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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-26 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION May 26, 2010 nd Liquor Control Conference Room, 2 Floor, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, HI 96720 COMMISSIONERSSteve Pavao ALSOChristine Dochin PRESENTPRESENT: : Scott Enright Nancy Cook-Lauer Suzanne Mayhew Steve Okoji Paulette Pavao EXCUSEDSTAFF: :Stan Boren Lono Tyson, Director Sherm Warner Molly Lugo, Deputy Corporation Counsel Mike Dworsky, SWD Chief Sharron Henry, Secretary Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist ABSENT: CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Commission Chair Steve Pavao called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m. It was noted that today’s meeting would be Director Tyson’s last as he returns to Australia in July. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2010 MEETING MINUTES 2. : Commissioner Suzanne Mayhew moved to approve the March 24, 2010 minutes as written. Commissioner Paulette Pavao 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. None CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: 5. Abandoned Vehicle (AV) Program Report (attached to original minutes) The department will be proposing a motor vehicle registration fee increase or new implementation fee to offset the AV Program budget decrease of $1M in FY 10-11. Solid Waste Division Report (attached to original minutes) Mandatory recycling may increase recycling costs unless alternate revenue sources are implemented to support landfill diversion programs. The department has issued draft proposals for implementing mandatory recycling/landfill bans and user charges to the Mayor’s Office. An increase in landfill tipping fees and a possible recycling surcharge fee are being considered. A materials resource recovery program is being discussed with Waste Management for Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill Operations. implementation at the West Two (2) annual e-waste collection events are proposed in next year’s operating budget instead of a full-time collection vendor due to the decrease in the e-waste program budget from $400K to $100K. The current State e-waste program is not user-friendly for neighbor island residents. Our Recycling Section is communicating with the State in an attempt to improve the current program. Wastewater Division Report (attached to original minutes) N‘LEHU/ PHALA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL PROJECT: -There were sewer spills at the newly acquired Phala and N‘lehu Sewer systems on thth May 4 and 5. Wastewater Division (WWD) staff responded to both reported spills. Repairs and disinfection work were completed and WWD staff are undertaking a review of both systems with the C. Brewer’s sewer maintenance contractor. st - On May 1, the wastewater systems were transferred from C. Brewer to the County. - The residents are now being charged monthly gang cesspool maintenance fees. -The department continues to look for properties to purchase for the County wastewater treatment facilities. - Installation of the sewer is being funded through State and Federal funds. HILO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT LABORATORY received the Zone of Mixing test equipment and underwent the required training to perform this task in-house in an effort to reduce expenses within the Wastewater Division’s operating budget. Director’s Report (attached to original minutes) RESOLUTION 318-10 authorizing acceptance of the County’s Integrated Resources and Solid Waste Management Plan was passed by Council. The Director reiterated that Pay-as- You-Throw (PAYT) is only a recommendationin the plan and cannot be implemented without approval of the Council. A PAYT program would: -Provide a way to provide a sustainable revenue force for solid waste programs; -Encourage residents to recycle; -Provide a user charge that allows users to reduce their costs in real time. RESOLUTION 322-10 was unanimously passed by Council. This resolution recognized the need to maintain the County’s existing green waste collection sites and to expand the operating hours of the sites. In order to provide more sites on the island, operation of the sites might best be served by the private sector. HILO LANDFILL FEASIBILITY STUDY: The department is in the process of selecting a consultant to prepare this study to consider the economic impacts associated with planning, permitting, designing, constructing, operating, monitoring and maintaining a new municipal solid waste landfill located within the quarry area adjacent to the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. Leachate management issues and an update of trucking refuse from Hilo to West Hawai`i will also be considered. SORT STATION: The department is considering several options for utilizing this facility while the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill remains open, including using the facility to divert commercial recyclables currently being landfilled. The County’s current diversion rate is 30%. The 50% goal is reasonable and obtainable if we provide greater recycling opportunities, especially for commercial haulers and local businesses. WASTE CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY: A viable option, and possibly the most cost- effective solution, if it includes the whole island’s waste stream is utilized. Due to DEPARTMENT SAFETY PROGRAMS, safety awareness has improved and a culture of safety within both divisions is materializing. Divisions have safety meetings and the Director, Deputy Director and Personnel representative meet with the County’s Safety Division head on a monthly basis. The Director commended the commission members for taking on this job and reiterated that the department needs to increase the use of the commission as it is a valuable resource. Commission Member District Update Reports DISTRICT 1: Commissioner Enright met with Councilmember Yagong and discussed the Integrated Resources and Solid Waste Management Plan. He will meet with Yagong again next week. DISTRICT 3: Commissioner Paulette Pavao contacted Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator, regarding two (2) issues at the Kea‘au Recycling and Transfer Station. Peters responded to her concerns. Sub-Committee Reports A review will be done of the Solid Waste fee schedule when the report is available and provided to the Commission for discussion. If commission members have other items to be reviewed in sub-committee, please provide the information to Commissioner Enright. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. - None NEW BUSINESS 7. COUNTY RECYCLING PROGRAMS PRESENTATION BY LINDA PETERS, COUNTY RECYCLING COORDINATOR (attached to original minutes) -Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator, presented information on the County recycling programs. Hard copy of the presentation is attached to the original minutes and available through the Department Administration office or the Recycling Section office. -The vision of the Recycling Program is to obtain the 50% diversion goal which is doable with increased funding and participation by the community. • GREEN WASTE PROGRAM, TO INCLUDE STATUS OF REQUEST FOR PROPSAL (RFP) FOR OPERATION OF WEST HAWAI‘I COMPOSTING FACILITY; KEALAKEHE SITE OPERATIONS INFORMATION -The West Hawai’i Green Waste Diversion Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document was distributed and is attached to the original minutes. -The department intends to implement the green waste tipping fee island-wide for green waste disposal when the West Hawai‘i green waste processing operation is moved to the West Hawai`i Sanitary Landfill where the facility’s scale house can be used to collect tip fees. The fee will be 25% of the landfill tipping fee which is currently $85/ton. -There will still be green waste collection for residents only at the Kealakehe transfer station. -Composting benefits include increased jobs and revenue, and decreased commercial expenses. -The commissioners were encouraged to discuss with and lobby their Council members for funds for green waste programs. • STATUS REPORT ON THE INTEGRATED RESOURCES AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN (IRSWMP) UPDATE -State legislation has been passed to move the update requirement from 5 years to 10 years. -The next status report is due to the State in 2015 and the next Update in 2020. -Council approved the IRSWMP Update and it has been submitted to State Department of Health for approval. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. July 28, 2010, W.M. Keck Observatory, 65-1120 Mmalahoa Highway, Kamuela September 22, 2010, Kona Council Office Conf. Room, 75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109, Kailua- Kona nd November 24, 2010, Liquor Control Conf. Room, 2 Floor, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo ADJOURNMENT 10. Mayhew moved to adjourn. Enright seconded and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:38 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).