Speaker 1, an unidentified council member, told the council the city is continuing to wrestle with NPDES/discharge‑permit compliance and low river flows that make meeting removal targets difficult. He said the city had recent discussions with the state and regional offices and proposed a technical contract to help recalculate permit parameters and pursue regulatory adjustments.

Speaker 1 moved to approve a contract with Robert Broughton for recovery and technical support related to the wastewater treatment plant and NPDES compliance. Council voiced no opposition on the motion and the measure passed by voice vote. Speaker 1 explained the problems trace to very low flow conditions and conservative assumptions in the original permit that do not reflect current inflows; he said the firm will help the city refine calculations and engage the regional office in Redding.

Separately, the council approved Resolution PCR 25‑29, a budget adjustment appropriating $11,000 to support grant application work tied to capital and design applications. Staff said the appropriation covers application preparation costs and initial consultant work; the resolution passed on a voice vote with ayes recorded.

Councilmembers also discussed a capital purchase to secure a small loader (Bobcat L28) to improve sidewalk maintenance and snow clearance downtown. Staff proposed spreading the capital cost over 10 years for accounting purposes and charging the downtown assessment up to an established cap; council approved a related budget adjustment (budget adjustment 21525) to appropriate funds for the project work. Staff noted the revenue side is uncertain and that charges to the downtown district will be limited to actual costs billed under the ordinance.

On wastewater plant performance, Speaker 2 raised concerns about heavy metals removal and whether the original contractor met all obligations. Speaker 1 responded that the plant is reducing metal loads but not yet to the levels stated in the discharge permit and that some of the permit values were set on conservative assumptions tied to much lower flows. The approved contract is intended to provide technical support, pursue potential recalculation of permit parameters and help lobby the regional office for changes where justified.

The council directed staff to continue quarterly reporting on grants and capital projects and to return with cost and maintenance options for long‑term upkeep of the new equipment. The meeting closed with instructions to follow up on grant timelines and to schedule a January update on mobile program and grant activity.