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Home My WebLink About2014-10-22 Environmental Management Commission MinutesMINUTES October 22, 2014 Department of Environmental Management Conference Room 127, 345 Kekiiando'a St., #41, Hilo, HI Kula'imanoWastewatey Treatment Plant, Kula'imano, HI COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Anne Lee, Chair Thom Randle, Vice Chair 14truce Lim M Trina Nahm-Mij* Susie Osborne Sherm Warner ALSO PRESENT: Christine Dochin Elaine Warner (joined at site visit) STAFF: BJ` Leithead Todd, Director Sharron Henry, Secretary Joseph Kamelamela, Deputy Corporation Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeti to order at 9:15 a.m. and announced the location of the site visit during this meeting. She also noted that the meeting was moved ftom the Aupuni Center Conference Room (ACCR) as scheduled to the Department conference room because of walk-in voting taking place in the ACCR. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 27,2014 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the September 24,2014 minutes as writte Commissioner Susie Osborne seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimo usly with members present: Lee, Lim, Nahm-Mijo, Osborne, Randle and Warner voting yes. I 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Christine Dochin approached the Hawai'i Water Service Company regarding the commission doing a site visit at their Waikoloa Beach Resort Wastewater Treatment Plant. Christine provided a letter from Mr. Mike Mares, General Manager, agreeing to accommodate the commission at the November 26, 2014 meeting (attached to original minutes). 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTSIDISCUSSION: 0 Director's Re -port (attached to original minutes): Current Legislation Bill 194 was sent to full council with a negative recommendation from the Finance Committee. It to be agendized at a November Council meeting. Wastewater Division 1. COMPLIANCE: A. Treatment and Disposal: Hilo Outfall: WWD has begun work to comply with the EPA Order of Compliance section of Docket No. CWA-309(a)- 14-005. The Order items relate to the Outfall repair and monitoring; and an assessment of the Hilo WWTP. Hilo WWTP NPDES Permit: - WWD is contesting the proposed DOH draft of the NPDES permit. A motion and stay petition will be filed next week with the DOH hearing officer as the county feels the requirements are unachievable. Oahu and Kauai are facing the same issues. •11 County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. A. Na'dichu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: A community meeting is tentatively set for November when the Draft Environmental Assessment is issued for public comment. The Collection System is to be installed prior to the expiration of the Federal EPA Grant in June 2016. B. Pahala Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement - Preliminary investigations of land for the siting of the new WWTP are ongoing. F. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade: - Immediate plan is to provide some reuse water (R-2 quality) to the Department of Parks and Recreation as part of the Kealakehe Regional Park Master Plan and to Queen Lili'uokalani Trust (QLT) for the Makaeo project and other QLT projects. G. Hilo Outfall Repair: - Bid opening has been postponed awaiting the US Corps of Engineers, Department of Army (DOA) issuance of the Nationwide permit. - Concurrently, in order to meet the Order of Compliance item relating to the Outfall Repair and monitor, WWD is coordinating and scheduling an underwater dye test to assess and confirm the total number of joint leaks which must be repaired. H. Sewer Rate Study Update: - Work on the Rate Study continues. There were no wastewater spills during Tropical Storms Iselle and Ana. The Director submitted testimony on HAR § 11-62 changes. A copy of the testimony will be provided to the commission members. Solid Waste Division June 27t Lava Flow update: - A temporary transfer station site has been identified adjacent to the Skate Park. - Apa'a Street will be closed at the first sight of lava. - Photographs of the destruction will be provided to FEMA as they will reimburse up to 75% of the costs. - Contractor is being contacted to provide and haul bins to and from the temporary transfer station site. Department of Health Notice of Violation and Fine - A tentative agreement has been reached with DOH in lieu of fine. To meet the terms of the agreement, the County must accomplish the following within a 33 year a period: 0 $100,000 for Additional green waste sites/mulching sites 0 $100,000 for Tire education and cleanup 0 $100,000 Credit to be used to set up an alternative Pahoa Transfer Station. Commission Member District Update Reports — includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting: - District 9: Commissioner Warner attended a Zero Waste film presentation provided by Council member Wille. - District 2: Commissioner Randle stated that Council Chair Yoshimoto will await the answer to his question regarding the county accepting tires at the residential household hazardous events as he understands the emergency situation currently occurring with the July 27t" lava flow in Pahoa. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS requesting that recycling be expanded through all Big Island schools on future contracts. County of Hawaii is an Equal opportunity Provider and Employer. A draft has been prepared by the Chair and Vice Chair. It will be submitted to Corporation Council for legal review before finalization and distribution. A copy of the final will be provided to the commissioners. Update on the letter to the State Legislators requesting funding programs to eradicate, control and maintain hazardous trees such as the Albizia that caused a great amount of damage from Iselle® - A draft has been prepared by the Chair and Vice Chair. It will be submitted to Corporation Council for legal review before finalization and distribution. A copy of the final will be provided to the commissioners. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Waikoloa Beach Resort Wastewater Treatment Plant, Waikoloa, 141 - November - Solid Waste site visits: transfer stations, East Hawai'i Organics Facilities - Wastewater treatment plant site visits: Hilo, Pdpa'ikou 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS November 26 WHCC Community Meeting Hale (Bldg G) Kailua-Kona, HI December No meeting Meeting recessed at 10:58 a.m. for participants to travel to the site visit location. 10. TOUR OF THE KULA'IMANO WASTEWASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY Meeting resumed at 11:41 a.m. at the facility. Dora Beek, Wastewater Division Chief, hosted the tour of the plant and explain the operations. I L ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Osborne made is motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Randle and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee, Lim, Nahm-Mijo, Osborne and Randle voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: SHA ON HENRY Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NOTE: ACTION ITEMS ARE IN BOLD PRINT (MOTIONS AND ITEMS REQUIRINI ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR FUTURE MEETINGS). County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.