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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-31 Minutes Environmental Management CommissionENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION July 31, 2013 West Hawaii Civic Center Liquor Control Conference Room, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor, Kailua -Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Jane Clement John Dill Christine Dochin Trina Nahm -Mijo James M. Donovan Thom Randle Erin Miller Sherm Warner STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director EXCUSED: Bruce Lim Joseph Kamelamela, Senior Deputy Corp. Counsel Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. Deputy Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela was introduced. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2013 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the June 26, 2013 minutes as written. Commissioner John Dill seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Dill, Nahm -Mijo, Randle and Warner voting yes. 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): Legislation - Resolution 123 -13 Draft 2, Urging the Administration to Adopt an Approach to the County's Solid Waste Program, will be agendized for next month's meeting for discussion and response to the County Council's referral to the Director and the Commission. Sort Station Update - The Director indicated the Sort Station tonnage was down due to equipment breakdown. - Commissioner Randle requested that an Operating Cost column be added to the Sort Station Update table. Wastewater Division (WWD) - Parker Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) site visit • The Director reported that she had taken a tour of the Parker Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and gave an overview, describing the biosolids removal and disposal process. • Parker Ranch stopped allowing private haulers to dispose of their loads at the WWTP because of the concentration of the loads. The haulers are currently going to the Kealakehe WWTP. Parker Ranch is considering the possibility of again allowing private hauler loads if a process can be put in place that will monitor and manage their disposal. • Waimea residents pay a sewer rate of $109 /month. - Commissioner Randle offered his congratulations on the minimal impact and disruption that occurred during the Kalaniana`ole Avenue rehab project. Large Capacity Cesspool Projects • Na`alehu/Pahala: Collection System construction work is scheduled to go out to bid the 3rd quarter of 2013. • The residents pay a maintenance fee of $15 /month until the system is ready and the lines are hooked up to the WWTP. At that time, the regular sewer fee of $27 /month will be charged. - It is hopeful that the Sewer Rate Study will be completed by the end of the year. - Commissioner Randle requested an update on the Department of Environmental Management/ Department of Water Supply (DEM/DWS) joint billing efforts. Solid Waste Division - The gas control and collection system installation is only required on closed cells at the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill (WHSL). Volcano /Glenwood Transfer Station Upgrades ■ The department has requested fund allocation so these two projects can be put out to bid. ■ The Finance Department sets the funding priorities with legal and regulatory mandates receiving the top priorities. Commissioner Randle requested site visits to the Hilo WWTP and Sort Station. Site visits will be included in future meeting agendas. Commission Member District Reports — includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting. District 1 — Commissioner Dill reported that the request for mulch to be delivered to the Maku'u Farmers Market area is no longer an issue as a resident has volunteered to pick up and deliver the mulch. District 9 — Commissioner Warner noted that some residents in his district said that raw sewage was being put into the county and private wastewater treatment plant injection wells and the wells were unregulated. The Director clarified that there are no injection wells at Kealakehe WWTP as it uses a lagoon system and that all private WWTP's are regulated and required to do testing by the State Department of Health (DOH). Testing is done monthly at Hilo WWTP because of its proximity to the ocean and is done on a regular schedule at the Kealakehe WWTP. All testing results are reported to the State DOH. District 6 — Commissioner Lee said that residents were requesting green waste disposal at Volcano Transfer Station and asked if it could be included in the repair /upgrade design. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Follow -Up on Proposed Sewer and Solid Waste Hawaii County Code changes to address existing and minimize /prevent future delinquencies - The department met with Councilmember Onishi regarding code changes. - The Director indicated that there is sufficient authorization in the code and that she feels no changes are needed. The department also requested that no new exemptions be added to the code specific to any one area such as Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The department will continue to attend the Keaukaha Community Association meetings and communicate with DHHL on a regular basis. Update on efforts to procure a Waste To Energy (WTE) facility - The department is currently reviewing the County's past Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP). - The department will also be reviewing Maui County's recent Waste to Energy (WTE) Request for Proposal (RFP). The Director noted that the Big Island tonnage is less than Maui's. - Requirements that will be included in the new RFP: • Prior operating experience with municipal solid waste (MSW); • Have facilities that have been in operation at least two years and that process the amount of MSW comparable to the County's tonnage (approximately 200 tons /day); • Can show that their technology is proven; - Companies that have been in contact with the department are using specific and uniform feedstock such as mac nuts and wood chips, unlike MSW which is not uniform in size, density or moisture. - Because of our small tonnage, many companies with proven track records will not be interested in Bidding or participating. They need a larger facility and more MSW tonnage for it to be financially feasible. - Because the department may need flexibility in directing traffic flow, the council may be requested to delete its recent amendments to the code. West Hawaii trash may be needed at the WTE facility in East Hawaii to ensure enough quantity to operate the facility. - The European experience of not having landfills by moving forward on recent WTE technology involves shipping /transporting trash to another country (known as Trash Without Borders). - Other means of handling our trash would impact the County's decision in moving forward with WTE. - The Director will continue to update the commission on the department's progress as it goes forward in obtaining an alternate solid waste disposal method in East Hawaii. Following a review of the Tropical Storm Flossie event, the following items were deemed necessary for future emergencies: - Better signage - Better education - Private Haulers' call list - PSA's specific to landfills and transfer station closures. 7. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on how the commission can best assist and support the new director and department The following suggestions were made: - Research additional sources of funding that might be available for department use, i.e. grants. - Support the department's priorities to the county council. Talk with your district's councilmember and attend /testify when department items are on the council agendas. - During the last Integrated Resources and Solid Waste Management Plan ( IRSWMP) review process, DOH changed the plan update requirement from 5 to 10 years so the current plan was implemented as a 5 -year plan. ■ Review the current IRSWMP and provide recommendations to the department relating to the need for possible interim amendments. ■ Advise whether the commission feels that there is a need to hire a consultant or can revisions be done within the commission/department? Commissioner Randle stated that the commission wants to be a good partner with the department but does not want to step outside the boundaries of the commission authority or violate sunshine law. The director offered to provide a workshop to the commissioners regarding what the sunshine law allows and doesn't allow. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation - Process and Timeline for re- evaluation and decision - making of Solid Waste Programs - Composting vs. mulching — the difference, benefits and negatives 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS - 2013 Meeting Schedule • 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 Nahm -Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Warner. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10:50 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).