HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 28, 1996 ITEM# ��
DATE May 28.1996
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Resolutions Amending the Municipal Electric Tariff and Municipal Code
Requiring Underground Electric Utility Distribution and Street Lighting
Systems in New Developments
BACKGROUND:
At the June 11 meeting the City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare the necessary
documents to require underground electric utility distribution and street lighting systems in all new
developments.
The City' s current electric tariff provides an option to an owner/developer as to whether or not
an underground electric distribution system will be provided in a development. If the
owner/developer opts to install this underground service, then the City pays for a comparable cost
to install an overhead system, and the owner pays the incremental cost associated with the
installation of an underground system.
The benefits of installing underground electric utilities are threefold: 1) improved
aesthetics; 2) increased safety; and 3) increased reliability. Over the years the vast majority
of developers have opted for an underground system because of these three reasons.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . The City Council can require underground distribution systems to be installed in all newly
developed areas by approving the attached amendments to Section 2.5(4.3) of the Ames
Municipal Electric System Tariff as well as Chapter 23.28.1 of the Municipal Code. This
requirement will include the undergrounding of the street lighting sytem lines.
2. The City Council can choose to retain the current policy of allowing the developer the option
of installing a overhead or underground system in a new development.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1. These
revisions to the Electric Tariff and Municipal Code (see attached) will require the installation of an
underground electric distribution and street lighting systems in all new development areas.
The City Council should understand that these proposed changes will not alter the financial
responsibility of the developer to pay for the incremental costs associated with installing the
underground system.
COUNCIL ACTION: