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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-27 Environmental Management Commission MinutesENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ENT COMMISSI N July 27, 2011 July 27, 2011, Waimea, W.M. Keck Observatory, - 1120 M&nalahoa Highway, Kamuela, H1 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Scott Enright Stan Boren Paulette Holley Anne Lee Bruce Lira Steven Okoj i Thomas Dandle Michelle Zalenski EXCUSED: Sherm Warner ALSO PRESENT: Brooks Bancroft Christine Dochin Anne Field-comes Carolyn Lucas -Zenk Karl Rad Lane Shibata Jay West STAFF: Frank DeMarco, Director Hunter Bishop, Deputy Director Ivan Torig e, Deputy Corp. Counsel Sharron Henry, Secretary Dora Beck, WWD Chief Christine Nguyen, DEM Acct. IV 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNO NCEI ENTS,: Commission Chair Scott Enright called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. New commission members Anne Lee and Thomas Randle were introduced and welcomed. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF M V 2 , 2011 MEETING MINUTE: Commissioner Paulette Holley moved to approve the May 25, 2011 minutes as written. Commissioner Michelle Zalenski seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Stan Boren moved to approve the reconsideration and correction of minutes of March 23, 2011 relating to spelling of a name. Cornmission member Zalenski seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED CAN AGENDA; None 5. C RRESP NDENCEIREP RTSIDISCUSSI N: Director's Report (attached to original minutes) -- Additional discussion: Effective August 1, 2011, Dora Beck will be the new Acting Director of the department. Director DeMarco thanked the commissioners, department staff` and County Council for their cooperation and assistance during his term as Department Director. - B1112 9 Draft 4, the Operating Budget for the County of H awai'i passed third and final reading at a Special Meeting of the Council on 6/30/11. - Condemnation of the Ocean View Transfer Station site is ccum*ng. - E -WASTE STATUS. T &N Computers of Oahu is scheduling a two-day a -waste event at U I Hilo on August 27`x' and 211h. They are attempting to set up a disposal event in Kona in September. Mr. Id's Recycling in Hilo is now taking a -waste at no charge to residents except for Tv'. There is a .o /ton charge for televisions. The department continues to encourage residents to recycle their e -waste and not to dispose of it in the landfills. The director asked the commission to engage in and continue dialogue of long -term - waste solutions. The commission asked and the outgoing director responded with his opinions on the following: Waste-to-Energy TE It is an evolving science. It is not cost effective for small islands such as ours. There are local private companies interested in pursuing wTE solutions. The current Integrated Resource and Solid waste Management Flan IRSwf P does not include a WTE option. Commission Direction Be more active in decision making. Engage your council members with the department's issues. Continue to work with the Director and Department staff closely. Continue to help the commission grow and develop. Talk to community groups regarding the department "s issues. The director reiterated that these were his personal opinions. Commission member Okoj i suggested the commission prepare a strategic plan to assist in reaching these goals. Commission Member District Update Deports: done 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on the sewer connection waiver/exemption policy Deputy Director Bishop indicated that the department met with the I e ukaha Association and that the department was well received and the meeting was very instructive as residents voiced their concerns. These meetings will continue. The final draft of the polio will be brought to the September 28`x' meeting for discussion and action by the commission. The chair took a recess at 9:37 a.m. The meeting was re- adjourned at 9-.44 a.m. 7. NEW BUSINESS Presentation of the Sewer Rate Study prepared by SAID' (formerly lbw Beck) Dora Beck, P.E. wastewater Division Chief, presented the draft Sewer Rate Study (attached to original), noting: This is preliminary information and there are no dollar amounts to share at this time. This draft is instructional only. The goals of the presentation: Background information on wastewater facilities. Wastewater projects and budget challenges. Why a sewer rate increase? Outline Sewer Rate Study. Eventually seek endorsement of the proposed sewer rate increase. Today, receive EMC feedback. Following the presentation, commission members requested Wastewater Division to provide the commission with a priority list of repairs. They also requested Wastewater Division to Provide them with revenue and cost numbers for discussion with their council members. . - The commission discussed the possibility of adding a sewer adjustment fee to the sewer bills. Suggestions for modifying the presentation included reduce the number of photos presented and shorten the presentation. Discussion of epar-tment's Accounts Receivable collection efforts Christine Nguyen, I EM Accountant iv presented the following information: - The department is working with Corporation Counsel in spearheading accounts receivable delinquencies management. The department is looping at possible amendments to the Counter Code to assist in collection of delinquencies. - Solid waste Division delinquent accounts have been reviewed for possible elimination of accounts that are uncollectible. The Solid waste Bad Debt amount has been decreased. The department will now begin reviewing delinquent sewer accounts for action and rite -offs ofuncollectible accounts. The department is implementing new procedures to decrease delinquencies. Enforcement is a challenge. Sw — o% of accounts are delinquent; WWD — 0% of accounts are delinquent. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • organic Diversion R 'P; organizes prohibition; 25% green waste tipping fee • Administrative Rule: Fat, oil and grease discharge and prohibition into the public sever (HCC 21-7(c) and d, and HCC 21- 2 • Strategic Plan and Role of Commission • September: Update on Accounts Receivables; Update on Sewer Rate Study • November: Election of 2012 dice Chair 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT November 23, 2011, Hilo, Liquor Control onf . Room, 2 d Fl oo r, 1 1 Au uni Street, Suite 230, Hilo, Hl 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Holley proved to adjourn. Commissioner Z lens i seconded and if passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Sub itted by: SHARK N HENRY Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE 1N BOLD AR1NT (MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS).