Council unanimously approves temporary easements for water pipeline; resident raises septic concerns

The City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2023-33 on a measure that authorizes temporary rights-of-way and related construction for a water-supply pipeline and preserves the option of condemnation if negotiations with property owners fail and Wayne Township consents.

The vote came after council members were told the city has been in contact with property owners listed in the resolution and that two owners had already signed temporary easements. The resolution was introduced as a contingency to avoid delays in constructing and operating a temporary water supply line if voluntary easements cannot be completed.

City legal staff explained that the city advertised its intent as required under the third-class city code and that any eminent-domain action to acquire easements would require Wayne Township's consent because the affected parcels lie in that township. The legal speaker emphasized that there was "no present intent to move forward with any immediate condemnations" and characterized the measure as a procedural step to prevent future delay if negotiations break down.

Council proceeded to a motion, which was seconded (motion text and names of mover and seconder were not specified in the transcript), and conducted a roll-call vote. Each named member answered "Yes" and Mayor Long voted "Yes," producing a recorded unanimous outcome in the transcript.

Staff then updated the council on the city's water supply. A city staff speaker said recent rains had given the system "about 90 days" of supply but that the reservoir still needed roughly 200 million gallons to fill. Staff reported ongoing leak-detection work, noting "about 90" leaks found and an estimated reduction of roughly 100,000 to 200,000 gallons in loss from fixing those leaks. The speaker said the project expenditures to date were about $719,000 against an approximately $1,000,000 allocation identified in the transcript as "from the 2022 c."

Council members asked staff follow-up questions about how many days of supply the system holds at full strength, the role of Keller reservoir and local springs, and whether the hydrology report addresses additional capacity needs. Staff said the hydrology report would be reviewed for answers and that seasonal draining and spring flows affect day estimates.

During public comment, resident Don Quarters said the temporary pipeline had been routed "right over top of our septic tank" at a house undergoing remodeling and that the family had not signed any easement paperwork. Quarters warned the pipeline's pressure could damage the septic system and expressed concern the well could be drained and that downstream habitat could be harmed. City staff offered to meet with Quarters after the meeting to discuss the parcel-specific concerns.

The meeting adjourned after brief administrative business. Before adjournment, a council member said that, if there were no objections, the city would send a letter to commissioners recommending that Council member Richard Conklin (transcript spelling previously appeared as "Conflin" in one line) continue to serve on sewer-related boards.

What happens next: The resolution authorizes staff to pursue temporary easements and preserves the city's right to seek condemnation only if negotiations fail and Wayne Township gives the required consent. Staff follow-up with property owners who have outstanding paperwork and a promised meeting with the resident who complained about the pipeline were the most immediate next steps recorded in the transcript.