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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-30 Minutes Environmental Management Commission ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION October 30,2013 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo,HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Nancy Cook Lauer • John Dill Bob Ely Bruce Lim Cory Harden Trina Nahm-Miyo Kerri Marks Thom Randle Kim Sasaki Sherm Warner STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director John Medeiros, Deputy Director Amy Self,Deputy Corp. Counsel Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER&ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25,2013 MEETING: Commissioner Sherm Warner moved to approve the September 25,2013 minutes as written. Commissioner Thom Randle seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Mijo,Randle and Warner voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Cory Harden requested the Commission support Bill 109 and keep it alive just in case Bill 113 does not go forward. She offered the following comments (written testimony attached to original minutes): One out of every 11 acres of agriculture land in the state is biotech; about 1 out of every 4 agriculture workers in the state work for biotech; almost any corn seed sold in the US touches Hawaii somewhere in it's development; Biotech is worth$234M in Hawai`i but much of this land, effort and money goes to growing GMO seeds that are shipped out of state while 85% of our food is shipped in; GMOs can contaminate other crops and wild plants; GMOs may require heavy use of herbicides and pesticides and encourages more Roundup which contaminates water,rain and air; GMOs have health impacts; Research is biased to favor GMOs; GMO impacts have drawn lawsuits and is bad for business; GMO corporations threaten home rule. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): The Director introduced John Medeiros,the new Department Deputy Director and provided the Commission with his experience and functions within the department. John's main responsibility will be to oversee department contracts. Wastewater Division 1. COMPLIANCE A. Treatment&Disposal: - In an effort to reduce bypasses, WWD is inspecting and testing the treatment plant County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. equipment regularly. - All water released in recent bypasses was chlorinated. - When there is a bypass,the switch to the back-up system has to be done manually. - The preferred pipe repair is installation of sleeves to seal the pipe. 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS A. Na`alehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - The department is currently applying for additional SRF funds for this project. B. Pahala Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - The department continues looking for a wastewater treatment plant site. - WWD is working on eliminating back-up issues. C. North Kona Sewer&Effluent Reuse Upgrade: - Currently finalizing the modified Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State Department of Transportation(DOT). D. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District: - The Director's Report has been submitted to Council. - The Director has written a letter to EPA on behalf of one resident regarding the formation of the Lono Kona Improvement District but has not received a reply. F. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade - This project could be impacted by Federal designation of critical habitat in the area. - The DEM and WWD continue to work with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)regarding the Kealakehe Regional Park Master Plan. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS • Scrap Metal &Appliance Recycling - Procurement for processing of the accumulated scrap metal should be completed by the end of November. • Abandoned Vehicle &Towing Program - Award has been issued for towing of vehicles in East Hawaii. Awaiting the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. • Used Tire Program - The State Abandoned Tire Task Force is preparing a bill requesting funding from the State for tire disposal. • Scrap Metal Site Cleanup - SWD is reviewing a plan that was submitted for cleanup of the Kona and Hilo scrap metal sites prior to it being submitted to DOH for comment. - DOH has approved a mitigation plan to pave the sites. 3. RECYCLING SECTION: Contracts and/or Procurements: • Landfill Diversion proposals were received; evaluation was completed and award recommendation approved by Director. • HI-5 Certified Redemption Centers—Awaiting funding notification from the State. Other Recycling Section Activities: • Reuse Centers—Looking into providing Reuse Center at Hilo Transfer Station. • Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance Education& Outreach—The second phase of the bill, disallowing the sale of plastic checkout bags goes into effect January 17, 2014. Commissioner Lee asked about the Volcano community coqui team's request for placement of a water tank and equipment storage at the transfer station. The Director indicated that it would require approval County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. by DOH and a possible modification of the Solid Waste permit. It was also noted that living organisms grow in citric acid which is used to eradicate the frogs. Commissioner Dill asked about County volunteer programs. The Director spoke of the county RSVP program but indicated there were no volunteer programs within the department. Staff shortages continue to cause overtime throughout the department. The Director met with Councilmember Ilagan who is working jointly with Shipman and the cat feeding organization on a plan that would include extending the time deadline for removal of the cats from the Kea`au Transfer Station. Sort Station Update: The reduction of tons taken to the Sort Station and tons diverted from the landfill was due to broken equipment. If a decision was made to do a dirty materials recovery facility(MRF)at the Sort Station, evaluation of cost of operation and appropriate equipment would be necessary. The Director invited the commissioners to stop by and visit the new Department and Solid Waste Admin office at the Department of Water Supply Bldg., 345 Kekuanao`a, Suite B. • 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 indicated his main interest was how the department plans to deal with the county solid waste. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review and Discussion of the Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan (IRSWMP) to include the formation of a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). - During the last 5-year review,the State brought forth an amendment to the HAR,changing the requirement to a 10-year review instead of a 5-year review. Since the review process was nearing the end,the current plan is a 5-year plan. - If the decision is made to review the current plan in 2014 (the 5-year ending) and update it to a 10- year plan, funding needs to be included in next year's budget. Funding would include the committee expenses and a consultant to coordinate the review process. Funding will need the approval of Council. - Commissioner Dill said it would be in the best interest of the county to choose the SWAC and update the plan to a 10-year plan. - Council Chair Lee made the motion to formalize the commission's recommendation to move ahead with the SWAC and review of the current plan. Commissioner Dill seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Mijo, Randle and Warner voting yes. - The Director will convey the commission's wishes to the Administration. - It was clarified that the SWAC would draft the revised plan and the commission would review and recommend acceptance of the plan by the Administration and Council. - The department is continuing to evaluate waste reduction technologies and meet with vendors. No decision has been made on a preferred technology. - The technology will need to be appropriate for our island,be a proven technology and be cost effective. - Currently,trucking to the West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill(WHSL) is not being considered. - The department continues to work on increasing the length of the South Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. (SHSL) life. - The recycling component continues to be addressed and how it fits in the long range plan. - The single largest concern of the director is management of catastrophic rubbish. The county needs to identify emergency disposal sites and trash separation. 7. NEW BUSINESS 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. - Commissioner Dill made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the Commission's duties and responsibilities with Corporation Counsel as it relates to this item. Randle seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill, Lim,Nahm-Miyo,Randle and Warner voting yes. - The meeting recessed and the Executive Session began at 10:20 a.m. - Public meeting resumed at 10:27 a.m. Commissioner Dill made the motion to accept Counsel's advice and recommendations during the Executive Session. Commissioner Lim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Miyo, Randle and Warner voting yes. - Commissioner Dill stated that the council is considering forming a task force to research GMO. He feels it is in the best interest of the county to have the Administration gather more data. - Chair Lee stated that DEM has been given a mandate to enforce this bill but does not have the human resources or finances to do so. DEM is not equipped to deal with GMO issues. - Commissioner Warner said that this is outside of the department's kuleana and expertise and this bill is not appropriate for this department. - Commissioner Randle said he could not support this bill because: it is not appropriate for DEM to be the enforcement agency; composting of GMO is not the appropriate approach; more unbiased research needs to be done and;he doesn't agree with the sunset portion of the bill. - Commissioner Dill would like to see the council bring forth a bill for labeling GMO products as a first step. He also agreed that the Bill involvement is outside the scope of the department. - Commissioner Lim agreed that the commission should send a negative recommendation and also supported GMO labeling instead of the current bill. - The Director shared many concerns and questions that she is planning to include in her response to the Council. - Deputy Corporation Counsel Amy Self asked who determines if seeds/plants are GMO if there are no GMO experts in the County. The bill does not address the authority. - Chair Lee made a motion to a provide a negative recommendation to the County Council for Bill 109 from a practical and logistical standpoint with regard to budget and staffing; in addition,the Bill does not fall naturally within the scope and duties of the department and there is an absence of clear enforcement authority. Commissioner Dill seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Miyo,Randle and Warner voting yes. Selection of 2014 Officers - Commissioner Nahm-Mijo nominated Anne Lee as the 2014 Chair. Commissioner Dill seconded the nomination and the nomination passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Mijo,Randle and Warner voting yes. - Commissioner Randle nominated John Dill as the 2014 Vice Chair. Commissioner Nahm- Mijo seconded the nomination and the nomination passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Dill,Lim,Nahm-Mijo,Randle and Warner voting yes. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Maui Waste Reduction Technology project update - Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS • November 27 WHCC Community Meeting Hale, Bldg. G,Kailua-Kona, HI • December No meeting 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Warner made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Randle and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Lim,Randle and Warner voting yes. Minutes Respectfully Submitt-, sy: 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 Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.