City says agreement reached with landowner; eminent domain for Judd Hill Well 6 will not proceed

City staff reported April 15 that negotiations to acquire a property for a replacement site for Judd Hill Well 6 have concluded and the city will not pursue eminent domain.

"We reached an agreement with the property owner and so we are not moving forward with any type of eminent domain process," the City Manager told council during the staff report. The manager said the notice that had been posted on April 2 — advising that the city attorney would seek eminent domain authorization at this meeting — was intended to inform the public of the possible disposition; staff said the subsequent private agreement removes the need for eminent domain action.

Staff framed the announcement as routine project housekeeping and described the statement as primarily informational to the public record. No formal motion or vote was required or taken on the item during the meeting.

Why it matters: replacement well siting and property acquisition can affect water supply reliability and local landowners. Staff said the notice to the public had been posted in advance of the council meeting and that the new agreement resolves the immediate need for council authorization to pursue eminent domain.

Next steps: staff did not provide a construction schedule in the meeting record; the manager closed the report by saying the matter was concluded for this meeting and no eminent domain action would be pursued at this time.