SUBJECT
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Approve Right-of-Way Agreement between Kenneth E. Ricks and Polk County in conjunction with the Palmer Road Drainage Project. ($267,800 one-time expense)
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DESCRIPTION
The County has a project to make drainage improvements to alleviate flooding concern on, and around, Palmer Road located to the east of Old Bartow/Lake Wales Road and to the north of State Road 60. The planned improvements consist of constructing a retention pond to store storm water runoff, along with drainage pipelines and ditches to convey storm water to the pond and then from the pond to outfall to an existing ditch system. The engineering for the project has identified properties, owned by Kenneth E. Ricks, located along the west side of Old Bartow/Lake Wales Road which would accommodate the construction of a retention pond and associated ditches and pipelines for the project.
Parcel 100 is a fee parcel containing approximately 3.4-acres needed for the construction and maintenance of the storm water retention pond. The parcel is along the western (rear) boundary of the owner’s property holdings which consists of multiple parcels containing a total of approximately 34-acres. Parcels 800 and 801 are perpetual drainage easement parcels, containing a total of approximately 2.4-acres needed for the construction and future maintenance of storm water pipelines and ditches from Old Bartow/Lake Wales Road to the pond and from the pond to an existing outfall ditch system. The County contacted the owner of the property and he acknowledged that he would be interested in pursuing a voluntary acquisition of the properties by the County. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the tracts and made an offer which was rejected by the owner. Subsequent negotiations with the owner have resulted in a proposed purchase price of $262,800 for Parcels 100, 800 and 801. The owner has executed and delivered a Right-of-Way Agreement for the purchase of the parcels. The Board previously allocated American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARP) for this project which will be utilized for the purchase of the property.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Administrator have reviewed the Right-of-Way Agreement and recommend approval. Accepting the Agreement, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase, and hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction will allow the County to take ownership of the parcels and move forward with the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the above-mentioned Right-of-Way Agreement and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $262,800 for the purchase. Also request Board approve hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction and approve paying estimated closing costs in the amount of $5,000 for a total amount of $267,800.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase of the parcel and estimated applicable closing costs in the total amount of $267,800 in the American Rescue Plan Act Fund (Palmer Road Drainage Project).
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Administrator
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577