CCP 04-29-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e . . ARDEN HILLS CJTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11,2002 7 Councilmember Larson asked if they could not do other things to aIJow a double circuit. He stated they could have put up a bigger pole to bc more resistant to damage, Mr. Wertish responded this was the most practical way to get the job done. Councilmember Larson stated it does not address the needs of this community. He noted that property will remain park land. Mr. Wertish responded he understood. Mayor Probst stated he did not think Mr. Wertish did understand, Mr, Wertish responded they worked with the County. Mayor Probst stated Mr. Wertish should not take his comments personally, but he thinks it is unconscionable that the City was not contacted. He noted it was unconscionable that other options were not explored, He added they should have considered additional services on the west side rather than having lines on both sides of that property, He stated he is mystified why the Wispark development is not part of this discussion when the additional load is caused by it. Mr. Wertish responded Xcel is not charging anybody. He stated Arden Hills is requesting the underground lines, Councilmember Grant stated this line serves Wisp ark. He noted it is a new development and has no charge for underground service. He added that County Road F the lines are underground at no charge. He stated this section is overhead with no other options considered. He noted it is frustrating to Council, since the rate payers are left to pay the bill. He added Xcel needs the capacity and the redundancy, He stated Xcel should have approached Arden Hills just as the County indicates in its permit process. Mr. Wertish responded they were not told of this new requirement when they received their permits, He stated some things fell through the cracks, He noted he is sorry the City feels this line would just benefit Wisp ark. He added it benefits Arden Hills too since the system is integrated. Councilmember Grant stated that the best practice for the future is to notify the city involved as the normal course of action, Councilmember Aplikowski asked how big an issue this $450,000 cost is. She stated they did not notice these lines going up until some one call the city. She questioned how important it is for the city to have that stretch of line underground. Mayor Probst stated the PUC regulations are not in place. He noted there were other ways of solving this problem, He added there are many ways to protcct those poles on the other side of the street. He stated they have not noticed the lines because Xcel has been building north to south. He noted there are not a lot ofresidents there to notice, Mr. Lynch stated that by ordinance the city policy is that the lines should go under ground, Councilmember Aplikowski stated if the City requests it have to pay for it. She noted money is the bottom line. She added she knows the permit policy was not followed. She added they are going to spend money either way. She stated the issue is what is the best use of the residents money.