Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rotting wooden utility pole at East Grace Field flagged for replacement; cost estimated about $15,000
Summary
Staff reported a wooden pole serving the East Grace Field lift station has significant rot near the base and will be replaced; staff estimated a roughly $15,000 cost and intends to schedule the work within the coming quarter.
City staff reported to the Environmental Services Utility Board on Jan. 21 that a wood utility pole serving the East Grace Field lift station was found to have significant degradation at the base and should be replaced to avoid a future failure.
Why it matters: A failing pole supporting electrical service or site equipment poses a risk of service loss and potential safety hazards; the board was advised to treat the repair as a near-term maintenance priority.
What staff found and recommended: During repair work after a blown fuse and temporary loss of power at East Grace Field, electricians discovered rot around the base of the pole. Staff said the pole is not an immediate hazard but would likely fail if left unrepaired. The work will include replacing the pole, associated conduit and the meter service.
Estimated cost and timing: Staff reported the estimated cost at about $15,000. The city intends to coordinate with its regular contractor (Altson, per the meeting) to schedule replacement as workload allows, with work expected in the coming quarter if contractor availability and weather permit.
Approvals and process: The chair noted the cost is below the formal bid threshold and that the department has authority to proceed without a separate board motion; staff said the work has been authorized and will be scheduled. The board was informed as an update rather than a formal action item.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with scheduling the pole replacement and return any further relevant updates to the board. The board expressed preference to prioritize preventive replacement rather than wait for a failure.
