms. Ford suggested that the pilot program run for three years, and overlap with the existing
two bin system. She suggested using the "Other Miscellaneous Contracts" line item as being one
source for extra funding. Communication 626.2 was withdrawn and Res. 232-12 was then
amended with the contents of Communication 626.3, which called for a three-year pilot program
alongside the current two-bin system. The amendment passed and further action was postponed
to April 3, 2012 meeting to give the Dept. of Environmental Management (DEM) time to review
the measure and respond.
On April 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., the 14th Session of the Committee on Environmental
Management convened in the Hilo Council Chambers. Res. 232-12, Draft 2, was taken up after
five testifiers gave positive testimony. Acting Director Dora Beck felt that the July 1, 2012
deadline was too soon for DEM to adequately develop and implement a fully funded diversion
program. She cautioned that there might be procurement and budget difficulties and declined to
comment further on the resolution.
EMC Rept. No.: 07
EMC-7 Page 2 April 3, 2012
Mr. Roy Kadota of Mr. K's Recycling expressed concern about his ability to access the program.
Mr. Yagong clarified that this resolution would provide more opportunities for private facilities
like Mr. K's. Mr. Hoffmann felt DEM was not doing enough to increase the County's recycling
efforts and was disappointed in Ms. Beck's inability to provide an estimated timeline to be able
to implement the suggested diversion program.
Mr. Yagong agreed that the details need to be worked out and reiterated that this resolution is
asking the Mayor to design a program. He added that it is the job of the Recycling Coordinator
to design the program and, if DEM is unwilling to work out the details, the Council will work
with a private company to complete the work.
Your Committee on Environmental Management is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution 232-12, Draft 2, and recommends its adoption. For informational purposes,
Mr. Onishi voted "kanalua"twice.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL
HOFFMANN x MANAGEMENT
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X / I:► . : ! ■_
SMART x B TANY .MART, CHAIR
YAGONG X E C REPORT NO. 07
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: APR 1 7 Mg