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Salt problem: Fix it, or buy the property?
by Rick DeClue · News · May 28, 2015
The city of West Branch could spend more than $300,000 over the next six to seven years to resolve salt contamination and storm water issues near its public works building on Cookson Drive.
Or, it could buy the adjacent property from owner Dave Peden, who plans to retire, and put its new salt shed there. The idea seemed to interest the City Council.
Public Works Director Matt Goodale told the city council last week that it will take a three-step process to:
• relocate and replace the city’s salt shed in a structure with appropriate construction and containment to house the salt and other materials used to treat the city’s streets;
• channel stormwater coming from the west to prevent future contamination; and
• remove soil already contaminated from the site of Dave’s Welding and Repair located at 348 Cookson Drive, adjacent to the city’s shop.
After working with the state Department of Natural Resources, Goodale recommended placing a new salt shed at the north end of the city facility, perhaps even extending onto the surface of Cookson Drive, which dead-ends behind the city’s building.
Goodale estimated that a new 40x60 foot salt shed could cost approximately $150,000. Construction would include concrete sidewalls, lining materials and a sump system to help contain any moisture in the future. The structure would also require overhead doors and clearance to allow mixing and loading to occur inside the shed.
The stormwater project is a part of the city’s review of areas throughout West Branch that are affected during heavy rain storms. Water coming from the west will be directed through an open stormwater ditch around the city property and downhill to the east.
Installation of any future underground stormwater pipes through the area would be coordinated with road improvements to Cookson Drive, according to City Engineer Dave Schechinger.
Once the stormwater has been redirected, the city will fulfill its agreement with Dave Peden, owner of the welding shop, to remove soil contaminated by the current salt shed.
Peden told the council that he intends to retire next year, and that his property is for sale. He asked whether the city might want to consider buying the property and use his 50x100 foot building for salt.
“I’d take payments,” he offered, though he did not disclose an asking price.
His suggestion was partially based on a previous estimate of $400,000 the city considered for removing his contaminated soil to the landfill. That figure would not cover any petroleum-based contaminates.
City Administrator Matt Muckler told the council that approximately 90 percent of the $400,000 number represented landfill costs.
The DNR has since said that the contaminated soil could be move to city property rather than the landfill.
“That $400,000 number no longer exists,” Muckler said.
Mayor Mark Worrell told the council that, even though salt contaminated soil is not really regulated, the city would work with the DNR to fix the problem.
One possibility would be to spread the soil over the concrete surface at the base of the city’s south water tower, the mayor said. The soil surface would be preferable to concrete, and it would allow the salt to dissipate over time in a manner acceptable to the DNR.
Worrell was told by Muckler and City Attorney Kevin Olson that the city would need to provide full disclosure of its plans to a potential purchaser of the Peden property. While it would not require a statement of a clean groundwater hazard, as required in a real estate sale, this disclosure should protect the city without affecting Peden’s sale, Muckler said.
Reached after the council meeting, Muckler said a review of the city’s estimated costs and a discussion with Peden eliminated purchase of the adjacent property as a viable solution.
The city will pursue its three-step plan between now and 2022, he said.
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