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Council orders lease review after unauthorized generator, LP tank placed at Mayville water tower
Summary
Council directed the administrator to draft a lease and to pursue conversion of an on-site LP tank to natural gas after an emergency-management generator and LP tank were installed at a city tower without prior authorization or a lease.
The Mayville Common Council on Feb. 10 directed city staff to prepare a lease agreement and to evaluate replacing an LP tank with a natural gas connection after a generator and liquid petroleum (LP) tank were installed at a city water-tower site without city authorization.
Why it matters: The installation raised questions about legal access to city property, potential safety and reliability of fuel choice in extreme cold, and lost opportunity for the city to secure compensation or oversight through a lease. The council directed the administrator and city attorney to develop a lease and to address the LP fuel issue before permitting continued use.
What the council heard
City staff reported that a generator and LP tank were in place at the tower on Target Street and that no lease or formal agreement existed; the building inspector had issued an electrical permit but the emergency-management entity that placed the equipment did not obtain prior council or administrative approval. The administrator noted other local towers are typically covered by lease agreements that provide municipal oversight and compensation.
Council members pressed staff on why LP was used rather than natural gas and raised operational concerns: LP can lose pressure and “freeze” in extreme cold if not handled correctly, and the installation was done without prior coordination. The administrator and other council members recommended drafting a lease and requiring conversion to natural gas if feasible; the motion carried with a friendly amendment to include conversion language.
Action taken
Council motioned and passed a directive for the administrator to prepare a formal lease agreement for attachment to the city tower site and to include review of the appropriateness of the LP tank and options to convert to natural gas where feasible. The motion was moved by Alderperson Schmidt and amended and approved by voice vote.
What remains to be done
The administrator was asked to return a draft lease and recommendations on the LP-to-natural-gas conversion for council consideration; staff said the lease process could take several weeks and that the administrator expects to bring material forward for the council to review.
Ending
Council approved the direction and requested the administrator report back with a draft lease and technical recommendations.
