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Council accepts three easements for Northeast 70th Street waterline; staff warns some parcels may require legal acquisition
Summary
Council approved acceptance of three easements to allow a 70th Street waterline project to move forward, while staff and legal counsel warned several remaining parcels are in active negotiation and at least three may require condemnation if owners decline reasonable offers.
The council approved a resolution accepting three easements for the Northeast 70th Street waterline project while staff warned that negotiations remain active for several properties and that legal acquisition may be necessary for holdouts. Staff member (S5) described a color‑coded map showing white pins for acquired parcels, yellow pins for ongoing negotiations and red pins where owners have declined terms.
"When we're offering to pay $6,000 and someone else responds with a... $106,000, that would sink our entire project," Staff member (S5) said, describing one counteroffer and the risk that some parcels will require legal action. Legal counsel (S8/Perrin) explained that the city could pursue condemnation or eminent domain if owners will not sell at reasonable prices and that appraisals were completed to document fair market value.
Staff said it will meet with the easement acquisition firm and report back, with the goal of clarifying which of the remaining yellow pins can be converted to yes before the July council meeting; if not, staff indicated several would likely be listed as red and subject to legal acquisition. Council member (S2) moved to accept the three easements as presented; the motion passed on roll call.
