ORDINANCE finding and determining public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interests in connection with the Public Improvement Project known as the NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL - DISTRICT 203 PROJECT; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest to three parcels of land required for the project and situated in the B.B.B. & C.R.R Company Survey, Abstract No. 175, in Harris County, Texas, said parcels of land being located at the northeast corner of Ella Boulevard and West Greens Road, along the east line of Ella Boulevard and along the north line of Gears Road, between Gears Road and West Greens Road in Houston, Harris County, Texas, by gift, dedication, purchase and the use of eminent domain and further authorizing payment of the costs of such purchases and/or eminent domain proceedings and associated costs for relocation assistance, Appraisal Fees, Title Policies/Services, Recording Fees, Court Costs, and Expert Witness Fees in connection with the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest to three parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT B - DAVIS

SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL – DISTRICT 203 PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

WBS:  S-000100-0019-2

RECOMMENDATION:  (Summary)

An ordinance for the NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL – DISTRICT 203 PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:

The Department of Public Works and Engineering is requesting that an ordinance for the NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL – DISTRICT 203 PROJECT to be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels be dedication, purchase, or condemnation.  The NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL – DISTRICT 203 PROJECT provides assessment, evaluation and installation of ground water wells to increase or maintain water production capacity and is necessary in order to provide reliability of the City’s water system.

This action authorizes payment for costs of land purchases/condemnations, relocation assistance, expenses, appraisal fees, title policies/services, recording fees and other acquisition costs in connection with the negotiations to settle purchases; finds a public necessity for the project; and approves and authorizes the condemnation of the land and improvements thereon.  If negotiations to acquire the property cannot be concluded as a dedication or purchase or for any reason for which acquisition by condemnation is warranted, this action authorizes the City Attorney to file or cause Eminent Domain proceedings to be filed and acquire land, rights-of-way and/or easements for said purposes and authorizes payment for the Award of Special Commissioners and court costs associated with condemnation proceedings.  Parcels with consideration that exceeds the spending authority threshold set by State law will be submitted to City Council as they are finalized.  This will expedite the process of acquiring land, rights-of-way and/or easements in support of the NEW/REPLACEMENT GROUND WATER WELL – DISTRICT 203 PROJECT.    

Ordinance No. 2016-758, passed October 5, 2016.

Nancy P. Collins               

Senior Assistant Director – Real Estate

Phone: (832) 395-3130

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Dale A. Rudick, P.E., Director

Department of Public Works and Engineering