Special issues committee recommends second phase of West Homewood odor testing

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After the special issues committee met with President and CEO of Volatile Analysis Katherine Bazemore about entering phase two of testing the West Homewood odor, they unanimously recommended funding the next phase.

At their July 18 committee meeting, Bazemore said Volatile Analysis has dealt with 27 chemical samples and six different visits on sites around West Homewood. The field representatives of Volatile Analysis confirmed a sour, cheesy odor that the surrounding neighbors reported, but they did not find the burnt-smelling descriptor or the dead animal smell present. Several compounds, including fatty acids, were identified.

“There’s a plethora of chemicals that’s relating to the complaint,” Bazemore said.

Some committee members expressed their expectation, when the testing was originally funded in the spring, that the first phase would express results to the source of the odor.

“If we had known this in the beginning I think we would be better prepared for where we are,” said Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones, expressing his concern over adding phase two and especially a possible third phase.

Without a single leading source, Bazemore suggested that they move onto the second phase of testing to produce a list of possible sources and the likelihood of each being the cause of the odor. Bazemore said the results of phase two would enable identification and action in phase three, but that she could not give estimates on timeline or cost for the third phase. However, she expressed complete confidence in Volatile Analysis scientists' ability to locate the source.

“When we finish phase two, we are going to scientifically give you the right order you should go after the chemicals,” Bazemore said.  

Ward 2 Representatives Vance Moody and Fred Hawkins asked since the initial report included chemicals consistent with a dairy factory, if they could refocus phase two to testing solely around the Dean Foods/Mayfield Dairy plant, which has been considered a likely source since the beginning of the odor problems. However, Bazemore was hesitant, saying that she would prefer the wider phase two approach, as it is still possible for those chemicals to come from another source.

Bazemore also said that the tests showed five chemicals that the EPA monitors, including 4-CBTF and included them in their report, although she said the odor assessment was not a proper way to measure toxicity or quantity levels. Hawkins said the city has shared the reports on those chemicals with the EPA and other relevant agencies.

The second phase has a prepaid amount of $38,160 and will take about three weeks to complete and determine the scope of the third phase. The third phase price will be dependent on how many hypotheses they have to consider.

“In my opinion we need to fund phase two and move forward as quickly as possible so we don’t lose any time,” Jones said.

The full council will take up the issue at their July 25 meeting.

Other committee discussions included:

  • The finance committee recommended funding $10,800 for two flashing speed limit signs on Saulter Road in the area near Lakewood Drive.
  • The finance committee also recommended funding for a three-year lease of Konica Minolta copier machines for the city.
  • The planning and development committee recommended further discussion on whether to make Rumson Road a one-way street, which would allow room to build sidewalks in the existing street rather than in city right-of-way. This would reduce the cost of the project, possibly freeing up funds for other sidewalk projects to begin. However, the committee wants to further discuss the impact, costs and which way would be the best direction to direct traffic.
  • Recommended for the council to approve modifying the Nationwide deferred compensation retirement plan for city employees and retirees, giving them the option to withdraw loans (minimum $1,000) from their plans and repay them within five years.