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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-28 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Waimea Community Center (Park) Building, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI 96743 COMMISSIONERSALSO Suzanne Mayhew Paul Buklarewicz PRESENT :PRESENT: Stan Boren W. G. Skip Burns Diana Miller Joseph Keliiholokai Arnold Okamura Owen Keliiholokai Steve Okoji Jon Olson Paulette Pavao Sherm Warner Steve Pavao Bill Sanborn EXCUSEDSTAFF: : Lono Tyson, Director Sharron Henry, Secretary Michael Dworsky, SWD Chief Tiffany Pacheco, AV Clerk Ivan Torigoe, Corporation Counsel CALL TO ORDER: 1.Commission Chair Mayhew called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The new Department Director, Lono Tyson, and Corporation Counsel Ivan Torigoe were introduced by Chair Mayhew. Commission member Sanborn introduced Sherm Warner who is from his district and in considering replacing Sanborn on the commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26, 2008 MEETING: 2. Commissioner Paulette Pavao moved to approve the November 26, 2008 minutes as written. Commissioner Stan Boren seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: 3.None STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: 4. Joseph Keliiholokai gave a brief summary of his waste disposal company, The Opala Basket, and stated his interest in meeting with the Department Director and Solid Waste Division Chief. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: 5. Abandoned Vehicle (AV) Program Report (attached to original minutes) Due to budget constraints, the West Hawai`i Coordinator position will not be filled at this time. The Department is committed to filling this position when the budget constraints have been lifted. The Derelict Amnesty Vehicle Program is also temporarily suspended at this time due to budget constraints. Solid Waste Division Report (attached to original minutes) TRANSFER STATIONS: - Commission member Sanborn reported possible illegal activities occurring after hours at the Pau`uilo transfer station. - The Division is currently preparing formal responses to DOH letters regarding compliance inspection recently undertaken by DOH staff at various convenience centers. - New signage is being prepared for the transfer stations. MALAMA VEHICLE BAGS were distributed to all commission members and a brief summary of how they came about and where they may be obtained was provided. E-WASTE: Commissioners reported that some residents are requesting more cooperation by The the E-waste vendor relating to hours of operation and returning telephone messages. Division is to investigate and provide follow-up. Technical Services Section Report (attached to original minutes) Wastewater Division Report. See first bullet under Commission members had no additional questions regarding this report. Wastewater Division Report (attached to original minutes) Technical Services Section positions are being merged into the Wastewater and Solid Waste Divisions. Director’s Report (attached to original minutes) The Director opened the floor up to any questions that the commission members might want to ask of him and discussed the waste-to-energy experience that he brings to the County and the Department from Australia. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE EFFORTS TO EXPAND SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION AUTHORITY BEYOND ADVISORY MATTERS: Department Autonomy: - For the Department to become autonomous, it must gain financial independence. - The Department of Water Supply can be used as a potential model. Commission Authority: - The first step in department autonomy is to request more authority for the Commission, to include the authority to set department fee increases. - Sanborn made a motion that an ordinance be drafted requesting power to set solid waste and sewer fees. Commission member Steve Pavao seconded the motion. After discussion, it was the consensus of the commission to amend the motion to request the Director work with Corporation Council to draft an ordinance to give the commission authority over regulating fees for the Department. Five (5) commission members voted for; two (2) abstained and there was one (1) no vote. - The commission members requested that the draft ordinance be brought to the next meeting for discussion. - Commission members agreed to meet with their district council members to discuss expanding the commission and department authorities prior to the next meeting. DISCUSSION AND DECISION MAKING: CHANGING THE MARCH 2009 MEETING DATE TO MARCH 3, 2009, TO COINCIDE WITH SWAC MEETING Commission member Steve Pavao made a motion to move the date of the March meeting to March 3, 2009 to enable members to participate in the SWAC meeting scheduled on that date. Boren seconded the motion and it massed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 7. DISCUSSION AND DECISION MAKING: ORDINANCE TO INCREASE SEWER RATES: Postponed for discussion at next meeting on penalties, payment plans and liens. DISCUSSION: UPDATE TO INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: Current up-to-date information is available on the County website. Next meeting is Monday, February 2, 2009 in Hilo. Topics for the meeting are goals and Chapter 9 – Administration and Funding, along with a presentation by the Zero Waste consultants. Matrix will be prepared in the next 2 months. DISCUSSION: ZERO WASTE REPORT (attached to original minutes) Paul Buklarewicz presented a summary of the draft report. A presentation will be forthcoming to the County Council, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and at public meetings. Public meeting schedule is attached to the original minutes. The report is accessible on the Recycle Hawai`i website. Recycle Hawai`i will promote and implement the plan when it is final. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8.: None MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. March 3, 2009: Liquor Control Conference Room, 75-5722 Hanama Place, Suite 1107, Kailua-Kona 96740 May 27, 2009: Liquor Control Conference Room, Second Floor, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, HI 96720 July 29, 2009, Waimea Community Center (Park) Building, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI 96743 September 23, 2009: Kona Council Office, March, 25, 2009: Kona Council Office, 75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 November 25, 2009, Liquor Control Conference Room, Second Floor, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, HI 96720 ADJOURNMENT 10. Boren moved to adjourn. Sanborn seconded and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHARRON HENRY Environmental Management Secretary BOLD FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN PRINT (MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS).