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Brookings council authorizes design work after landslide severs water, sewer and storm lines on Sherwood Terrace
Summary
City Council approved $96,800 in engineering design work and directed staff to develop repair plans after excavation on private property triggered a landslide that damaged multiple utilities on Sherwood Terrace. Council and residents discussed timelines, funding sources and reimbursement from the contractor's insurer.
The Brookings City Council on Monday authorized city staff to move forward with engineering design for repairs to Sherwood Terrace after a landslide caused by excavation on private property damaged a roadway and severed water, sewer and storm infrastructure.
City staff told the council that excavation for a private home site led to a slope failure in the public right-of-way that caused “major road failures” and severed a water main, a sanitary sewer force main and a stormwater main. The staff presentation said the city has hired an attorney to pursue cost recovery from the contractor and its insurer.
City staff provided preliminary cost estimates: about $96,800 for engineering design work and roughly $680,000 for roadway reconstruction. Staff said the project will be funded from the Brookings streets replacement fund and from the water, sewer and storm funds in proportions to be determined because all three systems were affected. Staff also said the city expects to seek reimbursement from the contractor’s insurance after repairs are complete.
During discussion, staff gave a projected schedule: design work through July, a construction contract award hoped for in August, and construction running from mid‑August into October. Residents who live on Sherwood Terrace urged frequent updates and said safety around the site is a continuing concern; one resident asked whether houses might need to be closed during repairs. Staff said the city plans to provide weekly status updates and that the city manager can speak with residents directly about specific concerns.
Council action and next steps: a council member moved to authorize the city manager to proceed with the task order to fund the engineering design work (the staff presentation identified the design estimate as $96,800). The motion passed unanimously; Councilor Fulton, Councilor Correa, Councilor Malvern, Councilor Martin and Mayor Isaac Hodges voted yes. The council did not set specific percentage breakdowns for how the repair costs will be charged to each utility fund at the meeting.
The staff presentation and the motion noted the city has retained legal counsel to attempt cost recovery from the contractor; staff did not provide an estimate of when reimbursement might be received. City staff said they will return with final design documents and a recommended construction contract for council consideration once the engineering work is complete.
The council moved to the next agenda item after the vote; staff and residents agreed to maintain direct lines of communication about timing and safety during the design and construction process.
