Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

 

TO:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

FROM:

R. Scott Wagner, Management Analyst

Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director – Department of Utilities

CC:

Toni Wheeler, City Attorney

DATE:

December 22, 2015

RE:

Kaw Water Treatment Plant Transmission Main Project: Easement Acquisition – 1010 N. 3rd Street

 

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. This first phase was constructed in 2014.

 

The additional phases to address capacity requirements in Southeast Lawrence have not been scheduled for construction at this time.  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 proceeded in 2015 with property acquisition for all phases.

 

Appraisals were completed in 2015 for the permanent easement acquisitions identified. Offer letters were sent to property owners at the end of September 2015. At the location of tract 109, located at 1010 N. 3rd Street (aerial map), a 40’ permanent easement along the south property line has been identified (see attached easement map). The property is east of the I-70 business center and is zoned commercial. The property owner has accepted a negotiated settlement based on the appraised offer of compensation in the amount of $35,000 for the 8,000 square foot easement needed.

 

Action Requested:

Authorize payment to Meera, LLC, in the amount of $35,000 for waterline easement acquisition at 1010 N. 3rd Street.