Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	R. Scott Wagner, Management Analyst
CC:	Toni Wheeler, City Attorney Dave Wagner, Director – Dept. of Utilities
Date:	November 21, 2013
RE:	Property acquisition – Wakarusa Wastewater Reclamation Facility Site – 1219 E 1600 Rd (O’Connell Road)

When the City initially acquired the Wakarusa Wastewater Reclamation Facility land in 2006-2007, additional surrounding parcels were also indentified as possible acquisition areas in order to provide buffer ground to surround the WWRF plant site.  However, no further acquisitions were completed at the time once the core site area had been acquired.  See the attached map for the location of the WWRF site (located directly south of the Wakarusa River where E 1600 Rd. ends).

Two parcels improved with homes, lie immediately north of the future plant site, north of the Wakarusa river where E 1600 Rd ends – 1219 E 1600 Rd. and 1220 E 1600 Rd.  The property owner of 1219 E 1600 Rd passed away earlier this year.  City staff met with the heirs earlier this summer to discuss the planned improvements and construction timeframe for the WWRF plant – scheduled to go on-line in 2018 and their plans for the property.  The owners were willing to discuss acquisition of the site by the City.  In September an appraisal was conducted by Keller and Associates.  In October, an offer to purchase the parcel and improvements was sent and accepted by the owners based on the appraised amount of the property.

Staff Recommendation: Department of Utilities Staff recommends acquisition of this tract in order to provide additional buffer from the WWRF site. 

Action Requested:

Authorize the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with Raymond L. Stone and Beverly N. Tubbs for the acquisition of 1219 E 1600 Rd. in the amount of $112,000.