Jill Schramm/MDN Trinity Hospital, vacated last spring, is being eyed for redevelopment. The City of Minot and Trinity are seeking Environmental Protection Agency assistance with environmental assessments.

Trinity Health and the City of Minot plan to request the Environmental Protection Agency conduct environmental assessments on the former medical campus downtown.

A Phase I assessment would identify potential hazardous material, such as asbestos and lead-based paint, and a Phase II assessment would test any identified materials that are potentially hazardous. The assessments would be valuable in determining redevelopment of the facilities.

EPA’s resources for assessments and remediation are available only through government entities. For that reason, the Minot City Council decided Tuesday to get the city involved on behalf of Trinity to enable federal dollars to cover assessment costs if the EPA approves the application.

In other business Tuesday, the council agreed to retain attorneys Kate Johnson and Jay Lindgren with Dorsey & Whitney, Minneapolis, to assist the city with urban redevelopment and public infrastructure projects. Johnson had assisted the city with litigation regarding Cypress Development and the downtown parking ramps.

The council took the action based on the need to have expert counsel on matters that could tie down city staff. Attorney costs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and may be reimbursable by a developer, according to information provided to the council.

The council also authorized the mayor to sign a service agreement with Resource Consultants for assistance in developing a 2024-2029 consolidated plan. A consolidated plan must be in place for the city to obtain Community Development Block Grants as an entitlement community. Public forums will be held as part of development of the plan.