AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-04R, approving a Compromise and Settlement Agreement with Jaime Lynn Harper providing for the city to purchase a 2.331 acre water, wastewater, and recycled water easement located along San Marcos Highway, also known as State Highway 80, between Old Bastrop Road and Farm to Market 110, in connection with the Highway 80 Utility Project C555, in the amount of $153,000.00, plus associated closing costs; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute said agreement and associated closing documents on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: January 20, 2026
Department: Engineering & CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $153,000.00
Account Number: 52092455-70200
Funds Available: $500,915.90
Account Name: C555-Highway 80 Lift Station and 10-Inch Force Main
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Resolution No. 2024-83R on May 21, 2024, and Resolution No. 2025-22R on February 18, 2025.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Choose an item.
Public Safety, Core Services & Fiscal Excellence
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☒ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Wastewater Master Plan
Background Information:
Based on the agreed upon settlement for land rights acquisition, we request authorization for city to pay the landowner $153,000.00 in order to finalize an easement that is required for water, wastewater, and recycled water improvements.
To provide additional wastewater collection system capacity and alleviate surcharges in the existing wastewater infrastructure, a new lift station and force main are needed to convey wastewater flows from the northeast side of town to the wastewater treatment plant. Water transmission and recycled water transmission improvements are also necessary for this part of the system and will be placed in the same easement and therefore, the city is acquiring 2.331 acres, more or less, for a water, wastewater, and recycled water line easement and right-of-way for the installation and perpetual operation of the improvements. The owner of the property from which the easement is acquired is Jaime Lynn Harper.
In accordance with the Special Commissioners award for property rights, the city previously deposited $259,000.00 in the Caldwell County Registry of the Court. Over the course of our continued negotiations, we have agreed upon an additional payment of $153,00.00 to settle this matter to avoid continuing this matter to a jury trial. The total payment for this easement acquisition equates to $412,000.00, plus associated closing costs, attorney fees, and court costs.
Authorization of the $153,000.00 settlement amount will provide the city with an executed easement for construction of wastewater and recycled water improvements on the Highway 80 Utility Project and complete the land acquisition effort for this parcel.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternatives:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Recommendation:
Staff recommend approval of this item.