CCP 03-25-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ ~~~~ Mayor Probst stated he had hoped from the last encounter that Xcel would have recognized the sensitivity of the Arden Hills community to overhead lines. He noted the removal would be paid for by the residents of Arden Hills when the line services Shoreview. He added the line goes llilderground when goes into Shoreview. ARDEN, HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2002 4 e Mr. Wertish stated express feeder lines are a different scenario. He noted Xcel did not decide against overhead lines at Lexington. He added that position was adopted by the Public Utility Commission. Mayor Probst stated Xcel is required to follow the requirements of the commWlity it operates in. He noted the City has the legal right to control its right of way. Mr. Wertish stated the project was approved by the County. He noted Xcel has COllilty permits. He added Xcel's legal staff has determined a city permit is not required, He stated the County has jurisdiction. He noted not that Xcel should not work with the City. Mr. Parrish stated he spoke to a County Specialist. He noted one component of the permit is to obtain any permits of the municipality. He added Ramsey COllilty does not do any follow up on that point. Mr. Filla stated that since 1971 the City of Arden Halls has had regnlations to require llilderground utility lines. He noted most deal with new development requiring the developer to e place lines underground. He added the utility regulations in 1971 talked about the existing distribution lines and the process. He stated the City would need to get together with the energy company and discuss how the underground line was to be paid for. He noted nothing requires the utility company automatically to pay for it. He added that since 1971 Minnesota courts have found that cities have the authority to require underground lines, but that utility companies have the right to be reimbursed for that cost. He stated one way is to require a surcharge. He noted that in this case the City did not have the choice to decide whether it wanted to llildergrollild the line and decide the costs. He added he thought Xcel should have gone through the City's permitting process, He stated the Public Utility Commission has taken the position that the incremental cost be absorbed by the mWlicipality. Councilmember Larson asked how Xcel decided to put part of the line underground, Mr. Wertish responded there is no other option in the right-of-way. He stated there is an existing overhead line. He noted there is not enough room to put the line in the right-a-way and keep Xcel's clearance, He added since it is the only option the line must go undergrollild at Xcel's cost. Councilmember Larson stated that is more expensive than running an underground line in the Arsenal property where there is no development. Mr. Wertish agreed. Councilmember Larson stated he was told there is a real need to anticipate a significant load this . summer to provide redundancy so customers north of Arden Hills have reliable power. Mr. Wertish concurred,