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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Change Order to Legal Services Agreement for 161-kV Tie Line RESOLUTION NO. 09-457 RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER TO PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 161-KV TIE LINE FOR THE CITY OF AMES WHEREAS,the FY 2008/09 Capital Improvements Plan includes a project to install a 161- kV interconnection with MidAmerican Energy Company, and in order to improve electric service reliability for our customers, there is the need for an additional transmission line to connect to the regional electric transmission grid; and, WHEREAS, following years of system impact studies, a route study, and substation and transmission line design work,the City determined that the best route for an additional transmission line extends from Ames to Ankeny; and, WHEREAS,on July 2,2008,the Iowa Utilities Board(IUB)issued its final ruling effectively denying the City's petition for a franchise to construct its 161-kV transmission line outside the City limits to NE Ankeny; and, WHEREAS, in its final decision, the IUB acknowledges the need for the line and does not contest the route specifically, but rather took issue with evidence of compliance with Code requirements as the basis for the initial route planning; and, WHEREAS,on August 7,2008,proposals were solicited forprofessional services to conduct a routing selection study conforming to Iowa Code and franchising requirements, and on September 9, 2008, the City Council approved a contract with Burns & McDonnell to conduct a routing study as we again began a process for obtaining a franchise; and, WHEREAS,members of City staff have interviewed representatives from two law firms that specialize in franchise representation,and after careful consideration and discussions of availability, experience, and cost, staff is recommending that an agreement for legal counsel be approved with the BrownWinick Law Firm of Des Moines, Iowa; and, WHEREAS,the second routing study has now been submitted to the IUB staff,and its staff s comments have been received and addressed; and, WHEREAS,legal counsel is advising that the City proceed with the process of preparing for public hearings and the City's appearance before the Administrative Law Judge; and, WHEREAS, in order to prepare for the presentations to be made during the public hearings and appearance, City staff is requesting that the Council approve a change order to the initial Purchase Order, increasing it to the full $100,000 estimate made in September 2008; and, WHEREAS,communication with BrownWinick indicates that the actual bill should be less than that if all goes as planned. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that a change order to the professional services contract with BrownWinick of Des Moines, Iowa, increasing the amount of the Purchase Order to $100,000 is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 22"d day of September, 2009. `-4.�f Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor Introduced by: Rice Seconded by: Goodman Voting aye: Doll, Goodman, Larson, Mahayni, Popken, Rice Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 22nd day of September, 2009.