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Council awards Garden City Compost improvement bid amid PFAS concerns raised by public
Summary
The council awarded an $8.58 million contract for Garden City Compost improvements; public commenters urged clearer labeling and information about PFAS/PFOS contamination and materials provided at the site.
The Missoula City Council on May 20 awarded the bid for the Garden City Compost Improvements project to Western Municipal Construction for a contract not to exceed $8,579,779; the council vote was 8-1.
Council Member Nugent moved the award; the roll-call vote recorded eight yes votes and one no vote from Council Member Vaseca. The project motion authorized the return of bid bonds and set the construction contract not to exceed the stated amount.
Public commenters raised concerns about potential contamination from “forever chemicals” (PFAS/PFOS) in compost materials distributed at Garden City. William Leishman, whose testimony was submitted by email and read into the record, urged the city to increase transparency so residents understand what materials they are receiving, asked for on-site signage, and said testing and clear communication are needed. Leishman said some retail outlets had stopped carrying an unnamed product and urged a 4x8 sign at distribution points and clearer written information for residents.
At committee and in council discussion, members and staff separated the immediate procurement decision from the broader environmental and public-health concerns. Council Member Nugent said the project includes concrete pads and other infrastructure improvements intended to reduce the risk that contaminants leach into groundwater. He noted Missoula drinking-water standards currently meet regulatory thresholds and added that there are fewer regulatory standards for compost products themselves, an issue committee members said merits future study and public education.
City staff and council members said subject-matter experts and regulatory agencies participated in the earlier discussions and that the committee recommended proceeding with improvements while continuing to pursue public outreach and testing. Council authorized the construction contract; separate follow-up on testing, labeling and public communication was discussed but not adopted as binding council action at the meeting.
