Council hears staff explanation of biosolids contract amendment, including PFAS testing and contractor staffing issues

City staff and the council discussed an amendment to an existing biosolids-management contract, focusing on monitoring for PFAS and contractor capacity.

Laura Montgomery, senior engineering director in the Department of Wastewater Management, appeared with staff to answer questions about Amendment 3 to contract 18648 (contractor name cited in agenda). Councilmembers asked about monitoring for PFAS (referred to in the public comment as "pifas") and whether spreading biosolids on agricultural land posed risk to nearby farms.

Staff said the state recently required testing of biosolids for PFAS at facilities that receive biosolids, and that regulators have published guidance that the city is following. Montgomery said the department is conducting a study of biosolids management and is evaluating methods that could reduce or destroy PFAS in the material.

Councilmembers also asked about the reason for increased contract costs. Staff explained the primary driver was contractor staffing shortages that reduced production rates and required schedule adjustments; staff said equipment failures and difficulty obtaining spare parts contributed to delays at one processing site. Staff said they are monitoring the contractor closely and intend to include contingency options in future contracts to avoid sole-source processing risk.

The nut graf: the amendment’s rationale in staff’s memo includes compliance with newly required PFAS testing and operational challenges tied to contractor staffing and equipment availability; staff said they are evaluating long-term alternatives and contingencies to reduce reliance on a single contractor and to limit environmental risk.

Council discussion concluded with staff pledging to continue oversight, to monitor PFAS test results and to present options for diversification of biosolids-handling methods in upcoming reports.