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EASEMENT NO. E-1213-45: CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A PERMANENT PUBLIC ROADWAY, DRAINAGE AND UTILITIES EASEMENT DONATED BY HERITAGE FINE HOMES, L.L.C. AND ANTHONY K. MIRZAIE FOR THE CEDAR LANE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT.
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BACKGROUND: The Cedar Lane Road Widening Project involves the construction of a new four-lane roadway between 12th Avenue SE and ½ mile east of 24th Avenue SE including five foot bike lines on each side of the road. The project will also include improvements to 12th Avenue SE and 24th Avenue SE as they approach Cedar Lane Road, improve the BNSF railroad crossing and resurface US-77 on the north and south sides of Cedar Lane Road. Signalization of the 12th Avenue SE and Cedar Lane Road intersection will also help relieve traffic congestion at peak travel times during the day.
On November 22, 2011 City Council approved programming Resolution No. R-1112-60 requesting federal funds to widen Cedar Lane Road to four lanes between 12th Avenue SE and ½ mile east of 24th Avenue SE. This resolution states the City's commitment to adhere to the terms and conditions of a federally funded project. Through the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) agrees to pay 80% of the construction cost with a 20% matching share from the City of Norman.
On August 28, 2012, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of eight transportation/storm water improvement projects. One of the eight 2012 bond projects is the Cedar Lane Road Widening Project.
DISCUSSION: City Council recently authorized the first sale of General Obligation Bonds for the 2012 Bond Program. Staff has budgeted within the project for costs associated with acquiring right-of-way and thus funds are available for this project. The funds have been transferred into the Cedar Lane Road Widening Project, Right-of-Way account.
The City needs to acquire forty-seven (47) easements along Cedar Lane Road for temporary construction or roadway, drainage and utility easements. City Council was updated on the progress of acquiring necessary right of way for the Project on May 14, 2013 prior to its regularly scheduled meeting. Ten (10) easements were acquired and approved by City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 14, 2013. Seventeen (17) additional easements have been secured bringing the total of easements acquired for this project to twenty-seven (27), thus far. Staff initially requested donations prior to making any offers of fair market value in an effort to keep Project costs at a minimum. The attached Right-of-Way Easement Table provides the details of each easement. Also attached is a map providing the location of each easement as well as the property owners. It is the goal of staff to acquire all the necessary easement for this Project by donation or agreed settlement. This easement was donated.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Easement No. E-1213-45 be accepted and the filing be directed thereof.