Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

 

TO:

David Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

R. Scott Wagner, Management Analyst

Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director – Department of Utilities

 

CC:

Toni Wheeler, City Attorney

 

Date:

April 24, 2013

 

RE:

Kaw Water Treatment Plant Transmission Main Project: Easement Acquisition – 1000 N. 3rd Street

 

 

Please include the below item on the May 7, 2013 City Commission Agenda.

 

The above project is a combination of projects originally recommended in the 2003 Water Master Plan. The project calls for the construction of a new water transmission main beginning at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant, located at 3rd Street and Indiana, then running north of Burcham Park, under the Kansas River, through North Lawrence, under the Kansas River again and finally to the southeast portion of the City (see enclosed alignment map). This project is designed to provide a secondary source of water for North Lawrence and increased capacity to the Southeast Lawrence area.

 

Based on the Integrated 2012 Water Utilities Plan a modified Phase I of the project, ending at North 3rd Street, to provide a redundant water supply to North Lawrence was contained in the recommended 2013 Capital Improvement Plan. On March 12, 2013 the City Commission adopted the 2013 - 2017 Capital Improvement Plan containing the construction of Phase I of the project. The City Commission has since adopted Ordinances and resolutions related to the 2013 Water Rates, 2013 – 2017 System Development Charges and the sale of Bonds to begin funding Phase I project.

 

Phase II is scheduled for 2019, and Phase III by 2025 to address capacity requirements in Southeast Lawrence. In order to preserve the corridor alignment and to have easements in place for that time when the project is ready to bid, the City is proceeding with property acquisition for all phases.

 

Appraisals were completed in 2012 for the permanent easement acquisitions identified. Offer letters were sent to property owners at the end of July 2012. At the location of tract 105, located at 1000 N. 3rd Street (aerial map), a 40’ permanent easement along the south property line has been identified (see attached easement map). The property is directly south of the I-70 business center and is zoned for Planned Commercial Development. The property owner has accepted the appraised offer of compensation in the amount of $80,600 for the 25,530 square foot easement needed.

 

Action Requested:

Authorize payment to Samih K. Staitieh, Trustee, in the amount of $80,600 for waterline easement acquisition at 1000 N. 3rd Street.