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 easement acquisitions for the 108-inch water line from Aldine Westfield to Willis Street Project; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest to twenty parcels of land required for the project and situated in the W.S. Novell Survey, Abstract No. 602, the Malcolm McAuley Survey, Abstract No. 577, the Samuel W. Upshaw Survey, Abstract No. 821, and The Joseph Hopkins Survey, Abstract No. 334, in Harris County, Texas, said parcels of land being located along the north Beltway 8, between Aldine Westfield And Willis Street 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 the twenty parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT B - DAVIS

SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS FOR 108-INCH WATER LINE FROM ALDINE WESTFIELD TO WILLIS STREET PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

WBS S-000900-0165-2

RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)

An ordinance for the EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS FOR 108-INCH WATER LINE FROM ALDINE WESTFIELD TO WILLIS STREET PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:

The project provides for the design and construction of transmission and distribution lines to convey treated water from surface water facilities.  This project is part of the City’s regionalization program and is in compliance with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District requirement to implement the City’s long range water supply plan. The subject water line easement parcels are needed for the Northeast Transmission Line segment of the program. 

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 EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS FOR 108-INCH WATER LINE FROM ALDINE WESTFIELD to WILLIS STREET 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 S-000900-0165-2