HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 22, 2022 ITEM#: 19
DATE: 03-22-22
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: BEACH AVENUE - ELECTRIC UTILITY EASEMENT ON STATE OF
IOWA PROPERTY
BACKGROUND:
Electric Services is planning to replace a buried electric line along the east side of Beach
Avenue between Sunset Drive and Country Club Boulevard in spring 2022. The existing
line has failed and been repaired several times. The replacement line will be more reliable
and have increased capacity to accommodate projected electric load growth in the area.
Due to the distance between Sunset Drive and Country Club Boulevard (approx. 900 ft),
two pull boxes will need to be buried along the line. The pull boxes will enable Electric
Services crews to install the new line in shorter sections to avoid damaging the line.
Multiple buried utility lines (gas, telephone, CATV, etc.) on the east side of Beach Avenue
prevent the placement of the pull boxes in public right-of-way. The Iowa State Center is
located on the east side of the Beach Avenue right-of-way and would provide a suitable
location for the installation of the pull boxes. To accomplish this, the City and ISU must
approve an agreement for an electric utility easement. ISU is willing to grant a 50-
year easement.
Staff from Iowa State University Facilities Planning & Management is supportive of the
placement of the pull boxes on the Iowa State Center site. The State Board of Regents
is expected to approve the easement at the April 2022 Board meeting in exchange for $1
in consideration. The easement agreement does require the City to move its facilities
if ISU requests so in the future, but ISU would pay the cost of relocation on a
prorated basis over a 30-year period (i.e., ISU covers 100% of the relocation if it
takes place in year one, decreasing to a 0% obligation at 30 years).
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . Approve the Electric Utility Easement on State of Iowa property for the installation
of the electrical pull boxes.
2. Do not approve the Electric Utility Easement on State of Iowa property and direct
Electric Services' staff to find an alternative location for the electrical pull boxes.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Electrical load is projected to increase in the area south of the Iowa State University
campus. The replacement of a buried line with one having greater capacity will allow
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Electric Services the ability to maintain the quality of service to the area. An easement
on ISU property is required to install the two electrical pull boxes for this project.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative No. 1, as noted above.
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