CCP 02-11-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I . . . ~ ~~HILLS MEMORANDUM Mayor and City Council Joe Lynch, City Administrator j ~ ~ ~ SUBJECT: Xcel Energy Utility Location and Construction TO: FROM: DATE: February 17, 2002 cc: T. Moore, T. Post, J. Perron, A. Parrish ENC: Xcel letter, City Attomey correspondence BACKGROUND City Planner Parrish received a complaint call from a Shoreview resident about construction of utility lines on the west side of Lexington Avenue. Apparently, Xcel Energy was constructing new utility poles and placing new utility line on the west side of Lexington going north from Highway 96 toward County Road I. Aaron checked to determine of Xcel Energy had gone through any permitting process and if we had received any information about new construction that Xcel Energy was planning in the City of Arden Hills. He found that no permit or process had been followed by Xcel Energy, no plans were presented, and no approvals given by the City of Arden Hills for construction of utility lines. Aaron found that the City requires, through our utility ordinance, Chapter 10, Sectiou 1010.13, Underground Installation of Distribution Lines, page 10-51, Subd. 6, Undergrounding of Permanent Replacement, Relocated or Reconstructed Facilities, requires that a utility of more than 300 feet must be located and maintained underground with due regard for seasonal work conditions. Reconstruction means any substantial repair or any improvement of existing facilities. In a conversation with Xcel Energy representatives, they had approached the City approximately a year and a half ago, through the former Public Works Director Stafford, about their ability to construct the utility in this location. They also claim that they had previously approached the City of Arden Hills about constructing overhead lines on Hamline A venue east along Highway 96 on the north side, but were told that might interfere with the City's plans to acquire and obtain property for City Hall construction, and they abandoned those plans.