Line worker Jeff Eliz detailed the outage, explaining the role of a newly acquired “fault wizard” in isolating the problem. This equipment was instrumental in diagnosing the fault by sending high-voltage pulses through underground cables. As the council reviewed the outage’s impacts, the discussion turned to the need for improvements in the power distribution system. The current setup of two circuits was deemed insufficient, with suggestions made to add more circuits to prevent large-scale outages. The idea of re-engineering the load distribution was also proposed to accommodate growth and increasing system demands.

Communication during the outage emerged as a critical point of concern. A member emphasized the importance of timely public notification, noting that residents turned to social media in the absence of structured communication from the city. There was a call for a notification system to provide updates via text messages or social media, reassuring residents that the situation was being managed. The council acknowledged that the outage was an opportunity to evaluate existing protocols and improve public notifications in future incidents.

Council members also discussed the staffing challenges during outages, with a recognition that the city lacks on-call administrative staff outside normal hours. This gap complicates response efforts, especially during holiday weekends when personnel may be unavailable. The need for better coordination among staff and a reliable system to relay outage information was underscored. One participant articulated their frustration with misconceptions about the city’s electrical capacity, particularly in the context of new housing developments. They expressed concern over the public’s perception of the city’s ability to support growth without compromising the electrical system.

The meeting also addressed concerns about the effectiveness of existing communication methods. Suggestions included brief postings on the city website and utilizing multiple platforms such as Facebook and local listservs to reach a broader audience.

Beyond the power outage, the council considered improvements to the water treatment plant. Discussion focused on the roof, which is over 30 years old and leaking, with two bids received for repairs. The bid from Kettle was accepted unanimously, deemed both reliable and cost-effective. Additionally, the council addressed the sand filter media at the water treatment plant, which needs treatment to improve flow capacity. A proposal to chemically treat the media was put forward as a cost-effective interim solution, deferring a more expensive replacement.

The council also reviewed bids for repairing concrete cracks in the water filter structure, a task mandated by the Department of Health. The proposal from THS was accepted, contingent on satisfactory warranty information, due to its cost-effectiveness and thorough approach. Concerns about the longevity of the repairs were discussed, with expectations that the fixes would last between five to ten years.

Finally, the meeting touched on the need for containment areas for certain chemicals used in the water treatment process. The council approved proposed actions to update the chlorine injection system and improve containment solutions, noting the importance of addressing these issues promptly to ensure compliance with state requirements.