Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on making a determination and finding, in accordance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, that (1)  there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the City of Georgetown’s use of a portion of Berry Springs Park and Preserve for a wastewater interceptor known as the “Berry Creek Interceptor Project”; and (2) that the Berry Creek Interceptor Project includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land, being a portion of Berry Springs Park and Preserve, resulting from the City of Georgetown’s use of same; and take appropriate action on approving the City of Georgetown’s proposal to construct and maintain the Berry Creek Interceptor Project, and future conveyance of an easement therefore, through Berry Springs Park and Preserve, a park owned and operated by Williamson County, Texas.

The City is seeking to extend a wastewater gravity interceptor along Berry Creek from the lift station at Airport Road to the City of Georgetown's Pecan Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant at FM 971.  The project is known as the Berry Creek Interceptor.  The path of the line would travel through the County's Berry Springs Park and Preserve located just west of IH-35 and ending just east of CR 152 along Berry Creek.  The line would necessitate both permanent and temporary easement rights to be acquired from the County across the parkland for construction and subsequent maintenance and operation of the line. 
 
The Williamson County Commissioners Court must make the two findings and determinations in order to approve the City of Georgetown’s proposal and associated easements for the line that would travel through Williamson County's Berry Springs Park and Preserve.  Section 26.001(a) of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code sets forth that a department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality of this state may not approve any program or project that requires the use or taking of any public land designated and used prior to the arrangement of the program or project as a park, recreation area, scientific area, wildlife refuge, or historic site, unless the department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality, acting through its duly authorized governing body or officer, determines that (1)  there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land;  and (2)  the program or project includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land, as a park, recreation area, scientific area, wildlife refuge, or historic site, resulting from the use or taking.  A finding required by Section 26.001(a) of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code may be made only after notice and a hearing as required by this chapter.
 
The required public hearing and published notices will have been completed by Williamson County and the City of Georgetown prior to any action on this item in accordance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.