Public works flags 25–40% unaccounted-for water, schedules Corps meeting on Detroit Dam drawdown

Interim Public Works Director Barry Buchanan told the Stayton City Council on Oct. 6 that the city’s unaccounted-for water currently ranges from about 25% to 40%, exceeding the American Water Works Association (AWWA) allowance of 10%. He also said the city has scheduled a meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Nov. 3 about the Detroit Dam deep drawdown.

“The unaccounted for water as it stands right now is somewhere between, depending on the month, it it varies from 25% through to 40%. Our allowance is 10%,” Buchanan said, presenting preliminary measurements and a proposed approach to monthly reporting.

Buchanan outlined three reporting formats: a short dashboard of roughly five key metrics; a mid-level multi-table format; and a full 100-plus–page measurement pack tied to the city’s asset-management work. He told the council he prefers a simple, color-coded matrix — red/yellow/green — so councilors can quickly identify areas needing follow-up. “I don't believe you want to see any more than probably 5 of them,” he said.

Buchanan also briefed councilors on several operational items raised during the meeting: a contractor working on Second Avenue is conducting street improvements and the city is looking at contributing to a full-street rebuild rather than a half-street job; staff will follow up about reported blocked drive access and missed trash service. On street sweeping, staff read the published schedule and said the city sweeps the last week of every month Jan.–Sept. (West of First Avenue Monday and Tuesday; East of First Avenue Thursday and Friday) and sweeps daily in the Oct.–Dec. period (West of First Avenue Monday and Tuesday; East of First Avenue Thursday and Friday), and staff said they would ask crews to confirm actual operations match the website schedule.

During public comment, resident Lehi Hayes noted that trash cans on curbs have sometimes prevented sweepers from cleaning the curb line. Buchanan said he would check with crews and follow up.

Other brief updates included a cracked slide at the community center that staff said could not safely be used as a slide and had been repurposed as a climbing structure while staff explores permanent repair; an Arts Commission budget of roughly $2,000 annually to support small events and murals, which staff said could be discussed further with a joint work session; and the planning commission’s approval to move a concept plan for “Phillips Estates” forward (Councilor Sims said the concept plan was for “2424 units” in the meeting record).

Buchanan asked councilors to review the draft reporting formats and return their preferences so staff can produce a dashboard for the first meeting in November. He also reported the city has secured the Nov. 3 meeting with the Corps of Engineers and said staff and council members plan to attend that session.