Council approves $1 million from Monsanto settlement for 50 Solano Ave remediation

The Vallejo City Council unanimously adopted a resolution finding the 50 Solano Avenue cleanup and monitoring compliance project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and appropriated $1,000,000 from the city's Monsanto settlement funds to begin remediation work.

Councilmember Matias, who pulled the item for discussion, said he supported the appropriation but asked that staff return with a fuller briefing on allowable uses and the remaining balance of the settlement fund. “I would like any approval motion to carry that request that the Monsanto settlement funds...come back to the council for a discussion on it,” Matias said.

Interim Public Works Director Alcantar summarized the project's scope: soil excavation and disposal, installation of four monitoring wells, trucking and disposal of groundwater, backfill and quality assurance, and noted the regional water board had approved a remediation action plan. Staff explained the $1,000,000 estimate accounts for groundwater storage and trucking, disposal and monitoring wells.

Chief Assistant City Attorney clarified that, unlike some other settlement funds, the Monsanto settlement does not legally require a nexus between the fund origin and how the city spends the money; the city is using the funds for remediation that is necessary to meet permitting requirements. Council requested staff prepare a presentation detailing the Monsanto funds' historic uses and remaining balance.

The motion to amend the FY 2025–26 budget and appropriate $1,000,000 passed unanimously.