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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION June 25,2014 Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St. Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Hilo, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee PRESENT: Christine Dochin Bruce Lim Nancy Cook-Lauer Trina Nahm-Mijo Thom Randle STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Shell'Warner Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator Sharron Henry, Secretary EXCUSED: Jeffry Fear Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel Susan Osborne 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. and announced that due to lack of quorum that was able to attend today, the visit to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant(HWWTP)will be rescheduled at a later date. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 28,2014 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the May 28,2014 minutes as written. Commissioner Trina Nahm-Mijo 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: Christine Dochin, a representative from Pacific Waste,provided an update on the State of Hawai'i Department of Education's recycling efforts (attached to original minutes). Pacific Waste has the rubbish hauling contract for the Big Island schools. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): Wastewater Division 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS: C. North Kona Sewer& Effluent Reuse Upgrade: - The DOT is reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding transmitted by DEM. - The two concerns of this project are soil absorption and removal of nutrients. Both of these options will require more space than is currently available on site. D. Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District: - Assessment roll needs to be recalculated, identifying single, multiple and empty properties. - Another public meeting will be held as a result of the recalculation. E. Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal: Commissioner Randle would like more information/education on this project. F. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade: - R-1 would reduce the use of potable water for irrigation. - DEM is working with DPR to provide reuse water for the Maka'eo project at Old Kona Airport. H. SEWER RATE STUDY UPDATE: County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - DEM is currently working with the consultant on finalizing the rate study. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS - Progress continues to be made on the removal of scrap metal from Hilo. When Hilo is completed,removal of scrap from WHSL will begin. 2. ADMINISTRATION - The SWD assisted with Civil Defense in the June 2014 Makani Pahili Hurricane disaster preparedness drill. - The Director reported the theft of tires yesterday at the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill (SHSL). Camera installations are being considered. - The commission also suggested GPS monitoring to audit driving. The commission asked about providing compost. It was noted that most farmers could not afford to buy compost so the operation would need to be subsidized by the County. 3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - Volcano/Glenwood Transfer Station Repairs—There will be a meeting on July 1st,to include DEM and the contractor,to review the design work which is 30% complete. 4. COMPLIANCE - Transfer Station Permit Renewal applications are being prepared by a consultant for submittal to DOH. The renewal/modification applications will include expanded services at a number of transfer stations. • 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 9: Commissioner Warner will get an update on the Puako private wastewater disposal system and report back next meeting. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on the State Department of Education's (DOE)recycling efforts - The County continues to work with DOE regarding recycling in the schools. - Cardboard and mixed paper recycling have been included in the rubbish contracts. - More recycling education is needed for the children,teachers and school janitorial staff. - Recycle Hawaii has the education contract with the County and provides recycling education in the schools. - Appropriate and adequate signage was discussed and Dochin will take this discussion back to Pacific Waste who has the contract with the schools. 7. NEW BUSINESS Sewer Connection Waiver/Exemption Policy Update to include expected date of implementation - This item was deferred to the July 23, 2014 meeting. Election of New Vice Chair - Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made the motion to nominate Commissioner Randle for the position of Vice Chair. Commissioner Lim seconded. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Lim,Nahm-Mijo,Randle and Warner voting yes. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Wastewater treatment plant site visits: Hilo, Kula`imano, Papa'ikou - Solid Waste site visits: South Hilo Sanitary Landfill, West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill,transfer stations, Organics Facilities County of Hawaii i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The July 23, 2014 meeting agenda will include a visit to the West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill and the West Hawai'i Organics Facility(WHOF). Some questions/items that the commissioners would like addressed are: - General operations of the organics facility - Tonnage - Users - Benefit to the community - End User 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 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. TOUR OF THE HILO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT This tour was cancelled due to lack of quorum able to attend. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Warner made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nahm-Mijo and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Lim, Nahm-Mijo, Randle and Warner voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHARRON HENRY ��` Environmental Management S&retary 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.