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Commissioner Hovis - Public Works - To Authorize the County Manager, County Attorney, or Their Designees to Execute Condemnation Actions To Acquire Permanent Utility Easements for the Tryon Elementary Waterline Extension Project
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STAFF CONTACT
Kim Eagle, Ph.D. - ARPA Director, Water/Sewer - 704-866-3102
Ray Maxwell, P.E. - Executive Director of Capital Projects - 704-863-7551
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
No additional County Funds.
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BACKGROUND
In May 2021, Gaston County was awarded $43,612,126 in federal funds to meet urgent community needs in the wake of COVID-19. On April 26, 2022, Resolution 2022-141 approved and appropriated funds for the Tryon Elementary Waterline Extension. On April 26, 2022, Resolution 2022-144 authorized the execution of a professional services contract for the design of the waterline infrastructure. On March 26, 2024, Resolution 2024-119 authorized the County to enter interlocal agreements with the City of Bessemer City and the County to set the terms and conditions under which the County will construct, and Bessemer City will own, operate and maintain the infrastructure.
Section 160A-461 of the North Carolina General Statutes authorized units of local government to enter interlocal agreements for any undertaking. Gaston County and Bessemer City desire to jointly extend City infrastructure to serve Tryon Elementary School, Tryon Park, and the Tryon Community. The Tryon Community is currently served by groundwater wells and community well systems.
County staff has made progress toward the voluntary acquisition of easements for the properties affected by the Project. All easements have been acquired except for those parcels owned by the Samuel Kiser Heirs. Staff and the heirs have reached an agreement concerning the terms and compensation for the easements; however, final signature is delayed due to outstanding personal legal proceedings. Staff will continue to work with the property owners, but if final signatures cannot be...
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