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

Dave Wagner, Director - Department of Utilities

 

Date:

October 30, 2013

 

RE:

Kaw Water Treatment Plant Transmission Main Project: Easement Acquisition – Project UT0701DS

 

 

Please include the below item on the November 5, 2013 City Commission Agenda.

 

Project UT0701DS consists of approx. 7600 linear feet of 36” diameter water transmission main routed from the Kaw Water Treatment Plant located at 3rd Street and Indiana, then running north of Burcham Park, under the Kansas River, through North Lawrence to a point just east of Tract 105 near 1000 N 3rd Street and Industrial Lane in North Lawrence. This includes a 2300 linear foot, directionally drilled crossing of the Kansas River. The project provides a redundant water supply to the North Lawrence area and is the first phase of a water transmission main which will ultimately run to Southeast Lawrence. (see attached alignment map).

 

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.

 

At the location of tracts 100-102, located north of Burcham Park (aerial map), a 40’ permanent easement has been identified for the transmission main. The property is directly south of the I-70 bridge and is used for farming purposes. Approximately 58 acres of the property will be needed on a temporary basis to layout and fuse pipe for the directional drilling operations under the Kansas River. Staff has worked with the property owner to minimize the disturbance period required for the project.

 

The property owner has accepted the appraised offer of compensation in the amount of $43,373 for the area where temporary easements are needed.  In the area where the 40 foot permanent easement (74,402 sq. feet) was needed, the appraisal did not include compensation for crop damages.  The area where the permanent easement is located will be encumbered with a longer temporary easement that may prevent the growing of crops for the 2014 season and staff agreed to compensate for potential crop loss.  The property owner has accepted the appraised amount of $5,000 for the easement plus an  amount of $6,500 for crop loss for a total value of $11,500 for the permanent easement.  The total offer of compensation amounts to $54,873.

 

Staff and the design consultants, Burns & McDonnell, are currently finalizing plans and specifications for bidding, and acquiring remaining permits. It is anticipated the project will be presented to the City Commission during November to request a bid date.

 

Action Requested:

Authorize payment to the Trustees of the Betty Allen Trust, in the amount of $54,873 for permanent and temporary easement acquisition.