Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: May 16, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 274/Bill No. 32 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 10:16 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 32, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 32, transmitted by Finance Director Collins Tomei, via Communication No. 274 dated <br /> April 28, 2017, is for an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental <br /> agreement for a State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan for solid waste <br /> improvement projects; and authorizes the issuance of$20,000,000 of general obligation bonds of <br /> the County of Hawai`i for the purpose of financing the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill Final <br /> Closure project. <br /> This bill will allow funds to be used to satisfy closure requirements of the South Hilo Sanitary <br /> Landfill, to be repaid by the County over a 20-year term through the General Obligation Bond <br /> issuance. Final design for the closure is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017. • <br /> Mr. Greg Goodale, Solid Waste Division Chief, walked the Council through the process and <br /> background of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill Closure Project. Closure process has begun and <br /> Solid Waste has contracted with an engineering company to draft plans for the closure of the <br /> site. Once that is done, they will present the plan and work with the Department of Health <br /> (DOH) to make sure it is achievable and feasible according to the regulations that require the <br /> closure to be done within a certain timeframe and per engineering specifications. Once they <br /> have concurrence with the State, they will write the plans and specifications which will allow <br /> them to put it out for actual construction for final closure of the cap for the site. The purpose of <br /> bringing this before the Council is to secure funding through the clean water loan fund program, <br /> which will allow for the low interest loan, saving the County a significant amount of money. <br /> Mr. Goodale stated that the closure would not begin until after the plan is approved by DOH. <br /> The reason for the closure is the landfill is almost to the limit of the specific defined capacity. <br /> The State gave parameters which was established for South Hilo and it cannot go above a certain <br /> height reaching full capacity. He estimates that in 2 years, the site will be completely full. <br /> Council Member Eileen O'Hara questioned about potential underground fires once capped. <br /> Mr. Goodale responded it is very unlikely due to high precipitation in Hilo. Once capped, they <br /> will continue to monitor, due to state regulations, for at least 30 years. Depending on when the <br /> regulatory agency sees that the site has achieved all the parameters for becoming stable, it could <br /> well be extended past the 30 years. Most uses, once closed, have been very low impact. <br /> FC Report No. 19 <br />