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Council authorizes emergency dark-fiber repair at 7th Avenue lift station, defers broader contract dispute to attorneys
Summary
After staff reported a communication failure at the 7th Avenue lift station, council authorized immediate dark-fiber installation at that site while instructing city attorneys to review contract language and possible discrepancies about whether fiber had been contractually promised.
Staff reported that the telephone line serving the 7th Avenue lift station had broken and that the site was currently 'blind' to remote monitoring. The city presented a quote from Iman to install dark fiber to wells and lift stations; the immediate cost for the 7th Avenue location was discussed as part of a broader $7,837.20 figure for installations.
Councilmembers and staff said they had previously understood fiber hookups would be included in the contractor's scope, but a recent contract version lacked that language. An attorney advised caution and recommended authorizing work only for the malfunctioning 7th Avenue lift station until the contractual discrepancy was resolved; the council voted to authorize the 7th Avenue installation and directed attorneys to review the contract and pursue reimbursement or further action if warranted. One attorney observed, "We can make the payment under protest and say that we disagree with their interpretation of the contract," reflecting the council's willingness to proceed to restore critical monitoring while reserving legal remedies.
