Auburn council authorizes emergency sewer repairs at downtown site, finds project exempt from CEQA

Mitchell Dean, Auburn’s public works director, told the council crews found a separation and collapse in an old city sewer line in front of 949 Lincoln Way (the Vault) after the recently opened business experienced backups.

"The line is a city line that runs right across the front of the building, and it's an old cast iron line," Dean said, describing collapsed sections and building material found in the pipe. He said staff believes the debris and structural deterioration had been present for some time and that the situation requires immediate repairs to keep businesses operating and protect the system.

Dean said staff contacted a contractor (already under council-authorized work) and recommended emergency action to start work as soon as the end of the week. Council members asked whether the city should change procedures when a building changes use; Dean said the episode had prompted a review of practices for buildings converting to heavier uses.

The council voted to authorize emergency contracting for the sewer collection system repair project and, in a separate motion, adopted a resolution finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Both items passed by roll call.

Council members thanked public works staff and emphasized the need to prevent future instances by improving pre-opening checks when building uses change.