HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/28/2006
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CALL TO ORDER -
SPECIAL MEETING:
ROLL CALL:
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
EXECUTIVE
SESSION:
RETURN TO OPEN
SESSION:
Rayonier Site Remedial
Investigation Report
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6003
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Port Angeles, Washington
November 28,2006
Mayor Rogers called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at
5:04 p.m.
Members Present:
Mayor Rogers, Deputy Mayor Williams, Councilmembers
Braun, Headrick, Munro, Petersen, and Wharton.
Members Absent:
None.
Staff Present:'
'Manager :Madsen? Attorney Bloor, Clerk Upton, G. Cutler,
M. Puntenney, and G. Kenworthy.
Public Present:
None.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Councilmember Headrick.
Based on input from Attorney Bloor, Mayor Rogers announced the need for an Executive
Session for approximately 45 minutes under the authority of RCW 42.30.110(1)(i),
regarding potentiallitigation,with no action to follow. The Executive Session convened
at 5:04 p.m. At 5:50 p.m., the Executive Session was extended to 6:05 p.m. by
announcement ofthe Mayor. At 6:05 p.m., the Executive Session was further extended
to 6:35 p.m., also by announcement of the Mayor.
Mayor Rogers recessed the meeting for a break at 6:35 p.m. The Council convened into
Open Session at 6:42 p.m.
Rayonier Site Remedial Investigation Report: Manager Madsen informed the Council of
the comment period that is currently open for the draft remedial investigation on the
Rayonier site. The deadline for the submission of comments is December 1 st, and the City
is preparing to submit comments following City Council review. The City has been
working with E"ponent, and a summary from their draft comments has been prepared.
Manager Madsen set the stage for the review, advising the Council to note those areas in
which the consultant didn't provide comment as opposed to those areas in which
comments were provided. The firm is very knowledgeable in the science of clean-ups
regarding toxicology and health risk assessment. The consultant provided comments
regarding some site specific conditions that have been cleaned up and studied to a certain
level. Manager Madsen noted that a slightly different standard has been applied on how
assessment is done throughout the site. Also, it should be noted that the end goal is the
reuse of the site as well as the anticipated future uses.
Attorney Bloor prepared and reviewed a summary of comments that EXponent would
finalize and submit. He noted that the City wants to be assured of the health of. the
citizens, but it also wants to be assured that DOE uses correct and technically accurate
methods so that it doesn't create false fears. He summarized the main points, after which
discussion was held as to whether tests of the site will be conducted after the clean-up of
different aspects. It was pointed out that off-site effects are not identified in this report.
Discussion also focused on a proposed model rule introduced by the Department of
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6004
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
November 28, 2006
Rayonier Site Remedial
Investigation Report
(Cont'd)
Ecology that would bring the action level down to the background level typically found
throughout the State, something that is not scientifically supportable.
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Manager Madsen and Attorney Bloor provided further information and clarification. The
ensuing discussion involved the background levels for dioxins in urban and rural parts
of the State; the fact that the Department of Ecology, Rayonier, and the Elwha Tribe are
the three parties to the clean-up; proposed rule making; and the fact that the City engaged
the consultant without influencing their views of the report. Once the Department of
Ecology has reviewed the comments and completed their evaluation, then there will be
a final report released subject to the concurrent of Rayonier and the Elwha Tribe.
Rayonier does not have veto power. Deputy Mayor Williams moved to give approval
to the comments provided and to submit those comments to the Department of
Ecology on behalf ofthe City. Councilmember Petersen seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
A~ ~~'~ApfuL
Becky J. Upt i lerk
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