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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-28 Environmental Management Commission MinutesENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION May 28, 2014 West Hawai'i Civic Center, Bldg. G Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Sue Aronson Jeffry Fear Christine Dochin Bruce Lim Karen Eoff (KWWTP site visit) Trina Nahm-Mijo Wendy Baez (KWWTP site visit) Thom Randle Jerry Mijo (KWWTP site visit) EXCUSED: John Dill STAFF: John Medeiros, Deputy Director Susan Osborne Robin Bauman, Business Manager ShermWamer Sharron Henry, Secretary Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m. and reminded those present that the last agenda item was a visit to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant (KWWTP). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2014 MEETING: Commissioner Bruce Lim moved to approve the April 23, 2014 minutes as written. Commissioner Thom Randle seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Fear, Lim, Nahm-Mijo and Randle voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Sue Aronson shared her concerns that the KWWTP is discharging into a pit in the ground and suggested looking at alternatives to treat the water naturally. She suggested review of the use of effective microorganisms as an alternative method and will furnish the commissioners with websites. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: ■ Director's Report (attached to original minutes): Wastewater Division 1. COMPLIANCE: A. Treatment and Disposal: - The County is proceeding with contested case hearing relating to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) NPDES permit application. - The WWD is looking at upgrading the Papa`ikou WWTP. B. There were no spills during this reporting period. 2. OPERATIONS: A. Treatment/Collection Systems and Pumping Stations/Force Mains: - Regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance work is being done on county sewer mains. Unscheduled repairs are ongoing due to the age of the pipes. B. Safety Practices/Training - WWD continues to review and update the Emergency Response Procedures and the Standard Safety Procedures. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS: A. Nd'dlehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - WWD plans to conduct a public meeting with the community in the near future to include discussion of the Draft Environmental Assessment. B. Pahala Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - Preliminary investigations of land for the siting of the new WWTP are ongoing. C. North Kona Sewer & Effluent Reuse Upgrade: - The DOT is currently reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding transmitted by DEM. D. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District: - Due to inquiries at the 3/18/14 public hearing, the assessment method is being reviewed. - The Deputy Director will request a response from the DEM regarding USEPA funds expiration. E. Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal: - Recommendation for bid award has been submitted to DPW. F. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade: - DEM is working with Department of Parks and Recreation to provide reuse water for the Maka' eo project. - There may be additional federal EPA limitations as to how much R1 water can be used. G. WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS: Hilo Outfall Repair: - Commissioner Randle asked if the commission could assist in urging the US Army to issue the federal permit required prior to conducting work in U.S. waters. He suggested the commission write a letter to the US Army. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS - Scrap Metal & Appliance Recycling Contractor began moving scrap metal from Hilo on April 29tH When Hilo is completed, removal of scrap from WHSL will begin. 2. ADMINISTRATION - Progress is being made in hiring a Deputy Division Chief. - A Program Support Technician has been hired to assist the baseyards with inventories and paperwork. 3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - Volcano/Glenwood Transfer Station Repairs - Permitting and design work have commenced for these projects. 4. COMPLIANCE - Transfer Station Permit Renewal applications are in the process of being readied for submittal to DOH. - The commission would like to review the consultant's report and remediation plan for the Scrap Metal Site Cleanup. - To remain in compliance with the EPA greenhouse gas regulations, a consultant is being hired to update the landfill gas testing at the Hilo Landfill. 5. RECYCLING SECTION: • The DEM and the SWD continue to work on the following list of contracts and/or procurements: HI -5 Certified Redemption Centers (CRCs) —The Recycling Section awarded the ten (10) HI -5 CRCs located at Transfer Stations and a potential one at Volcano TS. We're awaiting the contract for services to begin July 1, 2014. Application for DOH grant funding of personnel and CRC service has been approved by DOH. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. • Other Recycling Section Activities: 1. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) — The next HHW collection events are tentatively scheduled for June 7, 2014 in Hilo and June 14, 2014 in Kealakehe. These are twice -a - year events at these locations. 2. Reuse Centers — Six (6) staffed Reuse Centers continue in operation at various recycling & transfer stations. A new reuse center is planned for Hilo dependent on necessary site improvements. A new newspaper reuse bin has been deployed at the Pahoa Reuse Center, newspaper donations will be used for agricultural packing material. The commissioners asked the name of the contractor. 3. Electronics Recycling —The County will continue its current monthly electronics recycling at four (4) recycling and transfer stations and the DOH has provided grant funds up to $100K for FY 2014. County plans procurement of electronics recycling per Mayor's directive with option for operating private -site collections/recycling. 4. Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance Education & Outreach — The department has been educating the public and businesses about the second phase of the ordinance effective 1/17/2014. This included a now -concluded series of radio and newspaper ads, direct outreach and updating posters provided to retailers and businesses. Retail/supermarket surveys continue to show public adapting to law and using reusable shopping bags. Backyard Composting Workshops: As part of recycling education and to increase organics landfill diversion, County -sponsored workshops are provided by Recycle Hawaii island wide. Check our website for upcoming workshops at Participants will learn about backyard composting, vermicomposting and includes a composting bin for those who attend the complete session. Professional Services procurement for new Recycling Education contract is underway with option to continue workshops and to distribute Earth Machines. 6. School Recyclin Tours: ours: April and May continued to be busy months with many scheduled school tours of recycling facilities before the end of the school year. These tours are helpful in educating the next generation on recycling and sustainability. • HR Issues: The Recycling Specialist II based in West Hawaii resigned effective 6/28/13. This position has been reallocated to an Environmental Specialist position. Commission Member District Update Reports — includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting: - District 2: Council Chair Yoshimoto requests to be kept informed regarding the waste reduction technology RFP. - District 6: Chair Lee is interested in viewing the WWTP site when it is chosen in Pahala. - District 8: Commissioner Fear reported that an electric vehicle charging station will be opened at the Mauna Lani on July 6t'. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on the State Department of Education's (DOE) recycling efforts - A progress report was prepared by the Recycling Section and handed out to the commissioners (attached to the original minutes). - The commissioners wanted to thank the Recycling Section for the detailed information. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Review and discussion of Cost of Government Commission's request for feedback (attached to original minutes) - Some SWD contracts have been rebid to reduce expenditures. - The department is looking at revenue enhancement such as sewer rate increases and continued collection of past due accounts to reduce budget needs. - The Chair will prepare the Commission's response and submit for review by the Corporation Counsel shortly. Review and discussion of FY 2014-2015 Budget (attached to original minutes) - The amended budget was distributed. - Commissioner Randle requested that the department provide the commission with their capital improvement priority list for communication of the department needs to their communities and council candidates. - The commission supports having cameras at the transfer stations as a way to reduce illegal dumping at the gate. Referral of Bill 194, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Article 4, Section 21-32 of the Hawai i County Code relating to Billing of Charges; Payment; Late penalty, from Council Committee on Finance for Review and Comment - This bill authorizes the Department of Water Supply to shut off water to customers that are delinquent in paying their sewer fees. Referral of Bill 195, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Article 4, Section 21-32 of the Hawaii County Code relating to Billing of Charges; Payment; Late Penalty, from Council Committee on Finance for Review and comment, amending interest rate of late payment fees - This bill reduces the interest rate from 1 '/2% to I% bringing it in line with the other county departments. Commissioner Randle made a motion for the commission to provide a positive endorsement of Bills 194 and 195. Commissioner Lim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Fear, Lim, Nahm-Mijo, Randle voting yes. 7. NEW BUSINESS Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation - This item was deferred to the June 25h meeting. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Wastewater treatment plant site visits: Hilo, Kula`imano, Papa`ikou - Solid Waste site visits: South Hilo Sanitary Landfill, West Hawai' i Sanitary Landfill, transfer stations 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 The Chair recessed the meeting at 11:06 a.m. to travel to the Kealakehe WWTP. The meeting was reconvened at 11:30 a.m. with a tour of the plant provided by Toni Nakatani, Acting Supervisor. 10. ADJOURNMENT County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Commissioner Randle made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nahm-Mijo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Fear, Lim, Nahm-Mijo, Randle voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.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). County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.