TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Bob Moehling, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Renée Santos, Executive Assistant - Engineering
SUBJECT:
title
Authority to Negotiate Right-of-Way for Keller Road at I-215 Interchange Project for the City of Murrieta
end
ABSTRACT
The proposed resolution delegates authority to the Director of Public Works to negotiate and acquire right-of-way interests for the Keller Road at I-215 Interchange Project. Delegation of this authority will allow the City to expedite the acquisition of the twenty-six (26) properties necessary for construction of the interchange project.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4967 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Delegating Authority to the Director of Public Works to Negotiate and Purchase All Right-Of-Way Real Property Interests, Including Fee Title, and Easements, Necessary for the City of Murrieta’s Interstate 215 Keller Road Interchange Project as Authorized Herein.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This item aligns with the City Council goal to plan, program and create infrastructure development relating to a priority Tier 1 project. This action supports the City's Strategic Alignment by advancing the Keller Road at I-215 Interchange Project (CIP No. 8449), which was included in the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan adopted by the City Council through Resolution No. 26-4962 on July 7, 2026.
DISCUSSION
The Interstate 215/Keller Road Interchange Project requires timely acquisition of real property interests, easements, utility agreements, and other right-of-way documents to maintain the project schedule and comply with state and federal funding requirements. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-4967 will delegate administrative authority to the Director of Public Works to complete these transactions within the Council-approved project budget while reserving City Council approval for Purchase and Sale Agreements exceeding $1 million.
Delegating this authority will streamline the acquisition process, improve responsiveness during negotiations, and reduce delays that could jeopardize grant funding and project delivery.
The Interstate 215/Keller Road Interchange Project is a major regional transportation improvement intended to enhance mobility, improve traffic operations, and increase public safety within the City of Murrieta.
Implementation of the project requires acquiring various real property interests, including fee title, easements, temporary construction easements, utility agreements, and related right-of-way documents. The project also includes utility coordination and may require relocation assistance in accordance with applicable state and federal law.
Because the project receives state and federal funding, all acquisition and relocation activities must comply with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, California Eminent Domain Law, Government Code provisions governing public acquisitions, applicable regulations, and Caltrans Right-of-Way requirements. Caltrans will provide oversight and quality assurance throughout the acquisition process.
Right-of-way acquisition activities often require the prompt execution of acquisition documents after negotiations are completed and appraisals are approved. Waiting for individual City Council approval for each acquisition can delay project schedules and increase acquisition costs.
The proposed Resolution No. 26-4967 delegates authority to the Director of Public Works, following consultation with the City Manager and City Attorney, to:
• Negotiate acquisition of required real property interests;
• Execute Certificates of Acceptance;
• Execute Right-of-Way Certifications;
• Execute Utility Agreements;
• Complete documents necessary to close escrow; and
• Complete related administrative actions required for project delivery.
The Resolution specifically provides that City Council approval remains required for Purchase and Sale Agreements exceeding $1 million, while allowing the Director of Public Works to approve all other right-of-way and utility-related items within the Council-approved project budget.
Delegating this authority is consistent with common Caltrans Local Assistance practices for federally funded transportation projects and will enable the City to remain compliant with grant schedules while ensuring appropriate administrative oversight.
PUBLIC NOTICING
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
CEQA AND REGULATORY OVERVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
A rigorous CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process was recently completed for the Keller Interchange Project, which included an analysis of the acquisition of these properties.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Resolution.
All right-of-way acquisition costs are included within the City Council-approved project budget for the Interstate 215/Keller Road Interchange Project. The Resolution delegates administrative authority only and does not authorize expenditures beyond previously approved appropriations.
ATTACHMENTS
ATT 1 - Resolution No. 26-4967