Local maker tells council a water-main leak damaged showroom floor and requests settlement help

Rick Steber, owner of Rick Steber Makers and a local employer of artists and artisans, addressed the Prineville City Council during the public appearance period to describe property damage he says was caused by a city water-main failure.

Steber told the council the Crown Auto building he purchased suffered a leak that "flowed under the southwest corner of my building" and later developed into a visible street flow that he says caused cracks and displacement of a newly poured concrete floor. He cited a June 30, 2019 engineering study by Vortex Company Inc., saying, "it is the opinion of Vertex that soil movement due to the exposure to moisture from the pipe failure caused the concrete slab on grade in the gallery to displace and crack."

Steber said he filed a claim with the city's insurer, that the insurer denied the claim after an internal investigation and offered a $25,000 settlement and general release, and that he remained dissatisfied because his floor remains damaged. Quoting the insurer's language as he read it aloud, he said the insurer found "no evidence to suggest the city was negligent in maintaining the pipe or responding to the leak" and concluded "our insured is not liable for your damages."

Steber asked the council to "give the city manager the resources necessary to settle this matter and in turn release the city of its financial liabilities, obligations, and duties," warning the council that unresolved floor damage could create injury risk or future litigation. The city attorney advised it would be inappropriate to conduct legal negotiations during the meeting; council members did not take immediate action on the request during the session.

No council motion or vote on the claim was recorded at the meeting; Steber left copies of the engineering report and insurance correspondence with the city for follow-up.