Oconto County will pay $10,000 more than anticipated for asbestos removal at the buildings being demolished at the site where a new law enforcement center will be constructed.
County Board Chairman Lee Rymer and the chairmen of the committees overseeing the LEC project approved an emergency expenditure of $10,000 after air quality experts with the Department of Natural Resources determined more asbestos was present than initially thought.
American Air Environmental Services, of Oshkosh, completed an investigation report regarding the hazardous materials at the properties. The county paid the firm $16,200 for the report and used the findings to determine the extent of services needed for hazardous materials removal.
“The DNR found the initial investigation was lacking. There was much more than anticipated, so I’m not happy with the report from American Air,” Oconto County Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann told the County Board on Thursday.
Wisconsin Asbestos Removal & Demolition, of Berlin, has been removing the hazardous materials at the properties before the buildings are demolished. Oconto County agreed to pay the firm no more than $45,000 for removal services.
When more asbestos was discovered, county officials agree to pay a lump sum of $10,000 to Wisconsin Asbestos Removal & Demolition for the removal of any additional asbestos found.
Hamann said the two committees overseeing the LEC project agreed to the emergency purchase, in order to keep the hazardous materials removal and demolition process going. All demolition is scheduled to be completed by June 30, with construction scheduled to start July 24.
County officials are working with a consultant to determine what remedies are possible regarding the incomplete report from American Air Environmental Services.
