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 Miscellaneous Large Diameter Water Line Improvements Package 1 Project; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest to eight parcels of land required for the project and situated in the James Wells Survey, Abstract No. 832, and in the Concepcion Martinez Survey, Abstract No. 545, in Harris County, Texas, said parcels of land being located along Preston Avenue, Bastrop Street, and Texas Street in downtown Houston and along Interstate Ten at Hunting Bayou in downtown 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 the eight parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT I - GALLEGOS

SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the MISCELLANEOUS LARGE DIAMETER WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS - PACKAGE 1 be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)

An ordinance for the MISCELLANEOUS LARGE DIAMETER WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS - PACKAGE 1 be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:

This project consists of two water line improvement areas. The first being a 24-inch water line from Bastrop Street to Texas Avenue, and the second being a 42-inch water line at IH-10 and Hunting Bayou. This project is part of the City’s Surface Water Transmission Program (SWTP), which provides water transmission and distribution lines to convey treated water from surface water facilities.  This program is required to comply with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District requirements, and will implement the City’s regionalization and long range water supply plans.      

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 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 a 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 MISCELLANEOUS LARGE DIAMETER WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS - PACKAGE 1.

Ordinance 2016-758, passed October 5, 2016

No additional funding required.

Darrin Ward 

Acting Senior Assistant Director- Real Estate

Phone: (832) 395-3154

______________________________________

Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.

Acting Director

Department of Public Works and Engineering

S-000900-0163-2