The City of Powell is initiating interviews with engineering firms who will develop plans for a future upgrade of the existing substation or construction of a new one.

A June explosion and fire at the Vining Substation — the city’s only substation — left the city without power for several hours.

Brief outages followed during hot summer days when air conditioners were pulling more load than the crippled substation could handle. In August, the city had a series of three planned outages to address the needed repairs, which brought the substation back up to full capacity.

The events highlighted the limitations of the 30-year-old substation and the need for future electrical infrastructure upgrades.

“We are looking at all the available options,” said City Administrator Zack Thorington.

The engineer the city chooses for the project will develop plans for whatever options are feasible for satisfying Powell’s future electrical needs, as well as estimates for associated costs.

This information can then be presented to the Powell City Council to decide which option to pursue.

“This process will be time-consuming for sure, but it needs to be addressed for the future of the city and its growth,” Thorington said.

Thorington told the council at its last regular meeting that six firms submitted statements of qualification for the work.

“We’re pleased with who applied,” Thorington told the council.

He said it could take about nine months to develop designs and cost estimates, and then another year or two for the bidding process and construction of whatever option the council chooses.

Former City Administrator Zane Logan — who’s an electrical engineer himself — is helping city leaders choose a firm.

Logan is acting as a part-time consultant for the city for two or three months, Thorington has said. Beyond providing input on the selection of the firm, Logan is available to answer any questions about the substation from his deep knowledge of the facility and has helped oversee electrical inspections in the city while Electrical Superintendent Steve Franck finalizes his state certification for inspections.

Logan is being paid $3,000 a month while working up to 80 hours monthly.

“[Logan has] always ... really put Powell first and he has no problems helping out,” Thorington said last month. “And he should get paid for it.”