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Downtown residents report sewer damage and other harms from microtrenching fiber rollout; city staff pledges review
Summary
Residents from multiple downtown historic neighborhoods told the council that a city franchise microtrenching project led by contractor Tilson/GigaPower has damaged sewer lines, caused sewage backups, broken sidewalks, and created long‑running temporary patches; city staff said it will compile a remediation plan and investigate contractor accountability.
Residents from Crestwood, Huntridge, John S. Park and other downtown neighborhoods described extensive property damage and public‑infrastructure failures tied to the city’s microtrenching program and its contractor, Tilson, during a lengthy citizens participation segment on Dec. 18.
Speakers reported sewer laterals severed or clogged with slurry, flooding of homes, replacement of mainlines where high volumes of slurry and asphalt had been compacted into sewer mains, and dozens of temporary surface patches left in disrepair. Several homeowners said they had to finance emergency repairs and lodging while repairs were incomplete.
Neighborhood leaders presented documentation and asked the council to require remediation, to consider formal complaints to the state contractors board and to reassess microtrenching use in older neighborhoods with shallow utilities. City staff told the council that inspections and a remediation plan are underway and committed to delivering a full report with permit counts and remediation steps.
Why it matters: Reported damage to private sewers and city mains presents potential public‑health, accessibility and fiscal issues, and many speakers urged the city to hold the contractor accountable and to redesign its approach in older infrastructure areas.
Quotes: “Our entire sewer line was full of asphalt and material that they poured into it,” one resident said. City staff said they will compile evidence and a remediation plan and meet with neighborhood representatives.
What’s next: City staff committed to prepare a full report that isolates causes, quantifies permits and impacts, and outlines remediation and contractor accountability steps.
