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Council approves state hazmat response contract that raises annual reimbursement to $80,000
Summary
The International Falls City Council approved a two‑year hazardous materials response contract with the state that increases annual reimbursement from $60,000 to $80,000 and covers training and equipment; council clarified the team is not a cleanup contractor.
The International Falls City Council on July 7 approved a state contract to continue the city’s hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response arrangement for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with the state increasing annual reimbursement from $60,000 to $80,000.
Chief Mike Kostrick told the council the contract is an extension of the city’s existing agreement dating to 2015 and that the main substantive change is the higher reimbursement level, which helps cover training and monitoring equipment. “They cover the training and materials that we need to operate that team,” Kostrick said.
Council members and the chief emphasized a common misunderstanding: the local HAZMAT team identifies and monitors hazardous materials but is not a cleanup contractor. Kostrick described a recent incident involving about 200 gallons of fuel oil outside the city’s jurisdiction; the team identified the material and assessed risk, but cleanup was handled by the county or another contractor.
The council approved the contract unanimously, with a motion by Councilor Buller and second by Councilor Wagner. No change in operational scope was approved beyond accepting the two‑year contract and the increased reimbursement.
Staff noted the funding helps with training, monitors and related materials; the city will continue to rely on county or private cleanup contractors for remediation work when appropriate.
