The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has listed property for sale adjacent to the Walter Pump station for the Public Works Department.  This property is located on the Airport Road just west of Main Street on the southwest corner of E. Airport Road and Swords Lane in Billings, MT as shown on the attached map.  MDT has listed the parcel as containing an area of 2,181 m² (23,476 sq. ft. or 0.54 acre), more or less.   Virtually all of the water for the Heights area including water for the Heights Water District is transferred through this pump station.   The land owned by the City for the Walter Pump Station is small and does not allow any area for future expansion.   The Public Works Department desires to purchase this land for future expansion if needed.  MDT has listed an appraised value of this property of $140,000.  MDT is able to sell this land to the City under MCA 60-4-202 at this appraised value. 

 The City Council may :

• Approve the resolution authorizing the City to purchase this land and for the Mayor to execute necessary documents; or,
• Do not approve the resolution authorizing the City to purchase this land and the City will not purchase this property.

Funding for the purchase of this land will use Water Reserve Funds. 

Staff recommends that Council approve the resolution authorizing the purchase of this land from MDT for $140,000.