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Brookings council declares emergency, approves $677,609 contract to repair Sherwood Terrace slide
Summary
The Brookings City Council declared the Sherwood Terrace landslide an emergency and authorized a $677,609 repair contract with Tidewater Contractors Inc.; city staff said the slide damaged water, sewer and storm infrastructure and work could begin as early as Aug. 11.
The Brookings City Council on July 28 proclaimed the Sherwood Terrace landslide an emergency and authorized the city manager to sign a $677,609 contract with Tidewater Contractors Inc. to repair the slide-affected right-of-way.
City staff told the council the landslide, caused by excavation for a private home site, severely damaged city facilities including water, sewer and storm mains. Public works staff said repairs could begin as early as Aug. 11 and staff anticipates construction completion by September, subject to weather.
The council heard that Dyer Partnership prepared repair plans (task order approved June 9, 2025) and that the engineer's earlier estimate for roadway construction was $67,609; the contract authorized by council is $677,609. Staff said the project will be funded initially from the City of Brookings Street Replacement Fund, with the expectation of later reimbursement from the contractor’s insurance; staff also described plans to allocate portions of sewer, water and storm funds to cover costs.
The motion to proclaim the emergency and authorize the contract was made during the meeting and, after a second, recorded yes votes in the audio transcript from Councilor Malmberg, Councilor Martin and Mayor Hodges. The motion carried.
Council members and staff emphasized urgency: one councilor said delaying a formal contract award and going out to bid could push construction into the rainy season and increase risk to infrastructure.
The city has retained an attorney to pursue cost recovery from the contractor whose private excavation was identified as causing the slide. Dyer Partnership’s plans were described as nearly complete; staff recommended using an emergency procurement to start work immediately rather than undertaking a formal competitive bid process that could take weeks and delay repairs.
Remaining details provided to council included anticipated funding splits between street, sewer, water and storm funds and discussions with the contractor’s insurer, but the timetable for reimbursement was described as not specified.
The council’s authorization allows the city manager to execute the agreement under an emergency written declaration and begin repairs before October 2025.
