Memo Hopkins Sanitary Landfill•
CITY OF HOPKINS
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 15, 1991
To: Honorable Mayor'& City Council
From: Steven C. Mielke, City Manager
Subject: Recognition of efforts at the Hopkins Sanitary
Landfill
BACKGROUND
During the past twelve months, an enormous cooperative
effort was undertaken to ensure the safety and welfare of
areas abutting the 7th Street Landfill.
The City discovered a potential threat to residents of the
Westbrooke Patio Homes when it was discovered that dangerous
amounts of methane gas were adjacent to the townhomes
abutting the landfill. After further investigation, it was
found that refuse was actually on the Townhome Association
property and that remedial action needed to be taken to
ensure the safety of the residents.
Upon learning of the problem, discussions began between the
City and the residents and Board of Directors of Westbrooke
to discuss the problem. After a number of meetings and
negotiations, the City and Townhome Association were able to
secure an agreement which allowed a project to occur which
removed the waste from the Townhome-property and placed a
barrier between the townhomes and the landfill. The purpose
of the barrier is to stop the movement of methane gas
toward the townhomes.
At the same time, the City requested and received the
assistance of our State Legislators in helping to secure
funding and revenue raising mechanisms to assist in the
remedial efforts.
Over a three month period of intense legislative scrutiny,
our legislators were able to secure special legislation
which provided a safety net for the City of Hopkins which
caps our financial liability and gives us option for
collecting monies to pay for the necessary remedial action.
RECOGNITION OF EFFORTS
In retrospect, it is interesting to look at what has
occurred over the last twelve months and to realize the
success story which has evolved.
The Westbrooke Patio Homes Association Board of Directors
showed a great amount of leadership in negotiating an
agreement with the City which protected the rights of the
residents, provided for remedial action, and allowed for
residents to receive the least amount of disruption to their
lives due to the unique nature of this construction.
Our legislators provided direction and assistance at the
State Capitol by helping the City secure legislation which
protects the City from enormous financial liability and
provided ways for the City to recoup its funds through
various methods.
Its through cooperative efforts such as was exhibited in
this situation that demonstrates why - Hopkins is and has been
a successful community. The pulling together of these
resources and the cooperative and thoughtful efforts which
were expended allowed for a bad situation to become better.
The give and take and the mutual goal of protecting the
safety and welfare of Hopkins residents was the overriding
factor which allowed this cooperative effort to exist. The
citizens of Hopkins and the City Council can look back with
pride at the accomplishments demonstrated in this situation
and know that the community is now better off than'it was.,a
year ago. These efforts should be recognized and the
parties involved deserve recognition.