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Resident urges less-disruptive solution as Brentwood weighs retaining-wall options on Russell Avenue
Summary
Committee discussed a disputed segment of the Russell Avenue STP project where contractors could not achieve the planned slope; engineers offered an 18-inch poured-concrete wall (~$17,283) or a block Versa Lock wall (~$33,205). Homeowners and staff debated cost, aesthetics and long-term maintenance; committee deferred to further legal guidance.
Resident Clayton raised the issue in public comment, saying the Russell Avenue work left a neighbor’s driveway and yard “too steep” and that project documents conflict on curb height — the submitted drawings show a 12-inch curb while the voting packet lists 18 inches.
Public works representative Dan told the committee engineers found a large section that could not meet the contract’s 3:1 slope. He presented two costed options to reach the required grade: an 18-inch poured concrete s-type curb wall priced at $17,283 and a block (Versa Lock) wall priced at $33,205. “My recommendation was… to do the poured concrete since it was the lowest cost solution to achieve the required slope,” Dan said.
Homeowner Deb described practical and aesthetic problems caused by the work and the slope change, saying it “created a bigger problem” and that mowing has become difficult because “half the yard’s missing.” Committee members raised questions about who would maintain a block wall if the city installs it in the right-of-way and whether a homeowner could pay the difference for a brick appearance.
Committee members discussed options including asking the city attorney about release agreements or shared-maintenance arrangements. Dan said both wall designs would meet or exceed the desired slope but noted the block wall’s higher labor cost and the city’s greater long-term maintenance burden.
The committee did not take a final vote to install either option; members asked staff to consult the city attorney about maintenance liability and funding options and to return with recommended next steps. The issue remains under old business for further consideration.
