Condemnation Lawsuit

Mayor John Engen and other city officials gathered together with interested citizens in the Missoula City Council Chambers on Tuesday night to provide an update and a progress report on the now city-owned Missoula Water.

Attorneys representing the City of Missoula have submitted a brief asking Judge Karen Townsend to deny a stay in valuation of the Mountain Water Company.

On Tuesday, June 30, Mountain Water's attorneys filed a motion with the Montana Fourth Judicial District Court, asking the court to stay the valuation proceedings in the city of Missoula's condemnation action against Mountain Water.

Missoula Mayor John Engen said he first heard about District Judge Karen Townsend's ruling for the city against Mountain Water late Monday afternoon, just minutes before the weekly city council meeting.

The Missoula City Council Committee of the Whole met Wednesday afternoon and heard updates on two major projects, the Mountain Water lawsuit and the Hotel Fox proposal.

It took about 10 days for both sides to present their cases before District Judge Karen Townsend in the Mountain Water Condemnation lawsuit.

The City of Missoula is collaborating with Apple Valley, California, in that both cities are attempting to purchase their municipal water systems from Carlyle Infrastructure Partners.