SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the NORTHEAST WATER PURIFICATION PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.
WBS S-000066-0019-2-01
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)
An ordinance for the NORTHEAST WATER PURIFICATION PLANT EXPANSION 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 NORTHEAST WATER PURIFICATION PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase or condemnation.
This project is part of the proposed Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) expansion which will increase the existing plant’s current water capacity and provide treated surface water throughout the City and to several regional water authority jurisdictions. The proposed use of the property to be acquired is for monofill (dewater treatment residuals currently disposed of offsite), surface capacity for unsettled solids, lay- down/staging for construction, and plant expansion area to meet long term supply needs of the future. This project will aid in the City’s water source conversion from primarily groundwater to surface water in order to comply with the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District’s regulatory plan.
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 NORTHEAST WATER PURIFICATION PLANT EXPANSION PROJECT.