Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the construction of the Greater Austin Texas County Regional Radio Systems communications tower for the public use of situating a communications tower to provide radio coverage of central Austin and Travis County in support of all City and County public safety and public service departments and agencies, requiring the acquisition of fee simple right-of-way consisting of approximately 0.282 acres (12,301 square feet), of one acre of land, more or less, out of and a part of the David Thomas Survey No. 1, Abstract No. 772, in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, same being a portion of the 26.373 acre tract of land conveyed to Austin Argyle Television, Inc., by Special Warranty Deed, filed for record on January 4, 1994, recorded in Volume 12095, page 56 of the Real Property Records of Travis County Texas and as further affected by Article of Merger with NW Communications of Austin, Inc. by deed, filed for record on October 30, 1995, recorded in Volume 12554, Page 987, currently appraised at $61,505, subject to an increase in value based on updated appraisals, a Special Commissioner’s award, negotiated settlement, or judgment. The owner of the needed property is NW Communications of Austin, Inc., formerly known as Austin Argyle Television, Inc. The property is located at 00 Mount Larson Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas 78746. This acquisition is limited to this location. No other route information. Funding: $61,505 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Technology Services.
De
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Technology Services.
For More Information:
Brandon Williamson, Austin Financial Services, 512-974-5666; Michael Gates, Austin Financial Services, 512-974-5639; James Stoner, Austin Information Technology Services, 512-974-0348; Pushpa Srinivasa, Austin Information Technology Services, 512-972-3209.
Additional Backup Information:
An assessment by Austin Technology Services - Mobile Radio Communications, backed by an analysis by a third party consultant, has identified the stated approximately 0.282-acre tract on Mount Larson Road as being ideal for situating a Greater Austin-Travis County Regional Radio Systems (GATRRS) communications tower site to provide desirable radio coverage of central Austin and Travis County. Construction of the new tower would enable the city to cancel an existing lease with a commercial tower vendor at another location, resulting in annual savings of about $200,000 (plus annual increases). The City is the managing partner of the four-entity GATRRS partnership established 26 years ago, which includes the City of Austin, Travis County, Austin Independent School District, and University of Texas-Austin. The four partners would share the construction and operational cost of the proposed tower and associated radio communications equipment, antenna systems, equipment shelter, and back-up AC electrical generator. There are 17 existing radio towers used by GATRRS in the greater Austin-Travis County area, providing mobile and portable radio coverage to support all City and County public safety and public service departments and agencies. The system is also used by the Travis County Emergency Service Districts, a water district, multiple municipalities in Travis County, and a host of state and federal agencies. Council approval to construct GATRRS was given in 2000 so that responders from multiple public service and public safety agencies in Austin-Travis County could communicate directly with each other by radio, as needed and in real time, for calls for service from the public and related day-to-day operations. This acquisition will enable GATRRS to eliminate its dependence on a leased facility at another location for its critical radio infrastructure in future years. The property is located at 00 Mount Larson Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
The City has attempted to purchase the needed property at 00 Mount Larson Road, Austin, Texas 78746. The City and the property owner have been unable to agree on the value of the needed acquisition. The Law Department is requesting authorization to file an action in eminent domain on behalf of the City, and to authorize the City to pay for the property interest in an amount determined by the appraisal, updated appraisal(s), a Special Commissioners’ award, negotiated settlement, or judgment.