Consider Acquisition of Drainage and Utility Easement at 16259 Coquina Street NW

During the process of gathering field information to implement the 2011 Street Maintenance Program (SMP), it
was discovered that an exiting storm sewer was discharging runoff from the right-of-way onto private property at
16259 Coquina Street NW.  After researching the available information there doesn't appear to be an
existing drainage and utility easement over the pipes or encumbering the discharge/ponding area.  Staff has met
with the property owners to discuss this matter on a few occasions.  They were familiar with the existing storm
sewer condition that directed runoff onto their property, and haven't experienced any flooding concerns in the past.  They are open to a right of entry to perform the corrective work identified in the plans, but they want to understand
and investigate the option for a formal permanent drainage and utility easement.

Staff prepared an analysis of the easement area necessary to comply with ponding standards, which due to no outlet
location from the area (isolated basin), requires the storage of back-to-back 100 year rainfall events.  Before
executing a right of entry the property owners are looking for feedback from the Council on advancing this
easement acquisition, and seeking clarification on potential terms and timing to complete.

This item was discussed in special session on July 19, 2011, and the consensus of the Council was to begin the process of acquiring the necessary drainage and utility easement.  It was discussed again earlier this evening in work session, and a determination was made on a formal offer to the property owner.  This case is to ratify the decision made in work session this evening for the acquisition of the necessary easement at 16259 Coquina Street NW.

An easement, or right of entry, is necessary to complete the planned improvements for the overlay of Coquina
Street associated with the 2011 SMP.  The adjacent intersection, at Coquina Street and Coquina Court, experiences localized flooding and pavement deterioration (see attached map) because the outlet pipe that discharges onto the property at 16259 Coquina Street NW is buried, and the catch basin and pipes in the street are full of water.  Runoff cannot get off the road and into the storm sewer because there are flat pavement grades and restricted flow in the pipes.  In order to correct the problem staff has prepared a design to install a concrete valley gutter through the intersection, replace the existing deteriorated pipes and structures, and perform minor excavation and grading below the outlet pipe for positive drainage.

Staff recommends the ability to negotiate the acquisition of a drainage and utility easement that would encumber
the storm sewer system and ponding area located outside of the right-of-way on private property at 16259 Coquina
Street NW, in an amount determined by the City Council in work session earlier this evening.  If it is determined that the completion of this easement acquisition will extend beyond the timeline associated with the planned 2011 SMP improvements staff would like to execute a right of entry agreement, such that the required storm sewer improvements can be completed without affecting the rights of the property owner during the easement acquisition process.

Funding for the acquisition of this easement would be from the Storm Water Utility Fund.

Motion to allow staff to negotiate the acquisition of a drainage and utility easement at 16259 Coquina Street NW, based upon previous direction related to compensation.