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Council presses for utility‑cut ordinance as pothole crews face limits
Summary
Public Works said it has a maximum of three pothole crews and limited equipment redundancy; staff proposed an ordinance to require utilities — including Jackson Water — to complete surface repairs within 7–14 days or explain delays. Council members raised safety concerns at high‑traffic locations and asked for cost estimates for additional crews.
Council members pressed Public Works on how pothole and drainage work is assigned and whether the department has the staffing to meet demand.
"Right now, we're at a max of 3 crews, just to do potholes," Public Works Director Lorenzo Anderson said, adding that equipment failures can remove a crew from service. Anderson said the department prioritizes high‑volume corridors reported through 311 and recommended creating a dedicated drainage crew to avoid repeated rip‑rap repairs that later become overgrown.
Anderson said staff is preparing an ordinance to hold utility companies accountable for timely completion of utility cuts, proposing a 7–14 day standard with required explanations for longer delays. "If they can't do it in 7 to 14 days, give us a reason why," Anderson said; CAO Peter Tillerson said Jackson Water would be subject to the same standard and pledged to forward a proposed ordinance next month after legal review.
Councilman Foote described a dangerous, long‑running site on Old Canton Road where a suspected water‑line leak keeps washing away pavement; Anderson said Jackson Water identified a 42‑inch line and staff is evaluating temporary high‑strength patch material until major repair can be scheduled.
Members requested a ward‑organized list of pothole and 1% projects and asked staff to return with cost estimates for adding crews and for long‑term equipment redundancy.
