Council briefed on culvert replacement that may require full shutdown, hotel lodging for residents

City staff told the council on May 20 that a culvert replacement at Skycrest (referred to in staff materials as the Skye/Nestleene culvert) will likely require a complete three‑night shutdown of water service to impacted properties. Staff said the project team held an open house attended by about 13 residents and that the consultant recommended a short complete shutdown rather than a partial approach.

The consultant’s plan includes options to stabilize the pipe in place and to provide temporary resident access by a footbridge or other means. Staff said hotel accommodations will be needed for affected households and estimated an order‑of‑magnitude lodging cost of $9,000–$10,000 for hotels and higher costs (roughly ten times more) for an engineering solution to maintain access without relocation. Staff noted concerns raised by residents about hotel configurations, adjoining rooms for families, accessibility and whether accommodations would include kitchenettes.

Tamron said the city will reach out to adjacent property owners about construction easements and will also evaluate footbridge locations and safety. Staff stressed that some accommodations may not be ADA‑compliant and that wildfires or other emergencies during a shutdown would require contingency access for emergency vehicles. “If there were a wildfire, during that 3 day shutdown, ... we would find a way to get the truck across even if that meant filling in before the work was done,” Tamron said.

The work is anticipated in the fall (September–October), subject to final plans, easements and scheduling. Staff said final hotel arrangements and construction dates remain to be determined and that they will return to council with further details.