HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-10-2015 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
March 10, 2015
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on March 10, 2015.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Johnson, Willis, Beard, Prom,
and Carroll.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Callister, Administrative Services Director Fischer, Park and
Recreation Director Evans, Park and Recreation Deputy Director Northway, City Engineer
Renneberg, Community Development Director Juetten, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Underground Power on Vicksburg Lane (15001)
City Engineer Renneberg discussed the option of undergrounding existing overhead Xcel Energy
power lines as part of the Vicksburg Lane project. The City must pay the differential cost
between relocating the power lines overhead and the cost to bury them. He stated the City's
estimated cost to bury the lines is $598,855.
He stated staff believes it's advantageous to bury the power lines due to the following reasons:
1. Relocating the power lines overhead would require the City to obtain a number of
easements to locate the poles, and the poles would be located very close to the proposed
trail.
2. There would be significant tree loss and trimming in order to accommodate the lines in
the new easements.
3. Burying the power lines would improve the overall aesthetics of the corridor and improve
safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
4. Burying the power lines would be consistent with all of the other power in the area being
located underground.
The power lines would be buried on the east side of Vicksburg Lane. If they were relocated
overhead, it would be on the west side of Vicksburg Lane. He noted the cost of burying the
overhead power can likely be accommodated within the existing budget of $19.7 million for the
project or be funded using the franchise fees currently being collected from Xcel Energy.
Lastly, Xcel Energy has indicated that this undergrounding will have no impact on their proposed
Hollydale project and is not being done under the guise of the Hollydale project. Xcel Energy
Adopted Minutes 1 of 2 Special Meeting of March 10, 2015
might have to install one or two additional switching cabinets at this time should the future
transmission needs come to a resolution, but those costs are not included in the undergrounding
costs.
The majority of the Council supported burying the power lines, but requested a tightly written
agreement with Xcel Energy.
Median Improvements on Vicksburg Lane
Councilmember Johnson inquired if the medians on Vicksburg Lane from Old Rockford Road
and County Road 9 coming into the City Center area could be beautified. She also mentioned the
trail crossing on Vicksburg Lane and softening the look in general while enhancing safety in the
area.
Park and Recreation Director Evans stated due to the narrowness of this median, wild grasses
could be planted or some type of planters on the end caps of the medians. Another option might
be artistic painting of the median. She stated medians are difficult to maintain without irrigation.
The Council requested staff to look options for beautifying the medians as well as cost and a
budget. This report would be presented during the budget discussions later this year.
Mayor Slavik mentioned a possible bus tour for Council and Planning Commission members on
May 19, 2015 at 5 p.m. This would be a tour of Northwest Plymouth and other development
areas. She requested the Council check their availability, and it would be discussed further at a
future study session.
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
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Sandra R. Engdahl, CWy Clerk
Adopted Minutes 2 of 2 Special Meeting of March 3, 2015