Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Owned by Ace Construction-Dubuque, L.L.C. by Eminent Domain and Establishing the Fair Market Value of Real EstateCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 06.
Copyrighted
April 1, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Owned by Ace
Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. by Eminent Domain and Establishing the
Fair Market Value of the Real Estate
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution
authorizing acquisition of the property owned by Ace Construction -
Dubuque, L.L.C. by eminent domain if necessary and establishing the
fair market value of the property.
RESOLUTION Approving the acquisition of real estate owned by Ace
Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. by eminent domain and establishing the
fair market value of the real estate
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Type
MVM Memo
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Staff Memo
Resolution
Resolutions
Notice of Intent
Supporting Documentation
Letter to Mihalakis
Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
DUB TEE1.
All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
� pp
zoo�•*o 13
zoi720zoi9
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Owned by Ace
Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. by Eminent Domain and Establishing the
Fair Market Value of the Real Estate
DATE: March 11, 2024
Ace Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. (Ace) owns a small parcel of property off of
Hawthorne Street which is adjacent to property on which is located Well No. 5, one of
the City's nine water wells. The wells supply all of the potable water to the City of
Dubuque. The use of the property as a construction storage site makes access to Well
No. 5 for testing and repairs very inconvenient, and in the event of the need to replace
the well, virtually impossible. The well is routinely tested and to date no issues have
been discovered but there is concern that without control of the site, the risk of
contamination does exist. Water Department Director Christopher Lester believes it is
critical that the City acquire the property.
The property has been appraised at Nineteen Thousand ($19,000), please see
Attachment 7. An offer to purchase the property for the appraised value has not been
accepted by the property owner.
City Attorney Crenna Brumwell is recommending that the City Council adopt the
attached resolution authorizing acquisition of the property by eminent domain if
necessary and establishing the fair market value of the property.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
CRENNA M. BRUMWELL, EsQ.
CITY ATTORNEY
To: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
DATE: March 6, 2024
RE: Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate Owned by Ace
Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. by Eminent Domain and Establishing the
Fair Market Value of the Real Estate
Ace Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. (Ace) owns a small parcel of property off of
Hawthorne Street which is adjacent to property on which is located Well No. 5, one of
the City's nine water wells. Please see Attachments 1-4. The wells supply all of the
potable water to the City of Dubuque. The use of the property as a construction storage
site makes access to Well No. 5 for testing and repairs very inconvenient, and in the
event of the need to replace the well, virtually impossible. The well is routinely tested
and to date no issues have been discovered but there is concern that without control of
the site, the risk of contamination does exist. Water Department Manager Christopher
Lester believes it is critical that the City acquire the property.
As a result, it is essential for the City to have full access to the well for maintenance
and/or replacement and to protect the well from potential contamination.
Attachments 5-6 show why the entire parcel is necessary for maintenance and/or
replacement of the well.
In 2022, Ace agreed to grant an easement to the City for access to the well. However,
Ace owner, Mr. Mihalakis has not cooperated with the City in allowing access pursuant
to the easement. It is necessary for the City to acquire title to the property.
The Iowa Code requires the City Council to establish the fair market value of the
property and the City may not offer less than the fair market value to purchase the
property.
The property has been appraised at Nineteen Thousand ($19,000), please see
Attachment 7. An offer to purchase the property for the appraised value has not been
accepted by the property owner.
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing
acquisition of the property by eminent domain if necessary and establishing the fair
market value of the property.
Attachments
cc: Christopher Lester, Water Department Manager
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 2
. �C- �G. - Y -}`. h.1i�_�" :ICI � j� rt� '-�•� --may
ALI
dpl
—10
ATTACHMENT 3
4ti+-�� �••�j i_
rLj
4 it+
4
r�
ATTACHMENT 4
F
ATTACHMENT 5
k-
ATTACHMENT 6
I
Y
ATTACHMENT 7
2023160
A DETAILED NARRATIVE APPRAISAL REPORT
FOR TOTAL ACQ_UIS.ftib-N OF THE n:t
Ace Cuustruction • Dubuque, LLC Property
2325 Garfield Ave
Dubuque, IA ,.
r .� ... As Of
f - ,fanuary 25, 2024
Pfepamd fof
Mr. Barry Undahl, Scuior Counsel
City of Dubuque
300 Main Street
Dubuque, I.A S2001
l
Prctrnarcd fly
llennis G. crook, 41AF.,Al-i-RS'
4 `
i.;I1GD1+ii tr�c 1`tiL"tit L.UAT-10 N'
SEARCH GROUP
15$0DIaltDrive
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
PoswUATION DENN19 G. CROriK, MAI
RESEARCH GROUP APPRAISERS ApKo CON2WL7d1NTS of REaAL ESTATE
Februss y 2, 2024
Mr. Barry Lindnitl
Senior Caunsef
city of Dubugltg
300 Main Stt=l
Ujibuqucl . to 52t101
Subjecl; A i7et6ited Karratiye Appraisal Report mi ilie Ace Consh ictioti - Utlbuque, LLC property [mated al 2325
Garfleld Ave, Dubuque. taws.
peer Mr. 1.iikdo W'
Az your request. we have compluted wl appraisal FW0ft cut the abayc referetleod properly, The pulpose of dia
Inspoom and lit is ❑etahvi Nam9live appraisal iS to estinlatu lire jnst c-ong3,msation For rotnl auquiSitiou of tho
subject property as of Jnituary 25, 20A tho date of the property iuspwdan. Tlta imeudad use of#ltis "'aiw is
to nssrkt in ncaotintioaa cpncctnine tho itrst zompms6on to the property 4m-ACr tiva Its the irnrstcts ott the quhjact
property. in rfris case, the property 1s proposed far a toled acquisition.
Prupeety i3muiption: 11e subject ptaparty is n vacant ioi totaling 5,021 square feel. It is lucated adjau mt to the
mtiimad, southwest Qfliawtharne Snmct and clang the sorlthemg side of the CrarficJd Avemta aghl of way_ Nrfeld
Averme Is an an IEnprOvod alley along the subject's frontage with a 20' wid0i.
ihts tepbrt was ryrepa4W !or Und nrtr protesslauat fee biro- i W the uty 01 Duhugne. It should nol be dmInuuleal
Ia or relied upon by other Pe-0119 as` entities without out written permission. Wo underdwid the report will be
shared wit$ dze property awuar and maybe be offered as an e, t fbit in r}rcndezru%601t Ocmlings. rhis furies.
along wills related exhibits and rtdtlenda, must rrrnain attached to the report is unite for the value apiniaa 9ct firth
to be considered valid.
Based upon the analysis waUuned in this report, the mtiandlti t iLW compensufian is:
$191000
Ninamn Thousand Dollars
This appraisal is prepared in accordance with die Appraisal OperatiMal Manual of the Irma fleparlivetrr 4
Twfivurlatiun, Ull;'i" of Right -of Way, and stated Aovonher 2019. The nppraisal is s01e4y tar the City of
Dabugtm: os such govemmuniAl b(xiy aS then dcsiplms, and is ptcpa uxl under tltc Jurisdictional Emma) iou W the
Uniform Stnudards of Pmfusmnal Apprnisal Pm4ice (USPAP)_ This appraisal dour conform With all parts of
US PAP axacpt Those 111M ace ctmtrsry to Siam and Federal requirelnents.'rhe value opiniqu repotted is quatificd
by certain doliiniticros. liin ting ronditioAss acid ccrtilicatiosls that arc sct forth is the body of this report. 11 is our
understanding that a copy of this repaid will be shamd wisb tits property mum
1580 MALL DRIVE • 1QWA CITY, IdwA 52240
3t91351-2044 0l=Ax 351-Ps63 • 1=�MAIL COOKA P P R(gGOOK-A PFR Al 9AI-X0 M
February 2. 2024
Mr. Lindahl
113402
5iticerely,
Cask Aplrlgitial, LLC
Dennis G. Crank, MA I, AI•GR5
Stair, of Iowa C onificarinn 9CO023 I 1
rtf-P nL1, 7n-01 Ail
Qioo
p-aisal
1=5 R HMSROUP VALUATION
Prepared by Crenna Brumwell. Esq., 300 Main St., Ste. 330, Dubuque IA 52001-6944, (563) 583-4113
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 131h St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 68-24
APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE OWNED BY ACE
CONSTRUCTION-DUBUQUE, L.L.C. BY EMINENT DOMAIN AND ESTABLISHING
THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE REAL ESTATE
WHEREAS, Ace Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C. (Ace), is the owner of the real
estate legally described as follows;
All that part of Lots 193, 194, 195 and 196 lying North and West of Railroad, subject
to Railroad Right of Way, and all in "Map of Eagle Point or Ham's Addition to the
City of Dubuque 1854" (commonly known as Ham's Addition) in the City of
Dubuque, Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof (the Property).
and;
WHEREAS, the Property is adjacent to property on which is located one of the
City's five water wells which supply potable water to the entire City of Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, the City must use the property to access the City's sanitary sewer
system for maintenance to prevent sanitary sewer backups; and
WHEREAS, the use of the Property as a construction storage site makes access
to the well for testing and repairs very inconvenient, and in the event of the need to replace
the well, virtually impossible; and
WHEREAS, the use of the Property as a construction storage site makes access
to the City's sanitary sewer system for maintenance and prevention work very
inconvenient; and
WHEREAS, it is essential for the City to have full access to the well for
maintenance and/or replacement; and
WHEREAS, it is essential for the City to have full access to the sanitary sewer for
maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is critical for the City to acquire the
Property for such public purpose; and
WHEREAS, Iowa law requires that the City must make a good faith effort to
negotiate with Owner to purchase the Property before proceeding with condemnation;
and
WHEREAS, City may not make an offer to purchase the Property which is less
than the fair market value the City Council has established for the Property; and
WHEREAS, City has caused an appraisal of the Property to be made and the
appraised value of the Property is Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00); and
WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to establish a fair market value of the
Property and to authorize acquisition of the Property by eminent domain is necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
1. The fair market value of the Property is hereby established to be Nineteen
Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00).
2. The City Council hereby authorizes the acquisition of the Property by
eminent domain if necessary.
3. The City Attorney is hereby authorized to take such action as is necessary
to acquire the Property as provided by law including acquisition of the Property by
eminent domain.
Passed, approved and adopted this 15t day of April, 2024.
i
Brad M. Cav a h, yor
Attest:
LIZ,
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPROVE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY BY
EMINENT DOMAIN
To: Ace Construction -Dubuque, L.L.C.
c/o Louis Mihalakis
1212 Miller Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
You are hereby notified that the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa will
meet on the 1st day of April, 2024, at 6:30 o'clock p.m. at the Historic Federal
Building, 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa, to consider the adoption of a
resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto, authorizing the City to acquire the
following property by eminent domain:
All that part of Lots 193, 194, 195 and 196 lying North and West of
Railroad, subject to Railroad Right of Way, and all in "Map of Eagle Point
or Ham's Addition to the City of Dubuque 1854" (commonly known as
Ham's Addition) in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, according to the recorded
plat thereof
You have the right to attend the meeting and to voice objection to the proposed
acquisition of the property.
Just as the law grants certain entities the right to acquire private property, you as
the owner of property have certain rights. You have the right to:
Receive just compensation for the taking of property. (Iowa Const., Article
I, Section 18)
An offer to purchase which may not be less than the lowest appraisal of
the fair market value of the property. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.45, 6B.54)
Receive a copy of the appraisal, if an appraisal is required, upon which the
acquiring agency's determination of just compensation is based not less
than 10 days before being contacted by the acquiring agency's acquisition
agent. (Iowa Code §613.45)
When an appraisal is required, an opportunity to accompany at least one
appraiser of the acquiring agency who appraises your property. (Iowa
Code § 6B.54)
Participate in good faith negotiations with the acquiring agency before the
acquiring agency begins condemnation proceedings. (Iowa Code
§6B.3(1))
If you cannot agree on a purchase price with the acquiring agency, a
determination of just compensation by an impartial compensation
commission and the right to appeal its award to district court. (Iowa Code
§§ 6B.4, 6B.7, and 6B.18)
A review by the compensation commission of the necessity for the
condemnation if your property is agricultural land being condemned for
industry; (Iowa Code § 613AA)
Payment of the agreed upon purchase price, or if condemned, a deposit of
the compensation commission award before you are required to surrender
possession of the property. (Iowa Code §§ 613.25, 6B.54(11))
Reimbursement for expenses incidental to transferring title to the acquiring
agency. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.33, 6B.54(10))
Reimbursement of certain litigation expenses: (1) if the award of the
compensation commissioners exceeds 110 percent of the acquiring
agency's final offer before condemnation; and (2) if the award on appeal in
court is more than the compensation commissioner's award. (Iowa Code
§ 6B.33)
At least 90 days written notice to vacate occupied property. (Iowa Code §
6B.54(4))
Relocation services and payments, if you are eligible to receive them, and
the right to appeal your eligibility for and amount of payments. (Iowa Code
§ 316.9)
The rights set out in this Notice are not claimed to be a full and complete list or
explanation of an owner's rights under the law. They are derived from Iowa Code
Chapters 6A, 6B and 316. For a more thorough presentation of an owner's rights,
you should refer directly to the Iowa Code or contact an attorney of your choice.
Dated: y��laoa�
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. Dubuque
City Attorney
Suite 330, Harbor View Place
300 Main Street Alll4neCill!r
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-6944 f
(563) 589-4381 office
(563) 583-1040 fax 2007
cbr-umwel@cityofdubuque.org
March 6, 2024
Ace Construction — Dubuque, L.L.C.
c/o Louis Mihalakis
1212 Miller Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
RE: Property at 2325 Garfield Avenue
Dear Mr. Mihalakis:
THE CITY
DUM E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Enclosed is a proposed resolution authoring the commencement of eminent domain
proceedings for the acquisition of your property at 2325 Garfield Avenue. The City is
required to provide you with a copy of this proposed resolution at least fourteen (14)
days prior to the date of the City Council meeting at which the proposed resolution will
be considered for adoption. The City Council will be asked to adopt the resolution at the
City Council meeting on April 1, 2024.
Sincerely,
ecill— 9—kE
Crenna Brumwell
City Attorney
Enclosure
cc: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager