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La Cygne council presses contractor to fix water meter antennae after rains left dozens unreadable
Summary
City staff reported dozens of automated meter-reading (AMR) antennae became submerged and detached after heavy rains, leaving at least 100 meters unreadable; the contractor and supplier agreed to replace lids or provide alternative fixes at their expense, and the council moved to hold retainage until AMR functionality is restored.
La Cygne officials told the city council that recent heavy rains left water in meter pits and caused many AMR antennae to float off their rebar mounts, preventing automatic reads and prompting an investigation into the installation and materials.
Public Works Superintendent Jim Johnson told the council the water in pits had allowed antennae to shift and that the city asked the supplier and engineer to investigate. BG Consultants’ Brett Waggoner reported the manufacturer and contractor were reviewing installation and lid options; Waggoner told the mayor and council that, after reviewing the matter with the supplier and contractor, “it would not be at a cost to the city.” The council directed staff to press the contractor and supplier for a durable fix that restores automatic reads without recurring problems.
City accountants and BG Consultants recommended holding additional retainage tied to completion of the AMR system so the city has leverage until the system reads accurately. Council Member Jerome Mitzner moved to keep $53,960.53 in retainage to secure AMR completion and to disburse an even $100,000 payment to the contractor; the motion passed 4-0 at the April meeting. City Clerk Jodi Wade said Orr-Wyatt subsequently coordinated replacement lids and a schedule for installation; crews began lid replacement when parts arrived.
What happens next: Orr-Wyatt and the supplier will complete the lid/antennae work and the city will verify AMR read rates before releasing the retained funds. The city also logged specific addresses with pit concerns so staff can confirm individual repairs.
