Resident urges city action after Styrofoam from high‑school demolition litters yards

Dan Hebling, a neighborhood resident, told the Mandan Board of City Commissioners on Feb. 17 that Styrofoam from the ongoing high‑school demolition has been “littering up the yards, the streets” and likely entering storm sewers. “The last week or two, I’ve been noticing that all the Styrofoam coming from the demolition at the high school, and it’s just littering up the yards,” Hebling said during the public‑comment period.

The resident said mitigation measures he observed — black paper placed at the site and added chicken‑wire on the fence — were not preventing small pieces from blowing into yards. He also said efforts at neighborhood notification had been limited and that a neighbor was threatened with a citation after trying to clear debris from a yard.

City Administrator Jim Neubauer responded that the project is being led by the school district and that the city has been in contact with district staff and the contractor to mitigate debris. Neubauer said city crews have run street sweepers and that staff would continue to press the contractor and the school district to improve cleanup and resident communications. A city public‑safety official noted that temporary hydrant access and dust‑suppression measures would be coordinated through public works when weather allows.

Commissioners acknowledged the concern and said the city would remain engaged with the school district and contractor to ensure mitigation. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said they would follow up with the resident and the district.

The commission next took up routine agenda items and other new‑business items after the public comment period.