HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPC meeting 091219 (ammended)HI County LEPC Special Meeting Minutes
County of Hawaii Civil Defense 920 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI
September 12, 2019 10:00 am
Members Present: Gerald Kosaki, Chair; John Bowen, Hazmat Consultant; Andrew Burian,
HPD; Barry Periat, Civil Defense; Newton Inouye, Community Representative; Daniel Gallion,
HELCO; Eric Honda, Hawaii District Health Office; Kapono Gaughen, Dept. of Ag. Pesticides;
Jason DeKemper, Pacific Biodiesel. Non-members: Sharon Leonida, DOH HEER; Cal
Westergard, Dept. of Ag. Environmental Health Specialist.
I. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 10:00am by Chair Gerald Kosaki.
Introduction of all attendees.
II. Minutes – Approval of minutes from May 23rd and June 14th meetings.
III. County Reports
Civil Defense – Barry reported on the status of the new secondary EOC at the West
Hawaii Civic Center that is in building G. He also stated that the hurricane season is
still ongoing. Per HVO, Mauna Loa had a briefing on the increased activity but that
there was no concern for an eruption. Their warehouse at the County baseyard is replacing the roof. Sharon asked Barry on how often the EOC gets updated. Barry said every 6 hours unless it is a storm, then it would be every 3 hours.
Fire/Hazmat/EMS – Propane leak incident at shipman was discussed – Keaau
Amerigas. An intermodal container was loading to a delivery truck who departed prior to uncoupling the line and approximately 3000 gallons of propane was released.
Police – no report
IV. Industry Partners
HELCO – Daniel stated that during the hurricane season, HELCO increases its fuel
inventory storage due to barges bringing in more fuel. Barry stated that the bunker
oil is piped in to the fuel facility approximately 2.5 miles to hill 5/6 near Toyota.
Daniel stated that they are working on increasing the pipeline stability at the Keaukaha location due to the road reconstruction putting in sidewalks and lowering the road. Since the integrity of the pipeline would be compromised, they hired an
engineer consultant.
Pacific Biodiesel – Alfred stated that they do not have any issues and is well aware of
the hurricane season. They have action plans in place to suppress critical tanks with
nitrogen that displaces the oxygen.
V. State
Department of Ag. – Kapono stated that they have no current issues but requested
that we have a Dept. of Water Supply representative at our LEPC meetings.
DOH HEER – Sharon offered some information on the leak at Amerigas that HFD
responded to. She also stated that Liz Galvez is holding meetings to discuss the
area-wide Coast Guard plan. There will also be a Marine FF workshop and will give
a report at our next meeting. She discussed the Federal law EPCRA and stated that
at the last HSERC meeting, it was required that they notify the water department for
any spills based on the quantity and area involved. EPA is being sued by many
states regarding this.
VI. NASTTPO – Due to the lack of attaining a quorum at some of our LEPC meetings, Chair
Gerald made a suggestion pre-approve attendance to the next NASTTPO conference.
The HMEP grant will usually cover the LEPC Chair to attend but last year, the grant
money was taken away. Kapono made a motion to approve the attendance of two LEPC
members to attend either the annual NASTTPO conference of the mid-year NASTTPO
Hotzone conference allocating up to $5,000 for each attendee.
VII. Old Business – The new ERG handbooks have been ordered and Sharon will call Chair
Gerald when they arrive that should be by the end of the year.
VIII. Next meeting – Date set for November 14 at Civil Defense IX. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 11:20am