Council finds emergency, clears path for immediate sewer repairs near 949 Lincoln Way

Public Works Director Menald Dean told the council that a recently opened business at 949 Lincoln Way experienced sewer backups, and city TV inspection revealed a partial collapse and separation in an aging cast‑iron/clay city sewer main with accumulated building material obstructing flow.

"We found out there was some blockage in the line ... we saw that there's a collapse," Dean said, explaining that the line runs across the front of the building and that the material appears to have accumulated over time. He said the location had not been scoped previously because it served only a single business until its recent change of use.

Dean recommended immediate emergency repairs, noting the impact on downtown businesses and the need to keep the business district operating. Staff consulted a contractor already working under a recently authorized bid package and said crews could begin as soon as the end of the week.

The council first voted to find that an emergency existed and then adopted a resolution finding the emergency sewer-collection-system repair project categorically exempt under CEQA, allowing the work to proceed. The two related motions were approved by roll call.

The clerk's roll call for the emergency finding listed Council member Don Kelier voting yes, Council member Holmes yes, Council member Redella Harris yes, and Mayor Kelly Davis yes. The same voting pattern was recorded for the CEQA exemption resolution.

No dollar total for the emergency contract was specified during the public presentation; staff said they would proceed with the contractor authorized through the prior bidding process and follow up with procurement and implementation details.