Looking into the purchase of a generator to power an emergency warming shelter is still on the Langley city council’s and staff’s agenda for 2016.

City staff supervisors and council members discussed purchasing a generator during the council meeting Monday night, continuing a discussion that began earlier this month. The topic was raised in response to the Nov. 17 windstorm that knocked out power across much of South Whidbey for at least 24 hours.

At the city’s Dec. 7 council meeting, two city residents asked the council to consider funding a generator to be used in an emergency shelter. The city developed an emergency preparedness plan, and the document includes two locations as emergency shelters and warming centers. But the Island Church of Whidbey and Langley United Methodist Church do not have generators and would be chilly and dark retreats if power were out for a prolonged time, especially during cold weather.

Police Chief Dave Marks confirmed to the council on Monday that the Island Church of Whidbey, contrary to rumor, does not have a generator. He said church leaders were open to having one connected during an emergency, but the city would have to provide it.

“Island Church is very receptive if we can get a generator that’s portable,” Marks said.

St. Hubert Catholic Church on Third Street and De Bruyn Avenue has a generator, Councilwoman Rene Neff said. Having recently discussed the issue with a member of that church, Neff said there was concern that the building could not serve as an emergency shelter because it lacked showers.

To Mayor Fred McCarthy’s knowledge, that was not a requirement to be a designated emergency shelter or warming center.

The city currently owns a portable generator, but it has functions for the city’s utility systems and is needed for those exclusively.

Councilman Thomas Gill proposed the city look at more sites as emergency shelters. Langley City Hall has a generator and it could be wired to power the library, which might help in a crunch but it would only go so far.

“Langley is only about 1,000 (people), but the immediate area is, what, 5,000?” Gill said.

Some help may come from private entities. The Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club, outside of city limits but a short trip from the edge of town on Brooks Hill Road/Third Street, is preparing to install a second generator, manager Ursula Shoudy said. Shoudy, who will swear in as a councilwoman in January, told the council that the club’s board is willing to open up its building as an emergency shelter, one that would be able to produce considerable energy given its two generators.