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Council declares emergency to authorize immediate repairs to OGWS transmission pipeline
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Summary
Following discovery of an ~8-inch leak on an aging OGWS transmission pipe near 223 Aerie Lane, council approved a resolution waiving bidding to allow immediate contractor work and temporary repairs; officials said a permanent fix is planned during the mill's annual shutdown if the break remains stable.
Public Works staff briefed the council on a recent leak in the OGWS transmission pipeline near 223 Aerie Lane and requested an emergency declaration to speed repairs.
A Public Works representative (speaker 9) described how a neighbor reported water at the site and crews discovered a longitudinal-weld leak about 8 inches long on an older (1946-era) section of pipe. Staff said the break was located between two joints, that asbestos exists in larger-diameter pipe sections, and that crews installed a temporary repair band to stabilize the line and avoid a full shutdown of the mill.
The speaker explained that the temporary band is not a permanent solution but allows the city to monitor the leak daily and, if conditions remain stable, postpone a full drain-and-weld repair until the mill’s annual shutdown in November. Staff described the emergency declaration as necessary to allow immediate contractor deployment without the delays of competitive bidding; staff also noted the potential cost of custom couplers for permanent welds (which can be expensive—presenters said such couplers can run upward of $60,000).
Councilmember (speaker 2) moved to approve Resolution 26-02 (declaration of emergency, waiving public bidding requirements and ratifying the city manager’s prior approvals) to allow immediate repair of the OGWS transmission pipeline near 223 Aerie Lane; the motion was seconded (speaker 3). The council approved the emergency declaration by voice vote; the record shows the motion carried with no opposition noted but does not record a numerical tally.
Public Works acknowledged cooperation with the mill, contractor crews from Seaton (contractor name provided in presentation), and city crews during the emergency response, and said the temporary repair was completed in about two hours on site with ongoing monitoring planned.
The council’s vote authorized staff to proceed with emergency repair contracting and to ratify the city manager’s actions; staff said they will continue daily inspections and pursue a permanent repair during the mill’s next planned shutdown if the leak does not change.
