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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-26 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES November 26, 2014 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Meeting Hale (Bldg. G), Kailua-Kona, HI Waikoloa Beach Resort Wasteater Treatment Plant, Waikoloa, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Anne Lee, Chair PRESENT: Christine Dochin • Thom Randle, Vice Chair Elaine Warner(joined at site visit) Bruce Lim Trina Nahm-Mijo STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Sherm Warner Sharron Henry, Secretary Amy Self,Deputy Corporation Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Anne Lee called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. and announced the location of the site visit during this meeting. She noted that this was the last commission meeting of the year and thanked the outgoing commissioners for their service. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22,2014 MEETING: Commissioner Thom Randle moved to approve the October 22,2014 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: None 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): - The department is currently working on Operations and CIP budgets for next Fiscal Year. Current Legislation Bill 194 was passed by full council with an effective date of 2015. Wastewater Division 1. COMPLIANCE: F. Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade is moving forward at a cost of$57M for the upgrade only,not including the pipe system. - The Director noted that the Keauhou Aquifer will not affect the department. Solid Waste Division 1. OPERATIONS - Tire disposal is an ongoing problem. The county will use the $6000 that will be received from the State for community clean-ups of illegally dumped tires. 5. RECYCLING SECTION: 4. Green Waste Diversion - The green waste fire at the West Hawai'i Organics Facility(WHOF)was contained on Saturday,November 22nd. Sunday,the burned area was doused and green waste was spread and/or removed. The fire was Completely out on Monday. - Hawaiian Earth Products(HEP),the green waste contractor, is changing its protocol to include training of all employees on managing green waste;providing an attendant on site 24 hours/day; and looking at preventive steps that can be taken to prevent future fires. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - The Department is awaiting approval from Administration to impose commercial green waste tipping fees. The funds from these fees will be used to provide green waste areas in more transfer stations and possible on-site mulching. Implementation process is currently being defined. VOLCANO TRANSFER STATION blessing is tentatively scheduled for sometime in the week of December 8, 2014. Commissioners will receive an invitation to the event. June 27th Lava Flow update: - Lava flow damaged a portion of the asphalt drive behind the chutes at the Pahoa Transfer Station. No structures were affected. - The County is considering using the transfer station as an educational and tour-start site for students. If this is successful, it may be opened up to the public for lava viewing if lava remains inactive in the area. Safety and liability issues are being discussed. - There needs to be 50%damage of a site to qualify for FEMA funding. - Due to the slowing of the lava flow,the County Information Center has been closed and there is no briefing this week. - Civil Defense is requesting ground penetration equipment to measure the underground flow. - The department continues to explore site parcels for a new Pahoa Transfer Station site. Tropical Storm Iselle update: - Sanford Quarry is responsible for the green waste that was taken to them during the storm. - Since the County paid Sanford for the green waste disposal, it will be requesting FEMA reimbursement. Commission Member District Update Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting -None 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None 7. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and approval of 2015 Tentative meeting schedule - The meeting schedule was distributed(attached to original minutes)and it was noted that the Kona meeting sites have been reserved and confirmed. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Vice Chair Election—January - Discussion on Commission's 2015 Goals—January - Site visit to Business Services Hawaii facility - Update on Bill 194 procedures—August - Solid Waste site visits:transfer stations,East Hawaii Organics Facilities - Wastewater treatment plant site visits: Hilo,Papa`ikou 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 2015 Meeting Schedule January 28 Kona WHCC Liquor Control Conf Room,Kona February 25 Hilo TBD March 25 Kona WHCC Comm.Hale,Kona April 22 Hilo Aupuni Center Conf. Room,Hilo May 27 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale,Kona June 24 Hilo Aupuni Center Conf Room,Hilo July 22 Kona WHCC Comm.Hale,Kona County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. August 26 Hilo Aupuni Center Conf.Room,Hilo September 23 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale,Kona October 28 Hilo Aupuni Center Conf.Room,Hilo November 25 Kona WHCC Comm.Hale,Kona December No meeting Meeting recessed at 10:16 a.m. for participants to travel to the site visit location. 10. TOUR OF THE WAIKOLOA BEACH RESORT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Meeting resumed at 11:40 a.m. at the facility. Mike Mares,Hawaii Water Services General Manager, introduced"Hana" Giltner, General Foreman, and his staff. They provided us information on the operation of the plant(attached to original minutes). Following a tour of the facility,the attendees were provided lunch by the treatment plant staff. 11. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Randle and it passed unanimously with members present: Lee,Lim,Nahm- Mijo, Randle and Warner voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 12:48 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 Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.