(KLZA)-- An overflow crowd spilled into the hallway of City Hall in Falls City Monday night for the meeting of the Falls City Council.

Of major interest to those in attendance was the recent resignations by the six members of the Falls City Utility Department Line Crew.

Members and former members of the Line Crew, other city employees and members of the Board of Public Works were among those in attendance.

A major portion of the meeting concerned a response plan for electrical distribution team operations following the resignations.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum on April 2 sent a letter to Mayor Mark Harkendorff and City Council members regarding the response plan and reviewed part of the plan, including rebuilding the line crew Monday evening. In the short term the city will utilize contracted services and mutual aid agreements. Line crew jobs have been posted and 50 applications for the positions have been received ranging from entry level to those with line experience. Interviews will be conducted this week.

Nussbaum went on to note that the job of the city leadership is to make tough decisions which aren't always popular but must be made to protect the long term health and stability of the city operations. He said “input and oversight is welcome but decisions about personnel must be grounded in facts professionalism and the city's best interest and not on anonymous opinions and online outrage.”

During the meeting, several audience members made comments. Among those comments was that City Administrator Nussbaum and Public Works Director Trevor Campbell be let go and another person suggested the Mayor be recalled.

Later in the meeting, the Council held a lengthy discussion on a proposed contract with RS Electric Utility Service from St. Joseph, Missouri to furnish labor and equipment to the City of Falls City for general construction, maintenance and storm restoration of the electrical lines.

It is estimated that if the RS Electrical personnel and equipment is utilized for general projects for a 40-hour work week in Falls City the cost to the city for that week would be around $14,400. It was estimated that cost is approximately $130 more per hour than if Falls City has its own line crew.

The Council unanimously approved the agreement. How much the RS Electrical crews is used is to be determined due to the fluidity of the current situation.

The Council also discussed the City power generating plant and residential infrastructure, a topic coming about due to the amount of power outages for Falls City utility customers.

Public Works Director Trevor Campbell provided a lengthy update on the current situations at the power plant and thoughts on future needs.

Campbell, who has been on the job for around 18 months, said it will take millions of dollars to get the power plant and electrical distribution system up to par. He said a plan is needed that lays out the steps to accomplish reliability of the system and safety of the employees. He called the electrical infrastructure “tired” and in need of attention.

He also noted the importance of having the power plant in Falls City with currently only one line feeding power to Falls City from OPPD.