During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing pothole repair program in the city, addressing concerns raised by residents about the effectiveness and timeliness of repairs. Customer Hart initiated the conversation, expressing frustration over the visibility of pothole repairs in his area and the challenges faced when reporting issues.

Lewis Rice, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), explained that residents can report potholes through the 311 service, which then directs the information to the appropriate department for repairs. He acknowledged that while the program is functioning as expected, there are complexities involved, particularly with potholes resulting from utility cuts made by companies like Jackson Water. In such cases, the responsibility for repairs falls on the utility companies, not the city.

Council members raised questions about the wait times for pothole repairs, with some residents reportedly waiting months for action on significant potholes. Rice admitted he did not have specific wait time data but promised to investigate and provide updates. The discussion also touched on the potential for establishing a legal requirement for utility companies to repair cuts within a specified timeframe, which could alleviate some of the public's concerns.

Councilwoman Lee expressed gratitude for timely repairs on Nokoma Drive and highlighted another urgent issue regarding a large pothole on Forest Avenue, emphasizing the need for prompt attention to ongoing problems in the area. The meeting concluded with a call for further investigation into the city's response times and the overall effectiveness of the pothole repair program.