The College Place City Council on July 22, 2025 adopted Resolution 25-047 authorizing the mayor and city staff to begin the formal notice process required before any condemnation (eminent domain) action in the Mejonya Road Improvement Project. City Attorney Eric Ferguson presented the item as a procedural, time-sensitive step needed to preserve the city's ability to pursue condemnation if negotiations for required right-of-way cannot be completed by negotiation.

"This is only the first step to even consider using the process. Nothing tonight is going to have any binding effect on whether the city moves forward with the condemnation process," Ferguson told council. He cited the statutory notice requirements governing condemnations and said the notice language and delivery method are strictly prescribed by statute. "We need to get the clock rolling because...there's a minimum 15 day requirement from when the notice is delivered," he said.

Ferguson and staff declined to discuss negotiation particulars for individual properties in open session, and council members noted that more than one property owner may be involved; the agenda packet included written public comment from Michael McKernan and supporting documents. Council Member Espinosa moved adoption of Resolution 25-047; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The action authorizes staff to send the statutorily required notices and return to council on a date-specific ordinance should condemnation be necessary. No ordinance to condemn property was adopted; the resolution authorizes only the notice step required by the governing RCW language presented to council.

Council asked staff to preserve negotiation opportunities and to provide a specific return date when the notices are mailed so that council can consider any ordinance within the statutory timelines.