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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES September 28, 2016 West Hawai`i Civic Center, Community Hale, Bldg. G, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Georjean Adams Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Wendy Baez Trina Nahm-Mijo Councilmember Karen Eoff I..uanaNeff Jerome Warren Susan Osborne STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director EXCUSED: Jeffry Fear Belinda Hall. Corp Counsel Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz welcomed the participants and called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Roll-call was requested and the following commissioners responded identifying themselves as Commissioners Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne. Belinda Flail responded as Corporation Counsel; BJ Leithead Todd responded as Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director and Sharron Henry responded as Secretary. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2016 MEETING: Commissioner Richard Bennett moved to approve the August 24, 2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Susan Osborne seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: No additional items were added to the agenda. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: - Jerome Warren spoke regarding the cost points for producing non-potable water: L Source of the wastewater stream via water meter assigned to a home or a business 2. Sewer bills in the wastewater stream. 3. Capital improvements on Kona's wastewater system. - Non-potable water belongs to all of the public because it is paid for by all residents. - The non-potable water coming out of the pink pipes cost more to produce than the drinking water. - The DEM needs to do a thorough cost accounting and then determine how much to charge per 1000 gallons of RI or R2 water. - The Department of Water Supply system charge is fair. - DEM has not established their credibility. Count,of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Empty)a 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): WASTEWATER DIVISION - Treatment/Collection Systems and Pumping Stations/Force Mains: o Sleeves are inserted into sewer pipes to repair leaks. o The county has no control or enforcement mechanism over residents to repair laterals that connect to the county sewer system. This issue should be addressed by DEM in the future. o All county sewer lines are inspected with remote control cameras with the exception of the Hilo Outfall which is inspected by scuba divers. o The State DOH is looking at extending the tax credit for closing cesspools for residents living within 200 feet from the certified shore line and possibly extending the 200 feet requirement for replacement of cesspools with septic tanks or connecting to a sewer system. o In conjunction with the Governor's office, a Wastewater Panel Discussion Forum was held last week and included representatives from the State DOH and County DEM/WWD and wastewater consultants. o The goal of the DEM, State DOH and EPA is to get all cesspools closed and replaced. o The Director also expressed that education is needed on what is acceptable and not acceptable to dispose of into the county sewer lines. Commissioner Osborne made a motion that a letter be drafted on behalf of the Environmental Management Commission to State Legislators regarding the monitoring, detecting and enforcing repairs to laterals on private property that impacts the integrity of the sewer system; and a solution-based offering of extending the DOH tax credit to assist more people living near shoreline to convert from cesspools to other types of wastewater disposal. Commissioner Neff seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously with commissioners present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Commissioner Bennett made an amendment to the motion to recommend that they prioritize the areas of the state based on risk. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion. A voice vote was made and the motion passed unanimously with commissioners present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo,Neff and Osborne voting yes. Director Leithead Todd will prepare a draft letter to be submitted to the commissioners for discussion and approval at the next meeting. - Treatment/Collection Systems and Pumping Stations/Force Mains: o East and West Hawaii Line Maintenance Sections continue to perform repair work during their regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance. - Safety Practices/Training: o WWD is awaiting more information from the contractor on the mold abatement at the Hilo WWTP Administration Bldg. - Na`alehu LCC Replacement: o Following the community meeting, the consultants are evaluating different treatment facility options and alternate sites for the wastewater facility. o In October, Keoni Fox, a Na`alehu property owner,will identify and provide the WWD and consultants with possible alternative sites that may be more acceptable to the community. o All proposed sites will be inspected for burials, archeological work and/or lava tubes that might restrict the land use for a WWTP facility. o Another community meeting will be held in a few months. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. - Pahala Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement o A site has been identified for the facility and the county is in discussion with the property owner. Upon agreement with the property owner and approval by the Mayor and Finance Department. the department will send a friendly condemnation request to council. o Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWS12F) can he used to purchase property for the wastewater facility. o A meeting has been scheduled with the adjoining property owners to discuss access and easement to the property. - North Kona Sewer & Effluent Reuse Upgrade: o Sewer and reuse infrastructure is being installed from Kealakehe Parkway to Kohanaiki which will allow the WWD to provide R-1 water to Kohanaiki. - Lona Kona Sewer & Effluent Reuse Upgrade: o A meeting with the consultants and the community is tentatively scheduled for early November to provide the property owners an opportunity to ask questions about their sewer lateral location. - Kealakehe Aeration Upgrade and Sludge Removal: o Contract duration has been extended to allow for replacement of the lagoon liners for Lagoons No. 1. 2, and 3. o Lagoon sludge removal will be scheduled approximately every 15 years. - Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade: o Due to input from the community, the county will attempt to complete the Rd portion within 3 years. o If the Old Kona Airport plans gets approval from the State Historical Preservation Section, the county can move ahead in providing R-2. - Hilo Outfall Repair: o A dye test was performed and some dye was found in the near shore waters. The residents were notified and WWD confirmed that this was treated effluent wastewater and not raw sewage. o Scuba divers will do the repair from inside the pipes. A dye test will be performed to ensure all leaks have been repaired. o Commissioner Bennett asked if the dye test was done visually or with a spectrophotometer. The Director indicated her belief that it was done visually but will double check with WWD. - Ulu Wini Wastewater Treatment Plant: o WWD is maintaining the stability of the treatment plant with the goal of achieving consistent process data and meeting regulatory and expected effluent limits. o The National Park Service(NPS) nutrient removal goal of 80-90% is being met. The ultimate goal is to produce R-2 water at this facility. - Sewer Rate Study Update: o Goal is to have our sewer rate increase request to council in March 2017 with rate increase effective July 2017. SWI) landfill disposal fee increases will be requested at the same time. o Director will encourage the council to approve a 10-year schedule plan of increases. - Update on Water Shut-Off for Non Payment of Sewer Bills o The department continues to work on collection of past due wastewater accounts and DEM and DWS continue amending their rules. o Payment plans are available and offered to past due customers to bring their accounts current. o If water shut-off should he necessary. collection staff will accompany the water supply staff to the property and the customer will be allowed to pay in full or make payment arrangements at the time of arrival. If satisfactory arrangements are made, the water will not he shut off at that time. County of Hawaii k an Pqual Opportunity Provider and Enlplo'er. SOLID WASTE DIVISION - Geotechnical work is being performed for a lava tube that was discovered in the new cell at the WHSL. The engineer will make recommendations for remediation of the lava tube so that construction may continue. - Notice of Authorization(NOA) forms must be completed and approved for all construction & demolition(C&D) disposal. o The notice requires that all loads that are above the daily C&D limit at SHSL go to WHSL. o A Solid Waste Management Plan(SWMP) is also required prior to disposal. o The goal is to divert large quantities of C&D materials and contaminated soil to the lined WHSL. - Current expectancy of SHSL life is 3 years. - SWD is currently putting in requests for additional transport equipment. - After closure,the SHSL must be monitored for groundwater for a minimum of 30 years. - Hawaiian Ocean View Estates(HOVE) Transfer Station: SWD is waiting for the State Department of Transportation to complete road improvements so the current temporary site can be moved to a one-acre parcel on our county-owned property until the permanent site is completed. RECYCLING - The compost facility is estimated to be operational by July 2018. - DEM is looking at setting up residential food waste collection containers at the transfer stations for delivery to the composting facility. - A new RFP was prepared for 2-bin recycling and recommendation for award was sent to Purchasing. - State laws are in place for electronic waste take-back by retailers but it is only happening on Oahu. Recycling Section is communicating with the State regarding special county retailer/commercial recycling events. - DEM is currently holding 2 abandoned vehicle auctions annually. - The Hilo Reuse Center will be completed and open in 2017. ■ Commission Member District Update Reports—includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting—Suspended due to time constraint. District 5: Commissioner Osborne informed the commission that the Main Street Sub Committee of the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) Committee, in their discussions regarding a new library, spoke of their interest in a wetlands sewer system at the park. She asked that a discussion regarding a wetlands system vs. a mechanical system be placed on a future agenda. The Director indicated she would speak with the County Parks & Recreation Dept. regarding this inquiry. District 6: Commissioner Bennett received a phone call from a South Kona resident sharing concerns about illegal dumping between mile markers 94 and 95 possibly by a commercial pumping service. The Director will follow up upon receipt of more information regarding the dumper. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None 7. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of policy options to improve the integration of fresh water use and reclaimed water reuse—both residential and wastewater from treatment plants - Postponed to next meeting. Discussion of the County Abandoned Vehicle Procedures - Postponed to next meeting County of Hewers is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Discussion of Resolution 565-16 which establishes a Hawaii Island Packaging Sustainability Initiative (HIPSIS) task force - Linda Peters, County Recycling Coordinator, is the DEM participant on this task force. - Two meetings have been held. The third and final meeting will be held on October 6, 2016. Discussion and brainstorming on the county solid waste program, to include an overview of the program and the closure of the Hilo landfill - Postponed to next meeting. Discussion and review of the county's December 2009 Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan - Postponed to next meeting. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Review and discussion of draft letter to the State Legislators regarding the monitoring, detecting and enforcing repairs to laterals on private property that impacts the integrity of the sewer system; and a solution-based offering of extending the DOH tax credit to assist more people living new shoreline to convert from cesspools to other types of wastewater disposal. - Discussion of a Wetlands System vs. a Mechanical Wastewater treatment facility - Presentation by Commissioner Richard Bennett on septic tanks - Recycling Presentation- January. 2017 - Discussion of inclusion of education requirements in future Requests for Proposals (RFP) 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Neff will not he able to attend the October 26th meeting. Commissioner Osborne will not be able to attend the November 23`d. meeting. November 23 Kona Comm. Hale December No meeting NOTE: Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Neff and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm- Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:13 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 Ilawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Lmpluvcr.