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Madison Council approves utility relocation and up to $80,000 for Gooch-Balch intersection improvements
Summary
The City Council authorized a Huntsville Utilities agreement to relocate overhead power lines and approved up to $80,000 for right-of-way and easement acquisition for the Gooch Road and Balch intersection improvement project.
Madison City Council on Dec. 9 approved funding to relocate overhead power lines and authorized up to $80,000 for acquiring rights of way as part of the Gooch Road and Balch intersection improvement project.
Engineering staff told the council the first item, a commercial aid-to-construct agreement with Huntsville Utilities, covers relocation of overhead power lines and is not to exceed $7,749 to be paid from the engineering department budget. The council then approved a not-to-exceed $80,000 budget for right-of-way and easement acquisition related to the same intersection project.
The planning and engineering presentation said four parcels are affected: a church, two residences and one business. An engineering staff member said one of the parcels requires only an easement and that the $80,000 figure was budgeted before appraisals but “this number exceeds the appraisal amount,” and acquisitions will follow appraisal-driven negotiations.
Council members asked whether appraisals backed the estimate and were told appraisals have been completed and fall within the budgeted tolerance; staff said negotiations or condemnation proceedings would follow as needed.
Both measures were approved by voice vote. Recorded “aye” responses during the votes included Council member Shaw, Council member Robleski, Council president Seaford, Council member Bartlett and Council member Denzine.
Engineering staff said utility relocation is an early step that allows subsequent right-of-way work and eventual bidding for construction.
