HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EMC 008 05/01/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DATE: May 1, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 674/Bill No. 233
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 3:35 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Communication
No. 674/Bill No. 233, reports as follows:
Bill No. 233, transmitted by Council Chairperson Dominic Yagong, via Communication 674,
dated April 13, 2012, is an ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983
(2005 edition, as amended), by adding a new article relating to disposal of materials collected at
transfer stations. It details the final disposition of the municipal solid waste (MSW) collected at
County transfer stations.
There were no public testifiers on this bill. Mr. Greg Goodale, Chief of the Department of
Environmental Management's (DEM) Solid Waste Division (SWD), and Mr. Ivan Torigoe
Deputy Corporation Counsel, were present in Hilo. Mr. Yagong stated this bill codified the
current practice of the SWD with the handling and final disposition of the MSW and is in
keeping with the consultant's recommendations in DEM's 2009 Integrated Resources and Solid
Waste Management Plan Update.
Mr. Goodale requested that the recyclables be specifically exempted from this bill. Mr. Yagong
responded that the bill's language specifically referred to the MSW that is deposited in the
chutes at the transfer stations. It did not affect the two-bin recyclables collected at various
transfer stations, which were handled by contracted vendors and not SWD staff.
Mr. Yoshimoto liked the emergency exemption clause, which allows for flexibility during
disasters. Ms. Ford stated that the bill did not need amending because it relates only to the
MSW that is transported to one of the two landfills and the recyclables do not wind up at the
landfill. She further stated that this legislation is needed because the community felt deceived
by the way the trucking of trash pilot study was conducted; and that there was public resentment
over the trucking of East side MSW to the Pu'uanahulu Sanitary Landfill without public or
Council notification and with no ability to comment. Mr. Yagong explained this legislation as a
clear Council directive to the Administration that any changes need Council approval in an open
and transparent process.
EMC Rept. No.: 8
EMC-8 Page 2 May 1, 2012
Mr. Ikeda raised the issue that this bill might slow down the process of dealing with the closure
of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill and its successor. Mr. Yagong responded that the State
Department of Health would give the County ample warning when it determines the South Hilo
Landfill is near the end of its useful life.
Mr. Goodale reported that the pilot project for trucking trash ended in April. The meeting, which
had a 15 minute recess due to a technical audio-visual malfunction, was concluded at 4:20 pm.
Your Committee on Environmental Management is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Bill 233 and recommends its approval on first reading.
nh
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL
HOFFMANN x MANAGEMENT
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X c
SMART x BRITTANY SMART, CHAIR
YAGONG X EMC REPORT NO. 8
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 1 5 2012