Agenda - Council - 06/27/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # UPDATE ON IP 99-67 MISSISSIPPI SUBDRAINAGE DISTRICT NO 1 STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: An ordinance adopted on February 22, 2000 established the Mississippi Drainage District to address the storm sewer needs for tiffs area wkich was bounded by the Burlington Northern raikoad tracks on the north; Highway 10 on the south; Sunfish Lake Boulevard on the west; and the City limits on the east. This established a special taxing district to finance necessary drainage improvements which would allow the district to handle additional storm runoff caused by the development of the area within the district. In thc fall of 2000 storm sewer was installed through the eastern half of the district. The western half of the district had anticipated the extension of this storm sewer once appropriate drainage and utility easements were obtained. On October I0, 2000 thc City Council passed Resolution #00-10-269A which authorized the acquisition of easements over four properties w/thin the western portion of the dish'ict through negotiations, if possible, and eminent domain, if necessary. Negotiations have proceeded and one of the four properties has been obtained by the City through the state Relocation Acquisition Loan Fund (RAJ,F) program. Two additional properties have agreed to dedicate the necessary easements for this project to the City. The City has unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate for the purchase of the fourth remaining property at 6201 Highway I0 wkich is owned by Mr. Winslow Holasek. At this time staff is attempting to complete these necessary easement acquisitions such that the storm sewer serving the western portion of the district can be constructed at the earliest opportunity. Staffhas been advised by the City Attorney that this acquisition process should be initiated with a written offer to the property owner based upon a current appraisal. An appraisal of the entire property was prepared by the City in April 2004 by Lake State Realty Services Inc. Staff has contacted this certified appraiser and will be obtaining a current appraisal of the value of these easements. This appraisal will be used as the basis for establishing the written offer to Mr. Holasek for these easements. Resolution 00-10- 269A remains valid as authorization to proceeding with acquisition of this property through eminent domain. Recommendation: Staffrecommends that Council direct that an appraisal for the value of the acquisition of easements be prepared, and that this amount be offered to the property owner in writing as compensation for the easements, and that the City Attorney be directed to file the necessary documents with the Court to initiate the eminent domain process on th/s parcel. -347-