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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />July 28, 1992 <br /> <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />Council Business. continued <br /> <br />Anderson feels New Brighton has a good chance to receive the grant and <br />would like Council ideas and suggestions. <br /> <br />Larson suggested salvaging trees from the Halva Addition. Anderson <br />confirmed that the City normally salvages trees from construction sites. <br /> <br />Williams confirmed that private business contributions can be included. <br />Council agreed to support the pursuit of the grant. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Kevin Locke presented a moratorium <br />ordinance for construction on Federal Superfund sites located in the City. <br /> <br />The moratorium would provide the City with time to review its ordinances <br />and address special contamination problems on the City's two Superfund <br />sites, Mac Gillis and Gibbs and Bell Pole and Lumber. The rebuilding of <br />these facilities has raised concern about further potential harm to the <br />environment or exacerbation of the pOllution problems caused by <br />construction activities. <br /> <br />The interim ordinance gives the City one year to review development <br />controls and make appropriate changes, the moratorium can be extended up <br />to an additional 18 months. Generally, during the moratorium, no <br />development approvals will be granted within the Superfund sites. <br /> <br />Scott Kirk, Bell Lumber and Pole, said the company is committed to clean- <br />up activities, and the moratorium is a concern because it impedes any <br />improvements they would like to undertake. They feel there are enough <br />controls in place now to regulate and address environmental concerns. but <br />they respect Council's right to address these issues. <br /> <br />A.J. Bumby, MacGillis and Gibbs, said the moratorium threatens the <br />company survival and the loss of 38 jobs. The company is in Chapter 11 <br />and has not had funds available for the contamination problem, but were <br />successful in paying off some debt. This year, a fire destroyed a portion of <br />the facility. immediately after the fire began, a firm monitored air and <br />ground contamination. He noted that Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <br />(MPCA) and Federal officials agreed the study which analyzed samples of a <br />parking lot leased to Zeos was flawed. however, he feels that this is the <br />report on which the City based the moratorium. The air quality studies <br />show adherence to Occupational, Safety and Health standards. If MPCA <br />managed the cleanup it would cost 6 times more than a private firm. He <br />feels a company should be able to seek a loan to provide clean up and save <br />tax money. Lastly, he feels the company has been a clean operator and <br />should continue to exist. <br /> <br />Benke understands Mr. Bumby's frustration and in part is the reason he <br />supports the moratorium. The ordinance provides City approval of projects <br />consistent with clean-up. He hopes the moratorium does not cause the <br />companies to fail, but the City has a responsibility to all its citizens. <br /> <br />Council Business <br /> <br />ReLEAF Program <br />Grant <br />Report 92-172 <br /> <br />Moratorium on <br />Superfund sites <br />Report 92-173 <br />