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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-22 Environmental Management Commission MinutesENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION January 22, 2014 West Hawaii Civic Center Community Meeting Hale (Bldg. G) Kailua -Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Christine Dochin John Dill (9:25 a.m.) Bruce Lim STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Trina Nahm -Miyo Sharron Henry, Secretary Thom Randle Sherm Warner 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 30, 2013 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the October 30, 2013 minutes as written. Commissioner Bruce Lim seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee, 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: None 5. CORRESPONDENCE /REPORTS/DISCUSSION: ■ Director's Report (attached to original minutes): The 2014 State Legislature is now in session. The department will monitor legislation that will impact the department and county operations such as the Transient Accommodations Tax and General Excise Tax bills. Wastewater Division 1. COMPLIANCE A. Treatment & Disposal: - The most significant change to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is compliance with the final effluent limitations for nitrate + nitrite nitrogen within 9.5 years after the permit takes effect. - To date, an applicable treatment technology that will consistently achieve the proposed effluent limitation has not been found and could require significant and costly modifications or lengthy studies as it will require the county to actively hire a consultant to find an appropriate technology and a possible upgrade of the facility. - The county is filing a contested case and appeal of this change. - Kauai County and City and County of Honolulu will be submitting letters of support in our appeal as they also have outfall into the ocean. - the Clean Waters State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) monies is used for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and is not available for research. 3. ADMINISTRATION - 25% of the workforce is vacant due to retirements, terminations and transfers. - The department and division are making every effort to fill the open positions. Finding County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. qualified people for these specialized positions is a test. 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS A. Na`alehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement - One family opposes the site being considered for the treatment plant because of its proximity to some archeological sites near the proposed site. - The collection system is being installed first before the federal EPA Grant expires. C. North Kona Sewer & Effluent Reuse Upgrade Awaiting project start date from the State Department of Transportation (DOT). The county is still negotiating the additional cost of the project with DOT. D. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District - The EPA has reduced its efforts to penalize property owners who are still on gang cesspools due to being notified by the county of the implementation of the sewer improvement district and future connection to the county sewer system. - Public hearings will be held to communicate with the community regarding this project. E. Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal - A bid protest has been received, is being reviewed and a response being prepared. - The bids received were higher than expected and the county is requesting additional CWSRF funds. 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. G. Wastewater Equipment Replacement Projects - Managing Director Wally Lau requested and was taken on a site visit of the HWWTP to view the facility and equipment needing repairs. - WWD Chief Beck is preparing a priority list to assist the Administration and Finance Department in identifying sources of funding for necessary repairs. H. Sewer Rate Study Update - Rate increase request should be made to council the latter part of 2014. - Effective date of rate increase, if approved by council, could be July 2015. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS • Scrap Metal & Appliance Recycling - A protest has been received on this procurement. • Abandoned Vehicle & Towing Program - A protest has been received after award of this contract and we are going through the protest period. • Scrap Metal Site Cleanup - Waiting for DOH approval of the cleanup /remediation plan. - Funds from the Abandoned Vehicle Fund balance and some general funds will be used for this project. 2. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS • Volcano /Glenwood Transfer Station Repairs - SWD Chief will be meeting with the Volcano community on January 27, 2014 to update residents on the TS repair project. - The repair will address the community concerns and wants. 3. COMPLIANCE • The SWD is complying with the DOH inspection reports and will be modifying necessary transfer station permits to allow disposal of items at individual transfer station to be site County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. specific. 3. RECYCLING SECTION: Contracts and/or Procurements: • HI -5 Certified Redemption Centers — A new bid is being prepared for FY2015. Other Recycling Section Activities: • Reuse Centers — The new contract award adds a reuse center at the Hilo TS. The proposal accepted for the 7 sites is approximately $35,000 less than the current contract for six sites. • Plastic Bajz Reduction Ordinance Education & Outreach — The second phase of the bill went into effect January 17, 2014 and no complaints or negative feedback have been received. Sort Station Update: - Due to the recent flooding and lightning, the landfill was closed and the Sort Station was used to store trash received from the East Hawaii TS's so there was no sorting during that period of time. The director reported that the mayor has been requested to do a Waste Reduction Technology (WRT) report to the Council in February. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) will be prepared inviting potential contractors to provide the following qualification information: - Design/Build/Operate experience -WRT Expertise - Technology experience utilizing municipal solid waste - Locations of facilities operating in the Continental U.S. or Hawaii for period of at least two years with the design capacity equal to Hawaii County's east side rubbish intake. Foreign company submittals will be evaluated as well if they meet the criteria requested. The department will work to meet the mayor's deadline understanding that the county has no control over timelines of agencies outside of the county such as Department of Health permitting. Commissioner Randle requested the operating costs of the Sort Station be provided in the Director's Reports. Maui County signed a WRT contract this month. Commission Member District Reports — None 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None 7. NEW BUSINESS 2014 Tentative Meeting Schedule (attached to original minutes) - The March meeting was moved to the 25th because the regular meeting date of March 26th falls on a Holiday. - There will be no meeting in December. - The complete meeting schedule will be provided to the commission members and placed on the County commission web page. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Maui Waste Reduction Technology contract update - Update on water shut -off request to Department of Water Supply on delinquent sewer bills - Update on the Mayor's WRT presentation to Council - Solid Waste Division accounts payable update - Update on Department of Education Recycling efforts - FY 2014 -2015 Budget Review (March) County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - Sewer Connection Waiver /Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS February 26 Puna Conf Room, County Bldg., Hilo, HI March 25 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua -Kona, HI April 23 Aupuni Center Conf Room, Hilo, HI May 28 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua -Kona, HI June 25 Aupuni Center Conf Room, Hilo, HI July 23 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua -Kona, HI August 27 Aupuni Center Conf Room, Hilo, HI September 24 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua -Kona, HI October 22 Aupuni Center Conf Room, Hilo, HI November 26 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua -Kona, HI December No meeting 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Randle made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Dill and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Dill, Lim, Nahm -Mijo, Randle and Warner voting yes. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHARRON HENRY V 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.