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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-28 Minutes Environmental Management CommissionENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION March 28, 2012 West Hawai' i Civic Center Liquor Control Conference Room, Bldg. B, 2 "d Floor Kailua -Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Sherm Warner PRESENT: Christine Dochin Anne Lee J. L. Nahm -Mijo Bruce Lim Trina Nahm -Mijo STAFF: Dora Beck, Acting Director Steven Okoji Hunter Bishop, Deputy Director Thomas Randle Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corp. Counsel Robin Bauman, Business Manager Greg Goodale, SWD Chief EXCUSED: Stan Boren Sharron Henry, Secretary Scott Enright Russell Ruderman CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Sherm Warmer called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. New Commissioner Trina Nahm -Mijo was introduced and welcomed upon her arrival. Chair reminded commission members if they needed mileage claim forms or financial disclosure forms and instructions, the secretary had them available. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 25.2012 MEETING MINUTES: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the January 25, 2012 minutes as written. Commissioner Bruce Lim seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND /OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: None 5. CORRESPONDENCE /REPORTS /DISCUSSION: Director's Report (attached to original minutes) — Additional discussion: WASTEWATER (W WD) - The requested update of the Safety Committee report from the 11/18/11 inspection was provided under FOLLOW -UP FROM LAST MEETING section of the Director's Report. - DEM met with the Water Board regarding combining water /sewer billing and the ability to shut off water for delinquent sewer accounts. The Water Board made no decision but is considering the department's request. The department will continue working with the Department of Water Supply on this effort. Ten percent of active accounts are over 90 days. The Director will provide an update in the next meeting's Director's Report on the joint billing efforts and how the commission might assist. - Na`alehu/Pahala residents pay a gang cesspool fee of $15 per month. When sewer is available, it will be the owner's responsibility to pay for connecting to the sewer. - Wastewater Division receives no general funds and operates on monies collected from sewer fees. SOLID WASTE (SWD) - Greg Goodale, SWD Chief, reported that signage at all transfer and recycling stations is being reviewed and updated as necessary. o The following suggestions were made by the commissioners: 1. Place recycling location signage at the chutes. 2. Train attendants to suggest/advise recycling alternatives at the chutes. 3. Post signage at the entrance of the Waimea Transfer Station. Goodale indicated that the division's three priorities were (1) signage, (2) traffic pattern and (3) convenience to the users. DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS - A list of department construction contracts was attached to the Director's Report and it was noted that a current list is always available on the Department of Public Works webpage on the county website. The Director will also include contract status updates on a periodic basis. DEPARTMENT COLLECTION EFFORTS - Robin Bauman, Business Manager, provided the following update on department collection efforts: o The 33 lawsuits that were filed by the county are in the final stages and judgments are forthcoming. o State Procurement Code won't allow debarment of vendors who bid on county projects if they are in arrears in payments owed to the County. In certain department- related contracts, DEM is including language stating that contract payments will be used to offset past due accounts. The department is working with Corporation Counsel toward making this language standard in all contracts. RECYCLING - Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator, is the contact for a -waste information. - Green waste: • Beginning April I", Sunday is the designated green waste collection day at Puako Transfer Station. • Currently reviewing ways /alternatives to be able to offer green waste collection sites around the island. • More bins are needed to expand the service. • One day -a -month collection may be possible at Volcano in the future. • Using volunteers at the sites for education may be permissible but additional scope of duties must be identified as having non county employees performing duties at county facilities is a liability concern for the county. • Any function change at transfer stations requires a modification permit application and approval by the State Department of Health. - The Organics Diversion RFP was cancelled and the department is reviewing long range plans for organics before requesting proposals again. - The Recycling Education Services contract with Recycle Hawaii is a one -year professional services contract. Commissioner District Update Reports: - DISTRICT 5: Commission member Nahm -Mijo received information on the opening of the Pacific Biodiesel plant by commissioners who attended the Grand Opening. - DISTRICT 6: Commissioner Lee received a suggestion from a resident for the department to initiate a grease trap ordinance that would require cleaning on a regular basis. The Director indicated that no issues have been noted by Wastewater Division and this would be under the Plumbing Code jurisdiction. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Education and Outreach Sub - Committee report on ways that education efforts can be effective. Finding no objections from the commission members present, this item was tabled. Commission Goals and Mission — For Discussion and Action The sub - committee of Commissioners Okoji, Lee, Randle and Warner reviewed and updated the Commission Goals (attached to original minutes). The sub - committee suggested action items be included under each goal such as developing step lists for each goal to include timelines, such as: 1. Strategize to help achieve commission goals. 2. Provide department with insights; strategize on getting community concerns to the department. 3. Interface with council and promote department issues. Commissioner Okoji will provide a draft revision to the secretary to be emailed to all commissioners. The group talked about assisting the department in finding funding through grants. Current State grants received by the department are HI -5 and E -waste grants. Commissioner Lee will research possible grant opportunities. A discussion was had regarding additional committee meetings, identifying the following possibilities: (1) More regular full commission meetings, (2) additional non - regular "Special Meetings" of the full commission when necessary or (3) sub - committee meetings to include division/section staff. Commissioner Lee made a motion to create a sub - committee with the scope of researching a plan for how commercial businesses would pay a fee to utilize the recycling and transfer stations. Commissioner Okoji seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Commissioners Randle, Lee and Warner volunteered for the sub - committee. Commission member Ruderman will be asked to join. If he is unable to do so, Commissioner Okoji will be added. Discussion of how the County Redistricting Commission's Plan will affect the Environmental Management Commission membership. This item was deferred to next meeting. 7. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 -2013 Budget (budget document attached to original minutes) Business Manager Bauman provided the following information: - There are two department budgets: Operating and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). - SW Fund has been reduced by $2.8M with no reduction in services being provided. The reduction will impact new equipment purchases and the ability to do some facility updates. - Department is requesting $46M in the CIP budget. State Revolving Fund (SRF) will finance $35M toward the CIP projects. $3M has already been authorized for the Ocean View Transfer Station. Presentation and discussion of the final South Hilo Landfill Feasibility Study Report, if available, for Commission advice to Department. - Hunter Bishop, Deputy Director, provided the following information: o The study, prepared by R.W. Beck, addressed building a new or expanded landfill in Hilo from 4 perspectives: 1. Technical feasibility 2. Probability of getting permits 3. Economic feasibility 4. Environmental and socioeconomic feasibility • The report looked primarily at the use of constructed wetlands as the method of leachate treatment in a proposed new or expanded landfill and compared that method of disposing East Hawai'i's solid waste to utilizing the Pu`uanahulu landfill for all of the island's waste disposal needs. • The report is now available at the www.hawaiizerowaste.ora website. • The department welcomes all comments and suggestions as it reviews the report in more detail in the coming months. Discussion of Japanese Marine Tsunami Debris: What is the County doing about it? - Deputy Director Bishop offered the following information: • A list of the current informational websites was distributed and is attached to the original minutes. • There have been no confirmed sightings at either Midway Island or Hawaii. • The debris is predicted to reach land in Hawaii in 2014. • Much of the debris has already sunk and the remainder is being mixed with other ocean debris dispersing widely. • National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the lead governmental agency. • The county will be coordinating with NOAA and following the County Disaster Debris and Emergency Plans as it has done with past disasters. Civil Defense is the County's lead agency. • Clean-up efforts will be coordinated with Civil Defense and other appropriate county agencies. • No harmful radioactive materials or human remains are expected. • Residents are requested to treat any personal items found with respect and report the findings to authorities. • The threat of receiving debris is very real and the County is prepared. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Pua Pump Station Tour — May 23, 2012 • Sewer Rate Study presentation relating to the findings. • Sewer Connection Waiver /Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implement. • Subcommittee report on Commission Mission and Goals revision • Report on Available Grants for Department 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS May 23, 2012, Hilo, Puna Conf Room — County Bldg. (Room 1501), Hilo, HI July 25, 2012, Waimea, Keck Observatory 65 -1120 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, HI September 26, 2012, Kona Liquor Control Conference Room, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor, Kailua -Kona, HI November 28, 2012, Hilo, Puna Conf Room — County Bldg. (Room 1501), Hilo, HI 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Lim moved to adjourn. Commissioner Lee seconded and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHARRON HENRY ° Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN BOLD PRINT (MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS).