( KMZA)--  The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening began the first step in the eminent domain process for property needed for the extension of Branch Street.

The council approved a resolution finding it necessary to condemn property owned by the Seneca Motel for street purposes and authorizing a survey of the property, which will be filed with the city clerk.

At the next meeting, Seneca City Administrator Tami Haverkamp says at the council will consider an ordinance authorizing the filing of the condemnation lawsuit.

Being sought by the city is about 5-thousand square feet of property located south of the Seneca Motel, owned by Richard Ayers of Casper, Wyoming.  

The council decided to take legal action after Ayer’s turned down two offers from the city.

The extension of Branch Street will provide access to tracts on the former golf course that the city would like to see developed.

In a related matter, Haverkamp informed the council that the city has received a contract from Kansas Gas Service to extend a gas main to the development site. The cost to the city will be about $11,468.  No action was taken on the contract.

Haverkamp told the council that five engineering firms submitted proposals to provide design services for an addition to the city shop building.  

A contract for the work will be awarded at the October 17th council meeting.

The addition is needed because the existing quonset building is to be removed for the construction of Branch Street, at the point where it will intersect Community Drive.