Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
CC:	Debbie Van Saun, Asst. City Manager Dave Wagner, Asst. Director-Dept. of Utilities
Date:	October 5, 2006
RE:	Purchase of Coyne Tract - WWRF White Site

As you are aware, on August 14, 2006, a public meeting was held to announce the conclusion of the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility (WWRF) site investigation process by Black & Veatch.  The results of the investigation recommended the white site (east site) for final siting of the WWRF.  On August 29, the City Commission received the siting study report from Black & Veatch and approved the study recommendations, and authorized staff to proceed with land acquisition for the project.

The City contracted with Keller & Associates  to appraise the properties identified for acquisition by the siting study.  Land values for the various tracts in the white site area, all appraised at $2,400 per acre (see attached map).  Each of the parcels are nearly entirely within the boundaries of the floodplain, and several have floodway influence.  The firm of Aul & Hatfield provided review appraisals of the Keller reports and concurred with the valuation findings.

The City’s property acquisition team has sent offer letters to all the property owners in the white site, conditioned upon final City Commission acceptance.

Michael & Lisa Coyne own an approximately 8 acre tract located at the east end of N 1175 Rd. – adjacent, and to the west of Coal Creek (tract highlighted in orange on the above map).  They have accepted the appraised offer of $2,400 per acre for this property which is all vacant farmland and timber.

City staff recommend purchase of this parcel from Michael & Lisa Coyne in the amount of $19,200 and to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a purchase contract for this acquisition.  Negotiations with adjacent white site property owners are continuing.  It is expected that future agendas will contain requests to approve contracts with owners of the other parcels within the white site.

Project Funding

Funding for land acquisition for the WWRF will come from the Utilities Dept. capital improvement reserve fund.