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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc1 22 08pca 1 City Council Date: 1.22.08 REGULAR Item: 15 ITEM: Discuss the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed alternatives for remediating PFCs in the Washington County Landfill SUBMITTED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator __________________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The city council requested time to review and discuss the proposed plans for remediating the PFCs in the Washington County Landfill. The options are being considered by PCA. A public information meeting on the options will be held in the coming weeks (no schedule at this time) and a 30 day public comment period will begin after the public meetings. Any agencies, citizens or entities including the city may submit comments. At the workshop on January 8, 2008, the city council wanted to discuss options and, potentially, direct the PCA to look at variations on the options presented. This was in response to the preferred option being the ‘dig and line’ on the site option. The staff suggests that the city council develop a list of questions that are specifically and directly related to the remediation options and, if desired, provide some direction to the MPCA and communicate this direction to our legislators. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The six options include (see attachment 1): • No Action • Plasma Torch • Force Main • Pump and Treat on Site • Dig and Truck • Dig and Line QUESTIONS RAISED • What is the process in terms of getting PCA approval for an option and asking the legislature for funding? o We understand that the PCA is requesting $15 m in the bonding bill for the Washington County Landfill, is this for the dig and line option? Or for any option? • Is there a pressing timeline to determine this solution and implement it? o What is driving the timeline? o Were there any options that are easier to implement because the design is already in the works or complete? • Why not attempt to dispose of the waste permanently to avoid having to dig it up and remove or rebury it in the future? • What about the option of moving the waste from the Washington County Landfill to a site where it can be securely maintained until a plasma burner can be built to accommodate other waste that must be disposed of? o Could this be a more cost effective and environmentally sound approach in the future? 2 POSSIBLE STATEMENTS TO CONSIDER … Move to ask the PCA to: Consider options for the disposal of waste from the Washington County Landfill that will permanently clean up the potential pollution on the site. These measures might include: - the dig and haul approach - the plasma burner (off site) - moving the waste to an intermediary site within the region where waste from elsewhere can be gathered, safely stored and eventually processed by a plasma burner - researching in more depth on options to determine the most environmentally and fiscally responsible approach to disposing of the waste ADDITIONAL STEPS The city council may wish to have any questions or comments it approves to be read at the public meeting that is held. The city park and environmental commissions have been alerted to the PCA proposal as it has emerged on the city council agenda. Also, the attendees at the public neighborhood meeting were also informed of this meeting. The city council may want to specifically get these people informed of the PCA public meeting. In addition, the PCA may be willing to attend a joint park, planning and environmental commission meeting on the topic too. ORDER OF BUSINESS Introduction Susan Hoyt, City Administrator Report follow up Shawn Ruotsinoja, MPCA (if desired by PCA) Questions from the council To presenter Mayor and Council members (3 minutes / person) Questions from the public to the Council Mayor facilitates (3 minute maximum/person) Call for a motion if action is intended to be taken or call for a motion to discuss Mayor and Council members the item, if no action is expected/desired Discussion Mayor and Council members Action, if any (No action is required) City Council ATTACHMENTS: 1 Remedy Feasibility Assessment MPCA publication