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Home My WebLink About2003-10-29 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Wednesday, October 29, 2003, 9:21 a.m. Waimea Community Center (Park) Building, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HawaiÒi 96743 COMMISSIONERS Riley Smith ALSO Dora Beck, Wastewater Division PRESENTPRESENT :: David ÐKimoÑ FrankelJo Diatolevi, Recycle HawaiÒi Anne PlackTiffany Edwards, West HawaiÒi Today Lorraine StahrPete Hendricks, Deputy Managing Director Carolyn WitcherSuzanne Jones, C&C of Honolulu Mike Kaha, Waste Management Eileen O`Hora-Weir, Recycling Coordinator Margaret Pahio John Ray Joe Reynolds, County Council member Shane Rohan Howard Stahr Gerald Takase, Corporation Counsel Jay West EXCUSEDSTAFF :Mack Asato:Barbara Bell, Director Marjorie ErwayPeter Boucher, Wastewater Division Chief Sam Kawamura Lono Tyson, Solid Waste Division Chief Hugh OnoSharron Henry, Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 9:21 a.m. 1. and acknowledged Council member Joe Reynolds, Chair of the Parks and Environmental Management Committee, and Deputy Managing Director Pete Hendricks. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 MEETING: 2. Anne Plack made a motion to approve the September 24, 2003 minutes.Lorraine Stahr seconded the motion. After discussion regarding the required number of commissioners present to take action and vote abstention by a commissioner when only 5 Commission member Frankel made a motion to commission members are present, amend Item 4. to read ÐMotion failed because 5 votes are needed Witcher seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with Com Stahr stating she wanted it noted that she was voting for the motion but it was against her better judgment. Motion to approve the minutes as amended passed unanimously. Commission Counsel Takase will review the commission rules regarding voting and abstention, and it will be placed on next monthÓs meeting agenda for discussion. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA 3.: None STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA 4.: John Ray, representing HawaiÒi Leeward Planning Conference (HLPC), stated the Pacific Waste proposal sounded interesting and hoped it did not jeopardize aggressive action in moving forward on the Sort station. HLPC submitted testimony in support of the Sort station Draft EIS. Speaking as a member of the South Kohala Traffic Safe not feel the added volume of traffic will be that great of an is CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: 5. DirectorÓs Report (attached to original minutes) COUNCIL ACTIONS: Wastewater ordinance requesting deletion of connection exemptions complies with EPA grant conditions. Mike Allen will address the Parks and Environmental Management Committee on recycling issues on November 4, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the County Council Ro Council member Reynolds will be holding community meetings on recycling issues. OCEANVIEW TRANSFER STATION: The Environmental Assessment contract has been agreed upon and the project is moving forward. KEAAU RECYCLING AND REUSE CENTER: Funding has been secured for January through June, 2004. ND 2 YEAR EPA GRANT FOR CONTINUING TRANSFER STATION UPGRADES: An Invitation for Bid will be offered for recycling services in connection with upgrading the Kealakehe Transfer Station. HawaiÒi Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) will handle pr DRAFT EIS FOR SORT STATION: Informational brochure of frequently asked questions was distributed (attached to original minutes.) This EIS addresses Sort station and long-haul. Another EIS will address a waste reduction technology. Waste issues are island-wide issues, not East vs. West. BEVERAGE CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAW UPDATE: Suzanne Jones, City and County of Honolulu Recycling Coordinator, presented an overview of the Ðbottle billÑ, including history, implementation strategies and how to offer support for legislative efforts to proceed. Things the Counties need to do: (1) Support the January 1, 2005 implementation; (2) facilitate the redemption centers at the transfer stations; (3) identify funding needed to set up redemption centers and request from State fund. Information was also provided on pilot recycling projects on Oah Additional information can be obtained from the City and County of Honolulu website, www.opala.net. Wastewater Division ChiefÓs Report (attached to original minutes) PAPAIKOU TREATMENT PLANT: There was a malfunction of a sulfinator at the Papaikou WTP resulting in a treatment bypass. This caused a release of effluent exceeding the maximum chlorine residual. A press release was issued as required by our NPDES permit. There was no danger to the public health or safety. -2- In the future, regulators will be changed on an annual basis rather than every 5 years, as is the current practice. Piping is already replaced every six months. GANG CESSPOOLS: The mayor has indicated the CountyÓs willingness to assist, particularly the former plantations, in getting off gang cesspools. Solid Waste Division ChiefÓs Report (attached to original minutes) PACIFIC WASTE PROPOSAL TO GENERATE LANDFILL AIRSPACE: Proposal was unsolicited and no specifics have been received. It is premature for the County to enter into any agreement or partnership process until a final determination is made on the time remaining before the landfill HILO LANDFILL: A new estimate on the life of the landfill will be determined wh analysis are received and confirmed. When landfill closure date is updated, the State will be contacted to discuss landfill status and options to maximize the airspace. When the State concurs with our plan, the Mayor will be advised of the closure timeline and identified options. At that time, potential proposals from outside parties to extend the life of the landfill can be revisi SCRAP METAL PROGRAM: All County contractors are monitored to ensure safety of the public and workers. Ample space is key to safe operations and will be taken into consideration when siting new facilities. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 6.None NEW BUSINESS 7.: DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WASTEWATER AND SOLID WASTE DIVISION RULES: Deferred to a future meeting. DISCUSSION OF VIDEO CONFERENCING COMMISSION MEETINGS (handout attached to original minutes.) Upon review of information, video conferencing will not be utilized. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE REQUESTING COUNTY COUNCIL TO AMEND COUNTY CHARTER REDEFINING THE COMMISSION RESPONSIBILITIES: Ordinance will be forwarded to Council member Reynolds to be presented to the County Council. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8.: None ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 9:00 a.m. Î 12:00 p.m., HawaiÒi Coun Aupuni Street, Room 201, Hilo, HI 96720 Tuesday, December 23, 2003, 9:00 a.m. Î 12:00 p.m., Kona Police Department Conference Room, 74-5221 Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 -3- ADJOURNMENT 10. Witcher moved to adjourn. Frankel seconded and motion was carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHARRON HENRY Environmental Management Secretary -4-