City council approves emergency $108,750 sewer repair to replace collapsed line under railroad

The City Council voted unanimously to approve an emergency purchase of $108,750 to repair a collapsed sewer line that runs under a railroad track and across Business 69, the council announced at its meeting.

An unidentified staff member told the council the city had videoed the affected run and found a collapsed clay transite pipe. “We made it to there, it turns into clay transite pipe, and it's collapsed,” the staff member said, describing attempts to jet and flush the line and equipment that became stuck and broke during the work. The proposed emergency repairs cover roughly 575 feet of line, include pipe-bursting under the railroad to avoid railroad-specific work, and call for installation of three new manholes.

The mayor summarized the route for the work as starting on the west side of the tracks, running beneath the railroad by Jet Tire, crossing Business 69 and tying into an existing manhole near the prior bait shop. The staff member offered a diagram for council review.

Councilor Gilmore, who said Monument Place lies in their ward, raised concerns about local businesses that lacked direct sewer service despite having paid sewer bills. Gilmore asked whether customers who have paid for sewer service but were not connected would receive reimbursement; the transcript records the question but does not show any council decision or staff commitment to reimbursements.

Councilor Brady moved to approve the emergency purchase; Councilor Quidley seconded. The clerk called the roll and recorded yes votes from Councilors Boatwright, Beatty, Gilmore, Woodley, Stone and Maynard. The presiding official announced the motion carried.

The action authorizes the city to proceed with the emergency contract to replace the damaged segment, with pipe-bursting under the railroad and the replacement of the failed manholes. The transcript does not list an implementation timeline or identify a contractor in the meeting record.