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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-22 Environmental Management Commission Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES February 22, 2017 Hawaii County Building, Puna Conference Room, Hilo, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: James Fritz, Chair PRESENT: Christine Dochin Richard Bennett,Vice Chair Jerome Warren Jeffry Fear Nancy Cook-Lauer Trina Nahm-Mijo Susan Osborne STAFF: William Kucharski, Director EXCUSED:• Luana Neff Diane Noda, Deputy Director Rick Vidgen Marcie Toguchi, Private Secretary Renee Schoen, Corp Counsel 1. CALL TO ORDER&ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair James Fritz called the meeting to order at 9:18 a.m. Chair Fritz reminded the commissioners they need to be more aware of getting our recommendations in on a timely manner. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2017 MEETING: Commissioner Nahm-Mijo made a correction to the minutes under 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: Commission Member District Update Reports, District 9 noting correct spelling of Chair, not Chari as written. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the January 25,2017 minutes as amended. Commissioner Nahm- Mijo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz, Bennett,Fear,Nahm-Mijo and Osborne voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA: None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: • Jerome Warren stated that the R-1 water from Kealakehe will still suffer high salinity because the sewer lines on Ali`i Drive are near seawater. Therefore there will be no salt free water for irrigation for farmers, or for golf course owners. How will the County keep them happy? How much will the County charge those owners? • Jerome Warren stated we should not raise the sewer fees for homeowners. We should also stop charging for gang cesspool since they've been illegal since 2005. Businesses should bare the increase. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None 6. NEW BUSINESS • Discussion relating to seawater intrusion on Alii Drive to include estimates of volumes, locations and plans to reduce salt content of the influent(attached to original minutes) o Commissioner Bennett stated it has been a frustrating situation since we can't define the situation a little better. But is hopeful we will get an answer today from the Director. o Director Kucharski stated the Wastewater Division took readings along four different manholes along Ali`i Drive in the beginning of February. The further north you go,the higher the concentration reading is. The southernmost manhole had an average concentration content of 250 mg/1, compared to the northernmost manhole had an average County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. concentration content of 2000 mg/l. We have an area where we are calling the problem leak. That area had sand that was washed out. Re-filled the sand, but the pipe is still allowing flow in. Commissioner Fear feels the problem leak area is in front Huggo's, as the sea wall is always being washed out. Commissioner Bennett does not believe the State is monitoring this area routinely. It would be good for them to monitor as a lot of people swim in that area. Director Kucharski will contact the Clean Water Branch and ask if routine monitoring is being done. If it is not,he will ask that they start. Director Kucharski stated the department will most likely repair this leak instead of replacing the system. If the system were replaced, it would require tearing up Alii Drive for about a year. • Discuss plans and performance testing for SAT Ponds for KWWTP Waters o Commissioner Bennett stated these are the soil aquafer treatment ponds which are the back- up disposal systems for the R-1 reuse. These types of ponds are common on the mainland but first for the State of Hawai`i. There are concerns for Brown& Caldwell on how these ponds will work without doing a pilot test. o Director Kucharski didn't have a report prepared so would like to transfer to March's meeting. o It was suggested to have Brown& Caldwell present at the next meeting. 7. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): o Wastewater Division: • Na`alehu Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - Identified 16 locations, but 14 of them have not worked. Two additional locations found so looking at ownership, or if condemnation would be required. - Having good negotiations with EPA on the closing of these large community cesspools. - Will be getting an administrative order for closure. We have provided for them draft schedules for compliance. - Has grant of$1.8 million that was given to us in 2005,now being switched to Pahala. • Pahala Large Capacity Cesspool Replacement: - Brown& Caldwell, current contractor, will sub-contract out the archaeological survey. o Solid Waste Division: • Compliance: - Current Miloli`i site is insufficient for the current demands. Looking to upgrade the station. • Abandoned Vehicle (AV)Program: - Currently paying $700.00 a vehicle to the scrap metal dealer to dispose of vehicle. If the inside of the vehicles were cleaned out (seats removed, etc.) and removed,then it would be a lower price. - AV Coordinator and Clerk went to Maui to look at their program and see what we can incorporate. - Started doing auctions to get rid of vehicles. • Recycling Section: - Organics Diversion Program: RFP 3298 was terminated by the Mayor because it was not advantageous to the County. With the new contract that started on July 1, 2016,the County paid about$2 million more than last year for the same amount of mulching material. This cost would continue until the facility is built(about 2 years). County pays for the cost of the facility and for the contractor to operate the facility. Contractor sells the compost and keeps the money. Current contract ends on June 30, 2017. There's a current multi-year resolution on the Committee of Finance Agenda for March 7, 2017. Commissioner Osborne made a motion authorizing Chair Fritz to sign a letter to County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Council supporting the multi-year mulch resolution and encouraging rapid movement on the bid process. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear, Nahm- Mijo and Osborne voting yes. • Sort Station Update: - Will have an update in March as to why the total tons diverted are all zero. • There is a new Polystyrene Bill going before Council. Hopefully will come to the Commission for review and comment. • Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan renewal will be submitted in 2019 for approval by 2020. o Currently working with the IT department to update our website to include information for all our services. • Commission Member District Update Reports: o District 6: Commissioner Bennett stated the two cars he reported abandoned on Keala 0 Keawe are still there. So it's been over a month. Will now call the Police to report it. o District 9: Chair Fritz asked what if larger water trucks brought water to a tank that could be drawn on by a smaller truck that stays at the facility. Director Kucharski stated that's something they are looking to do if there is money available. o District 5: Commissioner Osborne stated she was unable to answer the community's questions adequately regarding the cancellation of the contract. o District 8: Commissioner Fear stated Kona has been hit with a rash of car thefts. Big beach clean-up on March 4th from Puako to South Point. Homeless and trash down at the old airport is outrageous. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Wetlands wastewater disposal system vs. Mechanical wastewater disposal • Recycling Presentation of Fiscal Year 15-16 program accomplishments and costs • Discussion with Mayor Harry Kim • Update on Resolution 101-17 Authorizing payment of funds of a multi-fiscal year agreement for furnishing greenwaste diversion operations in West Hawai`i &East Hawai`i • Update on Bill 13, Draft 2: Amending Ch. 20 by adding a new article relating to reduction of polystyrene foam"Styrofoam"food containers and food service ware • Presentation by Representative from Waikoloa Waste to Energy Program • Update on Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan 9. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS 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. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fritz,Bennett, Fear,Nahm- Mijo and Osborne voting yes. Meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m. Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: MARCIE TOGUCHI 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 Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.