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Council awards $8.58 million Garden City Compost Improvements contract amid PFAS concerns
Summary
The Missoula City Council awarded a contract of up to $8,579,779 to Western Municipal Construction for the Garden City Compost Improvements project, voting 8–1 after public comment raised concerns about PFAS in compost.
The Missoula City Council voted 8–1 to award the bid for the Garden City Compost Improvements project to Western Municipal Construction at a cost not to exceed $8,579,779, authorizing the return of bid bonds.
The motion was made during regular business by Council member Nugent and passed after public comment and committee discussion.
Public comments and council response William Leishman, a public commenter, urged greater transparency about ‘‘forever chemicals’’ (PFAS) in compost sold to the public and asked for clear signage and information for customers who pick up compost at Garden City. "Fast contaminant contamination is being swept under the rug by industry jargon," Leishman said in public comment, adding that he had communicated concerns to Montana DEQ.
Council member Nugent and others clarified that the committee discussion had distinguished between existing drinking‑water standards (which Missoula meets) and broader questions about testing, labeling and standards for compost products. Nugent said the project includes measures — including concrete surfacing for compost operations — intended to reduce the chance of contaminants leaching into groundwater. “This project is partially to put concrete underneath our composting to make sure that chemicals like these don't leach into our groundwater,” Nugent said.
Why it matters: The project funds infrastructure upgrades at a city composting facility. Commenters raised public‑health and environmental concerns about PFAS and asked for clearer public education and labeling for compost products; council members and staff said those questions are separate from the immediate bid award but remain part of ongoing review.
What passed and next steps Council authorized the award to Western Municipal Construction at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $8,579,779 with an 8–1 vote (one council member opposed). Council members said the project will move forward with design and construction oversight and that staff will continue public communications about compost product composition and any testing or signage decisions.
Provenance: The item was introduced in the regular business section (topic introduced at 2477.1548 in the transcript) and the vote concludes the discussion (topic finish at 2978.6).
