Council reviews sewer/stormwater resiliency plan; staff seek new televising camera, emergency pumps and operational SOP

City staff and outside contractors updated the Committee of the Whole on July 11 about a multi-year effort to improve the sanitary sewer and stormwater system, and the committee discussed near-term operational measures and equipment purchases.

Matt Reid of SEH summarized proactive capital and maintenance work in the City’s capital improvement plan and noted staff has been monitoring manholes, patching and ditching. Paul Christiansen of PeopleService presented a draft emergency Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for wastewater responses developed after recent bypass events. Christiansen described pump-status triggers: the plant normally runs on one influent pump; activation of a third pump signals a rain event that warrants earlier response and staff notification, while activation of a fourth pump indicates the system is overwhelmed and a bypass is likely unavoidable. He said the SOP calls for PeopleService to respond when the third pump operates and to communicate directly with Public Works crews so both plant and collection-system staff coordinate monitoring and response.

Councilors and presenters emphasized that opening a bypass is not an automatic fix and should be used only when the treatment plant’s design capacity is exceeded. Presenters noted problems upstream—constrictions, lift-station failures or heavy inflow—can require different responses and that joint communications are critical.

Staff also discussed equipment needs: Jim, public-works staff, and purchasing identified trash-style diesel pumps for lift stations; the committee approved immediate purchase of two pumps from L & L Rentals for $24,665.71 with funds drawn from sewer-fund interest. Staff said lead times are expected to be short and prioritized immediate delivery.

Separately, the committee reviewed a vendor quote for a lateral/sewer-televising rover system to diagnose long mains and storm lines. The sourcewell/contract quote (brand Hughes via EJ Equipment) was discussed at approximately $437,878 for base equipment with optional items raising the total to roughly $462,014, including software and add-ons. Presenters emphasized owning a rover would reduce frequent contractor costs (contractors charge approximately $6,000–$10,000 per day) and allow city crews to televise and document pipe condition, locate blind connections and support future repairs or lining projects. The committee supported pursuing the purchase contingent on a financing plan (enterprise sewer-fund options, grants or leasing) and approved the camera purchase motion contingent on staff presenting financing details.

Councilors raised grant opportunities and whether the equipment could be leased or used to provide services to neighboring jurisdictions as a revenue offset. Staff said they would explore grant programs and leasing or rental options, and noted some federal/state programs typically do not cover equipment purchases but could support complementary programs (e.g., homeowner pump assistance).

Overall, the meeting produced near-term operational changes (SOP coordination and pump purchases) and direction to pursue capital-equipment funding and procurement options for the televising system.