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Resident urges city action after elderly person slips on ice from standing water in Quail Runs
Summary
At the Feb. 3 Quitman council meeting, resident Tika Moss described an incident where an elderly relative fractured a shoulder after walking through icy runoff in Quail Runs and asked the city to investigate diversion and liability; staff said tank disinfection/testing is expected in about seven to ten days and legal counsel will evaluate liability.
At a public-comment slot during the Feb. 3 Quitman council meeting, resident Tika Moss described an incident in Quail Runs in which an elderly family member slipped on ice created by standing water and broke a shoulder. “He broke his shoulder on that ice,” Moss said, asking who would be liable and whether the city could redirect the water to prevent further hazards for seniors and children.
Council and public-works staff said the town has been intentionally allowing a hydrant to bleed while work is done on a tank, and that contractors will finish touch-ups and disinfect the tank in about seven to ten days, after which they expect to stop the current flow. Jonathan, the public-works lead, told the council that “seven days from today, we'll be able to test it” and that the tank could be taken out of service after samples go to Bonner for analysis.
Staff explained a technical constraint: the hydrant involved has a pop-off valve with an outlet too small for a standard fire hose, and removing the pop-off or opening the hydrant would increase flow and could reduce pressure for nearby apartment residents or risk pipe damage. Jonathan said staff considered routing hoses to divert the water but that the pop-off outlet size and pressure considerations make simple diversion difficult.
On the question of liability for the injury, council members said that is a legal matter. The board asked Moss to provide contact information and evidence (photos or video) so the town attorney can review whether the city or a private property owner bears liability. Staff also reported testing standing water at another resident’s backyard and finding no chlorine residual, which indicates that water may not be coming from the distribution system; staff will continue to investigate and re-test after tank operations change.
The council did not adopt an immediate remediation plan at the meeting; members committed to follow up with the resident, to re-test once the tank is out of service, and to have the attorney review potential liability.
