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Home My WebLink About2008-05-28 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 9:00 a.m. nd Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Center, 101 Aupuni Street, 2 Floor Hilo, HI 96720 COMMISSIONERSALSO Arnold Okamura Barbara Bell PRESENTPRESENT: : Suzanne Mayhew Christy A. Logan Stan Boren Jon Olson Steve Okoji Paulette Pavao Steve Pavao Bill Sanborn Sam Sumner EXCUSED :STAFF: Diana Miller Nelson Ho, Deputy Director Sharron Henry, Secretary Robin Bauman, Business Manager Michael Dworsky, SWD Chief Tiffany Pacheco, AV Clerk CALL TO ORDER: 1.Commission Chair Okamura called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and introduced Stan Boren, new commission member from District 7 and Steve Pavao, new commission member from District 2. Any commission member desiring business cards should turn in their request to the Commission Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 2008 MEETING: 2. Commissioner Mayhew moved to approve the March 19, 2008 minutes as written. Commissioner Sanborn 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. Jon Olson requested that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) present the process that will be followed to update the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP) and urged commissioners to weigh in on the update and stay informed. He also asked the commissioners to prepare a recommendation Statement on the technology/method of solid waste disposal to the new Administration. Barbara Bell, a new SWAC member, suggested that the commission request an amendment to the County Charter to change the commission status from advisory to a commission with authority to set solid waste and sewer rates. Bob Ward’s written testimony was distributed (attached to original minutes) relating to delinquent sewer accounts. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: 5. Abandoned Vehicle (AV) Program Report (attached to original minutes) Tiffany Pacheco, AV Clerk, reviewed the Program Report. The scrap metal contract is now monitored by this program since the Vehicle Disposal Fund is used to fund the contract. There are a number of private haulers now offering free vehicle removal from private properties. Solid Waste Division Report (attached to original minutes) will be effective June 26, 2008. The Division is working to find solutions to tire TIRE BAN disposal for both residents and retailers and community clean-up groups. TRANSFER STATIONS: The division will be submitting change of applications to DOH to re-identify the transfer o stations as convenience centers so commercial company can use the recycling bins. Additional signage is needed at Kona Recycle Center. o There was a question regarding diversion of rubber slippers to a tire vendor. Technical Services Section Report/Wastewater Division Report (Attached to original minutes) STAFFING: Effective June 1, 2008, Dora Beck will take the Wastewater Division Chief position, o replacing Bert Saito. Lyle Hirota will be temporarily assigned to Wastewater Division Deputy Chief. o A decision will be made whether to return the Technical Services Section positions and o responsibilities to the Wastewater Division. Division is recruiting to fill open positions. o Equipment replacement programs are in process. Director’s Report (Taken out of order) (attached to original minutes) WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP): Multi-year contract resolution was not passed by Council, ending the bid by Wheelabrator to build and operate a waste-to-energy facility in Hilo. COUNCIL ACTIVITY: Department will request Council to approve sewer fee increases. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. DISCUSSION AND DECISION MAKING: RESCHEDULING 2008 COMMISSION MEETINGS TO COINCIDE WITH SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) MEETINGS: Since the SWAC is a separate entity from the commission, there is no need to coordinate meetings on the same day. Meeting schedule for the remainder of the year: July 24, 2008 – Waimea o September 25, 2008 – Kona o November 26, 2008 – Hilo o DISCUSSION: UPDATE TO THE INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: First meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2008. There will be 19 monthly meetings from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; most being scheduled the day before or after council meetings. The emphasis was on Hilo in the first plan and update. This update will consider the whole island’s needs. Transition options to the current Hilo landfill are: Landfill on 7 acres adjacent to the current landfill with a liner and wetlands project to o address the leachate concerns Allowing access to transfer stations for commercial businesses to use recycling bins o Island-wide emphasis will be placed on the make-up of the SWAC. All SWAC meeting agendas and information will be available on the County website. Community meetings are being planned island-wide at various times during the review process. DISCUSSION: PROVIDING INPUT TO COUNTY COUNCIL ON WASTE TO ENERGY PROPOSAL: Sanborn testified at the Council meetings in support of the resolution. It was suggested that instead of one large waste-to-energy facility in Hilo, that there be smaller power sources around the island. This would also reduce trucking long distances. NEW BUSINESS 7. PRESENTATION: CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM The presenters cancelled earlier in the week and this presentation will be rescheduled to a later meeting. DISCUSSION: DELINQUENT SOLID WASTE AND SEWER ACCOUNTS: Robin Bauman, Department Business Manager, explained how delinquent accounts are handled in the department. It was noted that Mr. Ward’s testimony suggested that the department accept credit card payments. It was clarified that the department does take credit card payments and is researching Automated Clearing House (ACH) automatic debits. It was suggested that accounts be tied to collection of property taxes. Liens are recorded on delinquent accounts although collection usually does not occur until the property changes ownership, if it ever does. Sewer Accounts: over 90 days delinquent – under $800,000; 52.6% that is slightly less than last year. Solid Waste Accounts: In the process of cleaning up and writing off the accumulation of very old delinquent accounts (statute of limitations is 6 years). If delinquent customers commit and sign a payment plan, they can continue using the landfill. If not, their landfill permits can be revoked. Delinquencies have risen from 35% to 48% because the largest customer is currently slow in making their payments. Filling the new Collections/Credit Clerk position should have an impact on collecting delinquent accounts. The commission members requested that a trend report of renter vs. property owner payments be submitted at the July meeting. It was requested that the department make the consultants preparing the sewer rate study aware of delinquencies. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. Preparation of Recommendation Statement to new Administration FUTURE COMMISSION MEETINGS 9. July 24, 2008, Waimea Community Center (Park) Building, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI , site visit following meeting: Waimea Transfer Station, Pu`uanahulu Landfill 96743 September 25, 2008, Kona Council Office, 75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, site visit following meeting: Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant; old Kona Landfill and Kealakehe Transfer Station, recycling areas November 26, 2008, Hilo, place TBA, site visit following meeting: Sort Station, Landfill sliver fill operation ADJOURNMENT 10. Sumner moved to adjourn. Boren seconded and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:02 p. 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).