Lake Elmo staff report PFAS at former fire station; cleanup to be addressed with purchaser
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Summary
Community development director Jason Stoppel told the EDA that a Phase 2 Stantec study found a small amount of PFAS near the surface at the former fire station site; further core, vapor and asbestos testing is underway, and Stoppel said removal work would be part of purchaser responsibilities and an action/response plan if needed.
City staff reported new environmental findings at the former fire station and adjacent parks property and outlined next steps.
Jason Stoppel, the community development director, told the EDA that the Phase 2 work by Stantec — funded through county arrangements — identified a "little bit of PFAS around the fire station, kind of surface level," with some cores detecting material near four feet. Stoppel said the team is conducting additional cores, asbestos testing and vapor testing and expects to submit a response action plan if required.
Stoppel told members that cleanup activities are expected to transfer with the purchaser under the current negotiations: "The cleanup activities will go with the purchaser," he said. He added that the county-administered Stantec contract handles invoicing and that staff could provide an estimate of grant or county funding for the testing on request.
A member asked whether the PFAS plume could extend beyond property lines. Stoppel acknowledged a regional plume exists and said staff did not test outside the site boundaries; he said that, based on the purchaser's proposals, the discovery "isn't gonna affect the development" but stressed that outside-boundary testing had not been performed.
Stoppel also noted an upcoming closed session with the city council to discuss purchase price and said appraisals will be released after any purchase agreement is signed. He said the city hopes to complete a purchase around May.