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Yamhill staff report water‑system repairs and council orders review of long‑running contracts
Summary
Public Works reported water‑system work — a new disinfection room coming online, pump replacement, manhole repair and installation of isolation valves after a leak that lost about 260,000 gallons — and council directed a work session to review long‑running contractor contracts and billing concerns.
Yamhill — Public Works staff updated the City Council on ongoing water‑system and street projects on Nov. 12 and said council would schedule a work session to review city contracts after members raised concerns about repeated invoice line items and high bids on earlier projects.
Jason, speaking for Public Works, told the council the disinfection room at the water plant will be put online next week and that a pump purchased last year will be replaced after a defect was identified. Staff also reported completion of a lift‑station upgrade at Ellie’s Garden and repair of a damaged manhole in the nearby creek.
Jason said the city had previously lost roughly "around a 260,000 gallons of water" during a major leak and has since installed insert valves to isolate sections of the system and limit outage impacts to fewer customers. He said the city plans to put the Camilla Street distribution‑line project out to bid soon; initial, rough cost estimates are about $200,000, though final budgeting will depend on the capital improvement program and available funds.
Councilors raised concerns about long‑standing contracts signed in 2014 and multiple invoices that repeat similar line items across months. Staff and council suggested compiling a full list of current contracts and holding a focused work session in which contractors could be invited to explain billing practices and recent price increases.
What this means: The reported projects are routine maintenance and system upgrades intended to improve reliability; the proposed contract review aims to increase transparency and ensure taxpayers get value for recurring services.
Next steps: Staff will compile a contracts list for council review and schedule a work session; the Camilla Street project will proceed to bidding subject to budget availability.
Sources: Public Works report and council discussion, Nov. 12 Yamhill City Council meeting.
