Public works director says fiber contractor damaged hydrant, left yard hazards; remediation planned

The public works director reported to the council that a contractor working on the fiber-optics project did not arrive at the agreed time, did not follow the specified 30-degree plan and later called saying they could not complete work because vehicles were in the way. The director said crews left rocks and a hole in the city shop yard and that the contractor will return with a remediation plan and “some cover up black paint to cover his mistake.”

The director told the council the city will require the contractor to repair any city property they damaged and that after-hours labor would be charged to the contractor. “If they hit something of ours, we'll repair it. We'll just charge you the materials. But if it's after hours, everything else, then you're paying for the guys overtime and the materials,” the public works director said. Council asked for a follow-up plan; the director said the contractor will be back the following week to begin corrective work.