Council approves easements and declares necessity for Johnson Drive reconstruction

City staff told the council the Johnson Drive Street rehabilitation project (from Lamar to Metcalf) is slated for construction in 2026 and will rely on approximately $6,000,000 in federal funding, which triggers federal right-of-way and appraisal requirements. "Because we are receiving $6,000,000 in federal funds, as a part of this project, we have to follow certain federal guidelines in terms of how we offer compensation for any right of way," City Administrator Laura Smith said while summarizing the easement process.

Council accepted permanent sidewalk easements and temporary construction easements from six property owners and authorized staff to execute and record the documents so compensation can be paid. Properties listed in staff materials included Mission Wellness Chiropractic, Azure Credit Union, a restaurant/retail parcel in the Cornerstone Commons development, Taco Bell, and Exact Performance Automotive. Staff also asked council to adopt a resolution declaring the necessity to appropriate private property for public use so the city can pursue condemnation if negotiations do not lead to settlement.

Laura Smith told council the resolution is the technical first step required by KDOT and federal funding timelines; staff said the appraiser will continue to negotiate and the city’s goal is to settle before filing any petition in district court. Council approved the resolution on roll call, and staff said an ordinance with legal descriptions would follow only for parcels where negotiation does not succeed. The council’s actions permit staff to proceed with required filings and to record executed easements for the project to remain on KDOT’s schedule.