Resident tells council drought and air in wells show need to extend water lines; city staff explains petition process

Lynn Gregg, a resident who said she lives on Douglas in the Bicentennial addition, told the council during the Jan. 28 public forum that last summer's drought caused air to appear in her well and led her to believe water quality was declining. "This last summer, we really experienced a lot of drought in our community... I started to get a lot of air in my well coming up out of my well, which indicates to me that my water quality is decreasing," Gregg said.

Gregg asked the council to remember her neighborhood when planning future water-line extensions. She referenced drought conditions and cited NOAA figures she had seen, saying overall drought was "about 40.2% and dryness was about 20.8%." Council and staff responded with options for neighborhood action and limitations on city authority. A staff member said the city previously prepared a cost estimate in 2022 and explained the typical petition process: if a majority of neighbors (at least 51%) agree to participate in a water extension assessment, the city can proceed with that project based on the neighborhood petition. The staff member added that, by statute, the city can force special assessments for stormwater or drainage but "we are not able to do that for the water."

Staff advised that the city has a petition form available and that homeowner participation lowers the per-household cost. Council members encouraged residents to gather signatures and submit an application for an assessment when enough homeowners sign, and staff offered to help direct residents to the application on iCompass or by calling City Hall.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting on the water-line request; the item arose in public comment and staff described available procedural steps for residents to pursue a water extension.