Mono County directs staff to return with $100,000 plan to finish asbestos work and advance Pac Fire cleanup

Mono County supervisors on March 3 directed staff to return next week with a formal resolution to authorize up to $100,000 to complete the outstanding asbestos assessment and removal work tied to the Pac Fire cleanup, clearing the final barrier to the conclusion of phase‑1 debris removal and enabling homeowners who wish to proceed to move forward.

Assistant CAO Christine Bouchard briefed the board after county staff received a walk‑through estimate from a state contractor (DRC) that suggested phase‑2 costs could be substantially higher than earlier expectations. Bouchard said the county sought to avoid stalling property owners who want to begin rebuilding this spring by funding the specific asbestos assessments and any required removals so sites can be green‑lit for subsequent work.

Public works reported soil tests at four representative locations returned results well below CAM‑17 maximums, which staff said increases the likelihood that many sites will be cleared quickly. County staff estimated the asbestos assessment and removal scope might involve testing and potential mitigation at 10–20 parcels; examples cited included a $70,000 removal at one annex site and a $10,500 mobile‑unit decontamination example. Given uncertainty in site‑level needs, staff requested board direction to put initial funding in place and promised a full analysis and resolution for next week.

Supervisors discussed reimbursement possibilities from the California Disaster Assistance (CDAA) program and whether insurance recoveries would offset county costs. Staff said if CDAA or state funding later materializes, the county could seek reimbursement but warned there is no guarantee. Staff also explained that a county‑run contract for large public works would likely require a formal procurement process and prevailing‑wage compliance; by contrast, homeowners who choose to perform their own cleanup may not meet those requirements and would forfeit eligibility for reimbursement under a county‑administered state program.

Multiple property owners and business operators urged swift county action during public comment, saying delayed cleanup harms safety, tourism and local businesses. Community development staff said building permit plan checks would be expedited and that Cal Fire has indicated flexibility in re‑approving replaced structures under some circumstances if prior permits can be shown.

Bouchard said the $100,000 would come from the county’s Disaster Assistance Fund and that staff will prepare a public‑purpose resolution next week to enable the expenditure. The board gave direction and asked staff to bring back detailed cost scenarios for full phase‑2 work and options for county engagement, including potential procurement paths and reimbursement mechanics.