A city-owned slope might not be as difficult to fix as first thought, according to a report by Cliff Clark of Alpine Geotechnical.

The slope, at Second Avenue East was super saturated by heavy rain and a leaking city water line in June, 2024 and began to slump, sending big trees hovering over homes below,

Nine trees were removed quickly before they fell over and destroyed any homes, but the city decided to have the slope further investigated by Alpine Geotechnical so it could determine the best way to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

According to Alpine’s report, the slope, which is almost entirely in the city-owned right of way, does need to be addressed.

“Based on our analyses, we conclude the existing failed slope is still relatively unstable and slope remediation is highly recommended. Factors of safety values for the existing condition were significantly less than 1 for both static and seismic conditions indicating high probability of continued slope movement. However, the generated failure surfaces in our models are relatively shallow and localized indicating low risk of larger, deep-seated mass movement,” Alpine’s report noted.

The number 1 is a measurement for stability in the event of an earthquake. A number greater than 1.3 is considered more stable and safer.

To fix it, however, would be a fairly simple regrading of the slope, Alpine determined.

“We have determined that slope regrading along the central portion of the slope will adequately mitigate continued slope movements and increase long-term stability,” Alpine found.

Mayor Don Barnhart asked whether the leaking water line was the likely culprit.

Clark agreed the water line leak, was likely “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Clark noted that the slope over the years has obviously seen high rainwater and snow events and didn’t slump until the water line leaked.

The next step is for the city to find a contractor to do the work to stabilize the slope, which would, in turn, require revegetation.

Alpine agreed to consult on the next stage if need be. The city’s goal is to make the slope as stable as possible, as there are several homes immediately below it.

The city council also agreed to a change order in Alpine’s original contract, adding $5,000 for additional soil testing, as Alpine found clay and other silt soils in deeper depths that wasn’t expected. The total cost of the investigation was $40,000.