Josephine County approves progress payment for fuel‑tank decommissioning as environmental review continues

The Board of County Commissioners on May 26 approved the first progress payment to M&M Services, LLC for the decommissioning of old fuel tanks and pumps at a county facility.

Richard Pike, Public Works Manager, told commissioners the project contract total was approximately $102,400 and that the payment represented the first invoice under the approved contract. Pike said crews had removed and transported the tanks off site, were backfilling excavation areas and had identified seepage beneath one diesel pump location that required additional environmental analysis before final completion activities proceed. He said work had progressed "better than originally anticipated" and staff expected to reopen nearby building access by the end of the week.

Commissioner Colene Martin moved to approve the progress payment; Commissioner Gary Richardson seconded. On a roll call, Commissioners Richardson, Martin and Chair Ron Smith voted yes; the motion carried 3–0.

Commissioners discussed site remediation, access improvements at the work area and a separate, upcoming decommissioning project in Kirby for which staff are gathering cost estimates and meeting with contractors. Pike said final completion will await the environmental analysis results tied to the identified seepage and that remediation and reporting requirements will be completed according to applicable environmental review steps.

The board did not set a further timeline for receipt of the environmental analysis in the meeting record; Public Works staff will return with results and next steps as they become available.