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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-25 Environmental Management Commission MinutesENVIRONMENTAL 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. in regards to labor issues. Now learning about all the other challenges the Department faces. She thanked everyone for all their time and commitment. • Discussion relating to Cost and Use of Potable Water for Dust Control at West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill o Director Kucharski stated the issue we have there is that the well we have has a lot of salt intrusion. High salt content affects seals and a lot of the operational equipment we use. Water is needed for vehicle maintenance such as washing them down and servicing. The Department has a 4,000 gallon water truck which hauls water from a hydrant in Kawaihae. We are currently averaging four to five loads a day. Water is also used for dust control on internal roads. However, some hid salt content water is used for this as it is not an issue. The department is looking into a better solution. Director Kucharski will find out if we are paying for the water we get from Kawaihae. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 245, Draft 2, an ordinance amending the HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended) by adding a new article to decrease public exposure to toxic herbicides (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated this bill is more informational for us and nothing we are being asked to do other than be aware these bills are out there. This is not the first time we are seeing this bill. o Commissioner Fear asked why they aren't using vinegar instead of all these chemicals. Commission Chair Fritz stated this is a step in the right direction if we forbid them now from using Roundup. However if we forbid them now from using say Roundup they may not look at other sources. o Commissioner Bennett stated he can no longer say that glyphosate is completely safe and acceptable to use in our food production systems. In roadway weed control it becomes less of an issue because we don't eat the weeds. But it becomes a part of the aquatic ecology. The question about its long term chronic effects on human health is an open question. o Commission Chari Friz stated we'll have to see where this goes, not sure if it's been to Council yet. It's definitely a step in the right direction. • Discussion and Recommendation of Bill 248, Draft 2, amending Chapter 20 of HCC 1983 (2005 edition, as amended), by adding a new article relating to disposable food packaging and food service ware by County entities, County food vendors, and county facility users (attached to original minutes) o Commission Chair Fritz stated he believes the former Director of the department talked about this. It deals with cardboard and Styrofoam and other recyclables. Again no action on our, part just here for our discussion. Not sure where this is at on the Council's Agenda. We're on record for supporting efforts to limit Styrofoam utilization. • Presentation by Dennis Poma and Erin Petrosian on The Waipono Waste Treatment System o Essentially a mini municipal wastewater treatment facility to secondary treatment. o Small compact system, 7 foot diameter by 8-1/2 foot tall tank with seven chambers. o Able to recycle within own system. Therefore produce clean, odorless wastewater suitable for irrigation. o Individual tank system is $15,000.00; installation $12,000.00 - $18,000.00. o Finishing tank has a pump so not limited to leach field having to be downhill from the system. o Product only a little over a year old. 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report (attached to original minutes): o Director Kucharski stated his top priorities are the Kealakehe WWTP R-1 facility, cesspool replacements and the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. o Wastewater Had a visit from EPA Region 9, Tomas Torres and his staff and did site visits to Pahala and Na' alehu. Working with them on a compliance agreement. Looking to get increased funding and support from them to handle these issues. - Looked at over 17 properties for construction of a facility in Na`alehu but have run in to problems with every one of them. • Commission Member District Update Reports: o District 8: Commissioner Fear stated they are having an island wide beach clean-up: Puako, South Point and all places in between. o District 9: Commission Chari Fritz stated everything is going good in his district. o District 6: Commissioner Bennett stated there is a tremendous time lag from the time a car is abandoned until the Police tag it. Director Kucharski stated the Abandoned Vehicle Section recently visited Maui County to take a look at their program. They brought back a lot of ideas on how to streamline our program and hopefully make things work faster and smoother. Will keep the Commission updated with the progress. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Wetlands wastewater disposal system vs. Mechanical wastewater disposal • Recycling Presentation of Fiscal Year 15-16 program accomplishments and costs • Comprehensive discussion about seawater intrusion on Ali`i Drive • Discussion with Mayor Harry Kim 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS February 22 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. March 22 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale April 26 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. May 24 Kona WHCC Comm. Hale June 28 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. July 26 Kona WHCC Council Room A August 23 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. September 27 Kona WHCC Council Room A October 25 Hilo Puna Conf. Room, County Bldg. November 22 Kona WHCC Council Room A December 27 No meeting Dates are selected per the Commission Rules. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bennett and it passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett, Fear, Namm-Mijo and Vidgen voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: /f/!/li at, MARCIh TOGU I 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.