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Council authorizes steps to pursue sewer easement through Sportsman's Air Park to reduce spills
Summary
Council authorized staff to pursue contractual actions to obtain an easement through Sportsman's Air Park and to surplus two small city parcels to facilitate a proposed bypass sewer line estimated at $4–5 million; Sportsman's asked for roughly $90,000 for an easement and interest in two small city-owned parcels.
City staff briefed council June 15 on recurring sewer surcharges and spills on the Springbrook sewer line and described a proposed bypass route that would run largely through Sportsman's Air Park to improve capacity and redundancy.
Public Works staff explained that a north–south legacy Springbrook line becomes overloaded during heavy rain events when it meets a newer forced main, causing manhole surcharges and occasional spills. The staff proposal would bore a straighter, deeper sewer line through greenfield portions of the air park, increasing pipe velocity and capacity while avoiding long closures and impacts to Highway 219.
The project concept was credited to Russ Thomas. Preliminary engineering advice and cost estimates from Keller Engineering indicated a project in the $4 million to $5 million range (very preliminary), and the staff said early engagement with the Oregon DEQ could reduce enforcement risk by demonstrating remediation steps.
Sportsman's Air Park managers signaled willingness to negotiate an easement; they asked for a one-time easement payment in the neighborhood of $90,000 to cover perpetual access and maintenance rights and also expressed interest in two small city-owned parcels south of the runway that are constrained by airfield overlay restrictions. City staff recommended declaring those parcels surplus to facilitate the easement.
Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager and staff to proceed with contractual and legal steps to obtain the sewer easement and to begin surplus property procedures as needed. Staff said early design and survey work would speed readiness for construction when capital funds become available in the next biennium.
