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 diversion and abandonment of Kirkwood #3 Lift Station to New Harvest Moon Lift Station Project; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest in five parcels of land required for the project situated in the W. Hardin Survey, Abstract No. 24, In Harris County, Texas; said parcels of land being located along Carriage Hill Drive from Kirkwood to Lashbrooke Drive, and north on Lashbrooke Drive, 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 said five parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT G - TRAVIS

SUBJECT:  Recommendation that an ordinance for the DIVERSION AND ABANDONMENT OF KIRKWOOD #3 LIFT STATION TO NEW HARVEST MOON LIFT STATION PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

WBS R-000536-0021-2

RECOMMENDATION:  (Summary)

An ordinance for the DIVERSION AND ABANDONMENT OF KIRKWOOD #3 LIFT STATION TO NEW HARVEST MOON LIFT STATION 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 DIVERSION AND ABANDONMENT OF KIRKWOOD #3 LIFT STATION TO NEW HARVEST MOON LIFT STATION PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase or condemnation.

This project is needed in order to improve the City’s wastewater infrastructure through rehabilitation, replacement, consolidation or diversion of lift stations throughout the City. This project will assist in the reduction of operation and maintenance costs associated with aging lift stations and force main systems.

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 DIVERSION AND ABANDONMENT OF KIRKWOOD #3 LIFT STATION TO NEW HARVEST MOON LIFT STATION PROJECT.

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

WBS R-000536-0021-2