Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves easement purchases for Waterville–Montclova road widening using state and federal grants
Summary
Waterville council voted to purchase two easements—one from Waterville Medical Center LLC and one from Mercy Health North LLC—to support the Waterville–Montclova Road widening project; grants cover most construction costs and the city approved emergency ordinances authorizing the purchases.
Waterville City Council approved emergency ordinances on May 12 to buy two permanent easements needed for the Waterville–Montclova Road improvement project, actions the city said protect state and federal grant funding tied to the widening and shared-use path project.
City administrator John Gokenauer told council the project will widen Waterville–Montclova Road between Bridal Boulevard and State Route 64 by adding a continuous center turn lane and a 10-foot shared-use path. The project’s estimated total construction cost is “about $1,532,848,” and the city has secured “$1,379,563 in state and federal grants towards the construction of this project,” Gokenauer said.
To meet grant and construction requirements, council approved easement purchases from two property owners. The first easement — from Waterville Medical Center LLC — was appraised at $80,705; the second — from Mercy Health North LLC — was appraised at $54,650. Council moved and passed emergency ordinances to authorize the purchases and directed staff to finalize easement language to ensure it is perpetual and exclusive where required.
During discussion, a council member noted the easement language should explicitly reflect that it is “exclusive and perpetual.” The mayor and staff agreed to update the easement documents and confirm agreement with the property owners before final recording.
Why it matters: the purchases are required to preserve the city’s state and federal grant funding for a safety-and-access project that adds a center-turn lane and a multiuse path, improving vehicle flow and pedestrian/bicycle connectivity along a half-mile section of the corridor.
Votes and process: motions to suspend rules and approve the ordinances were moved and seconded in council. The ordinances were adopted as emergency measures by roll call; the transcript records affirmative roll-call responses from council members present.
