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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-20 Minutes Environmental Management CommissionENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION March 20, 2013 West Hawaii Civic Center Liquor Control Conference Room, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Christine Dochin Stan Boren Steve Holmes Bruce Lim Melvin G. Mason, Jr. Trina Nahm-Mijo Erin Miller Steve Okoji (9:15 a.m.) Matt Pearson Sherm Warner Brittany Smart Margaret Wille EXCUSED: Thom Randle STAFF:Dora Beck, Acting Director Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corp. Counsel Robin Bauman, Business Manager Sharron Henry, Secretary Greg Goodale, SWD Chief Lyle Hirota,Acting WWD Chief 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27,2013 MEETING: Commissioner Stan Boren moved to approve the February 27,2013 minutes as written. Commissioner Sherm Warner seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Boren,Lim,Nahm-Mijo and Warner voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Brittany Smart supported the department moving forward with joint billing efforts with the Department of Water Supply,to include water shut-off for delinquent accounts. Steve Holmes told the commission about power purchasing agreements, a financing tool using investors to maximize the tax credit financing of solar power for the wastewater facilities. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: Director's Report(attached to original minutes): Wastewater Division(WWD) 4. Wastewater Capital Improvements: A.Kalaniana`ole Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation: To respond to a previous question from a commissioner,the Director stated that the pipe used in the rehabilitation project is called a fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar pipe. The portion ofpipe removed on the outside pipe for the slip-lining process is replaced with cast-in-place concrete. 1 B.Na'alehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: The Collection System construction work is anticipated to be out to bid in the 2"d quarter of 2013. This is an EPA mandated large capacity cesspool replacement project so it is a WWD priority. C.North Kona Sewer& Effluent Reuse Upgrade: The archeological site issues have been resolved so the redesign work for the south segment of the project is to commence in early April 2013 D.Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District: Project timelines will be established upon completion of the USDA loan/grant application review. Funding needs are to be determined. E. Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal: The current construction delay is due to issues raised by the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding endangered and migratory birds which live at the facility. G. Wastewater Equipment Replacement Projects: Pua Sewage Pump Station pump and motors are being replaced. Hilo Outfall Repair bid documents are expected to be completed in March 2013. H, Sewer Rate Study Update: DEM is currently working with the consultant on finalizing the rate study. The Director noted that the WWD has a lot on their plate right now. Solid Waste Division 2. Administration: DEM& SWD presented an overview ofthe current SWD contracts to Council on March 12th. Councilmember Wille has asked the department to request a postponement of the composting presentation to April 8th and also the postponement of further discussion/action on Resolution 31-13 to no earlier than April 9th 3. Operations: The SWD is in the process of closing its 10 year scrap metal agreement with the current contractor. Additional scrap metal bins will be placed at the Hilo and Kealakehe Transfer Stations for residential use. The bin contents will be hauled to a vendor to be selected. The old area will be remediated. A new procurement is being prepared for the Abandoned Vehicle and Used Tire programs. Used tires will be hauled to a vendor. After impoundment, abandoned vehicles will be hauled to the scrap metal vendor. Derelict vehicles will be delivered directly to the scrap metal vendor by the towing companies. 4. Solid Waste Capital Improvements: Kealakehe Recycling Improvements: Following a blessing that was held for the improvements, the recycling and reuse areas are up and running. Green waste collection is due to begin in April. Volcano/Glenwood Transfer Station Repairs: Work is underway to issue a design build project request for bid to replace badly worn retaining walls at both locations. General Obligation Bonds will be used to facilitate this work. 2 5. Recycling Section 1. RFP#2911 for 2-Bin Recyclables Hauling has been published. 2. RFP 2912 for Landfill Diversion is tentatively scheduled for March publication 3. Organics Diversion(Composting): The department is working with council to get a new multi-year contract. See 2. Administration above. Other Recycling Section Activities: School Recycling At the suggestion of Commissioner Lim, Cheryl Sumida of the State Department of Education(DOE)was contacted regarding the inclusion of recycling collection in the school waste removal contracts and found that her responsibilities did not include this function. However, the local State Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is working with DOE staff to include recycling in the new waste removal contract. The contract includes both East and West Hawaii public schools. Commission Member District Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting. District 7—Commissioner Boren talked with Councilmember Kanuha regarding his replacement on the Commission. District 6—Commissioner Lee followed up with Senator Russell Ruderman regarding the DOE waste disposal trash contracts and the funding for the Na`alehu wastewater treatment plant(WWTP). District 3 —Commissioner Nahm-Mijo talked with Councilmember Onishi and he had no current issues. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None 7. NEW BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget(February 28,2013 Operating and Capital Improvement(CIP) Budgets attached to original minutes) The department budget review at the Council Finance Committee will be on April 12, 2013. DEM is the last of 3 department reviews beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Mayor will submit the amended budget to Council on May 2nd. Council will complete budget review on May 13th and May 30tH The proposed budget does not require any increase in property taxes. Employee furloughs are not included in this budget. Funding for training opportunities for SWD and WWD will be limited. Funding for out of state travel is not included. Solid Waste Fund Remains status quo. Receives General Funds subsidy. The critical vacant positions that have been unfunded are: one engineer; one equipment operator and one Facility Attendant. 3 If the county intends to continue offering e-waste collection services, commercial green waste hauling, scrap metal collection and hauling, and increase transfer station hours, additional personnel is needed. The State will no longer provide funds to the counties so Certified Redemption Centers (CRC) at the county facilities will be discontinued. Sewer Fund Wastewater receives no General Funds,using only monies received from sewer payments. Sewer Fund balances will be depleted in FY 2013-2014. To continue operations, a sewer rate increase will be needed and/or General Fund subsidy. Seven positions have been unfunded. Once finalized,the sewer rate study will be presented to the Mayor and then to the Commission. Abandoned Vehicle Fund Budget is status quo with revenues covering expenses. Partial funding is from vehicle registration fees and this fund is used for scrap metal disposal. The CIP budget consists of re-appropriation of funds for continuing projects, along with two (2) new projects: The old Kona Scrap Metal remediation project and the Pahoa Sewer Feasibility Study requested by the Planning Department. At the April Finance Committee,the Director plans to address certain issues and state the department's additional funding needs, such as: noting that the budget does not include the county providing CRC services WWD Equipment Replacement Fund projects need funding The commissioners were encouraged to attend these council budget meetings to support the department's funding requests. The director offered to meet with individual commissioners to educate and discuss the department budget and funding needs. Discussion of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill Closure Plan and Alternatives following Closure Estimated timeline for closure is three to four years but is variable as it depends on diversion efforts and incoming waste tonnages. A bad economy lessens the trash disposal amount. Progress is being made as the county is at the information gathering stage relating to alternatives following the closure. The county is currently researching feed stock and energy yield. The Director stated that input and comments are being taken. Commissioner Lim asked"ifthe landfill closed today, where would the trash go?" The answer— the only option would be to truck it to the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill (WHSL). Taken out of order) Sewer Facilities Overview presentation by the department and Wastewater Division,to include needed repairs at each facility and the costs related to repairs/replacement(Attached to original minutes) The following information was provided: Benefits of the County Sewer System Number and location of treatment plants and pump stations Miles of gravity and force mains Sewer Network Maps Equipment Replacement Fund projects, including photos and examples of deficiencies at the WW facilities 4 WWD Expenditures Sewer Revenue Facts Budget Challenges Composting Presentation by Solid Waste Division/Recycling Section to include financial feasibility; short-term and long-term costs/benefits to the county The following information was provided: Resolution 31-13 Overview Legislative history ofthe organics diversion program Operations history of the organics diversion program Procurement history Compost Operations overview Commonly used technologies &typical compost equipment The department's future plans for organics diversion Benefits of composting 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Including recycling in the State Department ofEducation contracts for Public Schools Draft Sewer Rate Study results Proposed Sewer and Solid Waste Hawai'i County Code changes to address existing and minimize/prevent future delinquencies Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairperson Lee thanked Commissioners Boren and Okoji for their participation as this was their last meeting. She also offered the commission's sympathy to Linda Peters on the loss of her home to a fire last week. 2013 Meeting Schedule April 24 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, HI May 29 WHCC Community Meeting Hale, Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona,HI June 26 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street,Hilo, HI July 31 WHCC Community Meeting Hale, Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona, HI August 28 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, HI September 25 WHCC Community Meeting Hale, Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona, HI October 30 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, HI November 27 WHCC Community Meeting Hale, Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona, HI December No meeting 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Namn-Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Warner and the meeting adjourned at 11:08 a.m. 5 Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: f , SHARRON HENRY Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN BOLD PRINT(MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS). 6