Council votes to restrict copper‑clad wiring after safety concerns, approves emergency clause

Council members discussed an ordinance to prohibit copper‑clad wiring — an aluminum conductor with a thin copper cladding — after a local builder and inspectors raised concerns that the material is hard to identify after installation and may pose corrosion and overheating risks.

Charlie (city staff) explained that copper‑clad wiring can be indistinguishable once sheetrock is installed and that it would require opening walls to verify after the fact. He told the council the National Electrical Code allows the material, but many cities choose to prohibit it because it is difficult to inspect and — as he described it — can present a fire hazard when connections are damaged and the aluminum core is exposed.

Council members questioned detection and enforcement. Staff said violations would be treated like other building‑code violations and that noncompliant wiring would need to be removed and replaced. In discussion, the mayor and council noted some neighboring jurisdictions are considering similar bans.

Councilmember Doug Stall moved to approve the ordinance; the motion carried on roll call. Later in the meeting council approved a separate motion to adopt an emergency clause so the prohibition takes effect immediately, citing developer plans to begin installations under the state code’s notice windows.

Why it matters: Staff framed the change as a public‑safety measure and a practical inspection issue. The ordinance limits the materials contractors may use within the city and shortens the time developers can lawfully install the product before local restrictions apply.