HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-22 EMC Agenda and Director's Informational Report (CANCELLED)
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
MEETING AGENDA
DATE: August 22, 2018
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: Aupuni Center Conference Room
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 26, 2018
3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Continued discussion on the motion that any contracts entered into with the
Department of Environmental Management contain a percentage of the contract
dedicated to an education and outreach component for waste reduction.
b. Status report by subcommittee pursuant to its investigation on how to address
implementing the Commission’s resolution approved and adopted on March 28,
2018, to adopt a proactive pollution elimination program consistent with the
goals of the Clean Water Act.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request from the Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission for the Environmental
Management Commission’s input on how the County Charter affects its role and
operations within the County, and any proposals it may have to amend the
Charter.
6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Director’s Informational Report. (Note: The report and agenda are posted
online on the County Calendar and on the County’s website under Boards and
Commissions, Environmental Management Commission
(http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/Browse.aspx?startid=8405&dbid=1).
The Director will provide informational updates on the following:
(1) Status of the proposed Nāāʻlehu and Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plants.
(2) Status of the closure of the Hilo Landfill.
(3) Status of proposed commissioners to the Environmental Management
Commission (per request of Commissioner Gaffney).
(4) Information on what profit-making waste management opportunities may
exist on the island of Hawaiʻi (per request of Commissioner Fritz).
(5) Report on testimony to the Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission.
7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
a. Commissioner Neff: report on the Hū Honua Bioenergy incinerator.
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioners can suggest items they would like placed on the next agenda.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2018, in the Planning
Department’s conference room (Building E) at the West Hawaiʻi Community Center
at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi.
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.
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DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL REPORT
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
AUGUST 22, 2018
CURRENT LEGISLATION
ITEM DESCRIPTION CURRENT STATUS
Bill 154 The bill proposes to extend the authority of the Passed unanimously at first
Department of Environmental Management to County Council reading on
remove abandoned vehicles from certain private 8/8/18. Second reading is
roadways in the interest of public health and scheduled for 8/22/18.
safety.
DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL UPDATES AND ISSUES BROUGHT UP AT
PREVIOUS MEETING
1. Status of the proposed Nāālehu ʻand Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plants (AOC Gantt
chart schedules to be provided at the meeting).
2. Status of the closure of the Hilo Landfill (the EA was submitted to the OEQC, and
publication is scheduled for 8/23/18).
3. Status of proposed commissioners to the Environmental Management Commission (per
request of Commissioner Gaffney).
4. Information on what profit-making waste management opportunities may exist on the
island of Hawaiʻi (per request of Commissioner Fritz).
5. Report on testimony to the Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission.
SOLID WASTE DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. OPERATIONS
A. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING (CDL) TRAINING:
• HR sent out a survey to all baseyard employees to determine how many of our
employees are interested in pursuing heavy equipment training. Our Safety
Driver Instructor Coordinator is now scheduling this training with the
employees.
B. WEST HAWAI‘I SANITARY LANDFILL:
• A notice to proceed was given to the low bidder for a contract to replace the
scale at the WHSL.
C. EQUIPMENT
SWD is evaluating the equipment that will be utilized for operations at WHSL
and also which equipment is likely to be surplus once the SHSL has reached
capacity.
2. ADMINISTRATION
• SWD conducted interviews for a Recycling Specialist I.
3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
• A completed restated contract was finalized and is circulating for signatures.
• A draft Environmental Assessment for the new composting site was submitted to the
Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC).
4. RECYCLING SECTION
A. ORGANICS DIVERSION PROGRAM:
SWD is in the process of revising the contract for the provision of greenwaste and
composting services.
B. INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
The 2019 County of Hawaiʻi Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP)
update will be prepared in compliance with the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS)
Chapter 342G, which requires counties in Hawai‘i to update and revise their solid
waste management plans every 10 years. The last update to the County of
Hawai‘i’s ISWMP was completed in 2009.
The update to the ISWMP will include an evaluation of local needs and
conditions to determine the most effective combined strategy for managing solid
waste while protecting human health and the environment. The plan will outline
the components of an effective solid waste management strategy and identify
short and long term goals, while providing a framework for implementation.
As required by HRS Chapter 342G, Mayor Kim appointed members to the Solid
Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). The County’s SWAC is comprised of eight
members, and a schedule has been established to meet monthly. Input from the
SWAC members during the ISWMP update process is crucial to ensure that the
completed plan effectively identifies and addresses the County of Hawai‘i’s
unique solid waste challenges.
C. 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 at
recycling and transfer stations. Commercial generators/collectors should work
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directly with recycling companies to manage recyclables, as they are prohibited
from the recycling and transfer stations. Redesign of the Hilo site is proposed to
better handle traffic and customers. The SWD is working with the vendor to
update and replace signage and repair ramps. A meeting was held with the
vendor to discuss more restrictive worldwide recycling market and trade
conditions and how these may impact local collections. Ongoing discussions
continue.
D. DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) USED MOTOR OIL RECYCLING:
• IFB 3725 closed on July 6, 2018. Hawai‘i Petroleum, Inc., was the only bidder
and was shown to be fair and reasonable. Award recommendation submitted
on July 10, 2018.
• A list of island-wide year-round collection locations (six) 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 (UMO) 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 FY2018 Budget.
E. REUSE CENTERS:
• RFP 3693 resulted in contract award to Transfer Station Thrift Store LLC for
all seven locations.
• The County operates seven Reuse Centers at Recycling and Transfer Stations
located in Hilo, Kea‘au, Pāhoa, Kealakehe, Keauhou, Waimea, and Wai‘ōhinu.
F. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING:
• The IFB 3514 contract awarded to Mr. K’s R&R expires April 17, 2019.
• 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.
• Mr. K’s offered a “free” electronics collection event for businesses and
agencies on June 30, 2018 partially sponsored by his recyclers and County of
Hawai‘i. Mr. K’s is planning similar event at end of September, by reservation
only.
• 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.
• Currently, no manufacturer offers convenient on-island take-back of
electronics; manufacturers only offer convenience on O‘ahu to comply with
the Electronic Waste and Television Recycling & Recovery Act mandatory
take-back provisions. The DOH awarded the County grant funding in FY2019,
partially reimbursing SWD electronics recycling expenditures.
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G. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW):
• June’s Kealakehe and Hilo HHW turnouts and quantities collected were
similar to December 2017.
• The next HHW Collection Events are scheduled for December 1, 2018, in Hilo
and December 8, 2018, in Kealakehe. More information is available at
http://www.hazardouswaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/.
H. 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 lukuohia or Ceratocystis
huliohia. 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 greenwaste collection sites and
recommends composting on-site.
• The County’s contract with Hawaiian Earth Recycling continues greenwaste
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 greenwaste
recycling at the Waimea Recycling and Transfer Station to make it more
convenient for residents.
I. SCHOOL RECYCLING AND TOURS:
• Requests for school and HCC/UHH tours of SWD facilities continue. Many
were scheduled in April to coincide with Earth Day. These tours are helpful in
educating the next generation on recycling and sustainability. Several tours
have already taken place for various schools island wide.
J. 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.
K. HI-5 CERTIFIED REDEMPTION CENTERS (CRCs)
• IFB 3552, to “Provide Certified Redemption Center Services at County
Recycling & Transfer Stations 2018-2019,” has been awarded. Atlas
Recycling will continue to operate at Kealakehe, Kea‘au, Keauhou, Ocean
View, Volcano, and Waimea. Business Services Hawaiʻi will continue to
operate at Hāwī, Hilo, Honoka‘a, and Puakō.
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L. RECYCLING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
• The Recycling Section’s website, www.hawaiizerowaste.org, completed its
transition to a mobile-ready format with enhanced location features. The
Recycling Section is researching upgrades to the website to improve
functionality and customer experience.
• Information is continually updated on the site.
• The staff continues to give presentations to community organizations. The
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biggest event was the 30 Earth Day Fair at UH-Hilo on April 20, 2018, where
hundreds of students attended. The Recycling Section participated in the
World Ocean Day on June 8, 2018, by staffing an exhibit table.
M. TIRE RECOVERY/RECYCLING EDUCTION AND OUTREACH:
• The contractor has completed the third round one-year 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 to
accept used tires from, customers when tires are being replaced. Two-year
follow-up site visits are planned for April 2019.
• 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 2017 period, encouraging consumers to leave
used tires at the retailer when purchasing new ones, as customers already paid
the mandatory fee for disposal.
• More information is at: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/tires/
5. DERELICT AND ABANDONED VEHICLE (DAV) PROGRAM
• Bids were opened for the vehicle disposal contracts. Hilo Impound Lot was awarded
to HMP, Inc., dba Business Services Hawaiʻi; the Notice to Proceed issued on
February 22, 2018. Kona and Puʻuanahulu Impound Lots were awarded to Big Island
Scrap Metal; the Notice to Proceed issued on March 19, 2018.
• DAV coordinators continue to meet with the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Traffic
Services Section, to explore ways of improving the tagging and removal of abandoned
vehicles.
• Notice to Proceed was issued for Zone 1, option one, for Ken’s Towing Service.
• An auction for abandoned vehicles was held in May.
- Total cars auctioned: 53
- Total cars sold: 23
- Total sales: $8,357.00
- Cost savings: 23 cars x $675 = $15,525 (this is what it would have cost the County if
we had to dispose of them).
• Monthly towing numbers:
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AV Towing 2018-19
Hilo Kona
Jul 2018 23 58
Aug 2018
Sept 2018
Oct 2018
Nov 2018
Dec 2018
Jan 2019
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
The total tow requests for the month of July 2018 was 81; however, 11 vehicles were not
on location at the time of arrival.
6. SORT STATION UPDATE (FY 18-19)
Total Tons Taken Total Tons
Month/Year to Sort Station Diverted
Jul 2018 1,350.04 0.00
Aug 2018
Sept 2018
Oct 2018
Nov 2018
Dec 2018
Jan 2019
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 1,350.04 0.00
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.
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7. MONTHLY LANDFILL TONNAGES (FY 18-19)
Month/Year SHSL WHSL
Jul 2018 6,141.14 14,593.45
Aug 2018
Sept 2018
Oct 2018
Nov 2018
Dec 2018
Jan 2019
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 6,141.14 14,593.45
8. MONTHLY TRANSFER STATION TONNAGES (FY 18-19)
Month/Year SHSL WHSL
Jul 2018 3,422.47 4,434.41
Aug 2018
Sept 2018
Oct 2018
Nov 2018
Dec 2018
Jan 2019
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 3,422.47 4,434.41
The above table is to include data on the waste disposed of in the landfill (not the
greenwaste or recycling data).
WASTEWATER DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. COMPLIANCE
• TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL: No report.
• COLLECTION SYSTEM:
August 10, 2018: Approximately 600 gallons of wastewater spill from the wet well
occurred within the property boundary at the Kealakehe Sewage Pump Station. Cause
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was a pump discharge valve that was left in the closed position. The area was
disinfected. Per HAR 11-62 for spills within property, formal notification and
reporting is not necessary for the spill volume, and a record of the event will be
maintained onsite.
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. Reviewing and
updating weekly safety meeting agendas.
3. ADMINISTRATION
A. VACANT POSITIONS IN OPERATIONS:
• Trades Helper (temporary, Hilo – 2 positions): recruitment in progress.
• Operator II (Hilo): requesting reallocation to Operator IV.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor IV (Hilo): Position has been filled
with an effective date of 8/16/2018
• Assistant Operator (Hilo – 2 positions): recruitment in progress.
• Assistant Operator (Kona – 2 position): recruitment in progress.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor III (Kona): recruitment in progress.
B. VACANT POSITIONS AT RAILROAD OFFICE:
• Engineering Support Tech IV: recruitment in progress.
• Civil Engineer IV: position has been offered and accepted; start date is
8/16/18.
4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
A. NĀ‘ĀLEHU LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT:
• Alternative potential sites are being investigated.
• Public outreach meetings will be scheduled for late September 2018.
• The State EA process is to be completed prior to purchase of land for the
treatment/disposal facility.
• 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 will be scheduled for late September 2018.
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• As a result of EPA funding for this project, the NEPA process in addition to the
State EA process are required. Both processes are to be completed prior to
selection of land for the treatment/disposal facility.
- The WWD has been teleconferencing with the EPA and their consultants on a
bi-weekly basis to ensure all items in the NEPA process are completed.
• 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 AND EFFLUENT REUSE UPGRADE:
• Final walkthrough was completed.
• The State DOT began the overall project construction in September 2015.
Currently, the anticipated completion date is August 2018.
• The project is funded by Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) monies.
D. LONO KONA SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT:
• Project was awarded on July 27, 2018.
• Loan closing is in progress. Construction NTP will be after loan closing.
• The USDA Rural Development has obligated loan and grant funds of
$2,437,000 and $4,024,800 respectively to this project. DEM is working with
USDA to finalize a Subsequent Loan $3,699,000 and Subsequent Grant
$1,071,000. Low construction bid received was $8,531,814.43.
E. KEALAKEHE AERATION UPGRADE AND SLUDGE REMOVAL:
• Final approval of the project will be issued pending the review and acceptance
of all close-out documents.
• With respect to the Endangered Species Act for Hawaiian Stilts and Coots, the
County has executed a contract with Hoʻomaluo LLC to continue the predator
control and bird monitoring of endangered bird species.
• The project is funded by CWSRF monies, which are being increased from $18
million to $23 million.
F. KEALAKEHE WWTP EFFLUENT R-1 UPGRADE:
• 60% plans to be submitted September 27, 2018.
• The environmental process for the R-1 system is ongoing. A draft EIS is
anticipated to be published in September 2018 followed by a 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.
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G. NORTH KONA SEWER PUMP STATION
• This new sewer pump station will be located on the mauka side of Queen
Kaʻahamanu Highway. It is to receive wastewater from a portion of the area
below Ane Keohokalole Highway between Hina Lani Street and Kealakehe
Parkway. The wastewater will be pumped to the Kealakehe WWTP via new
forcemains tentatively scheduled to be installed by late 2020.
• The pre-design phase, including the archaeological and permitting
assessments, has begun. The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) is in
process, and once the design concept is determined, a follow-up meeting will
be scheduled with Hawaiian cultural groups and archaeologists to discuss
impacts to the Māmalahoa Trail.
H. 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.
• ZOM Dilution and Assimilative Capacity Study: Field work for the Dilution
and Assimilative Capacity Study for the Pāpa‘ikou and Kula‘imano WWTPs
has been completed and a report is forthcoming.
I. 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
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 the Office of Housing and Community
Development’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.
J. SEWER RATE STUDY UPDATE:
• Work on the Sewer Rate Study continues. DEM is currently working with the
consultant on finalizing the rate study.
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K. 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.
L. FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN/ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
• PG Environmental has completed the data collection for all of the critical
assets, and is now working on the criticality analysis. The next deliverable will
be the Draft Risk Assessment Report and the Draft Fiscal Sustainability Plan
due mid-September.
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