THE CITY WAS ABSENT at a meeting held January 8th at Sierraville School to discuss disposal of debris from Loyalton Hotel. Present were Sierra County Sheriff John Evans, County Planning Director Tim Beals, Ricky and Richard Ross of Intermountain Disposal, Terry LeBlanc of Solid Waste, Craig Morgan, Principal Engineer of Avalex Inc., Dennis Marsh of County Planning and Building, County Supervisor Jim Beard, Supervisor Chairman Paul Roen, Realtor Bonnie Jessee, Mountain Messenger's Don Russell, Sierra County Detective Mike Fisher, County Counsel Jim Curtis and County Environmental Health Specialist Elizabeth Morgan. Sierra Valley Fire was represented by Chief Dan Wentling and Richard Maddalena along with taxpayer, John Roen. Beals found it "startling" no one from the City was in attendance and owners of the Loyalton Hotel, Joan and Bud Carroll had been expected but were not there. Fisher said they were neither coming and Beals responded, "Wow." He called it "an incredibly serious situation developing" and he stated it necessary those participants directly involved take responsibility. He recommended they proceed in the interest of the taxpayers and county to handle the situation properly. According to Mayor Brooks Mitchell, the City did not attend on advice of its risk manager and legal counsel. Beals told of the December 14th fire at Loyalton Hotel and the demolition and clean up "hasty and quick and very accelerated" to get the site cleaned up and hauled off. The dilemma at the landfill is it was to be stored temporarily, kept at an isolated site and they are now dealing with a class of waste and issues within the immediate future are a big concern, such as clearance from law enforcement and fire services. Beals told of "incredible quickness" and an official of an agency would isolate the site, with protection of the public and conduct tests qualifying the matter, issue notifications and make demands of the owner on what intent is for the property. He told of a need to move forward, potential exposure, hazardous material and enforcement for improper handling. He questioned any local declaration of emergency and told there had been none. There are 800 yards of fire demolition within gates on the County property and 100 yards of steel taken on site. Contact with the owner was they were upset and had concern with no notification and decisions about their property without their input. Beals told of 800-yard piles of material, due diligence with Avalex Inc. sampling, and no one taking charge which should be the hauler, City and the property owner. The material, according to Beals, has tested positive reporting levels of asbestos in the ash pile. The County is rejecting acceptance of the loads which need to be relocated under proper authorization permits and by a licensed contractor to a proper location such as Kettleman City or to Idaho. Best management with waddles, signs to stay away have been used and it was discussed how best to remove the material and keep away from employees and the public. Landfill required reporting has been given the County Health Department, the Water Quality Control Board, CAL Recycle, and the Department of Toxic Substances Board, federal and state agencies. Beals stressed need of the property owner's intentions. He said they got a full account from Quincy's fire which involves six different insurance agencies and it's all still there with insurance companies "battling it out," and until resolved, someone has to cover costs. He "hated to think the level of numbers we're talking; a lot of money," he said and called it "a big deal." Without the City and property owner present, Beals said he felt like "teaching a class with nobody in it." Craig Morgan of Avalex, Inc. said waste cleanup is not complete and there is a metals concern with toxic surfaces and heavy metals; one hurdle they couldn't get over. If not metals, they have more options and he didn't know if Lockwood would take it. Terry LeBlanc told of having hauled asbestos shingles to Lockwood. Elizabeth Morgan said it's not permitted and she has to start citing the County. Richard Ross gave cost of acceptance at Lockwood as $14/yard. Beals urged the need to have the material moved but one test, although valid, is not indicative of what's throughout all the yards. Craig said it's not the County's job to figure out how extensive it is but is an asbestos consultant's, a licensed very narrow field of expertise. Ricky Ross stated on scene, the City was in total control and Mayor Brooks Mitchell had wanted to get it out and told to haul. The fire chief had cooperated. Folchi was called by the City at 5 a.m. with two excavators and Joy Engineering was retained by McHenry to haul from the sewer plant to fill holes. They formally billed the City and a tipping fee $15.59/yard. Beals questioned the holes and what caused that and was told they were from the old boilers. County Counsel Jim Curtis called it a "unique and volatile relationship with parties." He told how they treat asbestos very seriously. He call potential for issues "very huge" and mentioned a court order to get it properly removed. More parallels to Quincy were given. The condition of the property as it sits today was called another burden. Sheriff John Evans stated they'd been done with the scene as evidence and released the scene and had nothing to do with knocking down walls which were unsafe. Their only role was "who done it?" Beals stated to plan a letter in the form of a demand to expect a response with planning a timeframe to be served personally to the City and property owner and copied to all applicable State agencies. As far as the investigation status on the fire, Detective Mike Fisher stated it was human caused.