HomeMy WebLinkAbout6184 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1978/12/04December 4, 1978
1Ob
RESOLUTION NO. 6184
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING
FORMATION OF A COMMITTEE TO ENGAGE IN THE
STUDY, IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF ACTIVITIES
TO ABATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
POLLUTION OF THE AQUIFERS IN THE ST. LOUIS PARK
AREA.
WHEREAS, studies indicate some contamination of the ground water and
well water aquifers, with the source of such contamination potentially being
from the Reilly Tar and Chemical Plant which no longer operates in the community
and which was demolished in 1973, and
WHEREAS, numerous studies have been conducted by the City and the State
of Minnesota to determine the degree of contamination and abatement, yet no
solution has been implemented by the State, and
WHEREAS, Barr Engineering completed two studies and made recommendation
that barrier wells be placed; however, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
and the Minnesota Department of Health have not agreed to implement this abatement
procedure, but have suggested additional studies and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Health completed a study in November,
1978, entitled, "Health Implications of Polynuclear Aeromatic Hydrocarbons in
St. Louis Park Drinking Water" with the conclusions contained therein identifying
PAH compounds in Well Numbers 7, 9, 10 and 15, and states that steps should be
taken to remove the PAH contaminants from the water prior to its distribution
or to eliminate its use. The Department of Health further concludes that
more sensitive methods should be used to analyze PAH compounds and a variety of
laboratory detection systems should be used to look for non-flourescing PAH
compounds, and
WHEREAS, Minnesota's Department of Health has indicated that its studies
could take an additional two years which appears to be an unreasonable amount
of time given the nature of the problem, the number and type of past studies, and
theneed for immediate abatement if abatement is necessary, and
WHEREAS, the United States Government, through its Environmental
Protection Agency and Department of Health, Education and Welfare have established
standards for clean drinking water and have expertise in water quality, analytical
methods for detection of water pollution and have established funding programs
for elimination of pollution from drinking water, and
WHEREAS, lack of a solution to the well water problem has created an
emotional, psychological, economic and social problem within the community
because of the complexity of the problem and the unanswered and unknown solutions,
and
WHEREAS, the water quality issue is extremely technical and complicated
requiring the best expertise in water quality, pollution abatement, and funding
necessary to implement abatement procedures; and it is of the utmost benefit to
reach a scientific and practical conclusion to the problem using the expertise
available at the federal, state and local level,
2.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
St. Louis Park hereby seeks concurrence and support from federal and state
officials in formation of a committee composed of federal, state and local
experts and scientists in water quality and water pollution who are capable
of expert analysis of the situation and are dedicated to arriving at a sound
expeditious solution with immediate implementation and funding of any
necessary abatement. Formation of the committee should be completed and
made operative no later than January 15, 1979. The City agrees to a
postponement of any new development project in Oak Park Village except
Lot 1, Block 4; Lot 1, Block 6; and Lot 1, Block 7, pending the formation
and activation of the committee described in this resolution.
Adopted by the City Council December 4, 1978
Reviewed for administration:
Approves as to for legality:
City Kttorney