WICHITA, Kansas, July 22, 2008 – The City of Wichita will spend $500,000 to clean up an old landfill that’s leaking methane gas near a south Wichita neighborhood.

The council voted unanimously, but it was clear the situation did not sit well with some on the council.

The landfill is located near Hydraulic and Interstate 135. The Kansas Gas Service detected a methane leak there in late June after a routing survey. Eventually, a nearby mobile home park was evacuated because of health concerns. Those residents returned a few days later.

A permanent venting system is now needed to fix the problem. Apparently some of the landfill was supposed to be developed into a park, but now those plans are on hold, which did not sit well with councilman Jim Skelton.

"The point is we should have already done this mayor, we should have already done this homework ahead of time,” Skelton said. “Do you see that? That’s why I am upset mayor.”

“I understand why you are upset, but if you were so outraged, why didn't you go see them that week and go ask them that question,” replied Mayor Carl Brewer.

The money approved today will begin the process of building a new venting system, but it does not include construction costs. So, the issue will be before the council again at a later date.

Stay with KSN for more on the methane problems.