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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-27 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES April 27, 2016 Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room. 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1501 Ililo, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Nancy Cook-Lauer Jeffry Fear Councilmember Margaret Wille Trina Nahm-Mijo Luana Neff STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Susan Osborne Belinda Hall, Deputy Corporation Counsel Robin Bauman, Business Manager ABSENT: Richard Bennett Greg Goodale, SWT) Chief Sharron Henry, Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. The commissioners were reminded that all 2016 Hilo meetings will be held in the Puna Conference Room this year. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2016 MEETING: Commissioner Trina Nahm-Mijo moved to approve the February 24, 2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Jeffry Fear seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fear, Fritz, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. 3, APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: Commissioner Susan Osborne made a motion to add a discussion of Bill 140 to today's agenda. Commissioner Nahm-Mijo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fear, Fritz, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Discussion of Bill 140 - Councilmember Wille distributed a proposed amendment to Bill No. 140; Relating to Reduction of Polystyrene Foam "Styrofoam" Food Containers and Food Service Ware for review (attached to original minutes). - After meeting with Director Leithead Todd, Councilmember Wille incorporated most of the department's suggested amendments into the Bill. - Currently the legislative Research Office is editing the bill for resubmittal to Council. - The department will review how this ban which, if approved by council, will begin July 2018, can be incorporated into the future Organics Diversion Facility. - The Bill will be on the May 3, 2016 Environmental Management Council Committee agenda. - Commissioner Osborne urged the commissioners to speak to their individual council members in support of this bill. - The secretary will re-send testimony received on Bill 140 to the commissioners. The bill and council agendas will also be provided to the commission when received. 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Jerome Warren shared his concerns regarding water shut off and the Na'alehu large capacity cesspool (LCC) conversion. - He is currently not paying his sewer bill and questioned how the shut-offs will he prioritized. - He requested a progress update of the Na'alehu sewer project be included in the sewer billing County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer, statements. - He feels like the county is not keeping the residents informed on the project and is unhappy that a community meeting has not been held in some time. - He confirmed that he is currently receiving water and wastewater services from the County. Councilmember Wille provided testimony as follows: - She indicated that the council is awaiting the State legislation's decision on the TAT amount that each county will receive before finalizing the budget. - She is receiving calls from residents in her district with the following questions: o When will green waste containers be available at Waimea Transfer Station? A decision is pending following the county/resident coordinated April Dengue Fever Clean-up project. o Will the Waimea Reuse Center be expanded? A priority list of repairs/upgrades to solid waste facilities is being followed by the SWD; top priorities being repairs to existing facilities. o Where do the recyclables go after they are disposed of at a county facility? The recyclable bins are collected from the County SW facilities by Business Services Hawaii (BSH) and taken to their Shipman location for sorting and distribution to appropriate recycling companies. - She indicated that better signage and education is needed for recycling. - After budget is finalized, she would like to put together a panel to discuss and identify environmental long range plans such as: o A vision for the future; o Short term goals; o Long term goals. - Councilmember Wille is the Vice Chair of the Council Environmental Management Committee and will continue attending the commission meetings to listen and offer assistance. She thanked the commissioners for all the work that they do. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report (attached to original minutes): WASTEWATER DIVISION - Ulu Wini Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP): o The WWD has stabilized the treatment process to achieve compliance with regulatory limits. o The department is reviewing options for repair or replacement of the plant to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations. It appears at this time that replacement is a more cost effective route to take. - Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal: o Additional funds have been requested for liner replacement. o WWD is pursuing SRF monies in the amount of$54M to fund both design and construction of the R-1 upgrade. - Hilo Outfall Repair: o Final permit conditions are being reviewed by WWD prior to issuing an addendum to the bid specifications. The expectation is that the bidders can update and complete their bid. - Lono Kona Sewer Improvement District: o Funding grant agreement has been executed. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer SOLID WASTE DIVISION - Dengue Fever April Clean-Up: o In response to a request by County Civil Defense,the SWD has extended the weekend operating hours for our three-day per week transfer station sites so they are open on both weekend days through the end of April. o PSA's and notices will be disseminated when the department is no longer receiving tires at the transfer stations. o The county has received $200,000 from the State to assist in paying for tire disposal during this period. - Green Waste Diversion: o Announcements will be disseminated when green waste diversion will be available at Volcano and Glenwood TS's. - Organics Diversion Program: o Once the Notice of Award has been sent to the vendor, a press release will be provided to the media. o Enhanced mulching will begin in July, 2016. o Composting will begin in July, 2018. o The composting process will eliminate invasives, including the `Ohi`a Wilt fungus. o The director confirmed that the contract has an education component. ■ Commission Member District Update Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting District 1: Commissioner Neff requested a site visit to the Papa`ikou Transfer Station in June. District 9:Commissioner Fritz reported a large number of abandoned vehicles in his district. SWD Chief Goodale said the department is aware of the location of many of the vehicles. The towing contract is currently being awarded and when the contract is issued, the abandoned vehicles will be towed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion of content of Commission letter to the State Department of Health supporting continued State funding of the E-waste program to the counties - This item will remain on the agenda for the next meeting and the secretary will contact the past chair regarding a possible draft that he started for discussion with the commissioners. 7. NEW BUSINESS Review and Discussion of Proposed Department Budget The difference in this year's and last year's budget is: - increased salaries and wages due to a union contract agreements; - cost of the organics diversion contract which includes a mandate to sell processed compost to commercial customers and provide for pick up to residents free of charge. - Commissioner Osborne requested that a baseline long term study of all department facilities be placed in the following year's budget. Discussion of Water Shut-off for Nonpayment of Sewer Bills - The Department of Water Supply and DEM are in the process of drafting amendments to their rules for this process. - The water shut-off process will be: o Customer will be provided a Notice of Water Shut-Off due to nonpayment of sewer fees. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. o The customer may settle the account by paying in full or agreeing to a payment plan of the past due amount. o If there is a dispute,the resident can appeal to the DEM Director. o If the Director denies the appeal, an appeal can be made to the Environmental Management Commission. o There will be no water shut-off during the appeals process. o On the day of the shut off,the employee going to the location will be given the authority to accept payment at the location. o A procedure for turning the water on after shut-off will be included in the revised rules. Update of Credit and Collections for Solid Waste and Wastewater Divisions - With stricter reinforcement and a permit guarantor requirement, the SWD collections have progressed from 61%of receivables being 90-days overdue 5 years ago to 24% currently. - Without having the water shut-off consequence, WWD's collections were not as significant with 61%of receivables being 90-days overdue 5 years ago to 56%currently. - It is expected that the threat of water shut off for nonpayment of sewer bills will bring people in to negotiate payment plans or to bring their accounts up to date. Status Update on the Abandoned Vehicle Program and Recent Auction - The 2nd auction was not as successful as the first primarily due to the current low metal price. - 100 vehicles were sold at the first auction for approximately $24,000. - 50 vehicles were auctioned off at the 2nd auction. Discussion regarding the Solid Waste Division Commercial Haulers Notice of Authorization (NOA) for construction waste - Before implementing the NOA requirement, a public meeting was held in Hilo to provide information on the process. - A 2008 ordinance excluded construction& demolition(C&D)materials from landfill disposal - NOA Criteria/Process: o MI commercial/C&D loads require an NOA approval. o The approved form must be provided to the scale house attendant at time of disposal. o The SHSL scale house must be notified in advance if the load exceeds 30 cy/day. o The WHSL scale house must be notified in advance if the load exceeds 50 cy or more/day. - The SWD will continue to revise the letter and notices to ensure better understanding by the customer. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Continued discussion on Water Shut-off for nonpayment of sewer bill—May - Continued discussion on Bill 140 - May - Discussion relating to the Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade—May - Papa'ikou TS site visit - May - Recycling Presentation—January, 2017 - Discussion on how the Commission can assist the Hawaii County schools relating to recycling and trash disposal - Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan—Discussion on placement of transfer stations 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS May 25 Kona Comm. Hale June 22 Hilo Puna Conf Room County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer July 27 Kona Comm. Hale August 24 Hilo Puna Conf Room September 28 Kona Comm. Hale October 26 Hilo Pima Conf Room November 23 Kona Comm. Hale December No meeting NOTE: Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Fear made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Osborne and it passed unanimously with members present: Fear,Fritz, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: ' SHARRON HENRY Environmental Management Secretary FORMAT NOTE: ACTION I I EMS 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.