City staff told the Junction City City Council on June 24 that they are preparing to begin smoke testing and closed‑circuit-television inspections of the sewer collection system this summer and that those investigations will be central to determining collection‑system repair needs and costs.

“We are getting ready to start doing smoke testing and the, TVing of the sewer system this summer,” the City Administrator said, adding staff had held a kickoff meeting with HVH Engineering and planned notices to utility customers. The administrator described a door‑knock notification plan and said the police and fire departments were aware of the testing so residents would not mistake test smoke for an emergency.

City staff also reported a funding milestone for water treatment. The administrator said the Infrastructure Financing Authority board “voted unanimously to give the city approximately a 100 $992,000, you know, what they call is a forgivable loan.” Staff said that award will cover design for the Raintree water‑treatment plant and is structured so the loan is forgiven when the project is completed.

Robin, the city engineer, told council that smoke testing and CCTV are “a big part of the unknowns” in the collection system: the inspection results will dictate how much collection‑system work DEQ will require as part of the MAO and will underpin construction cost estimates. The engineer said the wastewater facilities plan is “pretty close to completion” and noted regulatory review and funding timelines will affect the overall schedule.

Staff described an analysis timeline and next steps: SCS Engineering is preparing a water‑rate revenue sufficiency analysis and expected to present rate‑impact options by the next meeting; PFM Financial Consultants are developing a financing matrix for sewer. Staff cautioned that firm bill‑impact numbers will be “subject to change” until the smoke testing and CCTV provide a clearer inventory of needed work.

On capital projects and parks, staff said Bailey Park playground equipment is installed, concrete work is complete and playground surfacing and basketball‑court resurfacing are imminent. Repairs to the municipal pool have materials on site and a contractor is scheduled; staff estimated the pool could reopen roughly a week to 10 days after the contractor finishes repairs, subject to the contractor’s schedule. Staff also reported a reduction in lifeguard hires from an expected 18 to about 14, which could affect hours of operation.

Council members pressed staff on priorities, particularly removal of older asbestos and galvanized water lines; staff said the highest priorities are the two wells already under repair, the Raintree project, system improvements and emergency power to wells. City staff emphasized that many decisions depend on inspection results and funding availability.