Council approves $22,000 purchase of parcel for Tidewater reservoir site and plans for two 74,000‑gallon tanks

Brookings City Council adopted resolution 26‑R1290 and authorized a real‑estate purchase agreement to buy a small parcel from George and Cassie Fitzu for $22,000 to facilitate construction of two new 74,000‑gallon drinking‑water reservoirs (staff said the immediate plan is to build one and reserve the second foundation for future build‑out).

Staff explained the existing privately sited Tidewater reservoir is undersized, leaking and does not provide adequate fire flow for the neighborhood. The purchase clears title and easement issues so the city can build modern reservoirs to meet fire‑flow and seismic standards. The project was funded through a Business Oregon loan program for safe drinking water projects (recorded in staff materials as the Safe Drinking Water loan fund), and staff said seismic standard changes and geotechnical requirements had extended design time.

Councilors asked about timing for constructing the second tank; staff said concerns about stagnation mean the second tank will be built only when additional users justify it, but site work and foundation prep will be completed during the first phase. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and authorize the purchase.