Caldwell resident urges city to repair chip-seal job in Sienna Hills; council asks attorney to review contractor obligations

Mark Beswick, a Caldwell resident, told the City Council on Tuesday that a chip-seal treatment placed on streets in the Sienna Hills subdivision last year has deteriorated and left loose gravel in driveways and garages.

Beswick said he and neighbors have been sweeping chips daily and that the contractor did not place a fog coat that would have helped bind the surface. He said Public Works Director Bruce Mills inspected the neighborhood, told residents the chip used was the wrong size and described the condition as the worst he had seen in his 25 years in street maintenance. Beswick said Mills had been sympathetic but told residents the city would not fog-coat streets completed in 2024.

Council members asked staff questions about the contract and whether the contractor could be held responsible for the failed work. Councilor Stoddick suggested the city attorney review the contract language to determine contractor obligations; the mayor agreed to have staff and legal counsel follow up. The mayor also said the council could consider budget options to fund corrective work such as fog coating neighborhoods, but no funding decision was made at the meeting.

Beswick left physical samples and copies of his correspondence with the city for council review and requested the city send a contractor back to complete the fog coating. City staff confirmed streets scheduled for 2025 will receive fog coating as part of that year’s contract but said the 2024 streets were not slated for further work under the current contract schedule.

No formal council action was taken; the council directed staff to review the contractor contract and report back.