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RESOLUTION 2007-131 B. Non -Voluntary Acquisition Plan Acquisition of property (including easements and right-of-way) using federal funds shall occur in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Act of 1970 (as amended) and with any State and Federal regulations that may apply. Fundamental steps that occur in each purchase may vary case by case. However, in general terms, the following should take place: (1) source of funds and authority to acquire confirmed, (2) property/site identified and suitable, (3) legal description/survey/preliminary title search performed (services procured as necessary), (4) notice of intent to acquire sent to owner, (5) title companies solicited and retained after review received (title insurance amount and necessity determined in advance), (6) appraisal and review appraisal services solicited and appraiser retained, (7) appraisal received and sent for review, (8) offer to purchase and notice of just compensation sent owner, (9) owner contacted by attorney or other representative and contract formalized, (10) settlement costs calculated and closing date set, (11) closing contract conducted with funds changing hands, and (12) records of proceedings retained. The Uniform Relocation Act requires certain specific procedures such as some letters being sent certified. The CDBG Implementation manual provides a checklist that may be utilized in following each transaction to successful conclusion. In no case will CDBG funds be utilized which would create involuntary displacement. C. Timing/Planning Properties necessary for easements or acquisition shall be identified as early in the planning stage as is practicable. Every attempt shall be made to effect a design that it not wholly site dependent, that is, where two or more sites are suitable for the project. It is recognized this may not always be possible; however, a policy of minimizing single site alternatives is emphasized. In general terms, the voluntary acquisition process shall be utilized to identify possible sites early in the project. Sites shall be evaluated for suitability prior to the final design phase to the maximum practicable extent. As soon as alternative sites are identified and evaluated, applicable acquisition procedures should commence. Projects shall not normally be sent out for bids unless properties to be acquired or utilized for easements have been formally acquired or a commitment exists which is sufficiently firm and binding to be considered safe for the project to proceed with start up. The Indian River County Commission shall make the determination as to whether or not bidding, award, and start up may proceed to closing in the property. In those cases, where need for easements and/or acquisition is not identified until after the project is underway, procedures shall be expedited to the maximum practicable extent and utilization of funds, the value of which would be unrecoverable if the transaction did not occur, minimized. 20