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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-23 Enviromental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 9:05 a.m. Liquor Control Conference Room, Hilo Lagoon Center, 101 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Hilo, HI 96720 COMMISSIONERSALSO Carolyn Witcher Jon Olson PRESENTPRESENT: : Bobby Cooper Suzanne Mayhew Diana Miller Arnold Okamura Paulette Pavao Sam Sumner EXCUSEDSTAFF: : Marjorie Erway Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Director Bill Sanborn Sharron Henry, Secretary James Isa AV Coordinator Tiffany Pacheco, AV Clerk Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator CALL TO ORDER: 1.Commission Chair Witcher called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2007 MEETING: 2. Commissioner Okamura moved to approve the March 28, 2007 minutes as written. Commissioner Mayhew 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 Program Report (attached to original minutes) The staff is working with Eden Rock Subdivision, Kalapana Black Sands Subdivision, Queen Lili`uokalani Village and Pa`aiuahu Camp in Hamakua to remove abandoned vehicles from these communities. James Isa introduced Tiffany Pacheco, the new Abandoned Vehicle Clerk. Commissioner Witcher noted there were less abandoned vehicles off Mamalahoa Highway in her district. Sumner will submit a list of abandoned vehicles located on the lower Cane Haul Road in North Hilo/Hamakua area. Isa provided the definitions of abandoned vs. derelict vehicles and went over the proper procedures for reporting abandoned vehicles. Solid Waste Division Report (attached to original minutes) Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator, represented the division at today’s meeting. HILO LANDFILL A conservative estimate of closure is 2-4 years. Optimistic estimate is 6-8 years. WEST HAWAI`I LANDFILL: Bid opening is July 5, 2007 for construction of the material recovery facility infrastructure. Peters will provide the commission with a construction and completion timeline. Peters will also report back to the commission regarding whether the composting facility will accept sludge. RECYCLING AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS New ramps are being installed at the recycling areas of the Hilo, Pahoa and Waimea transfer stations. Currently soliciting proposals for Diversion Incentives for FY 07-08 in conjunction with a Transfer Station Recycling Invitation to Bid (IFB) to expand recycling at the transfer stations. Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Dates: June 2 – Hilo; June 9 – Kealakehe Information flyer was distributed (attached to original minutes). CompuCycle date: May 26 – Hilo SCRAP METAL AND TIRES Big Island Scrap Metal has begun their pilot project of encasing tires in blocks to make walls. A photo of the new “tire” wall around their facility was distributed (attached to original minutes.) TRANSFER STATIONS Commission member Sumner reported that a large amount of green waste was being illegally dumped at the Pau`uilo Transfer Station. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be developed to expand green waste disposal at the transfer stations. Technical Services Section Report (attached to original minutes) NAALEHU/PAHALA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT County is working with C Brewer in getting the park facility dedicated to the County. Property owners that are currently hooked to the park system have been notified that they can’t be accommodated on the new system. HONOKAA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT The County is negotiating with HHSC, the lagoon owner, for easement for the existing sewage treatment facility and ponds. The County does not need the entire 12 acres. QUEEN LILIU`OKULANI VILLAGE LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT Meeting with the Mayor next week for solutions to the placement of the lines. Two possible options: (1) Preferred -- A temporary sewer easement through DHHL land; (2) use of imminent domain of the Queen Liliu`okulani Trust lands. KOMOHANA HEIGHTS LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT: The current system was dedicated to the County and there appears to be no problems in proceeding with this replacement. Wastewater Division Report (attached to original minutes) ADMINISTRATION: Still waiting on a response from DOH regarding the request for substitution of projects at the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. PERSONNEL: Advertising for the Wastewater Division Chief position should begin in a month. The division reorganization was the result of examination and adjustments made of types of positions we have, types of positions we need and job descriptions. Deputy Director’s Report (attached to original minutes) Chair Witcher introduced Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, the new Department Director. WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The proposals are being evaluated. It is expected by the evaluation committee will request an Executive Session of the County Council at the end of June to discuss the proposals and ask for direction regarding how to proceed. There will be a meeting in early June with the consultants and a proposer. Something must be in place before the landfill closes. Bail and barge appears to be the only option that is ready for interim use between landfill closure and securing a waste reduction technology. As of today, the 3 bail and barge companies do not have DOH permits. An RFP for Bail and Barge may be prepared in the next six months. There was a consensus of group, that the County needs to be more aggressive in diversion. INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN Via a resolution, the Council mandated the department to modify the plan to include a new East Hawai`i landfill as an option. 120” of rain a year and leachate are the problems to building another landfill in Hilo. Commission Chair Witcher asked how the Commission can support the new Director. Leithead-Todd requested testimony in support for department requests to Council such as approval to charge daily fines for residents who should be, but are not, hooked up to the sewer; the Update to the Solid Waste Management Plan and finalizing the department vision statements. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. DISCUSSION: FY 07-08 DEPARTMENT BUDGET The final reading of the Budget by Council is June 1, 2007. Councilmember Yagong is proposing to remove vacant positions funds from the department budgets and putting it in the Council contingency fund, requiring departments to request funds before they can hire into vacant positions. NEW BUSINESS 7. DISCUSSION: WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY VISION STATEMENT FOR COUNCIL Leithead-Todd requested the vision include: (1) recycling and reuse for the public at every transfer station; (2) green waste diversion at all transfer stations; (3) aggressive diversion; and (4) improving solid waste goals. The commission and staff members agreed to prepare a waste stream vision instead of a waste technology vision. Leithead-Todd will do a first draft of the vision and bring it back to next meeting for brainstorming, discussion and finalization. DISCUSSION: WASTEWATER DIVISION VISION STATEMENT Commissioner Mayhew made a motion to table this item for discussion at a later meeting, after completion of the Waste Stream Vision Statement. Commission member Miller seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. TRASH TOUR PLANNING Will schedule for October 1, 2007. Tentative Itinerary: HPower (waste-to-energy plant) o Hawai`ian Earth Products (mulch and compost facility) o Hilton Hawaiian Village or Sheraton Waikiki Hotels (recycling program) o Honouliuli WWTP and Reclamation Facility (wastewater treatment plant) o Automotive Equipment Services (AES) recycling company and tire processor o Natural Systems Ala Wai wastewater treatment project o possible bail and barge company if one is operating at the time of the tour. o Henry will work with City and County of Honolulu to set up the tour and will bring back information to the next commission meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8.: Department 3-priority letter to Council Wastewater Division Statement ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. FUTURE COMMISSION MEETINGS July meeting – time and place to be announced. September 26, 2007, Kona Council Office, 75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 November 21, 2007, Liquor Control Conference Room, First Floor, 101 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720 ADJOURNMENT 10. Mayhew moved to adjourn. Pavao seconded and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 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).