Columbus approves purchase to relocate Lift Station No. 15 out of U.S. Highway 81 right‑of‑way

The Columbus City Council on May 5, 2025 approved resolutions authorizing acquisition of land interests to relocate Lift Station Number 15 out of the U.S. Highway 81 right‑of‑way and approved a $10,071.22 purchase agreement with JLO Properties LLC for the new site (CIP 20‑93).

City staff told the council the existing lift station sits in the Highway 81 right‑of‑way and must be moved; staff negotiated a purchase of a single adjacent parcel and the easements needed to relocate the facility. The acquisition language in the agenda allows the city to obtain needed interests by purchase or, if necessary, by eminent domain.

A public hearing was opened and closed without any members of the public speaking. The council’s public property, safety and works committee recommended approval; the council then adopted resolution R25‑71 authorizing acquisition and resolution R25‑72 approving the purchase agreement for $10,071.22.

Council documents and staff remarks described the acquisition as a relocation and easement package to move the lift station from the highway right‑of‑way to the privately owned parcel immediately north of the current site. Committee materials show the orange area on the plan as the new location and identified the seller as JLO Properties LLC; the transaction is coded to capital improvement project 20‑93.

The meeting record shows no formal timeline for construction or relocation and no public opposition recorded at the hearing. Council votes to adopt the resolutions carried; minutes indicate the committee recommendation and purchase agreement were approved.

Staff will complete the purchase and the easement work as required; the council did not set a construction start date during the meeting.