(a)
The
City shall have the power and authority to acquire by purchase, gift,
devise, deed, condemnation, or otherwise, any character or property,
within or without its municipal boundaries, including any charitable
or trust funds.
(b)
Specifically,
but without limitation of the foregoing, the City shall have full
power and authority to acquire through the exercise of eminent domain,
or by purchase, or otherwise, and maintain and operate, any part or
all of any water works system, sewerage system, or other public utility
used in serving citizens of the City. Such power and authority shall
include that specified in Chapter 51 of the Texas Local Government
Code as now existing or as hereafter amended, and any common law or
other statutory law applicable thereto, and such power and authority
shall not be limited by any such specific statutory provisions. Such
power and authority shall include the right to acquire by eminent
domain or purchase from any person, firm, or corporation any part
or all of the physical properties, easements, franchises, and other
tangible and intangible properties and rights that may be in use as
an operating utility business. Such power and authority shall include
the right to acquire by eminent domain or purchase an undivided interest
in any easements or facilities that may be in use to serve any other
community and shall also include the right to acquire by eminent domain
or purchase any properties located outside of the corporate boundaries
of the City if needed by the City in operation of such utility system.
[Ordinance 1473-23 adopted 5/16/2023]
All real estate owned in fee simple title, or held by lease,
sufferance, easement, or otherwise; all public buildings, fire stations,
parks, streets and alleys, and all property, whether real or personal,
of whatever kind, character or description, now owned or controlled
by the City, shall vest in, inure to, remain, and be the property
of said City under this Charter; and all causes of action, chooses
in action, rights or privileges of every kind and character, and all
property of whatsoever character or description which may have been
held, and is now held, controlled or used by said City for public
uses, or in trust for the public, shall vest in and remain and inure
to the City under this Charter, and all contracts, suits and pending
actions to which the City heretofore was or now is a party, plaintiff
or defendant, shall in no way be affected or terminated by the adoption
of this Charter, but shall continue unabated.
