The Merriam City Council meeting on October 28, 2024, focused heavily on ongoing power outages affecting residents in the Maston Drive area. Multiple residents voiced their concerns about frequent and prolonged electricity disruptions, which they attribute to overhead power lines and surrounding trees.

Chris Carnegie, a resident of 6600 Maston Drive, initiated the discussion by highlighting the severe impact of power outages on his neighborhood, particularly for elderly residents who rely on electricity for medical equipment. He proposed that the city consider burying power lines underground to mitigate the issue, noting that similar infrastructure already exists for cable services in the area.

Jodine Coleman, speaking on behalf of her elderly mother, echoed Carnegie's concerns, stating that power outages have been a persistent problem since the 1980s, but have worsened in frequency and duration in recent years. She emphasized the need for reliable electricity, especially during adverse weather conditions, and expressed frustration over the lack of response from Evergy, the local utility provider.

Other residents, including Robin Nelson and Raymond Owen, shared similar experiences, detailing how outages have disrupted their lives and led to food spoilage and increased reliance on generators. Nelson noted that her neighborhood often remains without power long after others have been restored, while Owen pointed out that the outages have become more frequent, with multiple incidents occurring within a single year.

Rick Jaso, another resident, suggested that the issue may stem from an overload on transformers serving the area, which he believes are insufficient for the number of homes connected to them. He, too, has faced repeated outages and expressed concern over the lack of urgency from Evergy in addressing these problems.

The council members acknowledged the residents' concerns and indicated that they would investigate the situation further. They promised to reach out to Evergy and other relevant departments to explore potential solutions, including the possibility of underground power lines.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for action to improve electrical reliability for the affected residents, particularly as winter approaches and the risk of outages increases. The council's commitment to follow up on these issues reflects a growing awareness of the challenges faced by the community and the importance of reliable utility services.