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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.012 2016-2018 Eileen O'Hara ---•• Phone: (808) 965-2712 Council Member , 'c:!••' +,, .. Fax: (808) 961-8912 Council District 4 ' "" �'I�' Email: eileen.ohara@hawaiicounty.gov Vice Chair: Planning Environmental ,�_� ; Committee and Management Committee • +r4•0F•;,.�! . Agriculture, Water&Energy • • Sustainability Committee County of Hawaii Hawaii County Council • COUNTY CLERK 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 COUNTY OF HAWAII RECEIVED 7:004M Time gy VI_ Date `I 2, DATE: March 2, 2017 TO: Valerie T. Poindexter, Council Chair and Members of the Hawai`i County Council FROM: Eileen O'Hara, Council Member SUBJECT: Informational materials regarding Bill 13, Draft 2 Attached please find the minutes of the Environmental Management Commission meetings of May 25, 2016 and January 25, 2017. It would be greatly appreciated if copies could be provided to council members to aid in the discussion of Bill 13, Draft 2, during the March 8, 2017 Council meeting. Att. EO:bl comm. 0 7' (2- Ret iRef.To: Ref.Date a ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES May 25, 2016 West Hawaii Civic Center Community Hale, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Sue Aronson Richard Bennett, Vice Chr Wendy Baez, Council Services Jeffry Fear Davelyn Barido, Council Services Trina Nahm-Mijo Councilmember Karen Eoff Luana Neff Craig Lekven, Brown & Caldwell Susan Osborne Peter Ono, Brown &Caldwell Michelle Sorenson, Brown&Caldwell Jerome Warren STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Ron Kim, Deputy Corporation Counsel Dora Beck, WWD Chief Lyle Hirota, WWD Deputy Chief Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. The Chair introduced Deputy Corporation Counsel Ron Kim who is attending today's meeting for Deputy Corporation Counsel Belinda Hall who was unavailable. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 27,2016 MEETING: Commissioner Susan Osborne moved to approve the April 27,2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Trina Nahm-Mijo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett,Fear,Nahm-Mijo,Neff and Osborne voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Jerome Warren shared his thoughts regarding Bill 140, water shut off, Na`alehu large capacity cesspool (LCC)conversion. - He shared questions he had on the Overdue Bills print out that he was furnished relating to the identification of past due accounts. - He indicated that he received a contract from Mayor Kim informing the homeowners that they would not receive sewer bills until after the sewer project was completed. Director BJ Leithead Todd noted that according to Hawai`i County Code (Section 21-36.1-Wastewater service charge rates,E.Gang Cesspools),a$15.00 monthly charge per unit is assessed to the residents on gang cesspools. She also informed to Mr. Warren that if he felt he had a claim against the county,Corporation Counsel would be the appropriate contact as this commission is advisory only and does not have the authority to make decisions for the department. - He provided the secretary copies of documents he wanted distributed to the commission regarding the Na alehu large capacity cesspool conversion. The secretary will distribute these documents to the commissioners upon return to the office. County oft taw'ai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Sue Aronson shared information on the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant (KWWTP). - She was a member of a task force in years past that urged the county to put in an R-1 treatment system. She feels that the R-1 upgrade is urgent and questioned why it has not been considered a priority and is just now being accomplished. - Commissioner Bennett noted that he has worked with Ms. Aronson on a focus group that was organized to deal with county wastewater issues and shared his support and appreciation for Ms. Aronson. 5. CORRESPONDENCEIREPORTS/DISCUSSION: ■ Director's Report (attached to original minutes): WASTEWATER DIVISION - Kealakehe WWTP: o The inclusion of mauka storage tanks will require additional pump stations. o Commissioner Bennett suggested the county use a conservative approach like California and not charge for the R-1 water usage. o The director indicated a fee schedule will be discussed when the R-1 is ready to go. o Anticipated R-1 users are County P&R, Honokohau Harbor, Regional Park and Queen Lili`uokalani Trust. o It is conceivable but not probable that the WWTP site could be expanded. The State DLNR and DHHL own the land beyond the buffer which includes the burial site of King Kamehameha I and there are Hawaiian archeology sites in the area. SOLID WASTE DIVISION - No additional updates • Commission Member District Update Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting District 1: Commissioner Neff requested a site visit to the Papa`ikou Transfer Station. The Director indicated the department would furnish a site map of the transfer station to the commissioners for further discussion. District 6: Commissioner Bennett indicated he planned to attend the community meeting on the Na`alehu WWTP. District 8: Commissioner Fear shared his support for Bill 140 and noted that KWWTP project needs to be completed so the department can move forward on other projects. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 204 Relating to Public Education for reduction of polystyrene foam disposable food service containers The director indicated she did not support Bill 204 as it was not an added tool for Bill 140 but rather proposed education instead of reduction of polystyrene food service containers. Commissioner Trina Nahm-Mijo made a motion to provide a recommendation of No Support to the council. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Fear,Nahm-Mijo,Neff and Osborne voting yes. Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 140 Draft 2 which amends Chapter 20 of the HCC by adding a new article relating to reduction of polystyrene foam "Styrofoam" food containers and service ware The Director informed the commission that Councilmember Wille was preparing a Draft 3 of this bill. She also indicated that research has shown that the increased cost of using"Styrofoam"food containers is minimal. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Commissioner Fear made a motion to support Bill 140 Draft 2 relating to the reduction of Styrofoam. Commissioner Nahm-Mijo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear,Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Discussion of Water Shut-off for Nonpayment of Sewer Bills - DEM and the Department of Water Supply are both currently working on revisions of the departments' rules to include water shut-off for nonpayment of sewer bills. The draft DEM rules will be provided to the commission for review prior to finalization. - Once implemented, DEM Credit and Collections will identify delinquent accounts and provide recommendations to the Director for water shut-off. - Written notice will be given to customers prior to water shut-off to enable them to bring their accounts current. - The past due accounts owing the most amounts will be the first considered for water shut-off. Discussion of content of Commission letter to the State Department of Health supporting continued State funding of the E-waste program to the counties - Chair Fritz will contact the past Chair,Thom Randle, regarding providing a draft for the commissioners' review and approval. Update relating to NA`Alehu Wastewater Treatment Plant - The intent of the project is to convert gang cesspools to an acceptable wastewater system for the residents of Nd'alehu. - Once a final site has been selected, a Draft Environmental Assessment(DEA) will be prepared and presented to the community for review and comment. - A preferred 6-acre site owned by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has been identified. - The Wastewater Division Chief invited Dr. Bennett to join her,the Director and Councilmember Maile David on a site visit of the proposed site and a tour of the Honoka`a WWTP which is the model that will be used in designing the Na'alehu plant. This visit is scheduled for the latter part of June. 7. NEW BUSINESS Discussion Relating to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent R-1 Upgrade - Craig Lekven of the consulting firm of Brown and Caldwell provided an overview of the Effluent R-1 Upgrade project (see attached) and responded to questions from the commission. FIGURE 1 presented the Future Facility Concept(describing the flow of the WWTP) FIGURE 2 presented the R-1 Use Concept (detailing the re-use plan) FIGURE 3 presented the Future Facility Schematic (identifying the proposed EPA recognized land treatment and soil aquifer treatment system). - The next step is community outreach. The county and consultants will present the proposed project at community meetings. They will take community input and if necessary, redesign or make changes to the current plan. - Commissioner Bennett distributed a paper entitled"Estimation of Reclaimed Water Reuse: Kailua Kona Landscaping (see attached). 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - A discussion of policy options to improve the integration of fresh water use and reclaimed water reuse - both residential and wastewater from treatment plants County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer - Presentation by Commissioner Richard Bennett on the basics of wastewater irrigation and its application to Hawai'i - Long Range Plans for the County Transfer Stations - Recycling Presentation—January, 2017 - Discussion on how the Commission can assist the Hawai`i County schools relating to recycling and trash disposal - Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan—Discussion on placement of transfer stations 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS June 22 Hilo Puna Conf Room July 27 Kona Comm. Hale August 24 Hilo Puna Conf Room September 28 Kona Comm. Hale October 26 Hilo Puna Conf Room November 23 Kona Comm. Hale December No meeting NOTE: Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Neff made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Osborne and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:43 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted Ay: SHARRON HENRY Environmental Management Sec FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN BOLD PRINT (MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS). County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES January 25, 2017 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Hale, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Georjean Adams Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Dennis Poma Jeffry Fear Jerome Warren Trina Nahm-Mijo Erin Petrosian Rick Vidgen Donna Urban Higuchi EXCUSED: Luana Neff STAFF: William Kucharski,Director Susan Osborne Diane Noda, Deputy Director Belinda Hall, Corp Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:46 a.m. The Chair thanked the public for attending and welcomed the new Director, William Kucharski, and Deputy Director,Diane Noda. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23,2016 MEETING: Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the November 23,2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Fear seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear,Namm-Mijo and Vidgen voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Jerome Warren stated he enjoys the Wastewater presentations because we learn about groundwater science. Hopefully presenters will use the Big Island public access TV stations to reach more people. Background information needs to me common knowledge before the County Council decides on funding for certain projects. • He stated Hawaii County has come under the scrutiny of the EPA Enforcement Division. The Drinking Water Division has given up trying to help us with money. EPA sent enforcement people to investigate our ongoing use of gang cesspools. • He stated County has to make a policy decision here, can Environmental Management keep ignoring the gang cesspools while focusing on reusing water from Kona Sewer Plants. EPA is not requiring us to reuse our water but are requiring us to close gang cesspools. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None 6. NEW BUSINESS • Introduction of new Department Directory,Deputy Director and Commission Secretary o Director William Kucharski introduced himself and gave a brief background of his credentials. He stated he is new to the Department, but not new to Environmental field. He thanked everyone for their volunteer time they put in to help address issues we face. Door is always open, and will always answer his phone to answer questions. o Deputy Director Diane Noda introduced herself and gave a brief background of her credentials. She has been with the County for 24 years and has dealt with the Department County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. in regards to labor issues. Now learning about all the other challenges the Department faces. She thanked everyone for all their time and commitment. • Discussion relating to Cost and Use of Potable Water for Dust Control at West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill o Director Kucharski stated the issue we have there is that the well we have has a lot of salt intrusion. High salt content affects seals and a lot of the operational equipment we use. Water is needed for vehicle maintenance such as washing them down and servicing. The Department has a 4,000 gallon water truck which hauls water from a hydrant in Kawaihae. We are currently averaging four to five loads a day. Water is also used for dust control on internal roads. However, some high salt content water is used for this as it is not an issue. The depaitinent is looking into a better solution. Director Kucharski will find out if we are paying for the water we get from Kawaihae. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 245,Draft 2, an ordinance amending the HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended) by adding a new article to decrease public exposure to toxic herbicides (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated this bill is more informational for us and nothing we are being asked to do other than be aware these bills are out there. This is not the first time we are seeing this bill. o Commissioner Fear asked why they aren't using vinegar instead of all these chemicals. Commission Chair Fritz stated this is a step in the right direction if we forbid them now from using Roundup. However if we forbid them now from using say Roundup they may not look at other sources. o Commissioner Bennett stated he can no longer say that glyphosate is completely safe and acceptable to use in our food production systems. In roadway weed control it becomes less of an issue because we don't eat the weeds. But it becomes a part of the aquatic ecology. The question about its long term chronic effects on human health is an open question. o Commission Chari Friz stated we'll have to see where this goes, not sure if it's been to Council yet. It's definitely a step in the right direction. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 248,Draft 2, amending Chapter 20 of HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended),by adding a new article relating to disposable food packaging and food service ware by County entities, County food vendors, and county facility users (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated he believes the former Director of the department talked about this. It deals with cardboard and Styrofoam and other recyclables. Again no action on our,part just here for our discussion. Not sure where this is at on the Council's Agenda. We're on record for supporting efforts to limit Styrofoam utilization. • Presentation by Dennis Poma and Erin Petrosian on The Waipono Waste Treatment System o Essentially a mini municipal wastewater treatment facility to secondary treatment. o Small compact system, 7 foot diameter by 8-1/2 foot tall tank with seven chambers. o Able to recycle within own system. Therefore produce clean, odorless wastewater suitable for irrigation. o Individual tank system is $15,000.00; installation$12,000.00 - $18,000.00. o Finishing tank has a pump so not limited to leach field having to be downhill from the system. o Product only a little over a year old. 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report (attached to original minutes): o Director Kucharski stated his top priorities are the Kealakehe WWTP R-1 facility, cesspool replacements and the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. o Wastewater - Had a visit from EPA Region 9, Tomas Tones and his staff and did site visits to Pahala and Na`alehu. Working with them on a compliance agreement. Looking to get increased funding and support from them to handle these issues. - Looked at over 17 properties for construction of a facility in Na`alehu but have run in to problems with every one of them. • Commission Member District Update Reports: o District 8: Commissioner Fear stated they are having an island wide beach clean-up: Puako, South Point and all places in between. o District 9: Commission Chari Fritz stated everything is going good in his district. o District 6: Commissioner Bennett stated there is a tremendous time lag from the time a car is abandoned until the Police tag it. Director Kucharski stated the Abandoned Vehicle Section recently visited Maui County to take a look at their program. They brought back a lot of ideas on how to streamline our program and hopefully make things work faster and smoother. Will keep the Commission updated with the progress. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Wetlands wastewater disposal system vs. Mechanical wastewater disposal • Recycling Presentation of Fiscal Year 15-16 program accomplishments and costs • Comprehensive discussion about seawater intrusion on Ali`i Drive • Discussion with Mayor Harry Kim 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS February 22 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. March 22 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale April 26 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. May 24 Kona WHCC Comm.Hale June 28 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. July 26 Kona WHCC Council Room A August 23 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. September 27 Kona WHCC Council Room A October 25 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. November 22 Kona WHCC Council Room A December 27 No meeting Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bennett and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear,Namm-Mijo and Vidgen voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: *iWi^ r MARCIE TOGU Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NO IE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN BOLD PRINT(MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS). County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.