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 54-Inch Water Line along Vickery Drive from Aeropark to World Houston Parkway Project; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple title interest in or easement to five parcels of land required for the project and situated in the W.C.R.R. Co. Survey, Abstract No. 934, and the E.F. Marshall Survey, Abstract No. 1316, Harris, County, Texas, said parcels of land being located along the easterly line of Vickery 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 title interest in or easement to the five parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT B - DAVIS

SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the EASEMENT ACQUISITION FOR 54-INCH WATER LINE ALONG VICKERY DRIVE FROM AEROPARK TO WORLD HOUSTON PARKWAY PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation, WBS  S-000900-0127-2-01.

RECOMMENDATION:  (Summary)   An ordinance for the EASEMENT ACQUISITION FOR 54-INCH WATER LINE ALONG VICKERY DRIVE FROM AEROPARK TO WORLD HOUSTON PARKWAY PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:  The EASEMENT ACQUISITION FOR 54-INCH WATER LINE ALONG VICKERY DRIVE FROM AEROPARK TO WORLD HOUSTON PARKWAY 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.  Furthermore, the acquisitions of four easement parcels necessary for the construction of a 30-inch sanitary sewer line along the same project alignment are included under this project. 

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 exceed 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 ACQUISITION FOR 54-INCH WATER LINE ALONG VICKERY DRIVE FROM AEROPARK TO WORLD HOUSTON PARKWAY PROJECT. 

Ordinance #2014-0307, dated 04/16/2014

Nancy P. Collins

Phone: (832) 395-3130

Senior Assistant Director – Real Estate