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IX. Utility Undergrounding <br />Ms. Hogan presented a draft utility undergrounding policy for consideration. Staff <br />presented this to Council on February 2nd for two projects. The first project is at <br />SH42 & Griffith and the other is Downtown at the alley between Pine & South and <br />Main & Lafarge. During this Council meeting, it was recommended to adopt a <br />policy on how to use Xcel's 1 % fund for future projects. Council asked staff to bring <br />back a Resolution for adopting an Undergrounding Policy and asked the Utility <br />Committee to review the policy and provide feedback. <br />Ms. Hogan provided an update of the two above reference projects, explaining the <br />City executed the scope document for SH42/Griffith and that the project is working <br />through the planning, easements and the permitting process with Xcel and looking <br />at construction mid -June. Staff are also working with Xcel to understand the scope <br />and challenges associated with the second project of the downtown alleys. <br />Councilmember Lipton asked if the policy provided a prioritization for projects. Ms. <br />Hogan said the current policy does not prioritize projects in detail and looks to <br />ensure meeting one or more of the criteria before being brought forward for Council <br />approval. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney stated he would like to see projects in an order <br />with an emphasis on public safety. He complimented the map in how it identifies <br />the locations. He continued that this helps with policy making decision process, it <br />provides continuum of the methodology and frame work used by the various <br />Council to make these decisions. Councilmember Fahey said she would also like <br />to see it prioritized along with including the cost estimates. <br />Councilmember Lipton asked how much funding remains after these two projects. <br />Ms. Hogan said after SH42 & Griffith there is around $2M, she added, that <br />downtown will take a large chunk of that but final cost estimates are still being <br />developed. Councilmember Lipton asked how much is generated each year. Ms. <br />Hogan said $200,000 with a 3 year barrow head totaling $600,000. Ms. Hogan <br />said as of June of last year we have $2.3M. Councilmember Lipton asked for an <br />outward looking plan on spending funds. Mr. Kowar added that the Committee may <br />want to reserve some of the 1 % funding as Federal funds may become available. <br />Ms. Balser noted there are challenges with prioritizing as there is a need to be <br />flexible with each project allowing the ability to leverage funds or work with <br />developers. Most of the criteria listed will allow the City to be responsive. Ms. <br />Hogan added that in 2017 when they started looking at this they did prioritize and <br />found the cost estimating wasn't consistent. Councilmember Lipton agreed that a <br />more dynamic approach is preferred. He also recognized that working with Xcel is <br />another factor in coordinating projects. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Maloney then asked how we would target the areas that have the <br />greatest impact. Councilmember Lipton commented that maybe we should <br />consider this as another criteria in something like ensuring service to critical City <br />facilities. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney agreed and stated that staff would be better with <br />coming up with something to put in the policy. Mr. Kowar explained the difficulties <br />of undergrounding and the more complicated thing is do you have partners in the <br />residents and commercial establishment that are willing to incur that cost to <br />underground that service line or willing to give an easement if we choose to <br />7 <br />