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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-25 Environmental Management Commission Meeting Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES November 25, 2015 West Hawai`i Civic Center. Community Hale, Bldg .G Kailua-Kona, 111 COMMISSIONERS STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director PRESENT: Thom Randle, Chair Renee Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel James Fritz Greg Goodale, SWD Chief Trina Nahm-Mijo Sharron Henry, Secretary I,uana Neff Susan Osborne ABSENT: Jeffry Fear 1. CALL TO ORDER& ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Thom Randle called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. It was noted that Chair Randle's term ends December 31, 2015. Director Leithead Todd presented Chair Randle with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor for his role and participation in the Environmental Management Commission. Deputy Corporation Renee Schoen shared her concerns regarding the automatic appointment from Vice Chair to Chair each year, noting that it is not in the commission rules and is not in compliance with the County Charter. This item will be placed on the January, 2016 meeting agenda for further discussion. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 28, 2015 MEETING: Commissioner Trina Nahm-Mijo moved to approve the October 28, 2015 minutes as written. Commissioner Luana Neff seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Nahm-Mijo, Neff, Osborne and Randle 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): DENGUE FEVER UPDATE The county is temporarily accepting tires at all transfer stations for residents only. Only regular passenger size tires are being accepted. There is a 10-tire limit and tires cannot have rims. Residential customers are requested to check in with the attendant at the transfer station for instructions on where to place the tires. 5,000 tires were collected the first 1-1/2 weeks of collection. Last week's cost for tire collection was $45,000. There will be additional costs for purchase of new containers and contracting with a vendor to transport tires off island. The Dengue Fever message on our \ website clarifies the appropriate tires for disposal. The county will work to assist with tire disposal from community association clean-ups but has no authority to go on to private property to collect tires. County of I lawafi rc an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The director informed the commission of the proper protocol for mosquito spraying at county facilities. WASTEWATER DIVISION Pua Sewage Pump Station (SPS)_ - While testing of the re-wound pump by the vendor, the fuses blew resulting in the WWD being short a fuse and unable to operate the second pump. To ensure the pump station continues to function, it is now being manned 24(7 until January 2016 when the new fuses arc received and installed. Ulu Wini Wastewater Treatment Plant - The county is reviewing a recommendation to build a new treatment facility at a different location which would free up valuable space for the residents. - The department is requesting funding for this project in FY 15-16 budget. Hilo WWTP Administration Building Reroofing - The reroofing is going out for rebid to obtain lower costs for this project. Hilo Outfall Repair - The Department of the Army (DOA) is currently reviewing the modified permit application. SOLID WASTE DIVISION - Bill 100 has been approved by council and is being sent to the Mayor for final approval. Director Leithead Todd expressed the department's appreciation to the commission and Councilmember Wille for their support. - The Director clarified that the SWD Driver Safety Coordinator audits and trains only SWI) employees. - SWD Chief Goodale and Director Leithead Todd confirmed that an education component was included in RFP 3298. - The results of the evaluation of green waste collection fees to date indicated the department is collecting $40,000/month with no complaints received. • Commission Member District Update Reports— includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting District l: Commissioner Lnana Neff shared her constituents' concern about the location of the Papa'ikou Transfer Station and its close vicinity to the river. Director Leithead Todd explained that in the future some transfer stations may be closed or relocated to other sites. This decision will be included in the next Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) meetings to update the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. District 9:Commissioner Fritz is receiving complaints that the recycling containers are always full or overflowing at the Waimea and Puako Transfer Stations. The Director indicated that she would be working with staff to be more diligent in notifying the vendor when bins are full and empty bins are needed. Fritz inquired about better recycling signage and was assured by the SWD Chief that a bid is out for signage replacement and increased inventory. Fritz also asked about chute covers for the transfer stations. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion of Used Tire Disposal with Solid Waste Division - Chair Randle thanked the department for accepting tires during the dengue fever outbreak. The Director indicated that the Mayor is the one to thank as he made this decision. Commissioner Osborne made a motion for the commission to provide a letter of commendation to the Mayor for collecting the tires. Randle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Nahm-Mijo, Neff, Osborne and Randle voting yes. The chair will draft a letter of commendation to Mayor Kenoi. County of Hawaii is an Iqual Opportunity Pro%ider and I:mplouar. - SWD Chief Goodale indicated that the county does not take tires on a regular basis. Disposal of all tires is banned from the landfill and we are currently spending $75,000/year to dispose of illegally dumped tires. He spoke of the responsibility of tire retailers. The state requires all tire retailers to retain all tires that are replaced with purchase of new ones. Some retailers are not following the law and allowing customers the option of not paying the tire disposal fee and taking the replaced tires home. The law also mandates that all persons purchasing tires are to pay a disposal fee. Enforcement is the responsibility of the State. - Goodale estimated that the cost of tire disposal will triple with the added cost of the tires that have been collected during the outbreak. - As a condition of the SH SL NOV, DOH is allowing a portion of the fine to be used toward tire education for both retailers and the public. The department will furnish the commission the education materials when they arc ready for distribution. 7. NEW BUSINESS 2016 Tentative Meeting Schedule(attached to original minutes) - The next meeting is January 27, 2016, location to be determined. - The meeting dates and places arc in compliance with the Commission's Rules and Regulations. - Commissioner Osborne made a motion to accept the proposed 2016 meeting schedule. Neff seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Nahm-Mijo, Neff, Osborne and Randle voting yes. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Chair and Vice Chair Elections - January - Site visit to HPA School Recycling Program - January - Recycling Presentation— January - Budget Recommendations —January(current budget will be provided to the commissioners) - Wastewater treatment plant site visit - Papa'ikou- February - Discussion on how the Commission can assist the Hawai'i County schools relating to recycling and trash disposal - Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan-- Discussion on placement of transfer stations 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS - January 27 Kona Comm. Hale* (Commissioner Nahm-Mijo suggested that the January meeting be held in Waimea if HPA agrees to the school recycling program site visit. The secretary will follow up with the school and a possible Waimea meeting location.) February 24 Hilo ACCR March 23 Kona Comm. Hale April 27 Hilo ACCR May 25 Kona Comm. Hale June 22 Hilo ACCR July 27 Kona Comm. Hale August 24 Hilo ACCR September 28 Kona Comm. Hale October 26 Hilo ACCR November 23 Kona Comm. Hale December No meeting NOTE: Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opponumly Provider and Employer. Meeting locations are tentative—room reservation requests will be sent in December. - Commissioner Osborne thanked Director Leithead Todd; acknowledged and commended her for her work. - Chair Randle presented the secretary with a letter of appreciation as his term ends December 2015. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Neff made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nahm-Mijo and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Randle, Nahm-Mijo and Neff voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.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 I qua](Ipponunity Provider and Employer.