DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Approval Of Right Of Way Acquisition And Authorization To Initiate Quick-Take Condemnation For Trail Easement For Veterans Memorial Greenway In City of Eagan, County Project P00147
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Approve right of way acquisition and authorize quick-take condemnation for County Project (CP) P00147.
SUMMARY
Dakota County is proceeding with Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project P00147 to construct approximately two miles of shared-use regional trail, including a bridge over Trunk Highway 3, with construction planned for 2025. Phase II of this project is being funded in part through federal funds, which require timely acquisition of right of way easements for authorization of project bidding.
County Project P00147 requires the acquisition of permanent regional trail easements and temporary construction easements over private property to accommodate trail construction and associated grading, restoration, and retaining wall construction. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners previously authorized acquisition through direct negotiation for four parcels by Resolution No. 24-594 (December 3, 2024). Easement acquisitions from the Cities of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights for trail construction and maintenance on city property were also necessary.
Since that time, updated survey and final design have modified the easement areas, and negotiations with property owners have continued. Easement acquisitions on city parcels have been successfully concluded. Acquisition of easements from Parcel 6 (Church of St. Thomas Becket) have also been successfully negotiated and concluded. Further offers and negotiations have not resulted in settlements for easements on Parcels 3, 4, and 5. These three parcels are the last remaining acquisition needs for the project to move forward. Therefore, to maintain the project schedule and comply with federal funding timelines, it is necessary to proceed with acquisition by initiating quick-take condemnation.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval of right of way acquisition and authorization of condemnation for the right of way necessary for CP P00147.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Acquisition costs are included in the approved 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program and will be funded through Acquisition Opportunity Funds (AOF) and AOF matching funds. If AOF funds are not available, Environmental Legacy Funds (ELF) will be used. Fiscal details will be discussed in closed session as part of the real estate negotiation strategy.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County is proceeding with County Project P00147, the Veterans Memorial Greenway, to construct approximately two miles of regional trail, including a bridge over Trunk Highway 3 in the City of Eagan; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for design, construction administration, and right of way acquisition for the Project; and
WHEREAS, construction is proposed to begin in 2025 and the project is being partially funded with federal funds, which require timely acquisition of right of way for authorization of project bidding; and
WHEREAS, the County Board previously authorized acquisition of right of way for Parcels 3, 4, and 5 through direct negotiation by Resolution No. 24-594 (December 3, 2024); and
WHEREAS, negotiations have not resulted in acquisition agreements for Parcels 3, 4, and 5; and
WHEREAS, in order to maintain the project schedule and comply with funding requirements, Dakota County must proceed with quick-take condemnation to acquire the required easements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Attorney's Office to initiate quick-take condemnation of the following parcels:
20-58500-04-070 - Jacquelynne and Scott Baker - Parcel 3
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 16, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,026 square feet.
10-44300-01-170 - Robert Snyder - Parcel 4
A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,506 square feet.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,054 square feet.
10-44300-01-180 - Nicole Medin - Parcel 5
A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,501 square feet.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,023 square feet.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-430; 9/1/20
22-376; 9/6/22
22-567; 12/13/22
24-594; 12/3/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Bryce LeBrun