Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landfill Postclosure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Riverview council members press for fuller oversight as landfill nears closure and leachate work proceeds
Summary
During public comment and council discussion June 16 Riverview elected officials and staff discussed restarting oversight, funding for post‑closure costs, the leachate plant and PFAS engineering reviews; staff said major matters will come to full council and that grants and engineering checks are in progress.
RIVERVIEW, Mich. — Public comment and multiple council members on June 16 urged the Riverview City Council to restore regular oversight of the city landfill as the facility approaches closure, raising questions about leachate treatment, post‑closure funding and long‑term revenue impacts.
Resident Ken Kiehlman told the council he was “disappointed” that the ad hoc land preserve (landfill) committee has largely stopped meeting since the council decided not to pursue an expansion, and he urged the council to resume those meetings so members could track technical issues such as the leachate plant and final closure funding.
“I'm disappointed that you're not taking advantage of that opportunity to oversee what is the the largest asset of the city right now,” Kiehlman said during public comment.
Mayor Andrew M. Swift and council members said major items will be brought to the full council rather than handled exclusively in the ad hoc committee for reasons of transparency and to ensure all members are informed. “The intent is that the major issues now will be brought right to council instead of going to the landfill committee first,” the mayor said.
City Manager Jeff Dobek told the council staff is pursuing multiple technical and financial steps before coming back with formal proposals. He said the city is reviewing alternatives and enterprise functions to replace landfill revenue where possible, that staff will pursue grants from agencies including EGLE and county sources, and that the city has engaged an engineering review to double‑check PFAS treatment plans. “I want it double checked because this will be a big process for the city of Riverview,” Dobek said.
Council members and the mayor discussed fiscal implications. The mayor said post‑closure costs will be funded in large part from landfill revenues while the site remains open and from gas royalties now, and that the city expects to have several years of runway but will need to pursue other revenues as post‑closure obligations continue. He noted that certain projects previously envisioned to be funded from landfill expansion revenue will need other funding sources now.
Councilman Webb and others said they favor bringing landfill items to study sessions so all council members receive the same background information in advance of decisions. Council members also encouraged staff to send summaries and supporting documents to the full council as technical work progresses.
No formal policy or fiscal action was adopted at the meeting regarding landfill closure, leachate treatment, or post‑closure funding; staff said they will return with more solidified designs and recommendations when available.
