HUBBARD — Talks regarding the removal of a dam and sediment picked up in recent months, and the city’s mayor gave an update on where things stand with them.

As part of his report on Monday, Mayor Ben Kyle said talks have resumed regarding the Valley Mould Dam’s future, noting a recent meeting with the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, which he said also met with township officials.

Township Trustee Jason Tedrow previously reported that Eastgate representatives reached out to him in March about the dam, which sits behind the township building.

A request for qualifications days later stated the project would include removing a designated amount of fine-grained sediment from behind the dam and the disposal of that and filtrate, as well as the “cost-effective” removal of the dam in a manner that will improve Little Yankee Run’s water quality and habitat for aquatic life.

A request for proposals focusing on the predesign and sediment analysis necessary to remove the dam was initiated on April 21, with today being its deadline.

A qualified engineering or environmental consulting firm to spearhead the phase is expected to be selected on or before May 12, according to the proposal.

Kyle said Eastgate has received funding through their channels, which has allowed them to do a feasibility study and hydraulic analysis, among other things.

“The new owners of the property have been extremely, extremely willing to participate, and that is Ellwood Engineering,” Kyle said. “For decades prior, it was privately owned, and it was something that was never able to even be discussed.”

Kyle said city officials plan to “continue on” and see if any of Eastgate’s funding is applicable, as they will be the lead agency and secured the funding.

“They also found about $250,000 that was able to be used on a parcel that Ellwood now owns,” Kyle said. “Because of a previous settlement with the EPA, going way back decades — so there’s a lot of interesting things going on with that.”