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Council discusses repeat water turn-on calls; staff consider fees for after-hours work
Summary
City staff told council members that repeated after-hours water turn-on and turn-off requests—sometimes six calls for a single location—are creating staff strain. Council discussed whether to add an after-hours charge or other rules when private plumbers decline to operate meters.
At the work session, staff reported multiple instances where Public Works personnel were repeatedly called to turn water on and off at the same address because private plumbers are unwilling to operate the city’s meters. Ms. Matthews said one customer required six visits to restore service, and some of those calls occurred outside regular Public Works hours, creating a staffing and cost issue for the city.
Council discussion focused on whether the city should assess incremental fees for repeat or after-hours reconnection work. Council members noted that some incidents stem from private plumbers refusing to operate meters for liability reasons, so the city’s crew is asked to perform the work. Staff said this is not a new budget issue but should be grouped with broader program and contract reviews coming to the council in a subsequent work session.
No new fee was adopted. Council directed staff to include recommendations and existing policy language in forthcoming budget and program materials so the council can consider whether to adopt after-hours or repeat-visit fees in the next formal review.
