Remediation at Baptist Hospital Legacy Campus underway; city describes asbestos handling plan

Council members were informed that remediation at the Baptist Hospital Legacy Campus began on the day of the agenda conference and staff described procedures for handling asbestos-containing materials.

Councilman Wiggins reported that remediation work had started and that he had engaged with a representative of Northstar; staff confirmed remediation activity and said they would provide an update at the next meeting. City staff explained the asbestos plan: during the initial four-month period, asbestos-containing material that is non-friable (for example, caulking) will be collected, sealed in plastic per state code and temporarily stored inside the building. The contractor will use labeled dumpsters, but staff said asbestos would not be placed in dumpsters until it is ready to be hauled away; materials will ultimately be transported for proper off-site disposal. Jacobs, the consultant named in the discussion, had been part of conversations about the plan.

Council members asked questions about notification, tree removal, and whether contaminated materials would be left on site overnight; staff said the plan includes notifying council members and keeping asbestos material sealed inside the building until transport. No health incident or emergency was reported during the conference and no policy vote was taken; staff said they would return with more detailed updates.

The council also discussed the city's responsibility to notify district councilmembers about tree removals or mitigation plans as remediation proceeds, and staff said they would provide assessments and walk the site with council staff.