Phoenix council OKs plan to clear backlog of fire hydrant replacements
The Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a plan to replace more than 1,000 fire hydrants across the city, but some members aren’t happy with who will do the work.
“I do not appreciate being backed in a corner,” Councilwoman Betty Guardado said during Wednesday’s meeting.
She saw the vote as a choice between protecting union jobs or public safety. The Water Services Department will hire a private contractor to clear a backlog of 1,019 hydrants that need to be replaced. Guardado said two years ago, she and other council members made it clear they wanted the work done by city employees receiving insurance and pensions, and represented by a union.
“The residents I represent in my district tell me time and time again about the need to create good jobs in our city,” she said.
Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia said, “While maybe historically, this council has decided to outsource and at times, decimate as we see here, public services and goods for the prevalence of privatizing them, I do not believe that that’s what’s best for our city. I fully believe that our city employees are capable of doing these jobs.”
Councilwomen Laura Pastor and Yassamin Ansari also spoke in favor of city employees doing the work. After the backlog is cleared, the Water Services Department said future repairs will be done by city workers.
City Manager Jeff Barton told the council the $3.4 million contract will last no longer than a year, “The backlog will be exhausted and if it’s not exhausted, then someone’s going to have to answer to me as to why it’s not exhausted.”
He said the department could also consider offering retention bonuses to reduce turnover.
