Council releases final library retainage; staff and contractor to address patchy lawn under warranty

Cascade City Council on Monday approved release of final retainage for the Cascade Public Library project and discussed uneven grass growth on the library lawn, with staff saying the contractor and a local landscaper will return to correct the seeding under the project warranty.

Fred, city staff, told the council that contractor work left the library lawn "splotchy" and that he “spoke to Mike Veil again today about the grass” and that Veil suggested pulling the netting, spiking the areas and reseeding for a more even result. Fred said the city’s one-year warranty on the project would cover defects that arise after final acceptance.

The council debated whether to withhold final payment while waiting to see regrowth. Fred reminded the council that the contract language limited the city’s leverage because specifications for seeding were not detailed. He recommended using the warranty and changing future contract language to specify seeding performance.

Councilmember Oliphant moved to release the final payment; Councilmember Hush seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with five ayes.

The council discussed options if reseeding does not take, including hydroseeding and having the local contractor pull the netting and reseed. Fred said he will follow up with Mike Veil and, if necessary, exercise warranty remedies. He also urged clearer seeding specifications in future public-works contracts so performance expectations are enforceable.

The council did not set a separate follow-up hearing but members asked staff to monitor regrowth through the coming weeks and to report back if warranty work is required.