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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-28 EMC Agenda and Director's Informational Report ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI MEETING AGENDA DATE: February 28, 2018 TIME: 9:00 a.m. PLACE: Aupuni Center Conference Room 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1 Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2018 3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. None. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and potential advisory resolution on the Ninth Circuit Court ruling dated February 1, 2018, regarding wastewater discharges in Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund vs. County of Maui, No. 15-17447) and the advisability of NPDES permitting for Hawaiʻi County. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Director’s Informational Report. (Note: The report is available on the County’s website at http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/Browse.aspx?startid=8405&dbid=1 or go to County of Hawaiʻi.gov / Boards & Commissions / Environmental Management Commission / Agendas / 2018.) The Director will provide informational updates on the following: (1) The State Department of Health’s Report to the Twenty-Ninth Legislature, State of Hawaiʻi, 2018 Regular Session, Relating to Cesspools and Prioritization for Replacement. (2) Status of Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance. (3) Discussion of R-1 water management. (4) A brief report on where all the wastewater treatment plants are that the County owns or manages, the communities they serve, and how the water is processed and disposed of (requested by Chair Bennett). 7. COMMISSIONERS’ DISTRICT UPDATE REPORTS AND ISSUES At the January 10, 2018, meeting, the commissioners requested the following items be placed on the agenda for discussion. a. Vice Chair Olson: (1) the problem of abandoned vehicles. (2) update on transfer station operations and management. b. Commissioner Fear: (1) the discharge of water on Aliʻi Drive next to Huliheʽe Palace. (2) the status of the recycling programs at the schools. (3) announcement of the West Hawaiʻi Community Beach Clean-Up on March 3, 2018, at the Old Airport Park in Kalua-Kona. c. Commissioner Fritz: (1) discuss the installation of a sewage treatment plant in Puakō and how it will manage the water and nutrients. d. Chair Bennett: (1) the status of wastewater discharges at County beach parks in Kona and the potential for non-governmental organization and grant assistance. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioners can suggest items they would like placed on the next agenda. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. The next meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2018, in Kona at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Community Meeting Hale (Building G). 10. ADJOURNMENT The regular meeting place is accessible to persons with disabilities. To request an auxiliary aid or language translation, please call 961-8083 five days prior to the meeting date. Comments may be sent to the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720, or emailed to cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov. Notice to lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaiʻi County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawaiʻi County Code.\] A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawaiʻi County Code.\] Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720. 2 DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 28, 2018 CURRENT LEGISLATION ACTION DESCRIPTION CURRENT STATUS Authorizes the Payment of Funds of a Later Fiscal 1/24/18: Adopted at Res 453-18 Year and of More than One Fiscal Year for a Council meeting. Multi-Year Lease for One Full-Size Color Scanner/Plotter for the Department of Environmental Management DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL UPDATES 1. The State Department of Health’s Report to the Twenty-Ninth Legislature, State of Hawaiʻi, 2018 Regular Session, Relating to Cesspools and Prioritization for Replacement. 2. Status of Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance. 3. Discussion of R-1 water management. 4. Brief report on where all the wastewater treatment plants are that the County owns or manages, the communities they serve, and how the water is processed and disposed of, brought up by Chair Bennett. SOLID WASTE DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES 1. OPERATIONS A. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING (CDL) TRAINING: • The Division hired a contract employee to assist with the auditing of all of our drivers, which is required as part of our County Driver Improvement Program. This employee will be conducting these audits for an 89-day contract period. • A new Puʽuanahulu participant is scheduled to begin the CDL component in the coming month. B. WEST HAWAI‘I SANITARY LANDFILL: • The Division met with representatives of Waste Management Hawaiʻi to discuss various contract related issues, including invoices, construction, and use of the site. • Bids were opened for the replacement of the scale. Further discussions are taking place to discuss possible modifications that could be made for this project to lower costs to the County. • The contractor is expected to begin repair work for the shop building. C. EQUIPMENT • One of the landfill compactors at the West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill caught fire, and an assessment is being conducted for the cost of repairs to this machine. • The Division expects to take delivery of new truck tractors, trailers, roll-off trucks, and a grapple truck in the next few weeks. • Two solid waste refuse trailers were set on fire at the Hilo Baseyard. Both trailers appear to be total losses. 2. ADMINISTRATION A new Recycling Specialist II started with the Division on January 16, 2018. 3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS • The Kealakehe Scrap Metal Facility Remediation Project is currently in progress. The contractor is expected to begin hauling materials from Kealakehe to the West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill in the coming weeks. • Traffic restriping was performed at the Glenwood and Volcano Transfer Stations. • The SWD expects that the restated contract with Hawaiian Earth Recycling will be reviewed in the coming weeks. This will reestablish the contract for greenwaste and composting services. • SWD employees met with the Department of Health to discuss the permit for the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. The DOH expects to have reviewed the application before the end of 2018. • A consultant was selected to perform an environmental assessment for the site given priority for a compost facility in East Hawaiʻi. This project is expected to take at least eight months to complete. 4. COMPLIANCE • A list of committee members that were selected to participate in the Integrated Solid Waste Management Planning process was sent to the Mayor for approval. It is expected that the group will first meet in March 2018. 5. RECYCLING SECTION A. ORGANICS DIVERSION PROGRAM: • The SWD is in the process of revising the contract for the provision of greenwaste and Composting services. B. TRANSFER STATION RECYCLABLES (“TWO-BIN”) COLLECTION AND RECYCLING: • The current contract will end on September 30, 2018. The SWD is now enforcing the ban on illegal commercial usage of self-haul resident-only recycling bins. Redesign of the Hilo site is proposed to better handle traffic and customers. The Hilo Sort Station recyclables diversion has tentatively resumed for commercial-only usage. We are working with the vendor to update and replace signage and repair ramps. The Hilo ramp was fixed and painted. C. DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) USED MOTOR OIL RECYCLING: • IFB 3625 resulted in contract award to HFN and Cameron Corp. The NTP issued on October 16, 2017. 2 • A list of island-wide year-round collection locations (seven) is on our website at http://www.Hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/motor-oil. Residents can also recycle DIY used motor oil at all County Household Hazardous Waste collection events. Used motor oil is not accepted at the Recycling and Transfer Stations. The DOH ended funding of the program in FY2015. DEM has funded the continuation of the UMO program in the FY2017 Budget. D. REUSE CENTERS: • RFP 3515 resulted in contract award to Recycle Hawai‘i for six of the seven locations. Transfer Station Thrift Store LLC was awarded the Wai‘ōhinu location. • The County operates seven Reuse Centers at Recycling and Transfer Stations located in Hilo (opened June 5, 2017), Kea‘au, Pāhoa, Kealakehe, Keauhou, Waimea, and Wai‘ōhinu (opened August 14, 2017). • The SWD intends to reissue the RFP for this service in April 2018. E. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: • The IFB 3514 contract awarded to Mr. K’s R&R expires April 17, 2018. Residents are allowed no charge household electronics recycling on Saturdays at Mr. K’s R&R. Businesses, non-profits, schools and others are offered discounted fees on Saturdays. An acceptable list and more information is at http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste. Mr. K’s is open and accepting electronics daily. • The County provides free monthly electronic recycling collections in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and Wai‘ōhinu for residential electronics only. Details of the County collections and any changes to private collections will be posted on our website at http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste. • No manufacturer current offers convenient on-island take-back of electronics; manufacturers only offer convenience on O‘ahu to comply with Electronic Waste and Television Recycling & Recovery Act mandatory take-back provisions. The DOH ended grant funding of County collections on December 31, 2015. HB 1351 CD1, approved by Legislature and signed by Governor Ige as Act 130, allows the DOH the option to partially fund neighbor island county collections. F. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW): • There was record turnout at Hilo and heavy turnout at Kealakehe HHW collection events in December; with improved traffic flow and paint collections, customer lines were much shorter and quicker. • The next HHW Collection Events are scheduled for March 3, 2018, in Waimea and March 4, 2018, in Pāhoa. More information is available at http://www.hazardouswaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/. G. GREEN WASTE DIVERSION: • The State Department of Agriculture finalized a permanent rule (HAR § 4-72- 13) prohibiting the interisland transport of ‘ōhi‘a plant material to prevent the spread of Rapid Ōhiʽʽa Death caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata. They also recommend not transporting ‘ōhi‘a plant material from an infected area to a non-infected area. DEM has recommended that people not bring any ‘ōhi‘a plant material to our green waste collection sites and recommends composting 3 on-site. The County’s new contract with Hawaiian Earth Recycling continues green waste recycling. Enhanced mulch is available at the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility. The mulch is treated for invasive species at EHOF since the modified State Department of Health permit was issued. The SWD relocated the green waste recycling at the Waimea Recycling and Transfer Station to make it more convenient for residents. H. SCHOOL RECYCLING & TOURS: • Requests for school and HCC/UHH tours continue. These tours are helpful in educating the next generation on recycling and sustainability. Several tours have already taken place for various schools island wide. I. SPECIAL EVENT RECYCLING: • The Recycling Section continues to offer free rental HI-5 Event Recycling Bins for fundraisers at community, sports or family events. Bins can be requested via an online application form at http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/event-planning. Please submit applications for reservations well in advance of events to make sure bins are available and to schedule pick-up/drop-off. The hawaiizerowaste.org website also provides helpful resources for planning zero-waste events. J. HI-5 CERTIFIED REDEMPTION CENTERS (CRCs) • IFB 3552, to “Provide Certified Redemption Center Services at County Recycling & Transfer Stations,” has been awarded to Business Services Hawaiʻi for the following CRCs: Hāwī, Hilo, Honoka‘a, and Puakō; and to Atlas Recycling for the following CRCs: Kealakehe, Kea‘au, Keauhou, Ocean View, Volcano, Waimea and Wai‘ōhinu. Interviews were held for the Deposit Beverage Container position in Kona. The new hire to start on February 1, 2018. K. RECYCLING EDUCATION & OUTREACH: • The Recycling Section’s website, www.hawaiizerowaste.org, completed its transition to a mobile-ready format with enhanced location features. • Information is continually updated on the site. • The staff continues to give presentations to community organizations. L. TIRE RECOVERY/RECYCLING EDUCTION & OUTREACH: • The contractor has completed the second round six-month follow-up of tire retailer/wholesaler education and site inspections. Educating tire retailers/wholesalers of their responsibility to charge a disposal fee for tires sold and accept used tires from customers when tires are being replaced. Planning for 1-year follow-up site visits already started. • The contractor completed an initial and second round of consumer education (media release, radio, newspaper, social media, posters/flyers, etc.) during the September through December period, encouraging consumers to leave used tires at the retailer when purchasing new ones, as they paid the mandatory fee for disposal. Ads can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/Return-Your- Tires-853709718126074. • More information is at: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/tires/ 4 6. DERELICT AND ABANDONED VEHICLE (DAV) PROGRAM • Bids were opened for vehicle disposal. Award of this new contract is expected to be made in the new year. • DAV coordinators continue to meet with the Hawai‘i County Police Department, Traffic Services Section, Patrol and Community Police Officers, to explore ways of improving the tagging and removal of abandoned vehicles. • Monthly towing numbers: AV Towing 2017-18 Hilo Kona July 46 37 August 35 64 September 47 51 October 34 55 November 37 51 December 29 52 January February March April May June The total tow requests sent for the month of December 2017 was 91; however, 10 were not on location at the time of removal. 7. SORT STATION UPDATE (FY 17-18) Total Tons Taken Total Tons Month/Year to Sort Station Diverted Jul 2017 1,091.43 0.00 Aug 2017 1,261.89 0.00 Sept 2017 1,128.11 0.00 Oct 2017 1,534.62 0.00 Nov 2017 1,484.47 0.00 Dec 2017 1,353.19 0.00 Jan 2018 Feb 2018 Mar 2018 Apr 2018 May 2018 Jun 2018 Totals 7,853.71 0.00 5 Per the Solid Waste Division, Total Tons Diverted has been zero for some time because they have not been conducting active sorting. Much of this is due to the storage of tires in the Sort Station collected during the dengue outbreak. Waste is received at the Sort Station early in the day, then the remainder is sent to the landfill. Just recently is the SWD at the point where they have enough space in the sort station to receive waste. 8. MONTHLY LANDFILL TONNAGES (FY 17-18) Month/Year SHSL WHSL Jul 2017 6,285.01 11,599.78 Aug 2017 6,363.62 11,580.58 Sept 2017 6,037.19 10,132.09 Oct 2017 6,404.06 11,406.20 Nov 2017 5,956.18 11,773.83 Dec 2017 6,906.55 10,988.65 Jan 2018 Feb 2018 Mar 2018 Apr 2018 May 2018 Jun 2018 Totals 37,952.61 67,481.13 WASTEWATER DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES 1. COMPLIANCE: • TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL: No report. • COLLECTION SYSTEM: No report. 2. OPERATIONS: A. TREATMENT/COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND PUMPING STATIONS/ FORCE MAINS: • Unscheduled repairs/upgrades/replacement of failing equipment due to age and prolonged wear and tear continue where necessary throughout the wastewater facilities. B. SAFETY PRACTICES/TRAINING: • WWD Administration continues to review and update the Emergency Response Procedures and the Standard Safety Procedures. 3. ADMINISTRATION: A. VACANT POSITIONS: 6 • Progress continues in filling vacant positions in Operations: Operator I, II and IV (Hilo); Sewer Maintenance Working Supervisor (Hilo and Kona); WWTP Operator III (Kona); WW Working Supervisor III (Kona). • Progress continues in filling vacant engineering positions: CE III; CE IV. 4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS: A. NĀ‘ĀLEHU LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT: • A Consultant Contract for Planning, Preliminary Engineering Report and public outreach has been executed. • “Talk story” sessions to start the initial public outreach efforts are being planned for late March 2018. • Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and properties have been connected to the new collection system. • The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) monies. B. PĀHALA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT: • Public outreach meetings following the talk story sessions are planned to begin in late March 2018. • As a result of EPA funding for this project, the NEPA process in addition to the State EA are required. The WWD is working closely with the EPA and their consultants to ensure all items in the NEPA process are completed correctly. • Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and properties have been connected to the new collection system. • The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) monies and partially by a federal EPA grant. C. NORTH KONA SEWER & EFFLUENT REUSE UPGRADE: • The force main leading to the proposed site for the future sewage pump station was installed in early February 2018. The sewer laterals/manholes and effluent reuse laterals are scheduled for completion by end of February 2018. • The revised draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the last re-design and additional construction cost attributed to project delays for the sewer and reuse lines is in the process of being finalized. • The State DOT began the overall project construction in September 2015. Currently, the anticipated completion date is August 2018. The project continues with installation of reuse piping and gravity sewer lines. • The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) monies. D. LONO KONA SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: • Due to prices exceeding available funding, the current bid solicitation was cancelled by the chief procurement officer. • Loan closing is scheduled to occur in April 2018. Construction NTP is estimated to be issued in mid-2018. 7 • The USDA Rural Development has obligated loan and grant funds of $2,437,000 and $4,024,800 respectively to this project. E. KEALAKEHE AERATION UPGRADE AND SLUDGE REMOVAL: • Final approval of the project will be issued pending completion of all punchlist items. • With respect to the Endangered Species Act for Hawaiian Stilts and Coots, the County will continue the predator control and bird monitoring of endangered bird species after project completion. • The project is funded by CWSRF monies which is being increased from $18 million to $23 million. F. KEALAKEHE WWTP EFFLUENT R-1 UPGRADE: • A Design Consultant Contract for R-1 design is being routed through the County. • The environmental process is ongoing. A draft EIS is anticipated to be published in mid-2018 followed by 45-day comment period. • The long range plans for R-1 quality effluent began in 2007 as a phased approach. Phase I, which installs a reuse line between the Kohanaiki area and Kealakehe Parkway, is planned under the State DOT’s Phase II Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Project (see item C above). • The DOH has earmarked SRF monies in the amount of $54 million to fund both design and construction of the R-1 upgrade at the Kealakehe WWTP. G. WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS: • Pua Sewage Pump Station (SPS) Upgrade: Design of the upgrade to the Pua SPS is in progress. It includes a complete renovation to include the structural, electrical and mechanical upgrades to the pump station. Cause for renovation is due to deterioration of the wet well from H2S; electrical component damage due to H2S corrosion and the overall age of the facility; and mechanical damage due to faulty discharge line valves due to hydraulic surging. Work is to include upgrading the HVAC; replacing/upgrading components of the electrical system; replacing corroded duct work; upgrading the wet well level control system and improving on safety issues by eliminating fire and electrical hazards to achieve compliance with NFPA 820 and 70E. The project is funded by CWSRF monies. • Hilo WWTP Administration Building Reroofing: Work on mold remediation is complete. The remaining work is sheetrock installation, painting, and HVAC work. The contractor for this work is waiting on the County permits. • ZOM Dilution and Assimilative Capacity Study: Due to inclement weather conditions, the field work for the Dilution and Assimilative Capacity Study for the Pāpa‘ikou, and Kula‘imano WWTPs is still yet to be completed. The study for the Hilo WWTP has been completed. H. ULU WINI WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: • The WWD continues to maintain stability of the treatment plant with the goal of achieving consistent process data and meeting the regulatory as well as expected effluent limits. The treatment system currently meets DOH 8 regulatory requirements, and nutrient removal is taking place. The longer term goal is to cut down on operation and maintenance. • Progress on the design plans and specifications (for the installation of the immediately planned treatment plant upgrades aimed at maintaining treatment plant stability and reliability plus lowered operations and maintenance cost for the next several years) is on hold due to OHCD’s notification to the Department that they are working with a Consultant to assess the condition of the treatment plant . • The State DOH is being kept apprised of the progress. I. SEWER RATE STUDY UPDATE: • Work on the Sewer Rate Study continues. DEM is currently working with the consultant on finalizing the rate study. J. UPDATE ON WATER SHUT-OFF FOR NON PAYMENT OF SEWER BILLS: • DEM is currently drafting administrative rules for the implementation of water shut-off for non-payment of sewer fees. The Department of Water Supply (DWS) is also drafting amendments to its rules to allow for water shut-off due to non-payment of sewer fees. Both DEM and DWS rules need to be amended for the water shut-off to be implemented. In the meantime, we continue to work with delinquent customers to bring their accounts current and refer accounts to the Office of the Corporation Counsel to pursue judgments when necessary. 9