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City staff say last‑minute service shutdown forced businesses to scramble; officials to meet with the utility
Summary
Staff reported that a partner identified in the meeting as “Calam” shut service to the commercial district with less than 24–48 hours’ notice; staff said they will meet with the company and urged better advance notification, with one speaker offering an apology on the company's behalf.
City staff told a weekly meeting that a service shutdown by a partner identified in the meeting as “Calam” disrupted commercial operators when the company provided very short notice. The moderator said most downtown operators do not own the buildings they occupy and that the short warning forced last‑minute adjustments by business owners.
“Most of our operators don't own the buildings that they operate in. So, there was some really last minute planning that had to be done by our business operators,” the meeting’s moderator said. Another attendee characterized the notice as “less than a 24‑hour notice.”
At one point a speaker said, "on behalf of Calam, I suppose I apologize," and added that they and Marissa would meet with the company to press for better notification. Staff said they negotiated with the contractor so work occurred earlier in the day and crews finished sooner than originally scheduled.
City staff said they will follow up with the company and seek clearer notifications for future work; at the meeting staff suggested a week’s notice would be reasonable for planned shutdowns that force businesses to close or alter service. The city did not provide a company contact or a formal timeline for changes to notification procedures at the meeting.
