2015-07-22 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES July 22, 2015 West Hawai'i Civic Center Community Hale, Kailua-Kona, HI COMMISSIONERS ALSO PRESENT: Thom Randle, Chair PRESENT: Georjean Adams Jeffry Fear Christine Dochin James Fritz Councilmember Margaret Wille Trina Nahm-Mijo Susan Osborne STAFF: BJ Leithead Todd, Director Renee Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel ABSENT: Luana Neff Sharron Henry, Secretary 1. CALL TO ORDER&ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commission Chair Thom Randle called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m.Renee Schoen,Deputy Corporation Counsel newly assigned to the department and commission,was introduced and welcomed. Chair Randle reiterated that commission meeting schedules are on all agendas and minutes, as well as the Hawaii County DEM/Commission webpage. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 27,2015 MEETING: Commissioner Susan Osborne moved to approve the May 27,2015 minutes. Commissioner Jeffry Fear seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously with members present: Fear,Fritz, Osborne,Randle and Nahm-Mijo voting yes. 3. APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA:None 4. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS LISTED ON AGENDA: Councilmember Wille provided information from a Public Infrastructure Conference she attended noting that out of the 17 priority projects, 16 were on Oahu and only one on the outer islands. She has also been attending the State Transient Accommodation Tax(TAT)working group meetings and will provide a report to the county of their fmdings and recommendations. Wille is in support of and encourages the county to move forward on a multi-year organics diversion contract allowing for different vendors in different parts of the island. She also informed the commission that the county has received an offer for a composting facility in Waikoloa. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): - Relating to Councilmember Wille's testimony,the Director provided a brief history of the State TAT,also noting that State revenues are not a kuleana of this commission while the Clean Water State Revolving Funds(CWSRF)that provide funding for department wastewater projects would be an item of topic for the commission. Meeting was recessed at 10:20 a.m. for a short break and resumed at 10:25 a.m. WASTEWATER DIVISION - The State DOH has committed CWSRF funding for the entire$54M cost of the Kealakehe WWTP Effluent R-1 Upgrade. - Funding for the Queen K Highway project will be shared between the State and the County(North Kona Sewer&effluent Reuse Upgrade). - An agreement has been reached between the State and the County on the Papa`ikou WWTP contested case. WWD is awaiting the formal written approval from DOH and the State Attorney General. - There is a pending contested case on the Hilo WWTP permit and negotiations continue. At the current County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.