Approval of this item will authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Orrick & Erskine, LLP to acquire easements on 48 parcels in order for the Leslie to Crane & Hereford Project (No. 132201) to enter the construction phase. 

This project is eligible for up to $2,511,006 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which must be encumbered by the end of 2024.

The City has been awarded $2,511,006 in ARPA federal funding for the construction of the Leslie to Crane & Hereford Stormwater Project (No. 132201). These funds must be fully encumbered by December 31, 2024.

Before construction can begin, 48 parcels require acquisitions or property rights to be obtained by the City. Of these parcels 44 require temporary construction easements and 26 require general utility easements. Staff have determined it necessary to outsource these easement acquisitions services in order to meet the deadline set by the grant requirements.

Staff have reached out to 4 MoDOT prequalified firms that could provide these services, and have selected Orrick & Erskine, LLP based on their cost and capability to complete this phase of the project on an accelerated timescale.

Staff have negotiated a scope and fee in the amount of $1,250 a parcel, with a total cost not to exceed $60,000.

The fiscal impact to the City is $66,000 including contingency. Funding for the Leslie to Crane and Hereford Storm Water Improvement Project (No. 132201) is included in the FY 2023-24 adopted budget, page number 173, account number 7013-5406 Storm Water Sales Tax Fund 013.