The Spring Hill City Council approved temporary construction easements and permanent sanitary sewer easements needed to advance the Northeast Sewer Expansion Project and authorized the mayor to sign the agreements and the finance department to issue payment to property owners.

Community Development staff told the council the project covers an area near 175th Street and U.S. 169 on the city’s east side, and that the easements are needed for a gravity main, force main and lift station. Staff said about half of the required easements were before the council for signatures and checks; they will pay fair-market value to property owners and continue negotiations for the remaining parcels.

Funding and timing: staff said the easement purchases will be funded from the bond proceeds when available; if necessary the city can temporarily pay from the sewer fund and later reimburse that fund when bond cash arrives. The council asked whether the $28.33 million temporary-note proceeds were available; staff said the funds are in the city’s InterFi account and will be invested and drawn based on contractor pay schedules.

Why it matters: staff said the expansion project will serve future residents and is at design stage; finalizing easements is a prerequisite to bid-ready construction documents. The council approved the motion as presented; the clerk recorded the motion carrying 5-0-0.

What the council asked: members asked whether the easement paperwork lists exact payment amounts and whether the city will double-check values; staff said values included in the packet reflect fair-market estimates and staff will issue checks to the owners listed. Staff also told the council they will coordinate with geotechnical work and finalize bid documents after easements are recorded.

Next steps: staff will execute signed easements, issue payment, complete exploratory geotech work and finalize bid documents to advertise the project.