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 Melinda Harger, Utilities Engineer Dave Wagner, Director – Dept. of Utilities
Date:	April 10, 2014
RE:	Property acquisition – Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant Site – Right-of-Way for E 1600 Rd (O’Connell Road) and N 1175 Rd.

Project Description 

The 2012 Wastewater Utilities Master Plan and Capital Improvements Program recommend the construction of the Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and Conveyance Corridor facilities to be online in 2018. These improvements are required to mitigate wet weather surcharging of sanitary sewers along the 31^st Street Corridor, provide for relief of wet weather overloading at the existing WWTP, and provide additional organic treatment capacity to provide for future growth of the community.

The recommended Wakarusa WWTP improvements include 2 MGD of organic treatment and 6 MGD of wet weather treatment. The Conveyance Corridor improvements include an 11 MGD pump station facility in the area of 31^st and Louisiana and required forcemains and gravity sewers to convey sewerage to and from this point to the Wakarusa WWTP.

Right-of-Way Acquisition for WWTP Site

See the attached map for the location of the WWTP site and right-of-way and easement acquisition for the plant.  Additional road right-of-way for E 1600 Road (O’Connell Road inside the City limits) and N 1175 is required as part of the planned plant site improvements.  Additional waterline and utility easements are also being acquired along E 1600 Rd to the south of the plant site.

In March of this year an appraisal was conducted by Aul Appraisals of the various property interests needed on each tract.  Offers to purchase the land interests have been sent to all the property owners.  On Tract 6 and Tract 7, a total of 76,051 sq. feet (1.75 acres) of additional right-of-way is needed (Tract 7 borders both N 1175 and E 1600 Rd).  On Tract 7, 4,500 sq. feet of temporary easement is also required.  The appraisers also awarded damages for the loss of field fencing on both of these tracts.  The property owner has accepted the appraised offer of the City in the amount of $28,000 for the required property interests.  Utilities staff would like to bid the road portion of the project in May and recommend completing site property acquisition.

Action Requested

Authorize payment to Joe W. Peng in the amount of $28,000 for acquisition of right-of-way for E 1600 Rd. and N 1175 Rd.