The council approved a critical upgrade to the Water Reclamation Facility’s technology, transitioning from an unsatisfactory contracted service with Archimedes to a more reliable in-house IT support system provided by AWC. The upgrade came after operational issues with Archimedes, which failed to deliver necessary access credentials and support. AWC conducted a review, recommending a complete technology upgrade instead of trying to salvage outdated hardware. The approved upgrade, costing approximately $139,000, aims to ensure the facility’s operational integrity and effective wastewater treatment processes.

In tandem with the facility upgrades, the council approved the procurement of 11 new 26 KV circuit breakers for the electrical distribution system. Represented by Nicholas Johnson from Beaches Energy Services, the request was driven by the need to replace aging breakers at the Penman substation, which had recently experienced failures. Despite concerns about the lengthy 30-week lead time for the new breakers, Johnson assured that current equipment could sustain operations until the replacements arrived.

While the infrastructure discussions were met with broad agreement, the council faced more debates surrounding the long-pending updates to the Land Development Code. The code revisions, in development for over three decades, aim to modernize regulations and address contemporary urban planning needs. Public comments revealed a mix of support and skepticism, with some residents expressing concerns about the potential for overdevelopment and changes to neighborhood character. Speakers like Casey Brun and John Tipton raised issues about flexible language that might allow developers to exploit variances, urging stricter limitations to protect residential areas from radical transformations. Other residents, such as Brian Blanchard, emphasized the importance of preserving neighborhood integrity and voiced apprehensions about transient ownership driven by financial motives.

In response to these concerns, the council acknowledged the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the outdated code, while also considering public opinion and potential legislative impacts. Council member Dan Jansen highlighted the importance of updating the code to avoid state preemption, referencing bills in the legislature that could affect local governance if the city failed to act. Despite calls for further workshops and a delay in the voting process, the council moved forward with the ordinance, scheduling a second reading for March 17, 2025.

A notable point of contention during the code discussions was the proposed reduction in residential side setbacks from ten feet to five feet. One council member argued that this change could adversely affect neighborhood character and privacy, potentially leading to drainage and wind load issues. Despite these concerns, the motion to retain the existing ten-foot setbacks did not garner sufficient support.

Members expressed willingness to review the Land Development Code annually. The session concluded with a vote to proceed with the ordinance.