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Council presses staff on Broad Street resurfacing after residents report potholes; investigation under way
Summary
During claims discussion, council members raised concerns about potholes on a recently resurfaced section of Broad Street; city staff said 20 core samples and asphalt testing are underway, the project remains open and retainage is being held while engineers evaluate responsibility.
Council members raised concerns at the May 12 meeting about potholes appearing on Broad Street shortly after a mill-and-overlay project was completed.
Finance Director Jennifer Nab introduced the claims list for April 29–May 12 and was asked by Councilman Marsh about a payment to the contractor (referred to in the packet) and the condition of the resurfaced sections. Councilman Marsh said he had driven the road and noted potholes emerging on a street that had been repaved six months earlier.
A staff member responding to the council’s questions said the city is investigating and that work remains open: “We pulled some core samples from either within or just directly adjacent to those areas…we went about a foot below the bottom of the subbase,” the staff member said, describing 20 core samples taken across Broad Street and ongoing laboratory testing of samples and asphalt.
Staff said the work included a water-main replacement in locations adjacent to some of the distressed pavement and that standing water in excavations might have degraded the subgrade. The staff member also said the project had temporary striping and outstanding punch-list items; retainage is being held while the city and its engineers evaluate whether further repairs or contract remedies are required.
Council members asked who might ultimately bear responsibility if the design or inspection missed issues; staff said that responsibility depends on contract language and that engineers who sealed the project could be accountable if the contract required a full assessment. The city indicated retainage and contractual remedies are options while the investigation continues.
After discussion and no public comment, the council returned to the consent motion and approved the claims and authorization of checks for the period; the motion carried 7-0.
City staff said they expect laboratory results from the core samples later in the week and will work with engineers to determine the next steps.
