Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Eminent Domain topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goddard council adopts ordinance authorizing eminent domain for water-looping easements
Summary
The Goddard City Council adopted Ordinance 10:34 allowing the city to acquire permanent utility and temporary construction easements by eminent domain for the water looping project; the ordinance passed on a recorded roll call of four affirmative votes.
The City of Goddard adopted Ordinance 10:34 on a unanimous recorded roll call, authorizing the city to acquire permanent utility easements and temporary construction easements by eminent domain to advance the water looping project. The council first voted to waive reading of the ordinance and then moved to adopt it; Council member White, Mayor Lee, Council member Hall and Council member Leonard recorded affirmative votes.
A staff member explained the legal steps that follow a petition: if a district court hearing confirms the city's authority to proceed, "the court then appoints three disinterested appraisers to sit on a panel to view the property and make a determination as to the just compensation to be paid for the taking of the interest," the presenter said. The staff presentation noted publication costs, appraisal and acquisition expenses, and legal steps required under state law. The ordinance directs the city attorney and city administrator to take actions necessary to carry out the ordinance in accordance with state law.
The ordinance puts formal authority in place that would allow the city to seek court approval and, if granted, move forward with compensation and easement acquisition. Next steps include filing the petition in district court and proceeding with any court-ordered appraisal process.
