Item 3A - Minutes Approval - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

him some level of comfort given that community's strong environmental tradition. He said that Ms. Taylor had raised an interesting question in regard to the persistence of the chemicals in question, and suggested that be further researched. Mr. Lankston said that CMA breaks down into calcium and magnesium ions and acetate as soon as it encounters water. The acetate was biodegradable. The calcium and magnesium were not very mobile but were commonly found in both soil and water and were not really a problem. With regard to magnesium chloride, the chloride broke down fairly quickly in the environ- ment, so there was not a persistence problem, particularly at the levels being used. Mr. Kelly said the resolution before the council appeared to lack a section included in the previous resolution that stipulated a de-cier would not be used unless it was approved by the City Manager, and only after the manager received information that the de-icer was safe and cost-effective. Mr. Lankston had no objection to including that section. Mr. Pryor said he was impressed with the report and the effort it represented. He recalled the traditional use of salt to combat icy conditions, which was also corrosive. He believed the de-icers in question were a great step forward in contrast to both that and sand and gravel. Mr. Pryor was pleased staff was making an effort to use the most effective products with the least impact on the environment and on City streets. He was inclined to support the resolution and wait to hear more in the future as the City had more experience with the chemicals in question. Ms. Bettman asked if staff was proposing to use both CMA and magnesium chloride. Mr. Lankston said yes, as different conditions warrant different treatments. CMA worked well as an anti-icer but was expensive to use as a de-icer, and it was not very effective below 25 degrees. Ms. Bettman said she had to balance the gain from the use of the products against the hazards they caused. She expressed concern that the magnesium chloride had residual elements of other heavy metals that were bio-cumulative, like lead and cadmium. Mr. Lankston said the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters set strict limitations on both lead (1 part per million) and cadmium (.2 parts per million), which was essentially the testable limit for those metals. The intent of the specifications was to keep such metals out of the product. Mr. Lankston said since the studies had been done, much progress had been made in eliminating those elements. Ms. Bettman asked if there was a product that did not contain heavy metals. Mr. Lankston reiterated that the intention of the specifications was to eliminate those metals. City Manager Taylor indicated the City would only buy products that met the specifications set by the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters. Ms. Bettman said that while a threshold had been established, the products still contained those heavy metals. Mr. Lankston repeated that the specifications were intended to eliminate those metals. Ms. Bettman did not believe she received a definitive answer to her question. Responding to a question from Ms. Bettman about monitoring for water quality and aquatic life, Mr. Lankston said the City monitors all stream corridors now and would continue to monitor them for impact. He said if it was found a product was harmful to the environment, the City would discontinue its use. Ms. Bettman asked if the City would retain its sanding equipment. Mr. Lankston said yes. He said the City would continue to sand and plow snow. Ms. Bettman asked if the use of chemical de-icers required new equipment. Mr. Lankston said the spray units that City uses fit into its existing trucks and cost about $10,000. Ms. Solomon asked if the City had to store the materials or if staff filled the spray units on an as-needed MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 2005 Page 6 Work Session