Hastings City Manager Jeff Mansfield told the City Council Monday that the city’s water supply has been tested by the MDEQ for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and none were detected.
“The 'non-detect' results were expected, but still great news,” Mansfield said. “The aquifer that supplies the city’s drinking water is extremely well-protected.” The municipal wells are in a very deep aquifer, overlaid by impermeable material and under pressure, so are protected from contamination from normal surface sources such as spills, old landfills, he said.
According to the EPA, the two chemicals, called PFC’s when combined, are found in commercially-treated products to make them stain-and water-repellent or nonstick, such as carpets, leather, textiles and non-stick cookware.
Contamination is being detected in water wells throughout the country, typically localized to a facility such as an industrial plant where the chemicals were produced or used to manufacture other products, or an airfield or other locations where they were used for firefighting, the EPA news release said.
Also Monday, Councilman Bill Redman reported that a local donor will put up $200,000 toward a skating rink facility in Hastings that Redman initiated.
“When we raise $1 million, they will give us another $300, 000,” he said. “We’re on our way. It’s going to happen.” He will be raising money through crowd funding and other sources, with the Barry Community Foundation as the fiduciary agency.
In other business, the council:
* approved an amendment to the Barry County Airport’s budget, a revised agreement with the airport manager, legal fees, donations and expenditures, and approved by the Airport Commission. It has already been approved by the Barry County Board of Commissioners per a Joint Operating Agreement.
* held the first reading of a draft ordinance on regulation of outdoor vending operations and collection bins in commercial zones. Now regulated at site plan review, the changes would give the city more tools related to the operations and facilities. Second reading is set for the next council meeting.
* set a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27, to take comment on the special assessment roll for the West State Street Sidewalk. The amended roll eliminates the bridge over the creek between the Holiday Inn Express and the Dollar Store for a culvert extension to accommodate the crossing instead.
* accepted, with regret and best wishes, the resignation of Tom Wilt from the Board of Review and the Joint Planning Commission effective Aug. 1. Wilt and his wife are moving to Indiana to be closer to family.
* appointed Mayor Dave Tossava as its official representative to the Michigan Municipal League Convention in September and Councilman Don Bowers as alternate.
