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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-25 Minutes Environmental Management Commission ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION September 25, 2013 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Meeting Hale,Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona,HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Christine Dochin John Dill Noe Kalipi Bruce Lim Kim Saski Thom Randle Sheiin Warner STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Amy Self, Deputy Corp. Counsel EXCUSED: Trina Nahm-Miyo Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 28,2013 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the August 28,2013 minutes as written. Commissioner John Dill seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Randle and Warner voting yes. 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): Wastewater Division 3. ADMINISTRATION The Director spoke of the position vacancies needing to be filled in WWD and explained that the operator positions are hard to fill because a license is required. Unfilled positions increases overtime pay. In order to be a licensed wastewater treatment plant operator,the training includes State training and on-the-job training. An annual training must be attended to renew licenses each year. She noted that solids such as rags and non-disposable wipes are being found in some county sewer lines. Public outreach and education needs to be provided possibly accompanying sewer statements. 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS E. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District - Residents are responsible for connecting to the county laterals and closure of their cesspools. - The next steps are: Submit the Feasibility Study to Council Complete the environmental process Hold public hearing Create a Resolution defining the Improvement District Secure bond authorization County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Complete the loan process Begin design Go out to bid Execute construction contract F. Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal - Construction bid is being finalized. - Construction could begin in 2014. G. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade - This project could be impacted by Federal designation of critical habitat in the area. - Siting a new wastewater treatment plant is prohibitive because of the closeness of the airport and location of suitable land. - The County will attempt to include this project with the State Department of Transportation Queen K Highway project. Ulu Wini Affordable Housing—DEM/Wastewater is meeting with OHCD and appropriate parties to discuss WWD taking over operation of this treatment plant. WWD is currently reviewing the federal and state requirements to ensure the plant meets all mandates. The department has concerns with this additional workload because the division is understaffed. The department will be meeting with DHHL and the Mayor regarding delinquent sewer payments for DHHL residents. I. Sewer Rate Study Update - Commissioner Lim suggested that a power cost adjustment be included in the sewer rates. - Inclusion of this adjustment will require amending the County Code and approval by the County Council. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS • Scrap Metal &Appliance Recycling - Bid has been awarded and Notice to Proceed has been issued for the contractor to receive scrap metal delivered by the county from county collection sites. - Deputy Director Medeiros is monitoring this contract as well as other Solid Waste contracts. Commissioner Randle requested the annual cost of operating the Sort Station. The Director indicated that to effectively separate recyclables, sorting- specific equipment is needed. The Director indicated a need to increase the solid waste fees because the cost/ton paid by the counties to the State continues to increase significantly. Language should be added to the Solid Waste Division Rules and County Code to allow the department to pass on the State fee increases. • Commission Member District Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting. District 2—Commissioner Randle met with Council Chair Yoshimoto who reiterated his request to be kept informed of the department's activities. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Presentation on the Composting Process (handout attached to original minutes). County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - The composition of the waste should be assessed and some of the food waste going into the landfill should be diverted to the composting operation. - Covered forced air technology, using engineered fabric buildings with aeration systems is similar to the process used in Waimea for sludge removal. - In-Vessel technology is the most expensive to design, construct and operate but provides the greatest degree of moisture control which is needed in Hilo due to the high rainfall. - Some typical compost equipment includes loaders, grinders, screens, water trucks and compost turners. - If the county makes a decision to include composting in solid waste disposal, selecting a vendor will require that the state procurement process be followed. The following decisions would also be necessary: - The location of the composting facility i.e. one or both sides of the island - Whether to continue to offer free mulch to residents - Whether to ban organics from the landfills - Requiring commercial rubbish haulers to provide additional services i.e. recyclables separation/disposal. - Benefits of Composting: - Extending the life of the existing landfills - Savings in air space value by landfill diversion - Moves the County toward Zero Waste goals and increased landfill diversion - A full scale organics diversion program is a long term investment and will not be paid back in just a one or two year period. - The more diversion, the longer the life of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill (SHSL). Commissioner Randle asked about the collection of food waste with no incentives for, or ordinance against, landfilling organics. The director spoke of the possibility of retrofitting the transfer stations to take food waste and encouraging residents to include food waste in their backyard composting. The impediments of the County providing residential curbside pick-up include additional funding of staff and equipment, and putting private residential haulers out of business. 7. NEW BUSINESS Sunshine Law Presentation by Deputy Corporation Counsel(attached to original minutes) - The purpose of the Sunshine Law is to protect the public's right to know and to ensure actions of government agencies are conducted as openly as possible. - Requirements: - Discussions,deliberations and decisions must be conducted at a meeting - Every meeting must be open unless an executive meeting is allowed - Boards must accept written and oral testimony on any agenda item but the time can be limited - Boards must provide notice and keep minutes - Board Business must be: Matters over which the board has supervision, control,jurisdiction or advisory power that are before the board or anticipated to come before the board in the near future; within the board's authority and on a current or future agenda. - There shall be no caucuses,polling,telephone discussions, emails or memos between commissioners. - Permitted Interactions: - Only 2 members - Investigation: by assigning a committee at a meeting - Present, discuss or negotiate County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - Selection of officers - With Governor - With Department head - Permitted Interactions between 2 members: - Can communicate privately - Cannot commit or seek commitment to vote - Cannot use serially - Permitted interactions Investigations - 1st meeting—a committee is formed at an EMC meeting and a scope is defined - 2nd meeting—The committee report is agendized and presented - 3rd meeting—It is agendized and action/vote is taken - Investigation Permitted Interactions - The law has recently been changed regarding site inspections. If the location is unsafe for the public, an audio/video must be made and shown at the next commission meeting. - Executive Session requirements: - Closed to the public - There must be 2/3 vote approval by members present to go into executive session,taken in the public meeting - Reasons for closed meeting must be stated in the public meeting. - Any votes required have to be taken at the public meeting upon adjournment of executive session. Votes are recorded and entered into the meeting minutes. - Minutes of the Executive Session remain confidential until the reason for the session has ended. - Executive Meeting purposes for this commission would be a discussion of legal matters with the commission attorney. - If meetings are videoconferenced: - Audio and visual must be available at all locations - Notice must be given as to location of all commissioners present - Public can attend at any location - Meeting ends if audio interaction is not maintained at all locations - Notice Requirements: - Written notice - Date,time and place - Includes agenda - For executive session,must state purpose and cite statutory basis - Agenda must be filed with the County Clerk's office 6 calendar days prior to the meeting and posted at the meeting site when feasible - A copy of the agenda is to be mailed to anyone who requests one - Agenda: - Includes all items that the commission intends to consider - Informs the public of the matters the commission intends to consider in enough detail that the public can decide whether to participate - The agenda can be amended only with 2/3 vote of all members and an item cannot be added if it is of reasonably major importance that will affect a significant number of people. - Minutes Requirements: - Must be written but don't have to be verbatim - A true reflection of the matters discussed and view of the participants - Date,time and place - Substance of all matters to be discussed - Record of votes by members County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - Other information requested by a member - Must be available for public within 30 calendars days of meeting - Minutes should be marked"draft"until approved - If you need help, you can contact the State Office of Information Practices (OIP): - Attorney of the Day(AOD) 808-586-1400 .: - E-mail: k - OIP Website: www.hawaii.gov/oip Review and Discussion of the Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan (IRSWMP)—NOTE: Plan is available on the County of Hawai'i Department Solid Waste website. - The original plan and first update were 5-year plans. - Concurrent with the county's last update,the state law was changed requiring updates every 10 years so the current update was prepared as a 5-year plan. - An update must be included in the fiscal year budget and the department will make a decision if another update will be necessary prior to the 10-year requirement. - This item will be agendized at the next meeting so discussion can continue. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Continuation of the discussion on the IRSWMP to include a discussion of the formation of a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) (NOTE: Plan is available on the County of Hawai'i Department Solid Waste website.) - Review and discussion of Bill 109 An ordinance amending Chapter 14, General Welfare, Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) by adding a new article relating to the restriction of genetically modified organisms, forwarded by the County Council - Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS • 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 John Dill made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lim and it passed unanimously with members present: Dill,Lee,Lim, Randle and Warner voting yes. 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). County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.