The Oakley City Council approved a $25,958 payment to replace the grinder portion of a municipal lift-station “muffin monster,” the device that shreds debris before wastewater reaches the lagoons.

City staff said the motor is fine but the grinding portion needs replacement; the unit has been in service for about 15 years. Council members asked whether a backup exists and were told interchangeability is limited and the replacement is manufactured to match the existing unit.

Lisa moved and Russ seconded a motion to approve the replacement grinder and to pay from the sanitation equipment expense fund. The motion passed unanimously.

The council noted that, while the system can function for a short time without the grinder, a long-term failure would risk lagoon operation and that replacement parts can take time to match and install.