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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-85 Public Works Committee (Iummttt t irpnrt Olu the ltumnwn QIountil of the ettig of*until Brad: PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE The March 13, 1985 meeting of the Public Works Committee was called to order by its Chairman Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski at 4: 00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilman Voorde, Crone, Beck, Zakrzewski, Serge, and Puzzello, Commission Richard Jasinski, Paul Trost, John Leszczynski, Mike Waite, Kurt Anderson, Billy Cribbs , Brenda King, Mike Millen, Don Barnes , Beth Martin, Beverly Lawson, Lisa Lawson, Pat Derrickson, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ruszkowski, Elizabeth Weissin, LaHarr Schmidt, Andrew Molnar, Ethel Kotovka, Frank Kuminecz, Ann Faherty, Ron Ztayslo, Paul Dobson, L. Edward Phillips , John Roberts , Karen Roberts, Barbara Lerman, Paul Karkiewicz, Allon,Pijut, William Corbett, Marilym Silver, John Imler, Bernive Stern, Elizabeth Vodnay, members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Zakrzewski announced that the purpose of the meeting was to have a constructive and informative session on the present status of the odors corning from the Ethanol Plant . A 30 minute portion would be reserved for public participation. Billy Cribbs , the plant manager of New Energy stated that the odor was related to the rate of operation and prevailing winds . Odor would be present from the process of concentrating soluable solids and drying corn after the starch has been removed. There have been several start-up problems as well as miscellaneous spills and several pieces of equipment that have not operated at design conditions . Several different alternatives are being pursued regarding the discharge from the scrubbers. Between $150 to $200, 000 would be spent for improvements . At the present time it was unknown whether these improvements would affect the odor. These improvements should be completed by the end of April. He also noted that the smell from this plant was "not any worse than other plants". Members of the public noted that they have to wear face masks to walk their dogs and that it appeared that the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing. Many stated that they would rather smell burning leaves . One individual noted that her daughter has asthma and that they odor has caused her to have nauseousness and headaches . Several questioned what long-term health effects there may be. Dr. George Plain stated that there is nothing in current literature about adverse effects of "dried grain". He has talked to persons in Peoria and Decatur where similar grain operations are in effect and that they have not caused any "long-term diseases". He noted that sulfur dioxide was not present at the South Bend plant. It was also noted that the plant has been running near capacity and that base line stack tests would be made. Mr. Paul Trost noted that computer models were run prior to operation of the plant and that emissions were within permit conditions . The boiler . which is 250 feet high is the largest polluting source. Page 2. Public Works Committee stated Commissioner Jasinski/that residents have complained to him about the fumes and smells and were told that there would be none when the plant was in operation. He was advised that the problem may be related to the scrubbers and that the plant should be operating at designed conditions by the end of April. Mr. Kuminez stated that for the past several weeks the smell has been coming in to his house and that his family needs pillows over their faces in order to sleep. Mr. Cribbs stated that Butler Engineering has been at the plant for three days looking at the equipment. They are experimenting with various additives . He conceded that he did not know what emissions were heavier than air and did not know how many months it would take to address the problem, however hoped that mechanical changes would significantly improve the odor but not remove it. A member of the public noted that Purdue University has done extensive research on ethanol plants and that they should be contacted. Mr.Cribbs stated that the solution must be "cost effective" . He stated that the plant is operating within their permit guidelines and that at the present time there is no known solution. Members of the public stated that the plant should be shut down and perhaps the solution would be found faster. Several voiced concern that New Energy "did not act in good faith". Several voiced concern that the odors are prevalent in their homes and businesses . Councilman Zakrzewski noted that a new technical committee was appointed by Mayor Parent to investigate, establish time tables and get specific answers to the odor problem. The Committee met yesterday and was organized on March 3rd. Some of the Committee members include: Dr. George Plain, St. Joseph County Health Officer, Mr. Paul Trost, Supervisor of Environmental Services for the St. Joseph County Health Department, John Leszczynski, City Engineer, Sylvester Gerschoffer, President of Rum Village and Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski. Mr. Mark Tenney-- of TenEch was also a consultant to the committee. Mr. Cribbs noted that the plant is operated seven days a week and designed for a 24-hour operation. Members of the public stated that a lot of County and City money was being used to develop recreational areas and activities and that they were being ruined by the odor. It was noted that 160 full time permanent employees work at the plant of which 140 were from South Bend. The public voiced concern that despite the employment numbers that the City would lose many more conventions and hundreds of citizens moving out of the City. Councilman Crone noted that she learned about the technical committee by reading about it in the newspaper. She questioned how Mr. Tenney was being paid and what legal authority the committee would actually have . Page 3. Public Works Committee Councilman Zakrzewski noted that the technical committee was advisory in nature and would make recommendations directly to Mayor Parent. However with Dr. Plain as its chairman he had authority pursuant to various environmental laws. A student from Notre Dame questioned what costs there would be on a daily basis if the plant was shut down. This information was not available. Mr. Waite stated that he believed that Mayor Parent had not informed the Council on this issue. Several members of the public stated that a "substantial reduction" of the odor would not be good enough. Others voiced strong conern that the matter had become a "question of deception" . City Engineer Leszczynski stated that part of the reason for the technical committee was to resolve the problem and inform the public on what was happening. He noted that the ultimate authority regarding the odor was with the County Health Department. He said that a specific time table would be prepared by the technical committee. Dr . Streeter from Notre Dame was also being contacted. Councilman Serge noted that he has dealt with several odor problems in the past, more specifically Prenco and Bendix. Bendix spent over a half million dollars to correct the problem. He said that working together the problem could be solved, and perhaps Bendix should be contacted. A member of the public questioned the credibility of the proposals and was informed that New Energy has hired Butler Engineering and David McGee Engineering as consultants . Mr. Cribbs assured the people that the equipment that has been ordered would be installed by the end of April . Councilman Voorde noted that the problem is unacceptable. In December the public was told that there were start-up problems that would be solved within "a month of two ." He said a solution must be found. He noted that the Council was told that there would not be such problems and that a "considerable act of faith is necessary for the problem to be corrected. " He further noted that if the problem cannot be corrected that appropriate legal action should be taken. Mr. Cribbs stated that the plant is inspected once a year by the County Health Department. A stack test would be made next week, however the EPA would make no official tests . He also noted that an environmental impact statement was not prepared prior to the plant going into operation. Upon questioning it was noted that the two fires at the plant were caused by combustion problems. A member of the public noted that the wet scrubbers may be obsolete and that an incinerator might be a suggestion. Mr. Kimble of New Energy noted that "mist eliminators are in the scrubbers and are designed to take water out". They do not have charcoal scrubbers . Page 4. Public Works Committee Mr. Kuminez questioned whether New Energy had enough money to correct the problem. Councilman Beck noted that the smells are considerably stronger in various parts of the City than others . She was told that there would be no smells like the old ethanol plants already in operation. She noted that Jon Hunt and Dave Wells went to various cities to check out ethanol plant operations. She stated that she gets calls as late as 2: 00 a.m. complaining about persons unable to sleep because of the smell. She said that this is a problem that was not anticipated and that it would be too early to shut it down. Councilman Voorde stated that the problem is having an adverse effect on the entire quality of life in our community. If the equipment changes do not solve the problem then the legal route should be pursued. Councilman Zakrzewski stated that in light of New Energy' s commitment to have new equipment installed by the end of April that he would suggest waiting until then to consider what alternatives should be pursued. He noted that the technical committee should give a presentation at that time on what progress has been made and whether a solution has been found. He also suggested that the City Attorney's office and the Council Attorney begin research into what legal alternatives there were . He suggested that the Public Works Comuittee meet again on Wednesday, May 1st at 4: 00 p .m. to receive an update. Following further discussion by the public and the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5: 24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Thomas Zakrzewski, Chairman