Workers begin the process of uncovering and disposing of ash and debris from the fire at the Iowa City landfill in Iowa City in July 2012. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

Iowa City is considering plans to rebuild its landfill following a major fire last summer.

The city council will consider approving plans Tuesday for a project to rebuild the 7.5-acre cell that was scorched.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen says the landfill has been cleaned and its redesign plan has been approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Rick Fosse, the city’s director of public works, says the next step is to find a contractor who could complete the project this summer.

He says the design will incorporate more precautions to prevent a fire.

The fire started last May when someone dropped a load containing flammable material. Flames quickly spread after reaching a lining of exposed tire chips, causing $5 million in damage and sending hazy black smoke.