Special issues committee to discuss additional phases of testing on West Homewood odor

After the first phase of testing by a consultant firm did not find the source of odor problems plaguing West Homewood, the special issues committee must decide whether to continue with a second phase of testing.

At its July 11 meeting, the committee discussed an initial report by Volatile Analysis, a firm hired to identify the origin of strong odors that have persisted in the area surrounding the Dean Foods plant since late 2015. The firm has tested the air and surveyed residents to help determine what is causing the odor.

Though several individual components of the odor have been identified, including a few types of fatty acids, the initial report states that the source has not yet been determined. The report included findings through June 7, which included 16 complete samples and four more that were in progress at the time.

“In the end they couldn’t draw a conclusion at this point as to source,” Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody said.

Moody said the company wants to start a second phase of testing, with the possibility of a third needed to find the source. He said the cost estimate for the second phase was around $42,000, on top of the city's initial agreement of up to $27,000 for the first phase.

The need for a second phase was surprising to some members of the committee, including Moody, and Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins said he wants a representative of Volatile Analysis to attend the next committee meeting to share the details of what's known so far and the proposal for the second phase. The issue will be taken up at the next meeting, on July 18.

Later on July 11, the full council:

• Approved the owner of 1817 Oxmoor Road to work in the city right of way in the alley behind their business, in order to pave part of the alley, which the city owns, as part of a parking space project on their own property.
• Approved an extra $750 for Skipper Consulting, which is doing a traffic study on Reese Street, to count left turn traffic on the road.
• Approved a streetlight at 2726 16th Place South for an annual upkeep cost of about $140.
• Approved alcohol licenses for Oxmoor Chevron, 197 Oxmoor Road, and Red Clay Bar and Event Services.
• Approved the owner of 2516 17th Street South to satisfy a lien against the property that has been in place since the 1930s, and is now valued at $1,571.
• Approved the purchase of police department patrol rifles up to $18,000.
• Accepted a bid for Tasers for the police department at $1,724 per Taser.
• Approved a sign variance request for 135 West Valley Avenue, 2910 18th Street South and 929 Oxmoor Road.
• Approved a request by ALDOT and ServisFirst for landscaping to occur in the right of way on 20th Street South.
• Set a July 19 meeting of a planning commission subcommittee to discuss proposed changes to roof height ordinances for the Neighborhood Preservation District. The proposal will return to the council for consideration after this session.
• Set July 25 public hearings for a sign variance request at 3450 Manor Drive and a fence variance request at 1717 Shades Park Drive.
• Set a bid opening date for city paving projects on September 19.
• Sent discussion of a new copier lease to the finance committee due to new paperwork being needed.
• Dropped a sign variance request at 2700 19th Place South.