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Council approves Phase I environmental assessment contract for former commercial site
Summary
Council approved a contract (Resolution 25-55) to hire GeoCentek for a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) for a property with a history of petroleum and underground tanks; staff said a Phase I and possibly Phase II are needed to establish due diligence and protect the city from future liability.
The City Council approved a contract to commission a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) for a city property that has a history of a service station and underground fuel tanks, adopting Resolution 25-55. Staff recommended the assessment as due diligence to support an “innocent purchaser” defense and to document prior uses and potential contamination before the city proceeds with acquisition or redevelopment.
Staff reported that a Phase I ESA was previously completed in 2005, but counsel advised obtaining updated assessments. The presenter said a Phase I typically reviews historic records and, if warranted, will recommend Phase II soil sampling and testing. The estimated cost included in the packet covered Phase I work (approximately $8,000); staff said Phase II, if needed, would be additional and more extensive.
Council asked about field activity: staff explained Phase I may recommend drilling through asphalt to collect soil samples in landscape or exposed areas if historical records indicate potential contamination. The contract approved covers only the Phase I scope; staff said they recommended the work to document the property history and to reduce risk of liability under Department of Ecology rules.
Following a motion from Councilmember Dall (mover recorded in the meeting as moving the resolution), the council approved the GeoCentek contract by voice vote.
Why it matters: updated environmental assessment documents the property’s history and any identified contamination risk; such documentation is often necessary for property acquisition, site cleanup planning, and to reduce municipal liability.
Next steps: staff will commission the Phase I ESA under the approved contract and, if the report recommends Phase II testing, return to council with cost estimates and recommendations for further action.
