No Association Detemrination - MPCA
t-rem-vic2-16 · LB 1533 · 5/16/22
December 4, 2024
VIA EMAIL
Kale Haluptzok
HTB Properties, LLC
7339 Peltier Cir
Centerville, MN 55038-9776
RE: Retroactive No Association Determination for Past Actions
No Association Determination for Proposed Actions
Micro-Matics, 8050 Ranchers Road, Fridley
MPCA Site ID: BF0002824
MPCA Billing ID: 28815
PIN: 02-30-24-32-0018
Dear Kale Haluptzok:
This letter is in response to the request from John Lichter of Carlson McCain, Inc. for a determination
under Minn. Stat. § 115B.178, subd. 1(b), that certain past actions taken by HTB Properties, LLC at the
Micro-Matics site, located at the address referenced above (the Site), did not constitute conduct that
would associate HTB Properties, LLC with the release or threatened release of hazardous substances,
pollutants, or contaminants at the Site for the purpose of Minn. Stat. § 115B.03, subd. 3(a)(4).
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff in the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC)
Program has reviewed the documents submitted for the Site. The 1.12-acre Site currently consists of a
21,875 square-foot portion of a larger industrial building constructed in 1984. The building extends on to
the north adjacent parcel; that portion of the building is owned and operated by a different entity and is
not part of this VIC site. The Site was undeveloped prior to construction of the current building. The
current machine shop occupant has been the sole occupant of the Site building. HTB Properties, LLC
purchased the Site on February 8, 2024, and has continued to lease the Site to the current tenant,
Micro-Matics, Inc.
A subsurface investigation was completed at the Site in July 2024 and included the advancement of
three exterior soil borings. A soil sample was collected from each boring and analyzed for volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) metals, diesel range organics (DRO), and gasoline range organics (GRO). Methylene
chloride, a common laboratory contaminant, was detected in one soil sample. The isolated detection of
methylene chloride is not considered to represent a release to the environment. Metals and PAHs,
expressed as the benzo(a)pyrene equivalent, were within the range of typical background
concentrations. Three groundwater samples were collected from temporary monitoring wells and
analyzed for VOCs, PAHs, RCRA metals, DRO, and GRO. No VOCs were detected in the groundwater
samples. Barium was detected at typical background concentrations. Low concentrations of arsenic and
lead were also detected in groundwater samples. The MPCA does not consider the arsenic and lead
Kale Haluptzok
Page 2
December 4, 2024
identified in the groundwater samples to represent a release. In general, groundwater samples collected
from temporary wells can result in detections of metals that are not representative of groundwater
conditions, due to sediment entrained in the sample.
Three exterior soil vapor samples and eight sub-slab soil vapor samples were collected at the Site in July
2024 (non-heating season). Sub-slab soil vapor samples were also collected in November 2024 (heating
season). Tetrachloroethene (PCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) were detected in soil vapor at
concentrations less than their respective industrial intrusion screening value (ISV). 1,1,2-trichlorethane
(1,1,2-TCA) was detected in soil vapor at concentrations slightly greater than its ISV.
For the purpose of this letter, the identified release consists of PCE, 1,1,1-TCA, and 1,1,2-TCA in soil
vapor (Identified Release). This letter does not address petroleum-related contaminants. Petroleum
contamination detected at the Site is under the oversight of the MPCA’s Petroleum Brownfield Program.
Based upon a review of the information provided to the MPCA VIC Program, and subject to the
conditions set forth in this letter, a determination is hereby made pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 115B.178,
subd. 1(b) that the past actions (Past Actions) as described below and as described in the Affidavit of
Kale Haluptzok (Affidavit) dated November 27, 2024, will not associate HTB Properties, LLC with the
Identified Release for the purpose of Minn. Stat. § 115B.03, subd. 3(a)(4). This determination is being
sought for HTB Properties, LLC and the determination is retroactive to the date that HTB Properties, LLC
purchased and leased the Site. This determination applies to the following Past Actions:
• Purchase of the Site on February 8, 2024
• Leasing the Site to Micro-Matics provided that Micro-Matics did not engage in the business of
generating, transporting, storing, treating, or disposing of the compounds, or breakdown
products of the compounds, comprising the Identified Release
• Operation and maintenance of the Site building, grounds, and related infrastructure
This letter also addresses HTB Properties, LLC’s request for a determination under Minn.
Stat. § 115B.178, subd. 1(a) that certain actions proposed to be taken by HTB Properties, LLC at the Site
will not constitute conduct associating HTB Properties, LLC with the release or threatened release of
hazardous substances, contaminants, or pollutants at the Site for the purposes of Minn. Stat. § 115B.03,
subd. 3(a)(4).
Based upon a review of the information provided to the MPCA VIC Program, and subject to the
conditions set forth in this letter, a determination is hereby made pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 115B.178,
subd. 1(a) that the proposed actions (Proposed Actions) as described below will not associate HTB
Properties, LLC with the Identified Release for the purpose of Minn. Stat. § 115B.03, subd. 3(a)(4). This
determination applies to the following Proposed Actions:
• Leasing the Site to Micro-Matics provided that Micro-Matics does not engage in the business of
generating, transporting, storing, treating, or disposing of the compounds, or breakdown
products of the compounds, comprising the Identified Release
• Operation and maintenance of the Site building, grounds, and related infrastructure.
The Retroactive No Association Determination and No Association Determination made in this letter are
subject to the following conditions:
Kale Haluptzok
Page 3
December 4, 2024
1. The representations made in the Affidavit are accurate and the Past Actions were carried out as
described herein and in the Affidavit.
2. The Proposed Actions shall be carried out as described herein.
3. HTB Properties, LLC shall cooperate with the MPCA, its employees, contractors, and others
acting at the MPCA’s direction, in the event that the MPCA takes, or directs others to take,
response actions at the Site to address the Identified Release or any other as yet unidentified
release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant, including,
but not limited to, granting access to the Site so that response actions can be taken.
4. HTB Properties, LLC shall avoid actions that contribute to the Identified Release or that interfere
with response actions required under any MPCA-approved response action plan to address the
Identified Release.
5. In the event that any suspected hazardous substances are encountered during Site activities
(i.e., demolition, grading, redevelopment, etc.), HTB Properties, LLC shall notify the MPCA
project staff immediately in order to determine appropriate handling, sampling, analysis, and
disposal of such wastes.
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 115B.178, subd.1, when HTB Properties, LLC takes the Proposed Actions in
accordance with the determination in this letter, subject to the conditions stated herein, the Proposed
Actions will not associate HTB Properties, LLC with the Identified Release for the purpose of Minn. Stat.
§ 115B.03, subd. 3(a)(4).
The determination made in this letter applies to HTB Properties, LLC’s successors and assigns if the
successors and assigns: 1) are not otherwise responsible for the Identified Release at the Site; 2) do not
engage in activities with respect to the Identified Release which are substantially different from the
activities which HTB Properties, LLC proposes to take, as described herein; and 3) comply with the
conditions set forth in this letter.
Please be advised that the determination made in this letter is subject to the disclaimers found in
Attachment A and is contingent on compliance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, including
completion of the second seasonal soil vapor sampling event and any required follow-up actions, based
on the pending data.
If you have any questions about the contents of this letter, please contact Amanda Guertin, Project
Manager, at 651-757-2369 or by email at amanda.guertin@state.mn.us.
Kale Haluptzok
Page 4
December 4, 2024
Sincerely,
Amy K. Hadiaris
This document has been electronically signed.
Amy K. Hadiaris, P.G.
Supervisor
Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Unit
Remediation Division
AKH/AG:df
Attachment
cc: John Lichter, Carlson McCain, Inc. (electronic) (w/attachment)
Jonelle Hubbard, Anoka County Environmental Services (electronic) (w/attachment)
Melissa Moore, City of Fridley (electronic) (w/attachment)
Attachment A
Page 1 of 1
Disclaimers
Micro-Matics
MPCA Site ID: BF0002824
1. Reservation of authorities
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner reserves the authority to take any
appropriate actions with respect to any release, threatened release, or other conditions at the Site.
The MPCA Commissioner also reserves the authority to take such actions if the voluntary party does
not proceed in the manner described in this letter or if actions taken or omitted by the voluntary
party with respect to the Site contribute to any release or threatened release or create an imminent
and substantial danger to public health and welfare.
2. No MPCA assumption of liability
The MPCA, its Commissioner, and staff do not assume any liability for any release, threatened
release, or other conditions at the Site or for any actions taken or omitted by the voluntary party
with regard to the release, threatened release, or other conditions at the Site, whether the actions
taken or omitted are in accordance with this letter or otherwise.
3. Letter based on current information
All statements, conclusions and representations in this letter are based upon information known to
the MPCA Commissioner and staff at the time this letter was issued. The MPCA Commissioner and
staff reserve the authority to modify or rescind any such statement, conclusion, or representation
and to take any appropriate action under the Commissioner’s authority if the MPCA Commissioner
or staff acquires information after issuance of this letter that provides a basis for such modification
or action.
4. Disclaimer regarding use or development of the property
The MPCA, it’s Commissioner and staff do not warrant that the Site is suitable or appropriate for any
particular use.
5. Disclaimer regarding investigative or response action at the property
Nothing in this letter is intended to authorize any response action under Minn. Stat. § 115B.17,
subd. 12.
6. This approval does not supplant any applicable state or local stormwater permits, ordinances, or
other regulatory documents.