HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.C.6. Relocation of Overhead Power Lines for 2003 Reconstruction Project 2003-3
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CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Relocation of Existing Overhead Power Lines on the
2003 Street Reconstruction Improvements, Project No. 2003-3
DATE: February 17, 2004
INTRODUCTION:
Associated with the 2003 Street Reconstruction Project, which includes the streets of 4th
Avenue; Sarazin Street, north of 4th Avenue to c.R. 101; and Cavanaugh Drive is the
relocation of existing overhead power lines along 4th A venue, from Marschall Road to
Shenandoah Drive. This agenda item is for City Council to consider whether or not the
Council wants the existing overhead power lines to be placed underground or to be
relocated overhead on this project.
BACKGROUND:
With the 2003 Street Reconstruction Project, the overhead power lines will need to be
relocated on 4th Avenue as 4th Avenue will be constructed to a 44 foot wide urban
roadway with sidewalk and trail. It is proposed that the electric lines would be relocated
north of the bituminous trail on the north side of 4th Avenue. Per the City's Right-of-
Way Management Ordinance, if an existing overhead power line installation of 300 feet
or more is relocated, the City has the discretion to require the existing overhead power
line to be placed underground or to remain overhead. Previously, with the recent Valley
View Road Project and c.R. 83/C.R. 16, City Council did decide to have the existing
overhead power line to be relocated underground.
Per Shakopee Public Utilities Commission's (SPUC) staff, they have estimated a cost to
place the lines underground at $200,000.00 and to relocate the existing overhead lines at
$50,000.00. SPUC has recently approved a funding mechanism and policy to pay for the
undergrounding of existing overhead power lines, if required by the City. This funding
mechanism and policy was put in place in 2003. Per the report on relocation of electrical
facilities, as prepared by SPUC's consultants, the option chosen by SPUC to recover the
additional cost of undergrounding facilities is to recover the cost through a special utility
rate added over a period of time.
In review of the electric power line location, with the design of 4th Avenue
improvements, the power lines will probably need to be underground from Marschall
Road to the Upper Valley Drainageway due to the available right-of-way or be placed in
the boulevard. The issue for City Council, at this time, is to discuss whether or not to
underground the existing overhead power lines on 4th Avenue, from Marschall Road to
Shenandoah Drive. At the February 17,2004 City Council meeting, the Council will also
be asked to approve plans on the 2003 Street Reconstruction Project with possible award
on April 6, 2004.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a motion requiring that the existing overhead power lines along 4th
Avenue, from Marschall Road to Shenandoah Drive be relocated underground.
2. Do not approve a motion requiring that the existing overhead power lines along
4th Avenue, from Marschall Road to Shenandoah Drive be relocated underground.
3. Table for additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff would recommend that City Council would discuss the issue and make a
determination on whether to underground the existing overhead power lines or relocate
the existing power lines. In staff's opinion, the overhead power lines along 4th Avenue,
from Marschall Road to the Upper Valley Drainageway, would need to be placed
underground due to the limited right-of-way available or placed overhead in the
boulevard and it is at the City Council's discretion for the remainder of 4th Avenue to
Shenandoah Drive.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve a motion determining on whether the existing overhead power lines along 4th
A venue, from Marschall Road to Shenandoah Drive, to be relocated and remain an
overhead line or be placed underground.
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Public Works Director
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POWERLINES