FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- City Council is soon expected to approve a $75,000 expenditure for the removal of contaminated soil located in the service garage area.

"This remediation is to resolve and remove any liquid that was released into the soil," Mayor Eileen Ann Patton said. "We have now installed brand-new, above-ground (fuel) tanks used by police, fire, service, recreation, administration and the schools."

Nearly three years ago, petroleum leaks were discovered after the removal of three underground fuel tanks, which were installed in 1986, from an area that has since been covered over with asphalt and concrete.

The city has been complying with the Ohio EPA to assess the situation and working with the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations to clean it up.

So far, Fairview Park has paid $19,700 to Chemtron Corp. for two separate soil investigations, as well as $18,000 for soil borings and analysis regarding groundwater impact. The entire cleanup project will cost the city more than $100,000.

"Right now, our remedial action plan is being submitted to BUSTR," said Fairview Park Director of Public Service and Development Shawn Leininger. "We know what needs to be done, we just need approval."

That authorization is expected later this month or in early May. At that time, Chemtron Corp.'s certified crew will perform the remediation, which is expected to be finished by early summer.

"This ordinance in front of City Council is to authorize the funding to open up the cavity where the tanks were underground and excavate out the soil," Leininger said. "Once they're down to clean soil, it'll be confirmed and then they'll properly dispose of the soil that's been removed."

As for the existing above-ground fuel tanks, Leininger said they'll be moved and replaced when the work is finished.

"This is unfortunate," Leininger said. "When you put things underground, you can't necessarily control the environment, even with some of the technology that we had to monitor for leaks and other things.

"It's one of those necessary evils. Even though underground tanks are out of the way, these issues can occur."