2017-01-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES January 25, 2017 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Hale, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Jeffry Fear Trina Nahm-Mij o Rick Vidgen EXCUSED: Luana Neff Susan Osborne ALSO PRESENT: STAFF: Georj ean Adams Dennis Poma Jerome Warren Erin Petrosian Donna Urban Higuchi William Kucharski, Director Diane Noda, Deputy Director Belinda Hall, Corp Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:46 a.m. The Chair thanked the public for attending and welcomed the new Director, William Kucharski, and Deputy Director, Diane Noda. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2016 MEETING: Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the November 23, 2016 minutes as written. Commissioner Fear seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Fear, Namm-Mijo and Vidgen voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Jerome Warren stated he enjoys the Wastewater presentations because we learn about groundwater science. Hopefully presenters will use the Big Island public access TV stations to reach more people. Background information needs to me common knowledge before the County Council decides on funding for certain projects. • He stated Hawaii County has come under the scrutiny of the EPA Enforcement Division. The Drinking Water Division has given up trying to help us with money. EPA sent enforcement people to investigate our ongoing use of gang cesspools. • He stated County has to make a policy decision here, can Environmental Management keep ignoring the gang cesspools while focusing on reusing water from Kona Sewer Plants. EPA is not requiring us to reuse our water but are requiring us to close gang cesspools. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None 6. NEW BUSINESS • Introduction of new Department Directory, Deputy Director and Commission Secretary o Director William Kucharski introduced himself and gave a brief background of his credentials. He stated he is new to the Department, but not new to Environmental field. He thanked everyone for their volunteer time they put in to help address issues we face. Door is always open, and will always answer his phone to answer questions. o Deputy Director Diane Noda introduced herself and gave a brief background of her credentials. She has been with the County for 24 years and has dealt with the Department County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.