COUNCIL ACTION FORM

2024-26 TRAFFIC SYSTEM CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(13TH & GRAND)

The 2024-26 Traffic System Capacity Improvement Program includes improvements to the intersection of 13th Street and Grand Avenue. The project will add dedicated left-turn lanes and a new traffic signal at the intersection, a shared use path along the west side of Grand Avenue through the project corridor, and a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) programmed into the traffic signal to improve pedestrian safety when crossing the intersection.

The City retained WHKS & Co., of Ames, IA, in August 2024 to prepare the design for this project. Following completion of preliminary design, JCG Land Services, a subconsultant to WHKS & Co., began the property acquisition process in November 2025. This process included researching property ownership, determining fair market values, and negotiating with affected property owners for the easements and property acquisitions necessary to construct the proposed improvements.

The project impacts a total of 22 parcels, including 19 requiring temporary easements, 20 requiring permanent easements, and two requiring full property acquisitions. Since negotiations began, City staff and JCG Land Services have continued working with affected property owners to reach voluntary acquisition agreements.

On July 28, 2026, the City Council approved acquisition agreements for 10 of the 22 parcels. Since that date, agreements have been reached with five additional property owners for temporary and permanent easements, as well as one property owner for a full property acquisition. These six agreements are now being presented for City Council approval.

ACQUISITIONS REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL:

The six finalized acquisition agreements are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 lists the temporary and permanent easements on five parcels, totaling $52,722.80. Table 2 lists the full acquisition of the property located at 1302 Harding Avenue, for $233,000.00. The total compensation associated with these agreements is $285,722.80.

For the five easement acquisitions, City Council approval is requested to accept the easements, approve the purchase agreements, and authorize payment. For the full property acquisition, Council approval is requested to approve the purchase agreement and authorize City staff to proceed with payment and closing on the property.

PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ACQUISITIONS:

For reference, the previously approved acquisition agreements for 10 parcels, totaling $74,630 in compensation, are summarized below. Table 3 lists the 9 parcels with temporary and permanent easements, and Table 4 lists the parcel with a permanent easement only.

OVERALL PROPERTY ACQUISITION SUMMARY:

With approval of the six agreements presented in this action, 16 of the 22 impacted parcels will have approved acquisition agreements, representing approximately 73% of the properties impacted by the project. Negotiations with the six remaining properties are ongoing.

Table 5 provides the acquisition status of all 22 impacted parcels, including those previously approved, those presented for approval at this meeting, and those six properties for which agreements remain outstanding (shown in yellow). The properties are also identified on the attached property acquisition map.

PROJECT SCHEDULE UPDATE:

The Electric Department's power line relocations are scheduled to occur this fall with City crews already performing some grading work on the City-owned lot at the NE corner of the intersection to allow for the power poles to be set at the proper ground elevation. Private utility relocations and final preconstruction coordination with affected property owners are anticipated throughout 2027. Construction of the 13th Street and Grand Avenue Intersection Improvement Project is scheduled for 2028.

1. Accept the easements, approve the purchase agreements, and authorize payment for the parcels listed in Table 1; and approve the purchase agreement for the full acquisition listed in Table 2 and authorize City staff to proceed with payment and closing.
2. Do not approve the agreements listed in Tables 1 and 2, and direct staff to seek alternatives.

Approval of these easements and purchase agreements will allow this significant project to move closer to construction. Property acquisition is necessary to allow for the improvements to be constructed. Additional information regarding the next steps in the property acquisition process for the remaining parcels is provided under a separate item on this City Council agenda. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above.