CALDWELL — Businessman Ralph Smeed and the city of Caldwell could settle an eminent domain lawsuit out of court.

The city and Smeed could not agree on the value of Smeed's land used in widening North 21st Avenue. So Caldwell filed a condemnation, or eminent domain, court action against Smeed last year. Attorneys for both parties hope the case can be settled before going to trial on August 18. The case had a pretrial hearing Tuesday.The issue that remains is what is just compensation for Ralph,Caldwell city attorney Mark Hilty said.