Council authorizes condemnation to secure utility easement for new police station

The Nixa City Council voted June 9 to authorize staff to pursue condemnation to secure a perpetual utility easement needed to provide permanent electric service to the new police station and improve reliability in northwest Nixa.

Public works director Travis Cox told the council the easement would be roughly 15 feet wide and 280 feet long (about 4,200 square feet) on a roughly 20-acre property north of the police station under construction. He said two of the three participants in the trust that owns the property have negotiated with the city but one trust participant has been unresponsive, leaving staff unable to finalize an agreement.

"The main two components of this are first and foremost to provide the permanent power necessary to serve the police station, but also we'll increase the reliability of this entire quadrant of town by providing an additional feed into it," Cox said.

Council moved and seconded the authorization. The transcript records a roll call with several members voting yes; staff will proceed with legal steps to secure the easement if voluntary acquisition cannot be completed.

Cox said staff previously presented the matter at the May 26 meeting and has made multiple attempts to engage the unresponsive owner. The condemnation authorization instructs the city attorney and other officials to take necessary steps to secure the property rights if negotiations fail.