TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Lachelle H. Pulliam, City Attorney
FROM: Kecia N. Parker, NCCP, Real Estate Manager
DATE: April 28, 2025
RE:
Title
Resolution Authorizing Condemnation of Permanent and Temporary Easements on Property Needed for the Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal IV: The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate.
Executive Summary:
The Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project was presented to City Council at the December 6, 2021 work session with other projects included in the first tranche of projects developed from the watershed master plan. On January 10, 2022, Council voted to move forward with project development and design. Funding was made available with the adoption of the FY23 budget utilizing stormwater enterprise funds as the funding mechanism. City staff negotiated to acquire easements needed for the project. Negotiations were unsuccessful in acquiring four of the necessary easements on one of the parcels. The contract for this project will soon be ready to bid. Staff is requesting authority to begin the condemnation process on the property to acquire the last required easements. Thereby, allowing the City to begin the notice period and reduce any potential project delay.
Background:
The Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project was presented to City Council at the December 6, 2021, work session and approved to move forward by City Council at the January 10, 2022 City Council meeting. The City of Fayetteville budgeted 4.2 million dollars for construction of the project. The project had a total of two parcels with drainage easements to be acquired for completion. Staff successfully negotiated and recorded easements on one parcel. There are two temporary construction easements, and two permanent drainage easements needed that have not been acquired. The project’s scope includes increasing the capacity of storm sewer infrastructure along Sessoms Street and Buxton Boulevard in an effort to reduce flooding within the roadway for a ten-year level of service.
The property owner, AOM II, LLC, of the 38.05-acre parcel off Campbell Avenue was initially offered $8,004.00 for 9,697 square feet of permanent drainage easement and 13,778 square feet of temporary construction easement. The owner rejected the offer and asked that the City start the condemnation process.
Issues/Analysis:
• The City offered $1,902.00 for a 13,778 square feet temporary construction easement needed which was rejected.
• The City offered $6,102.00 for 9,697 square feet of permanent drainage easement which was rejected.
• If the easements are not acquired, the drainage improvement project cannot be completed.
Budget Impact:
The budget has been allocated for this project through the FY23 budget utilizing stormwater enterprise funds.
Options:
• Approve the Resolution for the Authorization of Condemnation of Easements on the Property Needed for the Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project.
• Reject the Resolution for the Authorization of Condemnation of Easements on the Property Needed for the Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution for the Authorization of Condemnation of Easements on the Property Needed for the Sessoms Street Drainage Improvement Project.
Attachments:
Survey Map - AOM II Sessoms Street Drainage Easements
Resolution Authorizing Condemnation of Sessoms Street Drainage Project Easements