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City reports asbestos removal at Dempsters site, new landfill drone imagery and Brownfield grant pursuit
Summary
City administrators told the council that asbestos removal work at a demolition site is complete, drone footage of the new landfill shows substantial progress and municipal staff are reapplying for Brownfield and other grants to support remediation and reuse work.
City staff updated the council on remediation and landfill projects, saying asbestos removal at a demolition site is finished, drone imagery shows progress at the new landfill site and staff are pursuing additional grant funding.
City Administrator Ted said the asbestos-containing glazing on north- and south-facing windows at the demolition site has been removed and the affected window frames will not be replaced; he said the front windows had newer glazing and were not removed. Ted said the city has budgeted funds for work at the Dempsters site and that a Dempsters committee (Ted, Alex, Dwayne and Gary) is meeting to prepare recommendations for the council.
Ted also said he had seen drone shots of the new landfill site and recommended councilmembers view the images, describing the site work as "very impressive." Councilmembers discussed posting the drone footage on the city website and holding an open house or ribbon-cutting when construction is complete.
On the question of disturbing soil at the Dempsters site, a city staff member (Taylor, per the record) said the city is being cautious: "we are not disturbing any of the soil whatsoever," and indicated that soil disturbance would be delayed until environmental liability issues are addressed and grant funding is secured. Ted and staff said they are reapplying for a Brownfield grant and that consultants on the site have identified additional state and federal grant opportunities.
The council discussed short-term access concerns (sidewalk repair near the fire-damaged building) and directed staff to follow up on options that avoid disturbing contaminated soil. Staff said they would coordinate next steps and report back to the council.
Ending: Staff will pursue grant opportunities, provide drone imagery to the website or an open-house event when appropriate, and bring remediation recommendations back to council for decision.
