Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	Diane Stoddard – Interim City Manager Casey Toomay – Assistant City Manager
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Toni Ramirez Wheeler – City Attorney Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities Beth Krishtalka – Assistant to Director
FROM:	Philip Ciesielski – Assistant Director of Utilities
DATE:	September 3, 2015
RE:	Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an easement agreement for a term of 25 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Clinton Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station, Transmission Main and Electrical Conduit

Background

The Department of Utilities has been engaged in a project to expand the existing Clinton Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station. This pump station was originally constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Lawrence in the late 1970’s as part of the Clinton Reservoir Dam. This facility is located adjacent to the dam spillway, and conveys raw water from Clinton Reservoir to the Clinton Water Treatment Plant on Wakarusa Drive.

During the design of the current project, it was determined that an easement for the construction, operation and maintenance of the existing Clinton Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station was either never executed, or, not recorded. Records were researched at the Douglas County Register of Deeds, the City and the US Army Corps of Engineers. An Easement Agreement, dated June 30, 2004, for a 25 year extension of an easement for a section of the raw water transmission main and electrical conduit was found in the City Clerk’s records.

The US Army Corps of Engineers Real Estate Division has submitted the attached 25 year term Easement document encumbering the area of the existing raw water pump station, and the currently proposed building expansion. This easement also starts a new 25 year term for the raw water transmission main and electrical conduit previously extended by the 2004 document.

On August 25, 2015, the City Commission set a bid date of September 22, 2015 for the Clinton Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station Improvements. A prebid meeting was held on September 8, 2015. Completion of the project is scheduled for November 2, 2016.

Recommendation

The City Attorney and Department of Utilities have reviewed the easement document and recommend entering into the easement agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Action

Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an easement agreement for a term of 25 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Clinton Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Pump Station, Transmission Main and Electrical Conduit.